International Youth Day: UAE strongly believes youth empowerment is a must for a sustainable tomorrow

A couple of centuries back, the planet was in a natural balance. The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was stable at around 280 ppm, while other greenhouse gases also stayed within the limits. But then came the Industrial Revolution and everything changed.

Some countries started burning fossil fuels to power their machines and became richer and more powerful in response. But others remained poor and underdeveloped. They had little access to technology and their resources were often exploited by the rich.

The atmosphere climbed a cycle that would eventually introduce it to significant changes. Two centuries later, the situation has not improved much but worsened in several sectors. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the air has reached 421 ppm and the effects of climate change are quite evident.

Young People Aren’t Just Passive Victims

Last month, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted some of the lethal and unprecedented climate events the world came across this July. The ones who would face the brunt of the crisis are the youngsters, who have inherited a damaged planet from their elders.

But these young people aren’t just passive victims. They are active agents of change too. They are using their skills and creativity to educate others and raise awareness, leading the global movement to demand more action from governments and industry leaders.

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Young people aren’t only fighting for their own future. Their efforts are meant for the future of all generations. Additionally, these individuals have many opportunities and tools to make a difference. They have sound access to science, technology and education.

Emirati Government’s Growing Interest In Empowering Youth

The UAE has been offering youngsters a voice and a space to enable them to influence the decision-making processes the right way. To recognise the potential of youth as partners in today’s global society, the UN has designated August 12 as International Youth Day.

The celebration of the day is part of the Emirati government’s interest in empowering youth and engaging them in the process of decision making to enable them to innovate, assume responsibilities and contribute to the well-being of the society.

Ahead of the International Youth Day, the Arab Youth Centre in Abu Dhabi has unveiled members of the second edition of the ‘Young Arab Pioneers’ initiative. These members leave a positive mark in multiple fields such as medicine, tech innovation and community development.

The announcement was made during a ceremony organised in the capital. These individuals are from various Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE, and are distinguished by substantial positive impacts on their societies.