Young People Want Greater Role In Shaping The Future, Says UNDP
This year’s theme for International Youth Day, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations », emphasises equipping young people with critical tools spanning digital and AI literacy, problem-solving, and their role as co-creators of sustainable development.
UNDP Resident Representative Ugo Blanco says that amid challenges such as uncertainty about the future and employment, it is understandable that young people want greater control over planning their futures.
« We, the UNDP team, went around the country, visited many communities – Siparia, Couva, Tobago – and we listened to the youth. And the question was what’s the TT we want… what’s the goal? How does Trinidad and Tobago look like in the future? Because once we have the goal, we can draw the path to get there and decide what to do right here and right now. »
The UNDP Resident Rep says young people are changing how they engage with society, and institutions must adapt by meeting them where they are and responding to their evolving needs and expectations.
« We ask them to speak up, to be resilient, to trade their spaces, right? But we also have to have institutions, mechanisms to listen to them, to welcome them, to create the spaces for the youth to take the role they want to take because we always say the youth is the future, but we realise that youth is the present. »
UNDP Youth Forum Member Lystia Mulzac says today’s youth are seeking more than support programmes. They want to be actively involved in policy-making and have their views reflected in decisions that shape their communities and opportunities.
« We want a seat at the table. We want our voices to be heard. But it’s not just we want to be like tokens. We don’t want to be trophies. We want to actually have a voice, we want to be decision-makers. We want to be one of those leaders and not just a passerby. »
Mr Blanco noted that more than half of Trinidad and Tobago’s population is under 35, making young people a significant force in society. He says it is therefore no surprise that they are seeking a stronger role in the decision-making process and greater influence over issues that affect their future.
