12 August is International Youth Day. In 1999, when the world was entering a new millennium United Nations General Assembly endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers of Youth that ended in Lisbon on 12th August 1998 that 12 August be declared International Youth Day.
Undoubtedly 21st Century belongs to youth. Today, young people hold a crucial role in working towards the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. COVID-19 has been disturbing for youth not only because it is a planetary level crisis but not enough is known about it. Today's youth get restless when they do not know enough about the problem that they would like to contribute to solutions. In such a situation how they can contribute to the 'Decade of Action' declared by the Secretary-General of the United Nations?
Young innovators are struggling to respond to the virus through social impact innovation. Youth driven technology start-ups are supporting supply-chain to deliver vaccines and food. For example, CcHUB (an open living lab and pre-incubation space) in Nigeria is offering to provide financial, research and design support for projects related to COVID-19. But is it enough? Read the capsule of challenges we face:
Rajendra Shende
Chairman, TERRE Policy Centre
Former Director, UNEP
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