International Youth Day 2025 - The Light in Our Hands: Youth as Torchbearers of Hope for People, Planet, and Prosperity

Jakarta, 6 September 2025 – The United Nations Association in Indonesia (UNAI), with support from the United Nations in Indonesia, held the International Youth Day 2025 Youth Forum today under the theme “The Light in Our Hands: Youth as Torchbearers of Hope for People, Planet, and Prosperity.”

The annual forum, held online this year, gathered over 150 participants from across Indonesia, with additional audiences joining through a live broadcast on YouTube. The event highlighted the critical role of young people in addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges, with discussions anchored in the three key pillars of people, prosperity, and planet.

The forum opened with remarks from Miklos Gaspar, Director of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Indonesia, who underscored the importance of Indonesia’s youth population as a driver of progress. “Indonesia is blessed with a young and dynamic population – what we call the demographic dividend. If equipped with quality education and decent jobs, this can become a huge driver of economic development. But beyond that, young people are also key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Without your enthusiasm, dynamism, and hard work, the SDGs cannot be met. You are not just participants in the conversation – you are role models, changemakers, and opinion leaders who can inspire others and shape the future,” he said. Gaspar stressed that the decisions made today will shape the lives of young people for decades to come and reaffirmed the United Nations’ commitment to ensuring that youth voices, especially those from rural and marginalized communities, are heard.

Following him, Giras Bowo, President of UNAI, urged participants to recognize their own leadership and capacity to act. “For too long, the narrative about youth has focused on what we lack – experience, stability, or even a seat at the table. But the reality is that you are already the leaders of today. You are the innovators, activists, and entrepreneurs reshaping our world. With Indonesia’s largest youth population in history, your creativity, digital literacy, and energy are among our nation’s greatest assets. Do not wait for an invitation to the table – bring your own chair, or better yet, build a new table. The future is in your hands, and I have never been more hopeful,” he said.

The day’s programme began with the Catalyst Conference, featuring Dina Mariana Lumbantobing, a practitioner in gender equality, disability and social inclusion for disaster risk reduction, and Ardine Cantari, an environmental advocate and leader of the Youth Conservation Initiative Bali. Both speakers shared their personal journeys in activism, showing how individual dedication can grow into movements that benefit communities. Their stories illustrated the resilience, creativity, and persistence that define youth leadership across Indonesia.

The Insight Talk sessions then turned attention to the three central pillars of the forum. Randa Sandhita, Youth Focal Point for UNDP Indonesia, joined Rafliansyah, Co-Founder of the Timur Network, and Fiza Khan, founding member and spokesperson for Green Welfare, in exploring how youth are tackling inequality, driving inclusive prosperity, and promoting environmental resilience. Their discussions reflected the diversity of approaches young leaders are taking, from digital innovation and community entrepreneurship to environmental advocacy, and how these efforts align with the Sustainable Development Goals.

The day concluded with the SDGs Clinic, where participants engaged in one-on-one consultations with experienced youth leaders and practitioners. Giras Bowo, President of UNAI; Rizqi Magdawati, Youth Digital Support at UNDP Indonesia; Yusril Nurhidayat, President of the Youth Think Tank for Europe-Asia Relations (STEAR); Seruni Salsabila, a leading voice in ASEAN youth climate advocacy; and Astri Kirana, founder of the Sadari Project, were among those who provided mentoring. These sessions offered participants tailored guidance on developing their initiatives, building networks, and scaling their impact. 

Throughout the day, International Youth Day 2025 highlighted how young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow but the changemakers of today. From climate action and social justice advocacy to inclusive economic initiatives and digital innovation, Indonesian youth are already demonstrating their capacity to shape a better future. The event reaffirmed UNA Indonesia’s and the United Nations’ shared commitment to empowering youth and amplifying their voices. International Youth Day 2025 was not just a celebration, but a collective call to action — a reminder that with the light in their hands, today’s youth are indeed the torchbearers of hope for people, for the planet, and for prosperity.