Go Far, Go Together: Reflecting on the 6th Edition of the Young Activists Summit

We had the privilege of participating in the 6th edition of the Young Activists Summit (YAS) at the United Nations in Geneva. For the third year in a row, Brightside Group had the honor of helping bring together a community of changemakers from around the world to share their powerful stories and inspire us all.

This year’s incredible laureates were:

⭐️ Cynthia Houniuhi

⭐️ Alvaro Quiroz

⭐️ Marley Dias

⭐️ Shanley Clemot McLaren

⭐️ Sohanur Rahman

Each one of them brought a unique and impactful journey—from fighting climate change to helping the homeless, each activist is a beacon of hope and a reminder of the power of youth to shape the future. Their stories are not just inspiring—they’re a call to action for all of us to contribute to making this world a better place.

What did we do for them?

 

At Brightside, we believe that an event is more than just logistics; it’s about creating connections, building a sense of community, and supporting people so they can shine. Our role in this summit went beyond event coordination: we focused on the human side of the experience.

Over the course of three days, our team dedicated themselves to ensuring the activists felt at ease despite the challenges of long flights, jet lag, cultural differences, and the stress of being far from home. With a diverse group arriving from Bangladesh, Mexico, the Solomon Islands, the USA, and France, it was our job to make sure they had the support they needed, every step of the way.

Our team of warrior chaperones went above and beyond to create a welcoming environment for each of these incredible individuals. We took care of every detail—from managing logistics to ensuring they were comfortable and supported throughout their time in Geneva.

This is the core of what we do at Brightside: human connection. We are driven by the belief that events are most impactful when we care for the people involved, and our team’s passion for what we do shines through in every interaction. Whether it’s through simple gestures or thoughtful support, we put our heart into every event we manage.

It Takes a Village

 

None of this would have been possible without the support of our amazing volunteers. Over 25 volunteers, including students from the International Institute of Lancy, gave their time and energy to make the summit a success. Their dedication and enthusiasm were a vital part of bringing this vision to life.

A huge thank you to Marina Wutholen and the entire dev.tv team for trusting us to be part of this extraordinary project. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with such a talented and passionate group of people.

Looking Ahead

 

As we look back on this year’s summit, we are already excited for the next edition. At Brightside, we know that when we work together, we can go far. This experience was a beautiful reminder of the power of collaboration, and we can’t wait to continue supporting projects that make a real difference in the world. Until next time, let’s continue to push forward, make connections, and build a better tomorrow.