ISLAMABAD: Just like other countries, Pakistan will be celebrating ‘International Youth Day’ on Monday (today), recognising the potential of the country’s young generation and their invaluable contributions to the country’s progress.

President Asif Ali Zardari, in a message on ‘International Youth Day’, said: “The youth of Pakistan are our most valuable asset as they are the dreamers and leaders of tomorrow.”

He urged “every young Pakistani to seize the opportunities available to them, to dream big, and to work tirelessly for the betterment of our beloved country.”

“Together, let us continue to nurture and support our youth, for in their success lies the future of Pakistan,” the president said, greeting the vibrant and dynamic youth, who are the torchbearers of our nation’s future.

The United Nations has chosen the theme ‘From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development’ for this year’s International Youth Day.

The theme highlights the key connection between digitalisation and accelerating Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) progress, emphasising the pivotal role of young people in this transformative process.

The UN says amid the digitalisation, young people have higher access to digital technologies compared to other demographic groups. Comparative analysis shows that worldwide, 75pc, or three-quarters, of young people aged 15 to 24 used the internet in 2022, a rate 10pc higher than the rest of the age groups.

On the other hand, the digital divide and inequalities persist especially in low-income countries, and in terms of gender; women have less access to the internet than men, globally (63pc of women compared to 69pc of men). Similarly, there is also a gap in digital skills acquisition; adolescent girls and young women tend to have limited digital skills compared to their male counterparts, the UN said.

In his message, President Zardari said the ‘Prime Minister’s Youth Programme’ stood testament to our commitment to empowering our youth. Through initiatives like the ‘Youth Laptop Scheme’, which has distributed 600,000 laptops nationwide, we are ensuring that our students are equipped to succeed in the digital world.

The ‘Youth Business Loan programme’, having disbursed Rs186 billion, has given rise to a new generation of entrepreneurs who are creating jobs and driving economic growth.

Additionally, the ‘Youth Skill Development Programme’ has provided training to 450,000 young individuals, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to our society. Moreover, we are actively engaging our youth through the ‘Sports Talent Hunt’ and the ‘Green Youth Movement’, fostering not only physical fitness but also a sense of responsibility towards the environment.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his message, said around the world, young people were turning clicks into progress, making the most of digital tools to take on local and global challenges – from climate change to rising inequalities to the growing mental health crisis. But achieving the SDGs requires a seismic shift – which can only happen if we empower young people and work with them as equals.

That means bridging digital divides, boosting investments in education, critical thinking and information literacy, tackling the gender biases that often dominate the tech industry, and supporting young innovators in expanding digital solutions. As Artificial Intelligence reshapes our world, young people must also be front and centre in shaping digital policies and institutions, the UN chief added.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2024