We Rise 2026

Join us at Global Justice Youth’s annual activist conference, We Rise, to learn from inspiring international speakers, join collaborative workshops and meet likeminded people.

Subsidised travel, food and accommodation are available, see details below.

Highlights of the workshop leaders and speakers (See full programme below):

• Mothin Ali, deputy leader of the Green Party of England and Wales and councillor for Gipton and Harehills
• Rahila Gupta, chair of Southall Black Sisters and co-author of Planet Patriarchy: Global Tales of Feminism and Oppression
• Professor Miriyam Aouragh, professor of digital anthropology, specialising in West Asia and North Africa
  
• Pallavi Pundir, journalist and researcher on gender and democratic movements in Asia
• Nick Dearden, director of Global Justice Now and author of Pharmanomics: How Big Pharma Destroys Global Health
• Keir Milburn, co-director of Abundance thinktank, author of Generation Left and Radical Abundance: How to Win a Green Democratic Future
• Alyssa Elliott, founder of Indivisible London, campaigner against Donald Trump
• Aarkriti Ghimrie, Nepali organiser and researcher with first-hand experience of youth-led uprisings.

Young people are leading resistance to the far right, the genocide in Gaza and fossil fuels all across the world. While extreme nationalism rises in the US, UK and globally, it is being challenged on the streets and in new political movements by leaders like Zohran Mamdani and Zack Polanski who bring together climate justice, internationalism and the urgent need to fight inequality and make our lives affordable.

In the global south, Gen Z-led revolts have toppled autocrats from Nepal to Madagascar. And across Europe, our governments’ complicity in the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people has triggered an unprecedented movement in which students and young people have put international solidarity at the heart of our politics.

At We Rise we’ll hear from and strategise with incredible international speakers on the front lines of each of these struggles. We’ll be bringing together organisers from across the world to share lessons from the last year of youth led resistance. We’ll be planning what to do next and how we can make 2026 a year of solidarity and global justice.

We Rise is for anyone under 30 who believes that another world is possible. With a range of panels, interactive workshops and creative sessions there’s something for everyone.

Please read our Intentional Spaces Policy.

Practical info and help with travelling to the event:

Please arrive by 11:30, the opening session will begin at 11:45. A delicious lunch will be provided at a cheap price with vegan and gluten free options available.

Travel subsidies

The nearest train station is Leeds. From there you can take a ten minute train one stop to Burley or take the number 23 or 24 buses for 15 minutes. The Cardigan Centre is just a 15 minute walk from Leeds uni and ten minutes away by bus. 
Travel subsidies are available for those travelling from outside the local area. You can claim 50% of your fare from Global Justice Now if it is £100 or less, with a minimum of a £10 personal contribution. Please use a railcard where possible and use cheaper routes. The lower we keep costs; the more people we can support! To claim your subsidy by bank transfer, email your travel receipt and bank details (full name, sort code, and account number) to hugo.raine@globaljustice.org.uk. We will pay your subsidy during the week immediately after We Rise. Hugo can also answer questions and discuss extra help in certain circumstances.

Accommodation
Subsidised accommodation in Leeds for the night of Saturday 21 February is available for as little as £10. Space is limited, please email hugo.raine@globaljustice.org.uk to request. Priority will be given to those travelling a long distance who cannot travel home on the day. You are welcome to apply for accommodation as a group.

Accessibility
The Cardigan Centre is fully wheelchair accessible with a lift up to the first floor, a disabled toilet on the ground floor, a disabled parking space and electrically operated front door. If you have any particular access requirements or questions, email sam.lund-harket@globaljustice.org.uk.

Venue address
Cardigan Community Centre, 145-149 Cardigan Rd, Burley, Leeds LS6 1LJ

Full programme