Youth unites for a better future

As the world's problems and social divisions increase, young members of the World Youth Development Forum are inspired to be more involved.

The motto "Our future, our responsibility" resonates with many aspiring young individuals around the world. On Aug 12, they gathered with this belief to participate in the 2024 World Youth Development Forum (WYDF). The day also marked International Youth Day.

Themed "Together for a Better Future", the forum runs from Aug 12 to 17, bringing together over 2,000 youth representatives from more than 130 countries and regions and over 20 international organizations, both online and in person.

Jointly organized by the All-China Youth Federation, the United Nations in China, and the World Youth Development Forum Committee, the WYDF serves as a global platform for international organizations, government agencies, young leaders, and various sectors of society to exchange ideas, learn from each other, and collaborate.

The forum aims to harness the power of youth to advance the Global Development Initiative and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The first WYDF was held in Beijing in 2022, followed by the second event in Beijing and Shenzhen in 2023. This year marks the third forum, which will include thematic events on green development in Nanning, South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region; on youth-friendly cities in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province; on digital development in Chongqing, Southwest China; and on cultural heritage and innovation in Changsha, Central China's Hunan province.

According to the organizers, this year's forum is especially timely as the world faces unprecedented changes and significant challenges. The ongoing crises in Ukraine and Gaza, setbacks in global economic recovery, the widening North-South divide, food security issues, humanitarian crises, cybersecurity threats, and climate change all underscore the urgent need for global youth to take on the responsibility and contribute to solving these pressing global problems.

At the opening ceremony, A Dong, first secretary of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China, expressed gratitude for the support and attention from UN agencies and youth worldwide. He noted that over the past two years, the WYDF's "circle of friends" has expanded, and its influence has grown.

"Where is the world heading? Youth should have a say. We host the World Youth Development Forum to fulfill this responsibility. Youth represent hope. Youth create the future," he said.

Zhao Fengtao, vice-chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency, reviewed China's efforts and achievements in supporting global youth development. According to him, the agency has supported Peking University's South-South Cooperation and Development Program, training over 300 master's and doctoral students from more than 70 countries and regions.

It has also established the Exchange and Training Base of Global Women's Development Cooperation in Beijing and the Innovation Training Base of Global Development Promotion Center in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province, collaborated with the Palace Museum to train young female cultural and creative talents in Egypt, and built a leadership academy in Africa to promote youth development in the Global South.

Zhao also offered three suggestions to global youth: first, to drive their growth through shared development; second, to draw development blueprints through collective action; and third, to create progress with collaborative innovation.

"Youth are not only beneficiaries of global development but also its inheritors. Without the sustainable development of youth, there is no future for the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," he said.

During the six-day event, there will be one plenary session, four thematic forums, 15 youth dialogues and roundtables, and 35 field trips. These activities aim to showcase China's achievements, experiences, and potential to the world while generating concrete outcomes in both ideas and actions.

In terms of advocacy and agenda-setting, participating youth jointly released the "International Youth Advocacy for the Summit of the Future" and the "Advocacy on Building Youth-Friendly Cities". These initiatives will be presented at the UN's upcoming Summit of the Future in New York this September, aiming to bring development issues back to the forefront of the international agenda.

Regarding actions, the forum has launched the second round of the Action Plan for Global Youth Development's exemplary project recruitment, along with a series of new youth development projects, including the "World Youth Literature Special Issue" plan, the national "Youth Station" online map, and the "Youth Green Skills Development and Entrepreneurship" project.

The Action Plan operates on a biennial selection cycle. From 2022 to 2023, it selected the first batch of 100 exemplary projects from around the world, spanning six continents and 43 countries and regions. These projects cover a wide range of areas: some focus on education and training in digital skills, environmental protection, and the arts; others address urban and rural practices such as upcycling old clothes, tree planting, canal digging, and vegetable farming.

This year's Action Plan will focus on recruiting projects in seven priority areas: poverty eradication, hunger elimination and food security promotion, advancing digital technology for the future, climate action and green development, promoting inclusive and equitable quality education, enhancing youth health and well-being, and fostering youth employment and entrepreneurship.

Felipe Paullier, UN assistant secretary-general for Youth Affairs, emphasized the crucial role of young leaders in addressing global challenges and shaping a more sustainable and inclusive world.

He encouraged the youth, "I urge you to engage in meaningful dialogues, forge partnerships, and, most importantly, continue to meet people. Remember, the challenges we face are interconnected, and so must be our solutions. We need young people's holistic thinking and abilities."

guiqian@i21st.cn