Mr Evans, a recent Monash University graduate, will chair the 100-delegate Canberra thinkfest with Youth Minister Kate Ellis on April 12-13.

Last week, the 24-year-old was bullish about the summit's possibilities.

"It's an extremely exciting opportunity. In 12 years or so, when 2020 actually takes place, many of these people will be the leaders of our nation."

Out of the 10 agenda items outlined by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Mr Evans wanted to focus on the need for a robust carbon trading system and greenhouse gas reduction targets.

"It is our generation that will have to bear most of the responsibility for this incredibly important issue."

He also stressed the need to address global poverty, the 17-year life expectancy gap between indigenous Australians and the rest of the nation, and Australia's world-high youth suicide rate.

He said Australia should aim to create an innovative technology culture, as practised in California's Silicon Valley or in Israel.

"There has to be the possibility to think outside the box. Google is an example of that - it's about encouraging these type of innovations that change the world."

Mr Evans said he wanted to foster a summit environment where ideas from the least-expected places could be heard.

"Someone who reads the Monash Journal might be inspired to send in their ideas."

Evans, the 2004 Young Australian of the Year, has harnessed the ideas of young people as founder and director of the youth-run international aid group The Oaktree Foundation.

Since 2003, Oaktree has mobilised 10,000 volunteers around the world and raised more than $1 million for projects in South Africa, Ghana, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, India and East Timor. The foundation estimates the projects have given educational opportunities to more than 40,000 young people.

Since finishing a science-law double-degree at Monash University last year, Mr Evans has worked on a TV series, Change the World, and is working on a book by young contributors about Australia's future.

Young people can submit their ideas for the summit online by 5pm, Wednesday.