Youth digital engagement crucial for achieving SDGs: UN Secretary-General António Guterres
Internet connectivity in schools is essential for strengthening education systems
By R Anil Kumar
UNITED NATIONS, August 12. As the world celebrates International Youth Day on August 12, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasised the importance of empowerment and equality for young people to reach the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Under the theme, From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development, the Day focuses “on the pivotal role of youth in harnessing technology to advance sustainable development.”
International Youth Day is recognised each 12 August and highlights youth issues and the extraordinary potential of young people as a force for social good.
It was proposed to the UN General Assembly in 1991 by the World Youth Forum and officially established in 1999 to promote awareness and offer support.
International Youth Day is observed every year to bring issues of importance to youth to the attention of the international community and celebrating the potential of youth as partners in building a culture of nonviolence, promoting peace, and countering extremism.
Achieving Sustainable Development Goals
UN Secretary-General António Guterres pointed to the ways young people have been using digital tools effectively to tackle local and global challenges including climate change and mental health issues, praising “digital natives” in the younger generations.
Data from the UN in 2022 reveals that digital adoption and innovation are led by the 15 to 24 demographics. Yet, there are still recognisable disparities in low-income countries and among women who have less access to the Internet.
The UN chief said achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires a “seismic shift” which will require “bridging digital divides, boosting investments in education, critical thinking and information literacy” as well as tackling gender biases in the tech industry and encouraging young people to expand digital solutions.
“As Artificial Intelligence reshapes our world, young people must also be front and centre in shaping digital policies and institutions,” Mr. Guterres said.
A UN statement further said that “by celebrating the digital contributions of youth, we can inspire further innovation and collaboration towards achieving sustainable development.”
Summit of the Future
At next month’s Summit of the Future, world leaders will gather to establish ideas and solutions for a more sustainable future for all.
The UN is encouraging all governments to use this opportunity to advance youth participation at the summit at every level.
“You can count on the UN Youth Office and the entire UN family to stand with and for young people,” Mr. Guterres said. “Together, let us draw on their energy and ideas to shape a more sustainable future for all.”
Felipe Paullier, United Nations Assistant Secretary General for Youth Affairs, says, “On #YouthDay and every day, let us learn from the creativity, leadership & resilience of young people even in tough and complex times.”
To empower today’s youth, we must close the divide between the haves and the have nots through education, skills training, health care, food security and sustainable development.
Digital rights are women’s rights, and in March of this year, the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women set out in its Agreed Conclusions, multiple actions to be taken across society to manage innovation and technology for women’s economic, social, and political empowerment and to tackle the new and unique barriers presented by engagement in the digital space.
The digital divide is particularly harmful for young women and girls in low-income countries, where only 20 percent are connected. The gender digital divide is most pronounced among marginalized groups, such as young women and girls in rural areas and those with disabilities. It is further complicated by socioeconomic status, race, and location, among other factors. Furthermore, online violence disproportionately affects young women and girls. One global study found that 58 percent of girls and young women have experienced some form of online harassment, highlighting the urgent need for policies and mechanisms that prioritize their safety and security in digital spaces.
On International Youth Day, we recognize and honour the immense potential and contributions of young people across the globe, and rededicate ourselves to finding solutions to the challenges they face today.
