International Youth Day 2024: Digital Pathways to a Sustainable Future

Jakarta, 10 August 2024 - The United Nations and United Nations Association Indonesia today celebrated International Youth Day under the theme 'Empowering Youth in Indonesia: Digital Pathways to a Sustainable Future.'  This theme underscores the ongoing collaborations between the Indonesian government and the United Nations to harness digital technologies for sustainable development with a special focus on young people, especially those in remote areas.

“Today is an important moment for us all, especially for the youth," said Usman Kasong, Director General of Information and Communications at the Ministry of Communication and Information, in his opening remarks. "The event we are attending together highlights a theme that is very relevant to our times: 'Empowering Youth in Indonesia: Digital Pathways to a Sustainable Future.' This theme affirms that our future, the future of the nation, lies in the hands of the youth, who are capable of using digital technology as a tool for transformation towards sustainability.”

Indonesia is making steady progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with 62% of its indicators currently on track, according to government data. While this progress is encouraging, there is still much work to be done to ensure that all targets are met by the 2030 deadline.

Amidst this context, Indonesia's large and relatively young population presents a valuable opportunity for development. With over 48% of the population under 30 years old, these young individuals hold potential to significantly influence the nation’s future.

Gita Sabhwarwal, UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia, said: “Digital technologies are vital tools that help bridge gaps, create opportunities, and spur innovation across all sectors of society. Through our partnership with the Indonesian government, we are committed to ensuring these benefits reach all corners of the nation, especially impacting young lives in underserved communities.”

Engaging youth in remote areas in digitalization efforts is particularly important, as their inclusion ensures that the benefits of technology reach all segments of society, contributing to more balanced and inclusive development.

Speakers at a series of educational workshops and a conference explored how digital strategies are integrated within government-UN initiatives to address critical issues like food security, education, employment and healthcare. Speakers at the workshops included experts from the Ministry of National Development (Bappenas), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

The conference was opened by Usman Kasong Director General Public Information and Communication the Ministry of Communication and Information, Dr Felipe Paulier the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs and Ms Sabharwal. Hosted at the UN Indonesia and streamed online, the conference attracted around 850 online participants and 50 in-person attendees.

Quentino Adzandara Junandar, Under Secretary-General of Department of Program Development United Nations Association Indonesia, spoke of the transformative effect of digital tools: “Providing the right digital tools to young people allows them to contribute actively to building an inclusive future. This initiative is crucial for making young individuals aware of how digital technology can drive sustainable development and for engaging them directly in these efforts.”

The discussions showcased the Digital Transformation Multi-Stakeholder Partnership, supported by a coalition of twelve UN entities. The initiative focuses on bridging the digital divide and promoting inclusive digital education, with the goal of tackling challenges like poverty, climate change, and inequality.

Concluding the event, Ms Sabhwarwal emphasized the importance of youth participation. “The enthusiasm and innovative ideas of our youth are key as we push forward with digital solutions for future challenges. Their active involvement is essential as we continue to seize the vast opportunities that digital transformation presents for achieving a sustainable future.”

The involvement and empowering of youth is at the heart of the reforms proposed by the UN Secretary General, and which will discussed by global leaders at the Summit of the Future in New York in September. . The Summit will propose ways to systematically incorporate perspectives from youth into national and global governance, as well as ways to increase the inclusive use of digital technologies for development.

Media contact: Siska Widyawati, UN Information Centre (UNIC) - 08788-4885489