Summit of the Future Report
The 2024 Summit of the Future session on Governance for Human Rights, Peace, and Security captivated the audience from the outset, shedding light on the crucial role youth must play in shaping global governance. One element that immediately struck my attention was the shared urgency among the speakers to break down barriers that have historically excluded young voices from decision-making tables. The session was rich with compelling stories and innovative ideas, representing a transformative call to action for the global community to fully embrace youth as critical stakeholders in human rights, peace, and security. The session highlighted systemic reforms, sustainable funding, and inclusive governance— positioning youth as leaders of both today and tomorrow.
A standout moment came from Petrider Paul, a Girls’ Rights Advocate from Tanzania, who shared her experience advocating for the reversal of the national policy that barred teenage mothers from returning to school. Petrider and her team worked to support young mothers through targeted advocacy, support initiatives, and awareness campaigns. They promoted policy reforms that break down barriers to education and employment, ensuring young mothers’ rights are recognized. Their efforts include programs to provide access to healthcare, education, and pathways to financial independence, promoting more inclusive social and economic systems to empower women. Her story serves as a shining example of the potential for youth-led movements to create lasting policy change. She declared that “Through collective youth action, we have been able to change the lives of many teenage mothers, proving that young people can shape policy when given the opportunity.” Her testimony illustrates that when the doors of governance are open to young people, they can become powerful agents of change, fundamentally altering the lives of those most marginalized.
Another element that caught my attention was how the speakers highlighted the exclusion of youth from political processes—a systemic issue that also echoes the broader marginalization of women and LGBTQAI+ individuals in many parts of society. Nicolas Albertoni, Deputy Foreign Minister of Uruguay, delivered a passionate speech on the political challenges faced by youth in Latin America, emphasizing how they are often left out of crucial political spaces despite making up a significant portion of the population. He stated that “We face the reality that while youth make up a significant portion of the population, their voices are not equally heard or respected in political spaces.” His words resonate deeply with me even today, highlighting how political exclusion mirrors the global economic disparities experienced by underrepresented groups.
One particularly innovative approach that caught my attention was presented by Mete Coban, Deputy Mayor of London. Coban provided specific examples of innovation led by youth leaders, discussing how his organization used digital platforms like Tinder and Starbucks to creatively engage young people in governance by registering citizens to vote—a modern yet effective solution to the issue of youth digital exclusion. Mete Coban emphasized that while young people are highly active on digital platforms they often feel distant from traditional politics. His initiative underscores the importance of adapting governance to the modern world, providing a bridge between the gap of young people and traditional politics. This ensures that no young person is left behind in this rapidly evolving social and political landscape.
Another important point in this discussion was the focus on Action 36 and 37 of the Pact for the Future. These actions call for the recognition of youth contributions to human rights, sustainable development, and peace, while ensuring that young people are meaningfully included in global governance processes. For instance, Venus Aves, a youth representative from the UN Youth Office, delivered a powerful call for the prioritization of youth, including: LGBTQAI+ individuals, refugees, and displaced entities, in governance discussions. She states that “Youth from marginalized communities must be prioritized in global governance discussions. We cannot afford to leave anyone behind.” She reminds us that global progress cannot be achieved without inclusivity at every level.
What impressed me the most was the session’s focus on the funding challenges that youth-led organizations face. Galia Kademian, a youth leader from Argentina, spoke about the bureaucratic obstacles that prevent many grassroots organizations from accessing the resources they need to thrive. She argued that “Youth organizations need sustainable funding and long-term support, not just one-time grants, to ensure they can continue their critical work in their communities.” Her words serve as a reminder that while young people have the passion and vision to drive change, they need the necessary financial backing to make those visions a reality.
The 2024 Summit of the Future session on Governance for Human Rights, Peace, and Security was nothing short of revolutionary. It provided attendees with the inspiration to return to their communities and advocate for greater youth participation in governance. This session has undoubtedly set the stage for a future where young individuals are no longer on the periphery of decision-making processes but are recognized as essential leaders shaping a just, equitable, and peaceful world. If there is one clear takeaway it is that the future of human rights, peace, and security depends on the inclusion of youth voices at every level of governance and this session was a vital step toward making that future a reality.
