Young people play important role in global development, youth group agrees

Representatives from the Youth Leaders' Community for Global Development agree that by harnessing their creativity, passion, and leadership skills, young individuals can play a unique role in promoting global sustainable development.

Saw Yee Fung, a Malaysian doctoral student from the Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development in Peking University, said that countries around the world should strengthen unity and cooperation more than ever and development should be placed at the center of the international arena.

Under a theme of "peace and development in this era", contemporary youth are tasked with a new historical mission to promote understanding, cooperation, harmony, diversity, inclusiveness, and multilateralism, Saw said.

"Development is for the youth and development needs youth even more," she stated, advocating for the collective promotion of the Global Development Initiative and the United Nations' sustainable development goals through the enthusiasm, innovation, and perspectives of young people.

The Youth Leaders' Community for Global Development, or YLGD, was set up by the China International Development Cooperation Agency in July last year, aiming to empower youth and support more young people to participate in global development cooperation.

On Monday, an advisory committee of the YLGD was launched and representatives from the community are set to kick off the first China tour next week, which will bring them to China's coastal city Xiamen, and the Northwest Ningxia Hui autonomous region.

Monicah Mwangi, an administrator under the Ministry of Interior of Kenya, who is doing a master's degree in women's leadership and social work at the China Women's University, said that youth are the future and they are going to shape global development.

"Right now, with the science and technology that we have, the young people have a very big chance to bring out their skills and to bring new ideas into development," she said.

Bigirimana Olinca, who also studies at China Women's University, echoed Mwangi's views. Youth are crucial in driving global development as they represent their nations' future," she said.

Young individuals should lead the way in shaping sustainable development initiatives, as they have the potential to become key drivers of progress, she added.

Olinca, who worked for a foundation in Burundi, stated that initiatives like the YLGD can offer youth opportunities to showcase their talents and provide employment and career paths that contribute to global development.

Luke Kakpa Pessima, a student of international development policies and governance at China Agricultural University, emphasized that strong human relationships and good communication skills are essential for youth leaders to effectively contribute to global development.

The young generation must actively engage in the development process, serving as role models and instilling confidence to jointly work for a better future, he said.

Pessima, who worked for the Bagruwa Advocacy and Community Development Organization back in Sierra Leone, before studying in China, said that platforms like the YLGD would empower African youth and foster more cooperation programs.

Learning in China also allows him to understand the Chinese culture, the strategies the country uses for its development, he said, adding that one of his tasks when he returns home is to implement what he has learned in China.