Inspiring Innovations at Future Port Youth: A Look Back at the 2024 Conference

On November 15, we had the privilege of attending Future Port Youth, a global technology conference for students held in Prague. The event brought together over 800 students and educators in person, with an additional 1,500 participants joining online from Europe, Africa, and Asia. The conference featured groundbreaking discussions with leading experts and showcased inspiring student projects addressing global challenges through innovative technologies.

The highlight of the event was the Future Port Awards, a student competition celebrating solutions aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Among the remarkable projects presented, the Czech team LASAR took first place with a revolutionary method using laser impulses to revive non-communicating satellites and reduce orbital debris. Their cutting-edge solution demonstrates how youth-driven innovation can tackle critical issues like space sustainability.

Equally impressive were the runner-up projects. Vanya Gupta from India developed an inclusive tool using MIDI drums to assess cognitive abilities in individuals lacking traditional education, breaking down barriers in cognitive diagnostics. Third place went to the Indian team behind HepaEase, a low-cost urine test for early detection of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, a condition affecting 25% of the global population.

The conference reaffirmed its mission: empowering students to leverage technology for positive change. As Future Port Youth’s founder Martin Holečko noted, “This year’s projects astonished us with their relevance and potential impact.” We left the event inspired by the innovative spirit of these young minds and excited for the future they are building.

The next edition of Future Port Youth will take place on November 13, 2025, at Nová Spirála in Prague, and it promises to be another transformative experience.

Lenka Crouchley