Today’s youths, who make up 16% of the world’s population, are seeing how governments and institutions are increasingly trying to include them in their programmes and agendas, which is bringing about unprecedented change. In this youth initiative in an increasingly connected and global world, diversity undoubtedly plays an essential role for the development and growth of young people as a fundamental pillar of society. Thanks to their early exposure to new technologies, they are aware of this diversity and must convert it from the outset into a basic tool for learning about and understanding the world. This, in turn, can give them a set of very important skills when it comes to facing the social, cultural and economic challenges that await them in the best conditions. In this respect, it should be noted that the number of young people who decide to adopt leadership roles in politics, business, non-governmental organizations and other sectors is increasing. They all break barriers and stereotypes to make their voices heard and fight for the causes they believe in.
Today there are 1.2 billion young people around the globe, and we make up 16% of the world’s total population. There is increasingly more focus on youngsters now than there has ever been before. International organisations are putting greater focus on involving youths in their agenda and in the global development as well. Having a voice in the decision-making process is also crucial for the younger generation as we have never seen as many changes as we have in the past couple of years. Our modern world is swiftly changing, and youths must be present in the rooms where decisions are made.
Youths can be a positive force for development; however, we need to be equipped with knowledge and opportunities to be able to contribute to the conversation in a meaningful way. Young people’s energy and ways of interpreting are crucial for our modern world. Yet many of us are facing challenges, even in our everyday life, when it comes to education, work and opportunities.
Read the full article by downloading the PDF.