Generation Connect gets ready for first-ever Global Youth Summit

By ITU News

Tomorrow’s technology movers and shakers are preparing to gather at the inaugural Generation Connect Global Youth Summit, taking place online and in person in Kigali, Rwanda, from 2 to 4 June.

Young delegates from over 100 countries representing regions worldwide will discuss and debate a Call to Action for sustainable, inclusive digital transformation policies.

The Youth Call To Action document – created by young leaders across the world, including Generation Connect Youth Envoys – will then be presented to today’s digital decision-makers at the World Telecommunication Development Conference on 6 to 16 June.

The preceding Youth Summit is the first of its kind to be held by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs).

The planned interactive sessions – to be held physically in Kigali with options for remote participation – focus on three areas of action to ensure forward-looking, youth-inclusive digital development.

These three key areas are:

• engaging young people in policy-making processes to ensure young voices are heard;
• empowering with resources and skills for the digital future; and
• protecting young people by promoting the responsible use of digital technologies.

Here are some of the highlights from the intensive three-day programme:

Masterclasses

From digital technology applications for climate action to dealing with cyberthreats to understanding how screentime affects mental health, this masterclass series will take place in hybrid and fully virtual formats throughout the Youth Summit.

Debate sessions

A youth-led debate series on the future of work and bridging the gender digital divide will see young leaders exchange views on the issues that matter most to them – and how to move the needle towards a better digital future.

Intergenerational dialogues

Younger generations hold vast potential to help their elders and strengthen intergenerational bonds. Through a series of intergenerational dialogues, tech sector leaders and young people will exchange views, ideas and experiences on topics like entrepreneurship, online safety, and enabling change for a sustainable digital future for all.

DigitalSkills4Jobs Hackathon

On 2 and 3 June, teams of summit delegates will brainstorm and prototype ideas to help tackle challenges faced by young people preparing to enter the job market. As the Youth Summit concludes on 4 June, the teams will pitch their solutions in front of a live audience and high-level panel of judges.

Worldwide hub network

Want to participate but can’t make it to Kigali? Find out which of the official Youth Summit hubs is nearest to you and contact them to get involved.

Participants from these hubs will be able to connect live, organize their own sessions, contribute substantially to summit outcomes, and share results with other young people from all over the world.

Register to attend the Youth Summit and join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #GenerationConnect.