The International Young Catholic Students (IYCS) actively participated in the 2024 International Conference of NGOs in Official Partnership with UNESCO, held from December 17–19, 2024, at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. The conference, themed “Building Capacity for Action,” brought together NGOs from around the world to strengthen partnerships and strategies in support of UNESCO’s priorities on sustainable development and human rights.

The IYCS delegation was represented by Mr. Roshan Melwyn Lobo, Secretary General of IYCS; Mr. Roy Ibrahim, Outgoing Programme Coordinator of IYCS; Ms. Prisca Koffi, Outgoing Regional Coordinator of IYCS-Africa; Ms. Lara Danhace and Ms. Laujain Guiga, both members of JEC France.

Throughout the conference, IYCS representatives actively engaged in parallel sessions focusing on Education for Peace and Sustainable Development, Gender Equality, and Youth Engagement. They contributed key insights on grassroots action for youth, strategies to address gender-based violence, and the importance of youth-led innovation in global policymaking.

At the NGO Hub, IYCS showcased its achievements in youth empowerment across Africa, Asia, and Europe, fostering knowledge exchanges with international partners. The organization also took an active role in the election of the NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee, where Ms. Prisca Koffi stood as a candidate, advocating for enhanced youth representation.

IYCS’s participation at the conference reinforced its role as a global youth movement committed to education, sustainable development, and social justice. The insights gained and partnerships formed will contribute to strengthening IYCS initiatives worldwide, ensuring the voices of young people continue to shape the future.