Creating a space for youth voices: UNESCO IESALC’s commitment 

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To celebrate International Youth Day 2024, UNESCO IESALC is delighted to reaffirm the significance of meaningful youth and student engagement in decision-making and policy development in higher education and beyond. We are committed to working with young people and students across a variety of areas, including research, strategy, policy advocacy, capacity building, innovation, engagement, networking, and institutional strategy. To learn more about some of our projects and initiatives focused on youth and students, please explore the links below: 

👉 The South-South University Cooperation Network (SUCN) “Greening-with-STI” Pilot Project, a groundbreaking initiative by UNESCO IESALC and United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) that prioritizes youth and student leadership, innovation, and problem-solving skills. This collaborative effort unites students from 10 prominent universities across the Global South, fostering a vibrant community dedicated to greening science and technological innovation. 

👉 The BIBO Network Better Innovation, Better Outcome, is a vibrant initiative to engage young people as co-creators in educational transformation in a collaborative environment. Over the past year, these young leaders have played pivotal roles as speakers, moderators, debaters, and advocates in various activities.  

👉 UNESCO IESALC will participate in the International Conference & POP Festival for Youth-Led Climate Action 2024 by conducting a workshop on “Greening Higher Education” which aims to raise awareness of global and local challenges, facilitate consensus building and interest articulation among participants to focus on specific challenges and engage in dynamic problem-solving exercises to co-create innovative solutions tailored to their communities. 

👉 GSF Advisory Group, To enhance meaningful youth and student engagement and leadership in higher education decision-making, UNESCO IESALC and the Global Student Forum (GSF) have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This partnership includes the appointment of a Youth Advisor for each major project, whose role is to provide feedback and support initiatives that benefit young people and students. In addition, UNESCO IESALC and GSF will work together to co-design institutional strategies to effectively facilitate the integration of youth and student integration. 

👉 Young People on Transforming Education Project . The initiative, jointly organized by UNESCO IESALC and the International Center for UNESCO ASPnet (ICUA), aimed to explore the engagement of different generations in student-centered learning. This exploration emphasized the adoption of digital tools and innovative practices. In addition, the initiative aims to provide actionable recommendations for students in transition, with the overall goal of increasing the effectiveness of self-directed learning through the strategic integration of technology and innovative techniques. 

👉Youth Engagement Toolkit for the Future of Education. The goal of the toolkit is to engage youth and students in discussions about the future of higher education, emphasizing that their futures are in control. It provides youth and students with an opportunity to express their perspectives on the current education system, including higher education, and to share their thoughts on its role in shaping their futures. The toolkit encourages participants to identify challenges, propose improvements, and explore opportunities for advancing higher education within a broader societal context.