The event will be opened by the UNESCO Deputy Director-General and the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and will feature a number of high-level speakers.
The Conference will bring together young leaders and participants from governments, UN agencies, universities, non-governmental organizations and the sporting world, to discuss the transversal power and potential of sport as a vector for sustainable development, reconciliation, education, gender equality, youth empowerment, social cohesion and inter-cultural dialogue.

Furthermore, and in line with the objectives of the 2010 International Year of Youth: Dialogue and Mutual understanding and building on the momentum of the Youth Olympic Games held in August 2010, this event will promote the role of youth as key actors in strengthening civic engagement and citizenship.

The Conference is organized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in partnership with UNESCO.