Rise, a festival elevating the voices of displaced youth, powered by Choose Love.
Rise is a global two-day digital festival led by displaced young people, bringing together art, storytelling, advocacy, technology and global solidarity. Created with youth leaders from Choose Love’s GLORY (Global Leadership & Organising by Refugee Youth) programme, Rise is a space where displaced young people are not spoken for, but heard, celebrated and recognised as leaders shaping the future.
Across two high-energy days, the festival will feature powerful conversations, practical workshops, film screenings, creative performances and moments of connection between displaced youth, community organisers, artists, refugee-supporting organisations, policymakers and allies around the world.
Rise is more than an online event. It is a global space to share ideas, build skills, grow coalitions and imagine what justice, safety and belonging can look like when those closest to the issues are given the microphone.
Key details
Dates: Friday 4th and Saturday 5th September 2026.
Time: 13:00-19:30 UTC, 14:00 to 20:30 UK time.
Location: Online via Zoom. You will need a reliable internet connection and a device such as a laptop, tablet or phone.
Tickets: Tickets are free, but registration is required.
Access: Live captions will be available, and interpretation will be provided in Arabic, French, Spanish and English. We will also include regular comfort breaks throughout the day.
Why we’re putting on Rise
Rise exists because displaced young people are too often spoken about, rather than recognised as leaders. Created and shaped by displaced youth, the festival brings people together to share stories, build skills, celebrate arts and culture, and connect across borders, growing coalitions between young people, organisations, artists, advocates, policymakers and allies.
Rise is for anyone who believes displaced young people should be heard, supported and recognised as leaders in shaping the future.
The festival is open to people aged 18 and over, and we especially welcome:
- Displaced young people and young people with lived experience of migration
- Refugee-supporting organisations and community groups
- People working across the refugee, migration and humanitarian sectors
- Community organisers, campaigners and activists
- Artists, storytellers, cultural workers and creatives
- Elected representatives, policymakers and people working in public institutions
- Allies who want to listen, learn, connect and take meaningful action alongside displaced youth
What you can expect
Across two days, Rise will bring together powerful conversations, practical workshops, film screenings, creative performances, Q&As and moments of connection.
You can expect a lively, thoughtful and welcoming programme shaped by displaced youth leaders and joined by artists, organisers, advocates, practitioners, policymakers and allies from around the world.
Some sessions will invite you to listen, reflect and learn. Others will give you space to ask questions, share ideas and think about how you can support displaced youth leadership in your own community, organisation or area of work.
What you need to bring
You do not need to prepare anything in advance. Just bring your curiosity, openness and willingness to listen, learn and connect.
Some sessions will include Q&As and interactive moments, so you may find it helpful to have a pen and paper nearby to jot down reflections, questions or ideas.
Most importantly, come with energy, care and a commitment to being part of a space led by displaced young people.
FAQs
How can I get involved?
Whether you are one of our partners, a member of the public, part of a nonprofit organisation or simply someone who believes in displaced youth leadership, there are lots of ways you can support Rise.
You can:
- Host a screening of the festival with your organisation, group or community
- Share the event details with your friends, family and network
- Share our Rise Festival posts on social media
- Start conversations in your own networks about displaced youth leadership and how to support it beyond the festival
If you have another idea for getting involved, or if you have access requirements we should know about, please email rise@choose.love.
How is Rise youth-led?
Rise has been shaped by refugee and displaced youth leaders taking part in Choose Love’s GLORY programme. GLORY members have helped shape the festival’s name, themes, programme, branding and overall direction, and will lead parts of the festival through conversations, creative moments, reflections and sessions rooted in their experiences and priorities. For us, youth-led means more than inviting young people onto a finished platform. It means giving displaced young people real influence over what Rise is, who it speaks to, what it explores and what happens next.
What is the GLORY programme?
GLORY, Global Leadership and Organising by Refugee Youth, is Choose Love’s global leadership programme for young people with lived experience of forced displacement. Launched in 2025, GLORY brings together young leaders from around the world who are building skills, confidence, networks and practical tools to support their communities and advocate for change.
Over two years, the programme supports twelve young leaders aged 18 to 25 through mentoring, community organising, digital storytelling, financial management, advocacy training and project funding. Each member is also supported to develop ideas that can benefit their communities, from creative projects and campaigns to local initiatives and collective action.
At its heart, GLORY is about recognising displaced young people not only as people with lived experience, but as leaders, organisers, storytellers and changemakers.
Do I need to attend both days?
No. You are welcome to attend as much of Rise as you can.
We would love you to join us for both days, but we know everyone has different commitments, time zones, access needs and energy levels. Once you register, you can attend the sessions that feel most relevant to you.
Is Rise free to attend?
Yes. Rise is free to attend, but registration is required so we can share joining details and manage access to the online space safely.
Where will Rise Take place?
Rise will take place online via Zoom. You will need an internet connection and a device such as a laptop, tablet or phone to join.
Will the festival be accessible?
We are working to make Rise as accessible and welcoming as possible. Live captions will be available, and interpretation will be provided in Arabic, French, Spanish and English. We will also include regular comfort breaks across the programme.
If you have specific access requirements, please contact us as early as possible at risefestival@choose.love so we can do our best to support you.
Can people under 18 attend?
Some sessions may explore sensitive themes connected to displacement, safety, identity, advocacy and lived experience. For that reason, and to help us create a safer online space, it is encouraged that people over 18+ attend. However, if you are under 18, you can still attend Rise Festival as long as you are supervised by an adult.
Will sessions be recorded?
Some sessions may be recorded so that learning and highlights can be shared after the festival. We will let attendees know clearly which sessions are being recorded.
Audience members will not be expected to appear on camera or speak unless they choose to take part in interactive parts of the programme. We will also take care to protect the safety, privacy and dignity of speakers, young leaders and attendees.
How will you keep the space safe and respectful?
Rise is designed to be a welcoming, respectful and trauma-informed space.
We ask everyone attending to engage with care, listen generously, respect people’s lived experiences and avoid sharing personal stories or identifying information without consent. Any behaviour that is discriminatory, abusive, exploitative or unsafe will not be tolerated.
The festival team will be present throughout the event to support moderation, access, safeguarding and participant wellbeing.
Do I need any experience in refugee advocacy to attend?
No. You do not need to be an expert to attend Rise.
The festival is open to people with different levels of experience, from displaced young people and grassroots organisers to artists, educators, policymakers, nonprofit workers and allies who want to listen, learn and take meaningful action.
If I have any other questions, who can I ask?
Hopefully the above information is helpful, but if your question is still unanswered, you can email risefestival@choose.love.