With the planet literally coming to a boil, simmering youth discontent over the slow pace of progress towards mitigating global warming is likely to be at the centre-stage of the World Economic Forum's premier forum for young change-makers
In times lit up by dazzling technological breakthroughs and challenged by unprecedented global issues, today’s young generation is championing problems that not only reflect their immediate concerns but also give voice to the universal aspiration for a more equitable, sustainable and just future.
This week, 500 young innovators, activists, and local change-makers from over 150 countries and territories will attend the Global Shapers Annual Summit 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland, to generate collective insights and deployable solutions to support young people worldwide.
At the forefront of the youth agenda is the battle against climate change. With the planet literally coming to a boil in the wake of the hottest year ever and reeling under devastating natural disasters, young people are demanding urgent and comprehensive action. Nearly 90 percent of youth surveyed in the Global Shapers Community consider climate change to be a top concern.
Most young people understand that the future depends on the actions we take now to address global warming and protect the environment. In the past year, young changemakers in the Global Shapers Community have delivered over 100 grassroots projects and solutions to decrease emissions, preserve nature, and promote sustainability."
At the Summit, young innovators from Morelia, Mexico, will showcase a satellite surveillance tool they created to track deforestation. Meanwhile, activists from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, will scale their work to enhance agricultural capacity through the construction of urban greenhouses and gardens. Also, change-makers from Malmö, Sweden, will share their youth employment action plan to promote green jobs and local sustainability champions.
Access to quality education and fair employment opportunities are crucial for young people as they navigate a rapidly evolving job market. The International Labour Organisation reports that globally, over 25 percent or 75 million young people are currently not in employment, education, or skills training, with significantly higher rates in emerging economies and among women.
As automation and digital transformation reshape industries, young people are advocating for educational reforms and skill development programmes to prepare them for the future workforce.
Within the Global Shapers network, young changemakers are piloting new models for collective action to empower 1 million people with better education, skills, and economic opportunities by 2030 to contribute to the Forum's Reskilling Revolution.
Young people are also calling for policies that ensure fair wages, economic justice, and support for marginalised communities to bridge opportunity gaps. At the Summit, advocates from London will display their model to help young people from diverse backgrounds enter and thrive in the cybersecurity workforce.
Global Shapers from Prague will illustrate new curricula on urban innovation, design, and advocacy. Similarly, leaders from Phnom Penh will share ways in which youth can better budget and save to overcome historical and cultural barriers via their financial literacy hackathon, which has empowered 4,000 young people in Cambodia so far.
In a world increasingly driven by technology, equitable access to digital resources and improving digital literacy are essential. The Global Risks Report 2024 highlights that artificial intelligence-driven misinformation and disinformation are rapidly rising concerns for younger age groups.
According to the International Telecommunication Union, nearly 2.9 billion people still lack internet access, disproportionately affecting young people in developing regions. Bridging this gap is critical to ensuring equal opportunities in education, employment and civic engagement, as well as building societal capacity and resilience.
At the Summit, innovators from Dar es Salaam will profile their model for expanding internet access and mobile learning centres across Tanzania, while Global Shapers in Amsterdam will pilot a new navigation app to help people with reduced mobility identify accessible walking routes in their city.
Activists from Karachi will also showcase the power of their replicable AI-powered chatbot to equip women with knowledge about their legal protections against harassment, and Global Shapers from Nairobi will showcase a 12-week programme to teach girls to code and create mobile apps to solve real-world problems. In three years, their programme has reached 170 girls in Kenya, expanding from 17 to 55 students per cohort.
By addressing critical issues while upholding equity and justice for all, young people are laying the foundation for a future that is not only more hopeful but also more inclusive, sustainable and resilient. The time to support their vision and amplify their voices is now.