The 1st virtual symposium with youth speakers from North and South America will be held on September 26-27, 2026

Cumbre de América del Norte y del Sur para jóvenes en acogida fuera del hogar　 ◎　El primer simposio virtual para jóvenes ponentes de América del Norte y del Sur se llevará a cabo del 26 al 27 de septiembre de 2026

Cúpula das Américas do Norte e do Sul para Jovens em Acolhimento Familiar　◎　O 1º Simpósio Virtual para jovens palestrantes da América do Norte e do Sul será realizado nos dias 26 e 27 de setembro de 2026

2^nd symposium will be held virtually with speakers with lived experience from North America and CARRIBIAN COUNTRIES in JANUARY 2027. (Exact dates to be announced.)

3^rd symposium will be held virtually with speakers with lived experience from North America and CENTRAL AMERICA in JUNE 2027. (Exact dates to be announced.)

YOUTH SPEAKERS FROM ALL REGIONS will be invited to present at the final symposium at a venue in the United States in OCTOBER 2027.(Exact dates and place to be announced.)

25 selected young people with lived out of home care experience from North and South America will gather together to build community, reflect and plan for action.

Youth-driven conversations around key transitional moments within the out-of-home care systems – from entering care to exiting, and from youth-adult partnerships to youth leadership.

INVITATION

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

We are seeking nominations of young leaders aged 18–35 who have:

• Direct lived experience in out-of-home care (e.g., foster care, orphanages, residential institutions),
• A demonstrated understanding of the foster care system in their region,
• Proven leadership, advocacy, and community engagement skills.

NUMBERS OF PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES AND YOUTH PRESENTERS

Delegate participation will be limited to 25 individuals, with representation from the United States, U.S. Territories, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. We aim to elevate diverse voices and ensure broad representation, including Indigenous and Afro-descendant youth. This Summit will include English, Spanish, and Portuguese translation.

SYMPOSIUM AGENDA

The Summit Agenda will include:

• Closed sessions for delegates to build community, reflect, and plan for action,
• Open knowledge exchanges with child welfare professionals, advocates, scholars, caregivers, parents, and young leaders,
• Interactive workshops focused on transitions into, through, and out of care,
• Sessions on healing, community care, and youth-led solutions.

APPLICATION

We invite you to identify and support a potential delegate. Please send all application documents to this email address ⇨ info@ifca-us.org　

Your support in connecting youth to this opportunity is vital to amplifying their voices and creating lasting change in the foster care and child welfare landscape.