Empowering Youth: A Force for Positive Change

On International Youth Day, the world comes together to celebrate the invaluable contributions of young people who are not only vocal about resilience but also exemplify it as leaders, actively shaping a better future for all and ensuring no one is left behind.

I can still vividly recall when I first participated in capacity building programs in school. It was a transformative experience which exposed to a wealth of knowledge and had the privilege of learning from inspiring individuals. As time went on, with the support of those around me, I initiated the first awareness campaign about a cholera outbreak in my college and the local mall. Unexpectedly, this endeavour unleashed a potential and power within me that I never knew existed. The movement spread from one colleague to another, igniting a spark of resilience that drove positive change.

Today when I check on the youth I was surrounded by then, I am proud of the amazing things that they’ve done and the amount of praise they are getting for their remarkable efforts despite operating in a low resource setting such as Iraq.

Young people around the globe face an array of challenges, from economic uncertainties and social inequalities to environmental threats. Despite these obstacles, they have demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity. Whether it's striving for equity in healthcare, creating enterprises that aim to adapt to climate crisis, or advocating for human rights.

In today's rapidly evolving world, young minds bring new perspectives to the table and innovative ideas to address complex issues. With an ability to adapt to technological advancements and use it for good, to make their lives and others easier, creating more employment opportunities and devoting technology for building more accelerated solutions all at one time. Using the media to advocate for global issues, and by using the model thinking global, acting local they are transferring successful experiences from one country to another with little adjustments to fit their context, they could find ways to find problems to already existing solutions using the power of network and technology.

From environmental conservation and sustainable development to mental health advocacy and education reform, youth-driven initiatives are shaping the world's future. Young entrepreneurs are leading in social enterprises that create positive social and environmental impacts. These inspiring success stories underscore the potential of youth to bring about meaningful change.

 Celebrating International Youth Day, letting recognize the importance of empowering young people as key partners and a cornerstone in achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By investing in their education, skills development, and meaningful engagement, empowering youth means supporting them to act along with Governments, organisations, to enhance public private partnerships especially in LMICs, giving them spaces in international events to give key notes speeches and involving them in decision making to ensure that decisions made are tailored to their specific needs and expectations.

 A brighter future lies in youth's hands meaning resilience, resourcefulness, and leadership displayed by young people are beacons of hope in a world that faces complex challenges, that need quick action to address them. Uplifting youth voices, ensuring that they have the tools and platforms to create a world that is inclusive, sustainable, and equitable for all. As we celebrate International Youth Day, let us acknowledge the inspiring potential of youth and a world that is accelerating too fast to work hand-in-hand to build a better future for generations to come.