Advocates believes that young people should be in leadership positions as partners in resolving those issues that impact their lives. At the heart of our international advocacy efforts is a commitment to youth empowerment through professional development. Advocates’ International Division works with members of the International Youth Leadership Council (IYLC) and the International Youth Speak Out (IYSO) project to promote better international policies regarding adolescent sexual and reproductive health.

Members of the IYLC educate policy-makers about the impact of U.S. global AIDS and International family planning policies on global youth. They work with youth groups around the world to impact United Nations documents and other organizations based on Advocates' youth-adult partnership-model.

Advocates for Youth is a member of the University Coalition for Global Health, a 16 member coalition of student-led and youth-driven organizations that ally their constituencies to build a broader movement for global health awareness and action among young people. This coalition works to advance a progressive advocacy agenda in global public health and support the professional development of young people.

Members of the IYSO advocate at the national and international level for evidence-based reproductive and sexual health programs and policies. They work with youth activists and adult allies from other low- and middle-income countries to change policy through advocacy, public awareness-raising, and mobilization of peers to take action.