Act Now. Bridge the Divide. Empower a Generation
International Seminar on World Youth Skills Day 2025
Harnessing AI and Digital Skills for Global Youth Empowerment: Key Outcomes from the ICERT International Seminar
On July 15, 2025, ICERT convened a global seminar aligning with the UN’s World Youth Skills Day theme, “Youth Empowerment Through AI And Digital Skills.” The event brought together over 1,000 international participants to address the urgent need to reform education systems for the AI-driven future. This summary distills the key outcomes, highlighting the critical risks of the digital divide and the transformative opportunities of AI-integrated learning. It culminates in a clear call to action for policymakers to prioritize inclusive digital skilling, ensuring all youth are empowered to thrive and not left behind.
1. Introduction
The International Council for Education, Research and Training (ICERT), a global organization dedicated to educational advancement and welfare, successfully convened a landmark International Seminar on July 15, 2025. Aligned with the UN/UNESCO-UNEVOC World Youth Skills Day theme, “Youth Empowerment Through AI And Digital Skills,” the seminar addressed the critical intersection of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and global education systems.
Marking the 10th anniversary of World Youth Skills Day, this seminar served as a vital platform for global experts to dissect the opportunities and challenges Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). The central thesis was clear: without proactive, comprehensive reform, the digital divide will intensify, exacerbating global inequalities and leaving marginalized youth behind. The event galvanized over 1,013 participants from 16+ countries and territories (Alabama, Arizona, Alaska, Australia, California, Barbados, Bangladesh, Delaware, Ghana, British Indian Ocean Territory India, Pakistan, Eswatini, Nigeria, Kosovo, Missouri, South Africa, US) underscoring the universal urgency of this issue.
2. Thematic Analysis
The seminar’s discussions crystallized around three core, interconnected themes:
3. Keynote Sessions: Expert Insights
The seminar was energized by powerful keynote addresses that framed the global dialogue:
Dr. Christina Kitson (University of Central Missouri, US) in her address, “Bridging the Gap in the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” argued that the gap is not just technological, but also pedagogical and human. She emphasized the need for “human-centric AI,” where technology enhances critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence rather than replacing them.
Dr. Helen K Joy (Christ University, Bangalore, India) delivered a compelling talk on “Youth Empowerment Through AI and Digital Skills.” She provided concrete examples of how AI literacy and computational thinking can be integrated from the ground up, empowering youth not just to use technology, but to create and critique it, transforming them from passive consumers to active innovators.
4. Leadership and Global Dialogue
The seminar was held under the esteemed patronage of Dr. Chacko Jose P, ICERT Fellow. The event was skillfully moderated by Ms. Rimmi Jain (University of Delhi), ensuring a seamless flow of ideas.
A highlight was the highly engaging open house discussion moderated by Dr. Dilpreet Kaur (Guru Nanak Dev University). This dynamic session fostered a truly global conversation, with participants from Alabama to Eswatini and Australia to Kosovo posing insightful questions to the speakers. The dialogue evolved into a collaborative brainstorming session, generating grassroots-level feedback and solutions directly aligned with the UN’s 2025 mission.
5. Acknowledging Excellence
ICERT believes in recognizing trailblazers. During the seminar, the “Youth Empowerment Award 2025” was conferred upon seven distinguished dignitaries in acknowledgment of their immense and tangible contributions to empowering young people globally. These awards celebrate practical, on-the-ground impact that inspires action.
6. Synthesis and Recommendations for Policymakers
The seminar concluded with a powerful consensus: Integrating AI into TVET is not a futuristic concept but a present-day imperative for youth empowerment and global stability.
We urge policymakers and stakeholders to act on the following recommendations:
Mandate AI and Digital Literacy Curricula: Integrate AI ethics, digital literacy, and computational thinking as core components of all national TVET frameworks from 2026 onwards.
Invest in Educator Capacity Building: Launch large-scale, government-funded training programs to upskill TVET instructors in AI-driven pedagogical tools and methodologies.
Fund Digital Equity Infrastructure: Prioritize public investment in affordable digital infrastructure, internet access, and open-source learning platforms to ensure inclusive participation, particularly in rural and marginalized communities.
Foster Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Create policy incentives for industry leaders to co-design curricula, provide cutting-edge tools, and offer apprenticeship opportunities in AI and digital fields.
Establish Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks: Develop clear metrics to measure the impact of AI integration in TVET on youth employment, entrepreneurship, and social inclusion, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement.
7. Conclusion
The ICERT International Seminar successfully transformed a global theme into a actionable dialogue. The overwhelming participation and vibrant exchange of ideas demonstrate a shared global commitment to ensuring that the Fourth Industrial Revolution becomes an engine for inclusion rather than exclusion. By empowering youth with AI and digital skills, we are not just preparing them for the future of work; we are equipping them to build it.
ICERT stands ready to collaborate with governments, institutions, and organizations to translate these recommendations into tangible action, ensuring no youth is left behind in the digital age.
For further information or partnership inquiries, please contact ICERT.
Watch it:
ICERT International Seminar on UN/ UNESCO- UNEVOC World Youth Skills Day , July 15, 2025