"I keep wishing I could do it all over again! I just wanted to say thank you so much for all your organisation and support which made my conference week a truly wonderful time. I experienced something which I feel very privileged to have done and that was being able to mix with so many different people who come from places which I had only heard about, let alone shared first hand experiences with. There are very few people who can say they have done that and I hope that you will be able to help so many others to come to this conference because I learnt such a lot. I think that if every young person had the opportunity to express their views and think like we were all thinking, the world would be a far better place. Long live idealists! So I wish you luck for the future and thank you again for a magical week."

"Thank you for being a part of my life that I will never forget. I am amazed at how dedicated you all are and how wonderful each one of you are. I appreciate all the motivational seeds you have planted within me. I am inspired to lead, to listen and to be the change I wish to see in this world."

"The whole experience was as rewarding as it could be for me."

"I realized for the first time there are like-minded people like me out there. People who believe in positive change for the world and who are willing to do something about it. It has given me so much drive and incentive."

"The most rewarding part was being able to discuss politics with like-minded people from around the world, all with diverse and interesting views."

"I don't think I will ever have another week like this in my life and I feel so lucky about it!"

"I knew this conference would be great, but it was even better than expected. I loved it!! And it was the people who made it so unforgettable."

"The benefits of the sessions are simply way too many to get started on. Everything just turned out to be so meaningful and interesting. I learned more of this week than in a whole semester back home."

"When I came here I had not that high expectations. I just thought it would be like any other conference. But it turned out to be like a really hard school with a lot of payback. I'll go home now, a totally different person."

"My home's educational system doesn't provide many experiences like these, so they were challenging for me. I learned how important it is to speak up and get involved, even if it may be difficult. The classroom sessions were excellent - it gave us the chance to talk and analyze issues and all three simulations were really fun and memorable. The staff were also really kind and caring, so I want to thank each and every one of them."

"I am a huge advocator of human rights and it touched my heart to hear Mona and Mlilo's presentations. I think its most important to me because it motivates me to want to bring change to the world. This kind of motivation is priceless. It was so rewarding to meet the people and forming such close relationships."

"The most important thing I learned from this week is that there is no limit to what a person can achieve if there is a will to achieve it. At times I felt I wouldn't be able to do it. But here I am, at the end of the week, and I can look back with confidence! The atmosphere was totally positive, stimulating and supportive. Viva Anthony and Julia!! You are the best!"

"I learned that the young people can have an important role in the continuous changing of the world. Out there are a lot of young leaders that need this type of experience and I'm happy for being a part of the 7 th IYLC."

"I've never experienced anything like this!"

"Stereotypes and misconceptions are only that and should never be taken as truth."

"Leadership does not exist alone. It was a great experience to observe how others think and exchange opinions. Since a leader is created inside, I truly believe that at some point of my life I will apply this experience to develop my own leadership."

"We are all fighting one "world" fight. There is a powerful and pertinent humanitarian connection."

"By bringing young people together all problems concerning the world will expire."

"Everything has contributed to a new, revised position on world politics for me. The problems we face are not to be dealt with domestically only, we all need to take responsibility internationally to solve problems."

"I was amazed to know many of my own potentials in a totally new way. And I think here onwards I can fully utilize them to make my life more interesting and successful! IYLC introduced to me my own capacity to express myself confidently."

"It was one of the best experiences of group work. The IYLC definitely stands at the top of the list!"

"I would like to thank Mona for her presentation. It reminded me of my memories of the riot, which I saw from the closed windows of my house in India , which made me select politics as my study and work area. I am very pleased to state that she in a way inspired me to convert my emotions, my memories in a different and constructive work which would help me to make the "change" I am aiming for!"

"The UN crisis was most important for me as it was really a challenge for me to perform a role which was totally opposite than what real character I have."

"The most rewarding part for me was the whole week! I thought my short time here was excellent. We met extraordinary people from all around the globe - brilliant! And the beer was not bad either."

"The most important thing was learning that all people are the same, even though they come from so many different places."

"The experience was great, very enjoyable and very worthwhile. The facilitators are wonderful."

"Other than meeting new people and establishing ties with them, I got to realize the areas where I would feel myself fit or not. The conference served as a guide for me and provided insight on picking a right Master's degree."

