The Youth Emerging Forum (YEF) (“YEF,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal data is handled in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other applicable data protection laws. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you visit our website, register for our programs, participate in our events, or otherwise interact with our services.

The Youth Emerging Forum (YEF) (EIN: 98-1919281), created to engage and empower young leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers. Through the Youth Emerging Summit (YES) and other international initiatives, YEF provides opportunities for leadership development, diplomacy, sustainability, cultural exchange, innovation, and global collaboration.

1. Data Controller

The data controller responsible for your personal data is:

You may contact us at any time regarding your privacy rights, requests, or concerns.

2. Personal Data We Collect

We collect personal data through direct interactions, automated technologies, and trusted third-party service providers. The type of information collected depends on how you interact with the Youth Emerging Forum and its programs.

a. Data You Provide Directly

Full name
Title
Date of birth
Email address
Telephone number
Mailing address
Organization or institution
Job title
Area of expertise
Event registration details
Application information
Login credentials (where applicable)
Messages, survey responses, and feedback
Limited financial information required for payment processing (processed securely through third-party payment providers)

b. Automatically Collected Data

We may automatically collect:

IP address
Browser type
Operating system
Device type
Approximate geographic location
Date and time of access
Referring URLs
Clickstream activity
Website usage statistics

c. Sensitive Personal Data

We do not intentionally collect sensitive personal data such as information relating to health, race, religion, ethnicity, political opinions, or biometric data unless it is necessary (for example, accessibility requirements for an event) and only with your explicit consent.

d. Children’s Data

Our programs are not intended for children under the age of 13 (or the minimum legal age in your country). We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors without appropriate parental or legal guardian consent.

3. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data under one or more of the following legal bases:

Your consent.
Performance of a contract.
Compliance with legal obligations.
Legitimate interests that do not override your rights and freedoms.

4. How We Use Your Personal Data

We use your personal data to:

Process applications for the Youth Emerging Summit (YES) and other Youth Emerging Forum programs.
Register participants and manage event participation.
Issue invitation letters and participant documentation where applicable.
Communicate important updates regarding events and applications.
Respond to inquiries and provide customer support.
Improve our website, services, and participant experience.
Fulfill legal and regulatory obligations.
Send newsletters and promotional communications where you have provided consent.

Promotional Use

With your consent or where permitted by law, we may use your name, photographs, videos, testimonials, interviews, or other media captured during our events or submitted by you for promotional purposes. These materials may be published on our official website, social media platforms, newsletters, brochures, reports, and other promotional publications to showcase participant experiences and promote the Youth Emerging Forum and its initiatives.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information.

We may share your information with:

Trusted service providers including payment processors, cloud hosting providers, event management platforms, IT support providers, and analytics services.
Government authorities or law enforcement where legally required.
IVF Global and affiliated programs for administrative purposes.
Third parties where you have given explicit consent.

All service providers are required to maintain appropriate confidentiality and security measures.

6. International Data Transfers

Your personal information may be transferred to and processed outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Where this occurs, we implement appropriate safeguards, including the European Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses or other legally recognized transfer mechanisms.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to:

Deliver our services.
Meet legal and regulatory obligations.
Resolve disputes.
Enforce agreements.
Maintain financial and administrative records.

Once retention is no longer necessary, your data will be securely deleted or anonymized.

8. Your Data Protection Rights

Under applicable data protection laws, including the GDPR, you have the right to:

Access your personal data.
Correct inaccurate information.
Request deletion of your data.
Restrict processing.
Receive your data in a portable format.
Object to processing.
Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent.

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the details provided in Section 1.

9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

Operate our website.
Improve website functionality.
Analyze visitor behavior.
Deliver personalized communications where permitted.

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings or our cookie consent banner.

Third-Party Services

We may use trusted third-party services such as:

Google Analytics
Mailchimp
Payment processors
Event registration platforms

These providers process data according to their own privacy policies.

10. Security

We implement industry-standard security measures including:

SSL/TLS encryption.
Secure hosting infrastructure.
Access controls.
Staff confidentiality obligations.
Continuous monitoring and security audits.

Although we take reasonable precautions, no online system can guarantee complete security.

11. Payment Security & Refunds

Payments are processed securely through trusted third-party payment gateways.
We do not store credit or debit card information on our servers.
Payment confirmation is normally sent within 24 hours.
Refund requests are handled according to our official Refund Policy.

12. Links to External Websites

Our website may include links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices or content. We encourage users to review the privacy policies of those websites separately.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our services, legal requirements, or operational practices. Updated versions will be published on our website with a revised “Last Updated” date. Continued use of our services after updates constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

14. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

The Youth Emerging Forum (YEF) a legally registered organization in the United States of America. This Privacy Policy shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the applicable laws of the United States, together with any mandatory data protection laws that apply to users in their respective jurisdictions, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), where applicable.

By using our website and services, you acknowledge that any matters relating to this Privacy Policy, unless otherwise required by applicable law, shall be subject to the applicable laws and jurisdiction of the United States. This provision does not affect any mandatory legal rights available to individuals under applicable privacy or consumer protection laws.

15. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, requests, or complaints regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us:

Email: info@youthemergingforum.org

Website: www.youthemergingforum.org

Policy Privacy