2023-2024 Youth Delegate Communiqué
Take action for a more inclusive, sustainable future with the input and policy recommendations of young people across 140 countries
"When faced with change, we can replace apathy with hope by giving wanderers a compass to find their way—for those who wander alone may be lost but those who journey together with a purpose have a shared direction and destination."
- Kelly Lovell,
Global Chair, YOUNGA
CEO and Founder, BridgingTheGap Ventures
Global Chair,
CEO and Founder, BridgingTheGap Ventures
This Communiqué summarizes the recommendations and tangible action steps our Younga® 2023 Youth Delegation wants to see our current decision-makers implement. The 2023 Policy Working Groups met over the course of six weeks to…
- Understand the priorities
- Identify the external factors, challenges and opportunity gaps
- Summarize the results and develop recommendations for action
"How do we navigate trying times in our lives when we may be unsure or unaware of the way forward? We should pay attention to the signs and landmarks along our journey that give us hints at what’s the right path for us to follow. That means increasing our efforts and investment in actionable solutions already creating meaningful impact and transforming efforts that have stagnated or failed to achieve their desired outcomes."
- Jaclyn Stief,
Director of Programming and Global Policy,
BridgingTheGap Ventures
Director of Programming and Global Policy,
BridgingTheGap Ventures
The Younga 2023 Youth Delegation¹ were…
Underserved groups
0
%
Representing countries
0
¹ Of those who chose to identify themselves
² Includes those who identified as Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC), Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) and Indigenous peoples (4.7%)
3 Includes those who identified as low-income persons and persons who are underemployed/unemployed or experiencing barriers to employment
4 Includes those who identified as persons with mental health challenges and persons with mental illness
² Includes those who identified as Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC), Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) and Indigenous peoples (4.7%)
3 Includes those who identified as low-income persons and persons who are underemployed/unemployed or experiencing barriers to employment
4 Includes those who identified as persons with mental health challenges and persons with mental illness
Recommendations
Select a thematic track to view its key recommendations
Climate Action and Sustainable Living
Issues
- Clean energy
- Food and water security
- Education, awareness and green skills
Key Recommendations
- Promote and encourage sustainable food production methods
- Foster water stewardship and increase adaptive capacity to current water risks
- Advance nature-based solutions for reducing carbon emissions
- Ensure a just transition from fossil fuels to clean energy sources
- Bridge the awareness and knowledge gaps on climate change
Input from Working Group Leaders...
Sahil Aggarwal
Singapore
Shinrwe Abdalla
Iraq
Sana’a Khasawneh
Jordan
Caitlin Turner
United Kingdom
Susan Vironikar Bastian
India
Esha Venkat
United States
Lord Offei-Darko
Ghana
Arvind Kumar
India
I feel empowering and equipping young people to lead social innovation is important because young people are practical, innovative, and often have the most oversight about the current societal challenges and solutions.
I think industry stakeholders can start 'BridgingTheGap' to make the world more inclusive and sustainable by embracing diversity and inclusion, implementing sustainable practices, engaging in policy advocacy, and investing in research and development.
I believe events like YOUNGA are important because they connect youth with link-minded peers and supports them in growing their skills and capacities to be able to address global challenges and generate a meaningful impact in their communities.
I think industry stakeholders can start 'BridgingTheGap' to make the world more inclusive and sustainable by ensuring accessibility, diversity, equality and inclusion are integral to their day-to-day functioning. Not ‘tokenise’ young people and underserved groups with one-off, performative actions, but commit to making meaningful change to ensure inclusion.
Empowering and equipping young people to lead social innovation is crucial for fostering a sustainable and inclusive future. Their unique perspectives and boundless creativity hold the potential to drive transformative solutions to global challenges.
Aligning their service opportunities with the values youth embrace and providing opportunities for young people to learn and grow while feeling supported in their endeavors is one way industry stakeholders can start 'BridgingTheGap' to *make the world more inclusive and sustainable.
I feel empowering and equipping young people to lead social innovation is important because it allows them to take an active role in shaping the future of our society. Young people have a unique perspective and energy that can drive change and create new solutions to some of the most pressing issues facing our world today.
Events like YOUNGA are important because they provide a platform for young individuals to voice their ideas, solutions and concerns directly to global decision-makers, fostering intergenerational dialogues and leading to actionable change for a sustainable future.
