International Youth Day

“The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.”- Nelson Mandela. Today there are around 1.2 billion young people between the ages of 15 and 24 in the world, representing approximately 16% of the world population. The active engagement of youth in sustainable development efforts is central to achieving inclusive and fair societies, as well as to averting the worst threats and challenges to sustainable development, such as the impacts of climate change, unemployment, poverty, gender inequality, warfare and migration. Globally, only 2.6% of parliamentarians are under 30 years old, and less than 1% of these young MPs are women. International Youth Day is celebrated annually on 12 August to bring youth issues to the attention of the international community and celebrate the potential of youth as partners in today’s global society. This important day gives an opportunity to celebrate and mainstream young peoples’ voices, actions, and initiatives, as well as their meaningful, universal, and equitable engagement. The theme for this year’s International Youth Day, "From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development," emphasizes the crucial role of digitalization in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Youth in Latin America and the Caribbean. In Latin America and the Caribbean, the youth population is close to 160 million and in many countries their proportion will continue to increase significantly in the coming decades. In Jamaica, “youth” is defined as persons between the ages of 15-29 years of age. Youth make up almost 28% (approximately 759,757) of the overall population. In addition to the persistent structural gaps, young people in our region face serious inequalities in their education and in the development of their work skills. Youth require a higher educational level, relevant job training and better preparation for lifelong learning. These inequities demand urgent solutions, if we want to advance on the path of sustainability with equality. Unpreparedness in youth is unacceptable. In the coming years, the quality of education, the availability of jobs, gender inequality and the situation of the environment, among others, will have a profound impact on the lives of millions of young people. For this reason, they deserve a leading role in the construction of their futures. The voices, actions and solutions of young people, as well as their engagement are critical building blocks for sustainable development. Digital Divide. The digital divide is the gap created by unequal access to modern telecommunications technology among different demographic groups and regions. This can include inequalities in access to computers, smart phones, the Internet, or digital literacy. Disturbingly, youth in the Global South are at a disadvantage in comparison to the Global North. This is problematic and more effort is required to close the digital divide. The digital divide metaphor became popular in the mid-1990s, when the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce published “Falling Through the Net: A Survey of the ‘Have Nots’ in Rural and Urban America” (1995), a research report on Internet diffusion among Americans. The report revealed widespread inequalities in national ICT access, with migrant or ethnic minority groups and older, less-affluent people living in rural areas with low educational attainments being especially excluded from Internet services. That pattern was confirmed by follow-up surveys by the NTIA, which indicated also an initial gender gap in favour of men. Bridging the Digital Divide. According to the United Nations (UN) access to the internet, digital skills and devices is necessary for communities to thrive in today’s world. As governments and financial institutions deliver more services online and technological innovation creates opportunities to connect people to goods, services and each other in new ways, communities across the globe are finding internet connectivity to be a requisite for full participation in society. The global COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that internet connectivity is no longer a luxury, but instead a cornerstone of resilient communities. Likewise, increasing connectivity can introduce new vulnerabilities and burdens to marginalized groups that should be carefully considered when developing solutions to bridge the digital divide. The UN states that digitalization is transforming our world, offering unprecedented opportunities to accelerate sustainable development. Digital technologies such as mobile devices, services, and artificial intelligence are instrumental in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Data generated from digital interactions supports evidence-based decision-making. The UN adds that with profound impact across economic, social and environmental dimensions, digital technologies and data contribute to at least 70 per cent of the 169 SDG targets while potentially reducing the cost of achieving these goals by up to USD 55 trillion. Young people are leading the charge in digital adoption and innovation, with three-quarters of those aged 15 to 24 using the internet in 2022, a rate higher than other age groups. However, disparities persist, particularly in low-income countries and among young women, who often have less access to the internet and digital skills compared to their male counterparts. While there is an urgent need to enhance digital inclusion, youth are largely recognized as “digital natives,” using technology to drive change and create solutions. As the 2030 deadline for the SDGs approaches, the role of young people in digital innovation is essential for addressing global issues. Engendering Inclusivity. By celebrating the digital contributions of youth, we can inspire further innovation and collaboration towards achieving sustainable development. On this International Youth Day governments must do more to create inclusive societies in order to tap the potential of the youth population. We must be mindful that if the youth are not fully engaged in society this will create more social ills and be costly to all to remedy. Today’s youth have many digital pathways to sustainable development to choose from. However, the youth must also make themselves open to the wisdom, training and knowledge that come along with maturity. In the words of Aristotle, good habits formed at youth make all the difference. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #InternationalYouthDay