Brussels · 14 November 2026 · Inaugural Edition

Where young leaders shape
tomorrow's diplomacy.

The International Diplomacy Summit is not a simulation. It's a standing institution of young leaders working on real policy, research, and governance, opening in Brussels and convening across six global editions each season.

Apply to an edition Explore our institutions

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Global editions in 2026–27

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Founding institutions

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Delegate age range 16–28

2026

Inaugural edition · Brussels

Beyond simulation.
A standing institution for global leadership.

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Not a one-time eventThe Summit is the annual gathering, but the work continues year-round across six standing programmes.

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Real output, not simulationDelegates publish policy briefs, run research, and build chapters, not just debate resolutions.

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A lifelong networkFrom Fellowship to Alumni Network, IDS is built to stay part of your career, not end when the Summit does.

2026–27 EDITIONS

Six cities, one founding season.

Brussels opens the inaugural edition; five more cities follow across the season, each a single-day summit with the same core format.

Applications open

Brussels

14 NOV 2026 · INAUGURAL EDITION

The flagship founding Summit, held at the heart of European and international diplomacy.

€195 registration · €5,000 prize pool

Apply

Applications open

Bengaluru

19 DEC 2026 · SOUTH INDIA EDITION

IDS's second edition, extending the founding class to South Asia.

₹9,995 registration · €5,000 prize pool

Apply

Coming soon

Dubai

12 FEB 2027 · MIDDLE EAST EDITION

Extending the founding class to a wider delegate base across the Middle East.

€5,000 prize pool · registration TBA

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Coming soon

Riyadh

9 APR 2027

Details to be announced.

€5,000 prize pool · registration TBA

Notify me

Coming soon

Singapore

11 JUN 2027

Details to be announced.

€5,000 prize pool · registration TBA

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Coming soon

New Delhi

18 JUL 2027

Details to be announced.

€5,000 prize pool · registration TBA

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COMPETE & ADVANCE

The IDS Championship Pathway.

Every edition carries a €5,000 prize pool. Winning is just the first step: IDS delegates can climb from their city Summit all the way to a fully-sponsored place at the Global Annual Championship.

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Edition Champion

€5,000 prize pool

Win your city's Summit and share in the €5,000 prize pool set for every IDS edition.

Qualifies for → National / Regional Championship

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National / Regional Champion

Fully-sponsored trip

Compete against edition champions from across your country or region. Winning earns a fully-sponsored trip to the Championship itself.

Qualifies for → Global Annual Championship

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Global Annual Champion

Fully-sponsored trip

The pinnacle of the IDS championship pathway: a fully-sponsored trip to compete against regional champions from every IDS edition worldwide.

KEY THEMES

What every edition explores.

Committees, policy labs, and research across all IDS editions are organised around six recurring themes.

Diplomacy, Peace & International Cooperation

Conflict resolution, negotiation, and peacebuilding between nations.

Global Governance & Public Policy

International institutions and the mechanics of effective policy.

Technology, Innovation & Digital Transformation

AI governance, digital rights, and emerging technology policy.

Climate, Sustainability & Resilience

Climate diplomacy and building resilience to environmental change.

Economic Development & Global Prosperity

Trade policy and pathways to inclusive global growth.

Leadership, Society & Human Development

Education, youth leadership, and human development.

THE INSTITUTION

Six programmes. One standing network.

Every delegate who passes through a Summit has a place to keep working and keep leading, long after the closing ceremony.

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IDS Fellowship

A year-long, cohort-based leadership fellowship combining mentorship, policy training, and a capstone project.

Apply to the Fellowship →

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IDS Policy Forum

A standing platform where members publish policy briefs and host roundtables with practitioners.

Submit a brief →

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IDS Youth Council

City and country chapters running local advocacy and community initiatives.

Start a chapter →

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IDS Research Journal

A rolling-submission publication for youth-authored research, open to non-members worldwide.

Submit research →

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IDS Leadership Academy

Short courses on negotiation, crisis diplomacy, and policy writing.

Browse courses →

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IDS Alumni Network

A lifelong directory and mentorship community for every IDS graduate.

Join the network →

GET INVOLVED

Three ways to work with IDS.

Partner with us

Schools, universities, and NGOs building a delegate pipeline or research collaboration.

Partnership inquiry

Sponsor a Summit

Corporates and foundations supporting scholarships, venues, and programme delivery.

Sponsorship inquiry

Join the team

Volunteer with the Secretariat or a Youth Council chapter near you.

CONTACT

Get in touch.

Questions about an edition, partnership, or press inquiry? Reach the Secretariat directly.

info@idssummit.org

+971 55 456 2357 | +91 907 137 6565