Celebrating youth: ‘When young people take the lead, everyone gains’

12 August 2025: Colourful blocks or an abacus are common sights in kindergartens. But in Yemen, after years of conflict and economic crisis, such toys have become too costly. Seeing this gap, Shadia and Fatima — two young entrepreneurs trained through the UN Development Programme — launched Dorri, a youth-led business producing sensory learning tools from local wood and fabric. Alone, Dorri cannot solve Yemen’s challenges, but for one principal, the toys symbolize the creative potential of young people: “When young people take the lead, everyone gains.”

August 12 marks the International Day of Youth, spotlighting the role of 1.9 billion young people worldwide in building sustainable futures. This year is especially notable, says Felipe Paullier, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, as it coincides with the 10th anniversary of a Security Council resolution affirming youth as vital to peace. “Young people are leading change with purpose, from local campaigns to global peace efforts, building trust between cultures and creating lasting impact,” he said.

Creating Livelihoods

By 2050, those under 25 today will make up over 90 per cent of the global workforce, making access to education and training essential. Yet for many in conflict or displacement, this remains out of reach. Elijah, a Sudanese refugee in Kenya, dropped out of school due to fees but found another way: he now runs a small electronics repair workshop, where he has trained 15 peers. “My dream is to open the biggest facility in Kakuma to serve the community and empower young people,” he said.

An Intergenerational Approach

Paullier stresses that empowerment must mean genuine partnership: “Meaningful youth participation means engaging youth as equal partners… It is about the world we live in today.” In Myanmar, young people have turned to theatre to spark intergenerational dialogue. Their plays on issues like domestic violence have created safe spaces for communities of all ages. As one performer put it: “We’re not just performers — we are community educators, and this stage is our platform for change.”

Beyond Tokenism

Despite global commitments, youth are still often excluded from policymaking, or their inclusion is tokenistic. Areej Hussein, a feminist activist in Sudan, has pushed back against this trend: “Women and girls are not just victims of war – we are peacebuilders… Enough of using women as slogans.” By mobilizing women across Sudan, she is helping ensure their voices are heard.

Around the world, young people are shaping peace in different ways: Shadia and Fatima through tactile toys, Elijah through training, and theatre groups in Myanmar through performance. As one young actor, Yie Tone, put it: “We may not have the power to change policies, but we do have the power on this stage to change our communities.”

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Source: UN News