What is the LDZ? An eight-day intensive leadership experience filled with unexpected and unplanned challenges and hurdles, the LDZ is an opportunity for young people to learn how to navigate, manage and create large organizations by taking charge of their own youth government. Since 1982, students from over 20 states and four Latin American nations have convened at one of six locations to play this leadership game of vision, influence and construction of communities of the future.

The LDZ is a competitive and transformative experience crafted for future community leaders. Students form a cohort of 150 delegates ages 16-17 in community positions that propose, review, and adopt policies to advance the Latino community. The week-long quest covers a broad array of skills, competencies, personal growth opportunities, social relevance, and topics of national and international relevance to Latino quality of life.

We are giving first priority to our 2023 Great Debaters, to reserve their first choice location for the 2024 Lorenzo De Zavala Youth Legislative Session.