As we commemorate International Youth Day with the theme “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” we spotlight the pivotal role that young people play in harnessing digital technologies to accelerate the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This year’s theme highlights the transformative potential of digitalisation and the critical contributions of youth leadership in addressing global challenges. There has been an immense increase of young people leveraging digital tools for research to deepen their knowledge in leadership.

Webinars, virtual conferences, and collaborative learning enhance their skills and confidence, fostering meaningful participation and equipping them for leadership roles in their communities and beyond.

This digital empowerment equips them to take on leadership roles and actively participate in decision-making processes, driving positive change in their communities and beyond.

Hope for Future Generations, a non-profit organisation in Ghana with over 23 years’ experience in health and socioeconomic development, acknowledges that young people are significant actors of leveraging digital tools to foster sustainable development. Their innovative approaches, technological skills and unique perspectives are instrumental in driving progress across various sectors.

In realizing sustainable development, youth are not just beneficiaries but active agents of change. They utilise digital platforms to disseminate vital information, advocate for their rights, and provide peer support, thereby creating safer and more informed youth.

While the potential of digital technologies is immense, it is essential to acknowledge the issue of digital exclusion. Many young people, particularly in low-resource settings, lack access to the internet, smartphones, and digital literacy.

This digital divide marginalises them, preventing their full participation in the digital economy and hindering their ability to leverage these tools for personal and community development. Addressing digital exclusion is imperative to ensure that all young people, regardless of their socio-economic background, can contribute to and benefit from the digital transformation.

On this International Youth Day, we call upon governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society to invest in digital infrastructure, ensuring that all young people have access to affordable and reliable internet connectivity and digital devices. Promoting digital literacy through programs that equip youth with the necessary skills to navigate and utilize digital technologies effectively.

Supporting youth-led initiatives by providing funding and resources for projects that leverage digital tools to address Sexual reproductive health and rights, (SRHR) cultivate leadership, unemployment and tackle critical issues that affect young people is equally important. We must commit to fostering inclusive policies that bridge the digital divide and protect the rights of young people in the digital space.

By recognising and supporting the contributions of youth in digital transformation, we can create a more equitable and sustainable future, harnessing the power of digitalisation to accelerate progress towards the SDGs and ensuring that no young person is left behind.