Youth Day: A Digitally Empowered Youth Key to Inclusive, Sustainable Development
Lusaka, Zambia, 12th August 24 – Today, Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf) joins the rest of the world in celebrating the international Youth Day under the theme “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development” with a call to governments and stakeholders to effectively implement strategies aimed at harnessing the youths’ ability to use digital technology to drive sustainable development.
International Youth Day is observed every year on 12th August to bring to light issues relating to the plight of youths and recognize their potential to significantly contribute to achieving stable democratic societies and sustainable development.
As a communication for development organization that promotes inclusive development pathways, Panos recognizes the close connection between digital technology and development, and the role that a digitally empowered youthful population can play in achieving sustainable development, particularly in accelerating the progress towards achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
We believe youths have a bigger to play in leveraging technologies to drive positive change by embracing emerging technologies such as use of artificial intelligence and development of mobile applications in their startup businesses, therefore addressing challenges they face and significantly contributing to the common national, regional and global development goals.
Digitalization is no longer a future aspiration but a present reality. It has the power to transform economies by leveraging digital tools and data in decision making, service delivery, and creation of new economic growth opportunities.
However, Panos is concerned that despite the ongoing digital technological revolution access to digital space and tools such as internet, social media and mobile phones remains low, especially in rural and underprivileged communities. Many young people, especially young women are digitally illiterate and therefore excluded from the digital space. Unless this digital divide is decisively addressed through increased provision of digital knowledge, skills and tools, the potential of youths to use technology to positively transform their welfare and contribute to economic growth will remain insignificant.
Therefore, Panos calls on governments, the private sector, and civil society to invest in digital infrastructure and tools that enhance digital literacy and innovations among youths and increase their participation in decision making and development processes. The Zambian government, for instance, should comprehensively implement the National Digital Transformation Strategy 2023-2027 which is focused on empowering the youth with the knowledge and tools to harness the power of digital technologies through digital infrastructure, digital platforms, digital services, digital literacy and skills. We believe that doing so will unlock the full potential of youths and accelerate Zambia’s journey towards the achievement of SDG’s and an inclusive future.