21st Century Cup Event
Empowering the next generation of global leaders through public speaking, cross-cultural dialogue, and international exchange.
What is the 21st Century Cup?
The 21st Century Cup Public Speaking Global Invitational is a prestigious international youth public speaking competition and cultural exchange program. As a core component of the 21st Century Youth Pulse Event, it brings together outstanding young speakers from China and around the world to share ideas, perspectives, and visions for the future.
More than a competition, the Youth Pulse Event serves as a global platform for:
Cross-cultural dialogue
Youth leadership development
International friendship and collaboration
Participants develop confidence, global awareness, and communication skills essential for future academic and professional success.
Organized By
China Daily/21st Century
A subdivision of China Daily, the largest English-language news organization in China. Operating as a non-profit educational initiative, 21st Century focuses on youth education, global communication, and cultural exchange. Its flagship program, the 21st Century Cup, is one of China’s most influential youth public speaking competitions.
International Centre for UNESCO ASPnet
Operating under the auspices of UNESCO, the Centre supports international educational cooperation, cultural understanding, and youth exchange aligned with UNESCO values.
Important Details
This event will be hosted in Hong Kong in early August 2026, and will be for ages 10-18. Future Speakers will be advertising this event in the North America Region.
Why Participate?
The 21st Century Cup Public Speaking Global Invitational offers students a unique opportunity to develop confidence, leadership, and communication skills in a truly international setting. Participants engage with peers from China and around the world, exchanging ideas on global issues while gaining firsthand exposure to diverse perspectives. Beyond public speaking, the program fosters cross-cultural understanding, global awareness, and meaningful international connections—essential skills for future academic success and global citizenship. For North American students, it is a rare chance to represent their region on a global stage and take part in an immersive youth exchange experience in Asia.
Applicable NA Regions
These are the regions in NA Future Speakers will be advertising in. If you are in one of these regions and you are interested in this program, you're in luck! If you are not, don't worry, we have an online option available too.
New York
Washington DC
Vancouver
Toronto
Los Angeles
Online Option
Age Divisions
- Elementary Division (Ages 10-12)
- Middle School Division (Ages 13-15)
- High School Division (Ages 15-18)
Event Timeline
Regional tryouts for the 21st Century Cup will take place between March and May 2026, with schedules varying by region. Each region will host its tryout rounds at different times within this period, depending on local organization and participation needs. The initial round of tryouts will be conducted online, followed by a final round that may be held in person or online. Selected participants from each region will advance to the global invitational, which will be held as part of the 21st Century Youth Pulse Event in early August 2026 in Hong Kong.
Elevate Your Speaking Skills
For regional inquiries, partnership opportunities, or program details, please contact your local organizing team.