Phnom Penh: More than 230 young people from diverse backgrounds gathered at Himawari Hotel Apartments in Phnom Penh on September 4, 2026, for the Empowered Youth Leadership Conference (EYLC) 2026, a full-day gathering focused on equipping the next generation of leaders with purpose, courage, service and practical leadership skills.
Jointly organised by Add Courage, CELSCA Education, Brands for Good Limited, Himawari Hotel Apartments and the School of Innovative Leadership, the conference brought together young people, educators, community leaders and supporters to explore how youth can recognise their strengths, discover their purpose and use their opportunities to create meaningful change in their communities.
The conference focused on four core objectives: fostering leadership strengths, sharing best practices, promoting social responsibility and enhancing cross-cultural understanding.
Participants engaged in practical workshops, interactive discussions and leadership activities designed to help them identify their purpose, understand their strengths and develop actionable ideas to address challenges within their communities.
The programme also highlighted practical pathways for young people to build their futures through internships, scholarships, learning opportunities and community service.
A Call to Young People to Begin Leading Today
In his keynote address, Andrew Tay, Vice-Chairperson of the Board of St John Cambodia, expressed his appreciation to the organisers, educators, partners, supporters and volunteers who contributed to the conference.
He acknowledged the contributions of Mr Lawrence Lee, founder and CEO of Add Courage; Ms Lin Mei Yin, founder and managing director of CELSCA Education; Ms Germaine Wong, international education leader; Mr Alan Ng, co-founder of Brands for Good Limited; Ms Helena Chan, principal and founder of the School of Innovative Leadership; Rev. Steven Seah, Dean of the Anglican Church of Cambodia; the management and staff of Himawari Hotel Apartments; officers and cadets of St John Cambodia; as well as principals, teachers-in-charge, students, sponsors and other supporters.
Andrew Tay, Vice-Chairperson of the Board of St John Cambodia, emphasised that EYLC is committed to helping shape the next generation of leaders, particularly in developing countries such as Cambodia, by inspiring and equipping young people with leadership skills grounded in purpose and service.
He encouraged participants to make full use of opportunities that can help them grow, learn and contribute to society, including internships, scholarships and practical learning experiences.
“Through today’s workshop, we hope to give you practical guidance to discover your purpose, recognise and harness your strengths, and ultimately lead with passion, courage and impact,” Andrew Tay said.
His message also delivered a direct challenge to young participants: leadership does not depend on age, wealth or social status.
“Each one of you holds a key to the future. You do not have to wait until you are older, richer, or with status to make a difference. You can begin today.”
Shaping the Future from the Community
Reflecting on developments since the previous workshop in 2025, Andrew Tay highlighted the increasingly complex challenges facing young people and communities around the world. These include conflicts in different regions, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, increasingly severe weather patterns and natural disasters, border tensions, economic pressures affecting Cambodian families, and concerns about young people becoming disconnected from their communities as they spend increasing amounts of time on mobile devices and games.
Against this backdrop, the conference encouraged participants to look beyond global challenges and consider what they can do within their own communities. Andrew acknowledged that individuals may not be able to change the entire world alone, but meaningful change can begin much closer to home, within families, neighbourhoods and local communities.
“The future is not simply something that happens to us. The future is something we can help shape. We may not be able to change the world, but starting today, somewhere closer to your home or community.” He said.
Building a Purpose-Driven Generation
Mr Lawrence Lee, founder and CEO of Add Courage, said the Empowered Youth Leadership Conference was created with a clear mission to help shape the next generation of leaders in developing countries.
“Our dual mission is to inspire and equip young people with leadership skills grounded in purpose. One of the biggest challenges facing young people in Cambodia and across Southeast Asia is discovering their purpose, recognising and harnessing their strengths, and learning how to lead with passion and impact,” Lawrence Lee said.
He said the strong participation at this year’s conference, including support from 12 local schools and organisations, was an encouraging sign of growing interest in youth leadership and development.
“We are very encouraged by the strong turnout and the support from 12 local schools and organisations. This shows that there is a strong desire among young people and the wider community to invest in leadership development,” he added.
Looking ahead, Lawrence said EYLC would seek to build a stronger and more connected youth leadership community through its online EYLC Academy, providing participants with opportunities for continued interaction and learning beyond the annual conference.
“Through our online EYLC Academy, we aim to encourage continued interaction and ongoing learning within the EYLC community we have created. For next year, we also hope to introduce more local speakers who can serve as effective mentors and role models for our delegates,”he continues.
From Inspiration to Action
The messages from the conference captured the central spirit of EYLC 2026: encouraging young people to move from inspiration to action and recognise that leadership begins not with a title, but with purpose, responsibility and service.
Each partner played an important role in bringing the conference to life. Add Courage, founded by Lawrence Lee, supports young people across Asia through purpose-driven leadership programmes. Brands for Good Limited promotes responsible business and social impact, while CELSCA Education and the School of Innovative Leadership contribute to education and leadership development. Himawari Hotel Apartments provided the venue and hospitality for the gathering, creating a space for young participants to learn, connect and reflect.
With more than 230 young people coming together around a shared vision of leadership and service, the Empowered Youth Leadership Conference 2026 marked an important platform for youth empowerment in Cambodia, inspiring a new generation to lead not simply with ambition, but with courage, compassion, faith, humility and purpose.
Photo: Supplied