"Both regional presentations were touching, and though presented by citizens of those specific countries the speakers tried to remain as objective as possible. Plus I learned a lot of new details about those conflicts that were unexplored for me before."

"The most rewarding was meeting people and getting to know the diversity in any one's life - and that we do care about each other at the end of the day. To be a leader - regardless in any field - I need to be an agent of change myself in the first place."

"I liked the International Criminal Court the best because being in a court is something that we do not actually experience in everyday life and it challenges our way of thinking."

"It was most rewarding meeting and establishing friendships with some of the most amazing people."

"The UN crisis was my favorite because I had no idea how the UN was run and it was fantastic that we as a group could work together to achieve a common goal. And the classroom sessions were well organized. I found the openness of the other participants and the desire to allow everyone a chance to participate was awesome. Also, I would like to thank the staff for changing my life. I am a better person for having met all of them."

"I believe that the single activities - however interesting - was not the purpose, or not even the best parts of the conference. It was being in the midst of a tremendously inspiring and rewarding context; the participants and facilitators. I learned that vastly different people actually can and will communicate and exchange ideas given the right circumstances of equality and freedom."

"The facilitators were always there to support and try and push you to do, or take roles, you might necessarily take. I faced my fears and realized that if you push yourself little by little you can achieve anything. Andrea and Courtney made the whole experience so much fun and easy to get involved. I had the most amazing time and no two days got the same emotions from me. I think the IYLC is a great organization and the ideals behind it are worth striving for."

"The staff was perfect and the facilitators were what made it so rewarding. Thanks to every single person for their efforts of which I am here and had such a great time."

"The classroom work was a tremendous learning experience, but the time spent outside the classroom was a lot of what made the week great. There are other intelligent and dedicated students out there working to make a reality a lot of what I want to see more on an international level. My facilitators, Penny and Mlilo, were both very impassioned, informed and good leaders."

"It was all spectacular! Change nothing!"

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"I`ll never be able to repay or compensate for all I’ve gotten out of IYLC. There was no better way to experience leadership this summer then to gather strong-willed gifted minds from around the world and seeing how each had a different opinion on the world and on it’s leadership. When I came in, leadership had only a meaning. As I leave, more than a hundred spring to my mind.

"I came seeing many different flags, colors, and divisions from around the world. I saw that the divisions and flags were only man made and the colors of our flags, our skin, and our political parties compliment each other more than we think. I conquered ignorance overall and learned so much from all over the world that I only hope I am not taken against when I say I’m proud of it.”

"Filling this page with praise would not even begin to describe how truly fantastic this conference is! I honestly did not know what to expect of my experience here, but it has surpassed even my most optimistic expectations. As soon as everyone arrived we immediately statrted to gel as a community. Despite our cultural, religious, political beliefs, we all were able to build a super strong an open family. I think we all came to the table with different ideas, but with the curiosity and desire to listen and learn from one another. Not only did I gain priceless insight that will help me along in my career path, I also learned a lot about people and myself – as well as a few new English phrases from people around the world. Keep up the great
work! You are amazing folks!”

"I really liked meeting people from different countries and discussing different issues with them. It is good to have different perspectives on the same problem. This is a very good thing because I looked at the problem more critically, not only from my side.”

"I really enjoyed being on this conference. I have been at the international meetings before, with people from different countries, but back then we didn’t have common topic. I learned a lot from those meetings but this one was the most rewarding one. I liked people sharing with the ideas on the issues that can happen in real life. I like the ICC a lot because it felt so real. I just want to thank everyone who made this conference possible. I had a great time”

"Every simulation and every preparation for them helped me develop, learn to use and understand the technical language, express ideas. The most rewarding was the parliament simulation with most difficult preparation and best carry out on Thursday. Also getting to know great people, feeling like having know them forever after just three days.

"During the course of this conference it has become clear to me that I definitely want to study political sciences, because I want to understand as much about the global problems and situations as my fellow participants who’ve been studying it for at least two years. The students of this conference have encouraged me even more not to be afraid to leave one’s comfort zone and to always maintain the curiosity to discover new land. I think it is quite unique to develop and learn this much within one week, school could NEVER keep up!!”

