Page 57 - SAMENA Trends - March-April 2025

INITIATIVES ON EMPOWERMENT SAMENA TRENDS

Initiatives on Empowerment

Youth

ITU Global Youth Summit Places Young People at the Heart of Digital

Transformation

Young people need better access to empowerment of youth globally. “Young development of digital technologies," said
technology and skills development to people must be heard as they seize H.E. Mayra Arevich Marín, Minister of
play an active role in defining the world's technology's opportunities and take on its Communications of Cuba. “Cuba reaffirms
digital future, according to participants challenges," said ITU Secretary-General its commitment to digital inclusion,
at the ITU Global Youth Summit, which Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “Bringing youth cybersecurity and technological innovation.
concluded in Varadero, Cuba. The three- from around the world together in the spirit Together, we will advance towards a
day event, organized by the International of hope, possibility, and ambition allows world where everyone has access to the
Telecommunication Union (ITU) and them to help shape our shared digital future.” opportunities offered by information
hosted by the Ministry of Communications According to ITU's latest Facts and Figures and communications technologies."
of the Government of Cuba, set out to report, an estimated 79 per cent of young The summit's networking opportunities
amplify youth voices on the tech-driven people are online compared to 66 per cent and intergenerational dialogues allowed
future. Participants from around the world of the global population. While youth are young people to learn from technology
between 18 and 25 years of age identified more active online worldwide, meaningful professionals, experts and policy makers.
their priorities to ensure that information connectivity for young people remains a Discussions highlighted the need for youth
and communication technologies are safe, challenge in low-income countries, where to be digitally included and skilled to create
affordable and accessible. Key tech issues only 43 per cent of young people are online, opportunities for entrepreneurship and
for young people discussed at the summit and in the world's least developed countries, innovation as key drivers of global social
included connectivity, digital inclusion, where only 52 per cent are connected. "We and economic development. Summit
online safety, ethical development and are deeply honoured to have hosted ITU's outcomes underscore the importance
use of artificial intelligence and emerging Global Youth Summit. The discussions and of youth involvement in discussions on
technologies, preparing for the future of ideas shared here will not only strengthen shaping the future of the digital world and
work, and enabling digital participation our national policies and strategies but will the global technology landscape.
by all to foster economic and social also contribute significantly to the global

57 MARCH-APRIL 2025