In 1999, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the recommendation by the World Conference of Ministers of Youth (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998) that 12 August be declared International Youth Day (A/RES/54/120). Over the last two decades of International Youth Day celebrations, several innovative and timely themes have been explored, including mental health, intergenerational solidarity, safe spaces for youth and civic engagement.

In today’s rapidly changing world, sustainability has emerged as a critical global need. Environmental challenges, such as climate change and resource depletion, demand urgent action and a new approach to address them. In this context, empowering youth with green skills becomes important. Green skills refer to the competencies that enable individuals to adopt environmentally sustainable practices in various sectors, ranging from renewable energy and sustainable agriculture to waste management and eco-friendly design. A successful transition towards a greener world will depend on the development of green skills in the population.

Commemorating IYD, the ICA-AP Committee on Youth Cooperation (ICYC) organized a webinar on the theme, “Empowering Youth Through Green Skills: Pioneering the Way for a Sustainable Future” on 16 August 2023, which focused on green skills for youth, highlighting initiatives at the global and national levels and discussing relevant opportunities and challenges.  The webinar aimed to

• Raise awareness of green skills and their relevance for achieving the SDGs, while highlighting the central role of young people in the green transition.
• Equip stakeholders with the knowledge and information necessary to understand the importance of green skills for young people.
• Showcase policies and practices that can nurture the development of green skills among young people; and
• Provide an inclusive platform for stakeholders to exchange views on such topics.

Mr. Alireza Banaeifar, Chairperson of ICYC, opened the webinar and welcomed the participants and speakers. Around 40 Participants from 10 countries attended the webinar which featured two distinguished speakers;  Ms. Justine Lynn C. Limocon, LAMAC Multipurpose Cooperative in the Philippines and Mr. Rendy Aditya Wachid, Chief Executive Office, ParongPong RAW Lab, Indonesia. 

Ms. Limocon spoke about Youth-Led Sustainable Initiatives and Innovation. Ms. Justine highlighted the active involvement of youth in creating innovative solutions for environmental challenges. Her insights were inspiring, showcasing the immense potential of young individuals to drive positive change within their communities and beyond.

Mr. Wachid spoke about Entrepreneurship and Green Startups Among Youth. His presentation highlighted the entrepreneurial spirit thriving among young people and the significant role they play in creating a greener and more sustainable world.

The webinar was also graced by a video message from Mr. Balu Iyer, Regional Director, ICA-AP, setting an inspirational tone for the discussions. His words resonated deeply, emphasizing the pivotal importance of youth-led initiatives in shaping a brighter, eco-conscious future.