International Youth Day 2023 Message from Assistant Director General Edward Kwakwa
August 9, 2023
As we join the global community to celebrate International Youth Day 2023, the world stands at a critical juncture. Our planet is confronting unprecedented challenges, but there is an equally unprecedented reservoir of energy, creativity, and commitment that offers us hope for the future - and this is our youth.
The theme of this year's celebration, "Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World," resonates closely with the work we do at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to promote the advancement and dissemination of green technologies, particularly through WIPO GREEN.
Today, the adoption of “green skills for youth” is more than just trending buzzwords—but rather a crucial part of nurturing the human capital required for climate-driven innovation.
Young people are at the forefront of the green transition, and their role is indispensable in shaping a sustainable world. We have seen firsthand the incredible solutions that young people can create when equipped with green skills and knowledge. Take for instance, Kedumetse Liphi, a young man from Botswana who created a solar-powered backpack for students in South African townships with limited access to electricity. The WIPO Young and GREEN Series shows how young people around the world similar to Kedumetse, are not waiting for someone else to solve the problems in their community; they are leading today with innovations and creations that improve livelihoods and economies. They embody the transformative power of green skills and demonstrate what young people can achieve when equipped with the right tools.
While challenges abound particularly in the evident shortage of green skills among our youth, immense opportunities for youth exist as well. In a rapidly evolving work environment where environmental considerations are increasingly paramount, the green innovation economy offers an array of career opportunities for youth in the domain of policymaking, technology management, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Green skills, encompassing both technical knowledge and a broader set of practical competencies, not only empower young people to navigate the green innovation ecosystem but also foster a mindset that embraces sustainability in all aspects of life. As we anticipate the 2024 World IP Day, which will spotlight the intersection between Intellectual Property and the Sustainable Development Goals, we must highlight the significant role that upskilling youth in green innovation has in the pursuit of the lofty objectives that make up the United Nations Agenda 2030.
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In pursuit of these opportunities and objectives, WIPO supports the development of green skills that can turn one's ideas into reality. Through WIPO GREEN, we offer a treasure trove of resources, connections, and partnerships that can support the green innovation journey of young people across the world. The guide for youth on Addressing Climate Challenges with Innovation is a particularly valuable resource for youth interested in delving into the world of green innovation, setting them on the path to becoming leaders in the future's green economy.
Building upon the success of last year's 3-part series of events for International Youth Day 2022, WIPO has joined forces with the International Trade Center once again to host a virtual event around this year’s theme. So, let's shake things up again by making the most of this inclusive platform for dialogue and exchange of knowledge and information to help young people enter and thrive in the green innovation economy.
We know that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are crafting the now. They hold the promise of a green revolution in their hands. Let's continue to nurture these green skills, let's innovate, let's drive towards a healthier, wealthier, and more sustainable world.
Thank you for your attention, and Happy International Youth Day!