14 August 2024, Nairobi. – On August 12, 2024, the world celebrated International Youth Day (IYD), a day dedicated to shining a spotlight on the energy, creativity, and passion of young people. This year, the theme “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development” underscored the undeniable link between digitalization and the acceleration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The theme also highlighted the critical role young people play in this transformative process.
The Thematic session III co-led by UNFPA Kenya and UN-Habitat, – “Road to A Sustainable Urban Future,” – was part of the broader “Future Forward: Youth Leading the Change on Digitalization for Sustainable Development” event. This hybrid session, attended by 135 participants both online and in person at the UN complex in Nairobi, was a call to action for youth to take the reins in shaping their urban environments through digital innovation.
Bridging the Digital Divide for Urban Transformation
The session kicked off with powerful opening remarks from Jonathan Some Oriki of the UN-Habitat Youth Advisory Board. He painted a vivid picture of the future: by 2050, the majority of the world’s population will be living in urban areas, with over 60% of them being young people. Yet, despite the rapid pace of technological advancement, many youths, especially those in informal settlements, remain disconnected from digital tools that could transform their lives. Jonathan’s message was clear: the digital divide is not just a gap in technology access—it’s a gap in opportunity, growth, and future prosperity.
Jonathan called for a multi-pronged approach to address this divide: improving digital skills and training, increasing access to technology, and designing user-friendly platforms that resonate with young people. He urged governments, private sectors, and youth organizations to work together in creating scalable solutions that empower youth to drive the digital revolution in urban planning.
Local Action, Global Impact: Stories of Youth-Led Initiatives
The session also spotlighted inspiring stories of youth-led initiatives. Safrina Waceke, Youth Advisory Board member and Youth 2030 Cities advocate, hails from the informal settlement of Mathare in Nairobi, Kenya. She shared her journey of transforming a dumpsite in her community into the vibrant Mathare Community Park. This project, led by local youth, not only beautified the area but also turned waste management into an opportunity for job creation and community development. Safrina’s story is a testament to the power of local action and the importance of partnerships in driving sustainable change.
Nikolas Lanjouw, a Digital Engagement Specialist with UN-Habitat, brought a global perspective to the discussion. He highlighted the Young Gamechangers Initiative (YGI), which uses digital tools like Minecraft to empower youth in designing sustainable public spaces. Nikolas emphasized that when young people are given the tools to actively participate in urban planning, the results are not only more equitable but also more reflective of the needs and aspirations of the community.
To illustrate the practical impact of UN-Habitat’s approach to engaging youth digitally and meaningfully, Deepshikha Ray, a Young Gamechanger from Jatni, India, joined the session online to share her personal journey with the Young Gamechangers Initiative. Speaking from the perspective of a young person passionate about transforming her hometown and its public spaces, Deepshikha enthusiastically recounted the skills she acquired through her involvement in the initiative.
She highlighted how her digital skills had significantly improved, her understanding of urban challenges and opportunities had deepened, and—crucially—how the experience had fostered a strong sense of civic participation. Deepshikha emphasized that the collective growth and camaraderie among the Young Gamechangers were pivotal in sustaining their motivation and effectiveness throughout the initiative’s activities.
Learn more about the Young Gamechanres from Jatni here.
Tackling Climate Change with Innovation
The session took a critical turn with Lydia Achieng’s presentation on the “Let’s Hack Climate Change” challenge. Lydia, who is a chairperson of UNFPA Kenya Youth Advisory Panel, underscored the urgent need to address the vulnerability of young people, especially girls, in the face of climate change. She introduced the 2024 UNFPA initiative aimed at fostering youth and women-led innovations to build climate resilience. This hackathon series will encourage young innovators to develop solutions that integrate sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) into climate adaptation strategies. By focusing on countries like Madagascar, Mozambique, Kenya, and South Sudan, this initiative is set to make a significant impact in regions most affected by climate change.
The Road Ahead: Collaborative Action for Sustainable Urbanization
As the session drew to a close, there was a palpable sense of momentum. The discussions made it clear that youth are not just participants in the digital and urban future—they are leaders.
Douglas Ragan, Children and Youth Focal point for UN-Habitat, wrapped the session up with the launch of the online draft of the DeclarACTION on Youth and Sustainable Urbanization, set to be adopted at the World Urban Forum 12 (WUF12). The DeclarACTION will be reviewed virtually, while as well being reviewed at World Habitat Day (October 7) and World Cities Day (October 31st). The youth participants expressed a strong desire to contribute to this document, signaling their commitment to shaping a sustainable future.
This International Youth Day, the message was loud and clear: the future of our cities—and indeed our planet—rests in the hands of the youth. Through digital innovation, collaboration, and a relentless drive for equity, young people are leading the charge toward a brighter, more sustainable tomorrow.
