YMCA Conference on National Affairs

For more than 40 years, students from across the country have been convening on a mountainside in North Carolina to debate the merits of national and international issues. More than twenty (20) delegates are chosen to represent the state of Florida.

This week-long conference allows delegates who are committed to the Youth In Government program to experience a new level of debate, camaraderie, and sense of family and statehood. Prior to the Conference on National Affairs (CONA), selected delegates write a proposal expressing their ideas about an issue of national or international importance.

These proposals are put through a three-committee process, as the merits are thoroughly debated. While the discourse is a large focus of the week, it is a small part of the total experience.CONA is not a debate competition – it is a forum for delegates to continue their leadership development.

Delegates, who apply prior to the Assembly, will be observed throughout State Assembly. Advisors, Program Coordinators, Graduate Advisors, as well as peers will be polled for input.

Members of Florida’s CONA delegation, as well as a number of alternates, will be announced at the closing ceremonies of our annual State Assembly in Tallahassee.

All Florida YIG members in good standing who will be attending the high school State Assembly are encouraged to apply.

Get a sneak peak at the CONA experience

Reflections from the Mountain"...what an experience it was; so many emotions and events tossed into a meager six days on the mountain. I think that I've learned more about life and about myself in that short amount of time than I have in years of living as your ordinary Florida high school student. I left the mountain a different person."