01
The Formation Gap
What happens when boys grow physically but the structures required for identity, belonging, responsibility and purpose are missing?
The New York Conversation on Boys and Nations
The Boys We Build,
The Nations We
Become.
What enters a boy eventually enters society.
A global conversation examining how the environments shaping boys today are shaping the families, institutions, communities and nations of tomorrow.
Convened by Boys Lead Foundation with knowledge contribution
from the BEXT Institute for Boys and Men.
The Premise
Every society inherits the boys it forms.
The environments surrounding boys today — families, schools, communities, technology, institutions, culture and public policy — are shaping the men, fathers, workers, citizens, innovators and leaders of tomorrow.
The Boys We Build, The Nations We Become brings together leaders and practitioners from across sectors to examine what it takes to build environments in which boys can develop identity, character, capability, responsibility, purpose and the capacity to contribute.
If we want stronger nations tomorrow, we must pay
attention to how we are forming boys today.
The Conversation
From the boy in front of us to the nation ahead of us.
The gathering will explore the systems, relationships and environments that influence boys and what institutions can do differently.
02
Families & Adults
What roles should fathers, mothers, caregivers, mentors and other trusted adults play in the formation of boys?
03
Schools & Education
How can schools move beyond academic delivery to recognize the developmental needs, strengths and potential of boys?
04
Work, Skills & Purpose
How do we help boys discover competence, usefulness, responsibility and pathways into meaningful work?
05
Community & Public Systems
What should communities, institutions and governments build around boys before crisis, exclusion or incarceration?
06
The Digital Environment
What happens when algorithms, AI, gaming, social media and online communities become powerful forces in the formation of boys?
Featured Digital Futures Roundtable
Who Is Forming the Boy in the Digital Age?
AI, Digital Life, and the Future of Boys
Artificial intelligence, algorithms, gaming, social media, online communities and digital learning are becoming part of the environments in which boys develop identity, relationships, skills, aspirations and ideas about the future.
Digital access alone is no longer enough. The question is whether young people are developing the capability, judgment, safety, responsibility and agency required to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
ACCESS → CAPABILITY
How do we move beyond devices and connectivity toward meaningful digital skills, creativity and opportunity?
AI → JUDGMENT
How should boys learn to use artificial intelligence critically, responsibly, creatively and ethically?
ATTENTION → AGENCY
How can adults and institutions help young people develop healthier relationships with algorithms, gaming and social media?
CONSUMPTION → CREATION
How do we help more boys become builders, innovators, entrepreneurs and problem-solvers rather than passive consumers of technology?
From Conversation to Commitment
The New York Commitment on Boys
The gathering is designed to move beyond discussion. Participants will help surface practical principles, commitments and opportunities for strengthening the environments and systems shaping boys and young men.
The featured digital futures conversation will also examine practical commitments around digital capability, AI literacy, participation, safety, opportunity and responsible technology.
Boys' Development
Education
Mentoring
Fatherhood
AI Literacy
Digital Skills
Future of Work
Youth Voice
Healthy Masculinity
Public Policy
Research
International Cooperation
Who Should Be in the Room?
A deliberately multistakeholder conversation.
Boys cannot be formed by one institution alone. The room should reflect the ecosystem surrounding them.
Governments & Policymakers
Leaders working across education, youth, technology, social policy and human development.
International Organizations
Institutions working across youth, education, development, inclusion and international cooperation.
Technology & Industry
AI companies, technology leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs and employers.
Academia & Research
Researchers studying boys, adolescence, education, masculinity, technology and human development.
Civil Society & Education
Schools, NGOs, mentors, youth organizations, practitioners and community institutions.
Youth
Boys and young people must not merely be discussed. Their perspectives must be present in the conversation.
Event Details
New York City
September 23,
2026
Date
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Time
To Be Announced
Location
New York City, USA
Venue
To Be Announced
Format
In-person multistakeholder conversation
and roundtable
Access
Registration / invitation required
Build the Boy.
Build the Future.
Build the Future.
Convened By
Building stronger environments around boys.
Convening Organization
Boys Lead Foundation
Boys Lead Foundation is a youth-development organization working to strengthen the environments, relationships, skills, opportunities and systems that shape boys and young men.
Its work includes mentoring, leadership development, skills development, education and community engagement.
Knowledge Contribution
BEXT Institute for Boys and Men
The BEXT Institute advances practice, professional learning, research, innovation and policy conversations concerned with the development of boys and men.
Owolabi Williams
The Boys We Build,
Boys • Formation • Nations
The Boys We Build,
The Nations We Become
Boys • Formation • Nations
The Intellectual Foundation
The Boys We Build,
The Nations We
Become
What enters a boy eventually enters society.
The environments shaping boys today influence the men, workers, fathers, innovators, citizens and leaders they may become tomorrow.
Owolabi Williams' work explores the relationship between the formation of boys and the future of families, institutions, communities and nations.
The September 23 gathering is designed as a working conversation, bringing these central ideas into dialogue with leaders, practitioners, researchers and young people.
Request to Participate
Join the New York Conversation
Complete the form below to request attendance at The Boys We Build, The Nations We Become on September 23, 2026 in New York City.
We are building a diverse, curated room across
sectors, countries and generations.
Submission of this form does not automatically
guarantee attendance.
Confirmed participants will receive final venue,
timing and program information by email.
Contact
Institutional Participation, Partnership or Questions?
If your organization is interested in participating, contributing a speaker, supporting the gathering or exploring future collaboration, contact Boys Lead Foundation.
info@boyslead.org