Equality and Inclusion
Issues
- Representation
- Equality and human rights
- Access
- Gender
Key Recommendations
- Formulate, pass and enforce policies to ensure equitable representation of underrepresented and underserved groups
- Recognize and address the impact intersectionality has on realizing individuals’ human rights
- Identify and remove access barriers in workplaces, digital spaces and communities
- Implement universal design principles for all new and existing infrastructure
- Systemically address the underlying causes of gender inequality
people have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution and human rights violations, as of September 2023. (UNHCR, 2023)
0
million
people have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution and human rights violations, as of September 2023. (UNHCR, 2023)
0
million
Input from Working Group Leaders...
Lauren Asher
United Kingdom
Mong Wai
Bangladesh
Heritage Sanmi-Lawal
Nigeria
I feel empowering and equipping young people to lead social innovation is important because often they have the most empowering, inclusive and innovative ideas. They have the solutions many people are looking for - all everyone needs to do is listen and respond!
Empowering young leaders through advocacy or counting their voice has been a transformative journey. Working alongside the other Delegates, I've witnessed the dynamic force of their ideas and passion. The experience has strengthened my belief in the power of youth and fueled my sense of empowerment. Together, we are crafting a future where the voices of emerging leaders resonate with impactful change
One challenge or opportunity gap I face as a young person today is s lack of inclusion in decision making spaces.
Future of Education
and Work
Issues
- Digital divide and tech disruption
- Gap in holistic education and skill development
- Accessibility, equality and inclusivity in education
Key Recommendations
- Integrate digital literacy training and technology into the school curriculum
- Update the school curriculum and assessment formats to create an inclusive, holistic measure of student performance
- Ensure employees have access to ongoing upskilling
- Increase inclusive access to education for marginalized children and youth
- Improve affordability, inclusion and supports in education
The skills gap—the discrepancy between skills required for employment and the skills individuals actually possess— is estimated to affect 1.3 billion people worldwide. (Puckett, J et al., 2020)
0
billion
The skills gap—the discrepancy between skills required for employment and the skills individuals actually possess— is estimated to affect 1.3 billion people worldwide. (Puckett, J et al., 2020)
0
billion
Input from Working Group Leaders...
Ana Romero
Mexico
Vivian Nguyen
United States
Birndze Bete Dzekewong
Cameroon
Julia Corotan
Papua New Guinea
Reeva Khokhar
United States
I feel empowering and equipping young people to lead social innovation is important because when young voices are raised, their concerns and opinions are taken into account, and that leads to a more inclusive approach on solutions for social problems. Youth are conscious of today’s issues, and they’ve got innovative ideas to solve them.
I think industry stakeholders can start 'BridgingTheGap' to make the world more inclusive and sustainable by creating inclusive opportunities for youth for collaborate and build networks, equipping youth with practical skills and tools to practice innovations, and developing supportive programs that target early age ventures.
Events like Younga are important because they give young people a platform and a voice to demand action and to co-create and design systemic solutions to local community challenges they are facing.
Industry stakeholders can start 'BridgingTheGap' to make the world more inclusive and sustainable by raising awareness and educating people on what the world needs today to build a better tomorrow.
Empowering and equipping young people to lead social innovation is important because it gives individuals the opportunity to serve as agents of change and make a positive impact on those around them.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Issues
- Inadequate access to mental health services
- Mental health stigma and lack of awareness
- Mitigate malnutrition and preventable diseases
Key Recommendations
- Expand and integrate mental health coverage, services and supports into the healthcare system
- Bolster diversity and cultural awareness in the mental health workforce
- Achieve greater community wellness through improved access to food, nutrition education and healthy lifestyles
- Increase mental health literacy in schools, workplaces and communities
- Strengthen health resilience through comprehensive public awareness campaigns
people projected to be chronically undernourished in 2030. (FAO, 2023)
0
million
people projected to be chronically undernourished in 2030. (FAO, 2023)
0
million
Input from Working Group Leaders...
Tanya Ansari
United States
Shannen Foley-Espinosa
United States
Elif Kaya
Turkey
Haya Al-Kubati
Yemen
Shallote Nayebare
Uganda
Fura Gelzen Sherpa
Nepal
I think industry stakeholders can start 'BridgingTheGap' to make the world more inclusive and sustainable by prioritizing investments in education and skills development, particularly for marginalized communities and young people. This can help bridge the opportunity gap and equip us to participate in society and contribute to sustainable development.
