The power of story creation: Mobilising youth travel into a global force for peace

Date – Tuesday, 15 September
Time – 09:30 – 10:15
Location – Auditorium 0B, Euskalduna Conference Centre

Storytelling is the ultimate engine for real-world impact. Across decades, the youth travel market has quietly shaped millions of lives, creating a rich tapestry of untold experiences that reveal the true human value of international exchange—and it is now time for those stories to be shared. Master storycreator, UN speaker, and world-record adventurer Bernie Hollywood OBE JP embodies this power, having raised over £42 million for global causes through extraordinary feats – from rowing 3,540 miles solo across the Atlantic to reaching both poles on foot.

As an advocate for Made Impact, Bernie joins WYSTC to invite our community into a movement far bigger than any single organisation. Through the Million Stories initiative, Made Impact translates raw human experiences into compelling evidence, demonstrating to politicians, philanthropists, and parents that international education and exchange remain the world’s most enduring strategy for peace and mutual understanding. Bernie invites delegates to reflect on the life-changing stories within their own networks and visit the Made Impact booth to help build a unified voice for global change.