"For me this conference was amazing. I cannot help myself to say a huge thank you to all CCI people and especially to Nicola and Miruna. Both of you are great. I was a little bit afraid whether I can finish the conference well cause I’ve language barrier. But I’m here right now and feel so great cause I’ve a cool week with all people around me. The simulations are great. Now I know more about international issues and I’ll keep myself to get to know more about what had happened and what will happen in the whole world. This conference really boost my spirit to be aware of my local situation in Indonesia and I’ll try to give contribution to my community.”

"The 5th International Youth Leadership Conference is a serious and profound step, it aims to create a promising and distinguishing young generation, it opened many doors in front of us, it helped us to grow up so early and to enter the civilization through knowledge and cognitions. It is not easy to build friendship with people from different countries, backgrounds, and have different mentalities, but the participants have wonderful characters, they are open minded people. We could cross the borders and break the ice among us easily, I think those differences could unite us.”

"There is too much to put into words. This week has definitely given me a different outlook on life. I have become much more open to different cultures and have realized that there is no way you can understand a culture until you have lived with the culture. Generalization and stereotypes are hardly ever accurate.”

"One of the things that I just realize right now is that I was afraid I would get disappointed because of my excessive idealism, I thought the stress would lie on reality and achievability. Fortunately it didn’t, I still feel I can become president and change the world.”

"My experience at the IYLC was amazing and inspirational. I will never forget my times and experience in Prague. Human nature is universal, the only separation between us is ignorance and borders.”

"I wish it lasted a bit longer so that I could get to know everybody. This was the first time for me to meet so many guys from around the world. After this conference I have a feeling that I’m going to learn all the languages in the world!”

"The conference was a great time to learn about international relations and how “we” globally fit together. You get to see that the world is not really as big as you think. The chance to hear what other people think is worth the trip not to mention the chance to work together on issues.”

"I feel really inspired to achieve a lot in my career after being here. I met so many great people, learnt a lot, challenged myself, and had fun! I’ll definitely recommend it to others.”

"The IYLC was one of the most extreme weeks I’ve had in my life but it was worth it. I learned a lot, not so much about how international law or the UN work, but about myself and others.”

"It was really good to take part in this conference. I watched the obvious issue of preparation to a new generation of young leaders. And this is the most important challenge we face nowadays. This transition to new generation of leaders will have very important impact in my life.”

"In just one week, I feel like I have grown so much more than one may normally do. My goals have been reaffirmed and I now want to work in foreign politics and diplomacy more than ever. The simulations have taught me invaluable skills which I will hold for a lifetime. The friends were amazing!”

"The conference was really great! I’ll never forget these amazing five days! It was really challenging to play a role and to expand my safe-zone! I learned so much during talking to people from all over the world!”

"This was truly an amazing experience. I am glad that I was invited to attend. Everyone was great and the only regrets that I have are (1) It isn’t long enough (2) that I have to leave so many wonderful people. Well organized and planned. Thanks again.”

"It was a really great way to understand how some international bodies function – passing a law is not as easy as I thought! I have made some good friends and contacts, which hopefully will be a way to improve relations between countries in the future if we all become state leaders one day! I really do think there should be some kind of world youth forum to get young people into politics as we often have good ideas which are difficult to express when politics is generally the domain of much older people.”

"It was more than I expected, the whole experience has made me more confident and from the sharing of ideas more knowledged. I did not expect to have as much fun as I did and did not expect everyone to be as friendly as they were.”

"The most rewarding part of the IYLC was getting a chance to share such a great experience with people from all over the world. Sharing ideas, working together, thinking together, hanging out together and partying together. This has been by far one of the most significant experiences in my life.”

"I had an absolutely wonderful experience at this conference. What made it even more rewarding was being able to work closely in your group with students from all over the world. Never have I been exposed to so many nationalities in one room! This was further enhanced by the fact we all respected each other’s view and perspectives. It truly allowed me to step out of the box and assume roles I would not normally do. The conference has definitely lived up to it’s motto of “work hard, play hard.”’

"The conference is an excellent opportunity to gain a better understanding of different nationalities. I think I had the privilege of learning more about the UK, US, Australia, Canada, Romania, Saint Martins, Venezuela, Malaysia, Brazil, Turkey, Czech, and last but not least Greece. And by the way, these are only the nationalities that come to mind right now.”

"Being here is about being able to empathize with others though presenting, debating, and defending another point of view. Not only does the IYLC increase your understanding, it provides crucial opportunities to practice speaking and listening skills and boost your confidence.”