I believe events like YOUNGA are important because of its unique stage to engage influential leaders, experts, and organizations, promoting empowerment of young people in the shaping of policies and positive global change.
I feel empowering and equipping young people to lead social innovation is important because they are the future, and it's crucial that we listen to their voices and support their leadership. Their passion and fresh perspectives is unlike anyone. Investing in their potential is investing in a better world for all.
Events like YOUNGA are important because they make me feel my voice is being heard and my contribution in this world for change making matters even if coming form a developing country
Empowering and equipping young people to lead social innovation enables them to stand up for their rights, take up space, make decisions on issues that directly affect them and live independent and healthier lives.
One challenge or opportunity gap I face as a young person today is a lack of information for young people and good mentorship for young people.
Peace and Justice
Issues
- Abuse of emerging technologies
- Upholding human rights in practice and policy
- Strong infrastructure and institutions
Key Recommendations
- Create tamper-resistant digital identity systems
- Implement training and protections for emerging technologies
- Convene global AI stakeholders to ensure its proper implementation
- Ensure human rights protection in existing and new legislation
- Develop anti-corruption practices and systems to ensure strong institutions
Input from Working Group Leaders...
Kawthar Salahudeen
Nigeria
Victoria Barclay
Canada
Tara Shivafard
Canada
Siva Nanda Rajesh
United Arab Emirates
Zopash Khan
Pakistan
I believe events like YOUNGA are important because they don't only identify great talents, but also shine their torch in hidden places to uplift voices.
Youth have skills, potential, and excitement to be changemakers. Fostering this motivation and determination by providing training, networking, and skill development is crucial for maximizing the efforts of young people now and in the future.
Industry stakeholders can start 'BridgingTheGap' to make the world more inclusive and sustainable by disregarding the status quo and embracing new ideas and individuals. For example, applying tools like Gender-Based Analysis Plus can allow for organizations and government to identify and address how to become more inclusive and sustainable.
Events like YOUNGA are important because they allow young people who are genuinely interested in getting involved in leadership not only get an opportunity to express their ideas to a larger audience but also get mentored in the right direction.
I feel empowering and equipping young advocates to lead social innovation is important because they bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a passion for positive change.
YOUNGA
Younga® is the largest global festival for impact. Using mixed reality, Younga unites young people with decision-makers to co-create solutions for a more inclusive, sustainable world during the United Nations Decade of Action from 2020 to 2030.
Through interactive and intergenerational experiences, Younga equips young people with skill-building opportunities, action-oriented programming and curated connections.
As a global participatory platform, Younga empowers youth to share their hopes, concerns and ideas for the future with the world’s top industry leaders, celebrity influencers, brands and organizations.
Through interactive and intergenerational experiences, Younga equips young people with skill-building opportunities, action-oriented programming and curated connections.
As a global participatory platform, Younga empowers youth to share their hopes, concerns and ideas for the future with the world’s top industry leaders, celebrity influencers, brands and organizations.
About BridgingTheGap Ventures
BridgingTheGap Ventures is a social enterprise that curates youth-relevant, purpose-driven content, communities and collaborative experiences.
Providing access is central to all that we do—bridging opportunity gaps for underrepresented and underserved groups so they can adapt and thrive in the future of work, pursue innovation and entrepreneurship and scale their social impact. Providing access is central to all that we do—bridging opportunity gaps for underrepresented and underserved groups so they can adapt and thrive in the future of work, pursue innovation and entrepreneurship and scale their social impact.
BridgingTheGap is the global hub for all of the spokes in the youth sector—connecting, supporting and driving impact for all. BridgingTheGap is the global hub for all of the spokes in the youth sector—connecting, supporting and driving impact for all.
Providing access is central to all that we do—bridging opportunity gaps for underrepresented and underserved groups so they can adapt and thrive in the future of work, pursue innovation and entrepreneurship and scale their social impact. Providing access is central to all that we do—bridging opportunity gaps for underrepresented and underserved groups so they can adapt and thrive in the future of work, pursue innovation and entrepreneurship and scale their social impact.
BridgingTheGap is the global hub for all of the spokes in the youth sector—connecting, supporting and driving impact for all. BridgingTheGap is the global hub for all of the spokes in the youth sector—connecting, supporting and driving impact for all.
