International Youth Day celebrated at the Youth & Development Summit
The “Youth & Development Summit” was organized by the Afghanistan Economic and Legal Studies Organization (AELSO) to commemorate International Youth Day, with the participation of the organization’s leadership, members of the Women’s Leadership Academy, and young people from across Afghanistan. This summit, which discussed the topic “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” emphasized the importance of youth role in sustainable development.
International Youth Day provides an opportunity to highlight the valuable potential of young people in achieving sustainable development. Speakers at this summit, focusing on the theme “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” addressed the dynamic role of youth in advancing sustainable development goals.
At the beginning of the summit, speakers pointed out the challenges and opportunities facing Afghan youth. The speakers acknowledged that digital technology has created new opportunities for entrepreneurship and enabling young people to develop innovative solutions to global challenges. E-commerce platforms like Etsy and Shopify allow young entrepreneurs to sell sustainable products globally. Crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo provide funding for youth-led initiatives addressing social and environmental issues.
One of the speakers stated, “Afghan youth, through digital tools, are not only capable of individual progress but can also act as a driving force for the country’s development.” This emphasis on the central role of youth in sustainable development prompted participants to share their views on the impact of digital technologies on Afghan society and economy.
One of the young participants, Zahra Nowroozi, said, “We face many challenges in education and access to technology, but we can turn these challenges into opportunities for positive change and economic growth.” This perspective reflects the hope and motivation of young people to overcome difficulties and utilize the existing opportunities. Participants also highlighted the importance of organizing educational programs and seminars as tools for empowering youth.
As the summit continued, the necessity of organizing educational, motivational, and discourse programs among young people was emphasized. Razia Mirzaee, another participant, stated, “Educational programs and dialogues can help strengthen the knowledge and skills of young people and prepare them for active participation in sustainable development.” This emphasis on education and dialogue highlights the importance young people place on learning and participation in sustainable development processes.
The “Youth & Development Summit” conducted by AELSO on the occasion of International Youth Day, provided an opportunity for dialogue and examining the role of youth in sustainable development. Speakers and participants addressed the existing challenges and opportunities and stressed the importance of education and youth empowerment through digital pathways. This event demonstrated AELSO’s commitment to supporting young people and striving for sustainable development in Afghanistan.