International Youth Day 2025 | August 12
Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond International Seminar: An Expert Analysis of Youth-Led Development
On August 12, 2025, ICERT convened a landmark International Seminar in observance of UN/UNESCO International Youth Day, aligning with the global theme: “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond.” Marking the 30th anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth (WPAY) , the seminar served as a strategic platform to explore how young people translate global development goals into tangible, community-driven realities.
Highlights:
Key Outcomes
Global Participation: 866 delegates from 23 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and the Pacific
Expert Keynotes: Dr. Juliet F. Lalzarzoliani (ICFAI University Mizoram, India) on health economics and rural development; Dr. Jocelyn Sagun-De Vera (Pangasinan State University, Philippines) on gender roles, food security, and community empowerment
Interactive Dialogue: Open house discussion led by Dr. Navneet Kaur (Chief Patron) and moderated by Ms. Parnit Tomar, fostering multi-directional exchange among 866 delegates
Excellence Recognized: Global Youth Icon Award 2025 conferred upon 5 distinguished dignitaries for outstanding contributions to youth empowerment
Key Takeaway: Global goals can only be achieved through bottom-up, community-level action—youth are not passive beneficiaries but active agents of change
Countries Represented: Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Bangladesh, Yemen, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, UAE, UK, Romania, Iceland, Ukraine, USA, Fiji
The Core Message: “Young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow—they are the change-makers of today. Their creativity, insight, and deep community ties are essential for bridging the gap between high-level policy and on-the-ground practice.” — Consensus from the ICERT International Seminar
Recommendations for Action
Policymakers: Formalize youth-led documentation and integrate youth insights into national development frameworks
Organizations: Invest in platforms for post-project collaboration and sustained youth engagement
Governments: Advocate for policy integration that recognizes youth as partners in governance and sustainable development
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_wepP-_gAg&t=198s
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