To mark International Youth Day 2026, WFAD, together with the ISSUP Global Youth Network, Drug Free America Foundation, and Fourth Wave Foundation, invites you to join our webinar on Wednesday, 12 August, for the launch of the Global Youth Survey.

The Global Youth Survey is a youth-led global initiative designed to better understand the experiences, needs, strengths, opportunities, and aspirations of young people and early career professionals working in substance use prevention, treatment, recovery, and related fields. The findings will help identify the knowledge, skills, and contributions needed to strengthen the global workforce and advance evidence-informed practice.

The survey will be launched as part of this year’s International Youth Day, whose theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” recognises that while young people’s lives are shaped by different realities around the world, they share many of the same aspirations, including meaningful participation, quality education, professional growth, and the opportunity to contribute to healthier and more sustainable communities.

Participants will also be introduced to the Global Youth Declaration on Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery, developed by young professionals in 2025, and explore how the Global Youth Survey builds on its recommendations to support future youth engagement and workforce development.

Date: Wednesday, 12 August 2026
Time: 4:00 p.m. CEST | 3:00 p.m. London | 10:00 a.m. ET | 5:00 p.m. EAT
Language: English with interpretation in French and Spanish

Meet our Speakers

The webinar brings together an international panel of experts and young leaders working to strengthen youth engagement, workforce development, and evidence-informed approaches to substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery.

Dr. Fuhaira Sana Rathore is a House Officer at Services Hospital in Lahore and Youth Coordinator at the Pakistan Youth Organization. She contributed to the development of the Global Youth Declaration on Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery and continues to advocate for meaningful youth participation in global drug policy.

Deogratius Ramale is a psychologist from Tanzania and Youth Representative for Africa on the ISSUP National Chapters Advisory Committee. His work focuses on workforce development, evidence-based practice, and strengthening youth participation across Africa.

Dayana Vincent is Director of Fourth Wave Foundation and Special Advisor to WFAD. With more than two decades of experience in child rights, prevention, and international drug policy, she has represented her work at international organisations, including UNESCO and UNODC.

Chantel Lincoln is Deputy Director of Drug Free America Foundation, where she leads prevention initiatives, youth engagement, and international collaboration to strengthen evidence-informed prevention.

Opening & Closing Remarks:

Dr. Mulka Nisic is Faith and Youth Project Coordinator at ISSUP. Her work focuses on strengthening youth engagement, professional capacity building, and international knowledge exchange in the substance use field.

Cressida de Witte is Secretary General of WFAD and leads the organisation’s international development projects, global youth initiatives, and policy and advocacy work.

Moderator:

Ariel Cohn is a public health professional specialising in youth substance use prevention and suicide prevention. She is passionate about supporting communities to create safe environments where young people can thrive.