The 2024 Global Youth Economic Opportunities Summit brought together youth leaders, global experts, and development professionals to explore sustainable and inclusive economic opportunities for young people. Centered around the theme "Youth Driving the Green Economy," the Summit highlighted the critical role of youth in addressing pressing challenges related to green skilling, the just transition, and the circular economy.
A new feature this year was the Youth Leadership Accelerator, a pre-summit initiative that equipped 31 youth leaders from countries like Iraq, Kenya, and Ukraine with essential skills in storytelling, networking, and career development. This initiative set the stage for the broader discussions at the Summit, underscoring the need for youth-led initiatives and intergenerational collaboration.
Throughout the Summit, the importance of youth leadership was a recurring message. Dr. Kevin Frey, CEO of UNICEF Generation Unlimited, captured the essence of this sentiment, stating, "If you're not at the table, you're probably on the menu." His words highlighted the necessity of active participation from all stakeholders in shaping their own futures.
Youth were not shy about expressing their opinions and sharing their experiences. Young leader Bior Ajak, Youth Advisory Committee Member for the WUSC DREEM Project, spoke on behalf of his fellow refugees and sent a powerful message to implementers about long-term resolutions. “The mindset of coming in for five years and then leaving, hoping that the community will be self-sufficient by the sixth year, [is flawed],” he said, particularly for refugees. “My message to those who want to help is to ask themselves how sustainable their projects are. How effective is a two-year project if, after those two years, the organization abandons the community and moves on to something else?”
The theme of sustainability did not only apply to youth programming but also to climate action. Daniel Bresette, President of the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, emphasized that the work being done is forward-thinking: "We’re not preparing for the climate of today; we’re preparing for the climate of tomorrow." This eyes-forward approach was reflected in discussions on climate finance, sustainable agriculture, and the expansion of green jobs as participants explored how young people can drive innovation in these areas.
Isabel Beltrán from the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet stressed the importance of inclusivity in climate action, adding, "It’s really important that we don’t see this as work we do for the next generation, but alongside the next generation." She reinforced the idea that youth must be supported to contribute as equals in addressing global climate challenges.
Throughout the event, participants engaged in discussions on scaling youth-led initiatives in the green and circular economies. Nadi Albino, Deputy Director at UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited, underscored the need for multi-generational collaboration: "There are about 5 to 6 generations in the workplace today... we really need to be more honest and transparent about how we’re engaging young people." This message was mirrored by many speakers, including Frey, who noted that without providing access to resources, efforts to engage youth would fall short: "If we can’t get money to young people, we can co-create for days, but none of that is going to come to life."
A highlight of the Summit was the discussion on broadening access to green jobs, especially for women and youth. Sara Johansson de Silva from USAID’s Technical Assistance Project for Economic Growth (TAP-EG) challenged conventional thinking, explaining, "If you have a narrow description of green jobs, then it tends to refer to jobs that require a high level of education... if you broaden your scope a little bit, there are loads of jobs that can be green and accessible to women and youth."
"What are the economics of that business? Is the value chain really there? Let’s not do something just because it feels good and it feels right." — Dean Karlan, Chief Economist of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID
This focus on inclusivity extended beyond job creation to community-based decision-making in climate finance. Cecilia Martinez from the Bezos Earth Fund shared how her program prioritizes local communities, noting, "If you look at my program, we are targeting 80 percent of our funding directly to the community—whether that means to elders, community organizations, agriculture, or forestry—because communities understand what is needed to propel them forward." This approach highlighted the significance of having local leaders and organizations take ownership of green economy solutions.
Breakout sessions covered a range of sectors, from agriculture to digital literacy, reinforcing the critical role of young people in building resilient communities. The focus on youth-driven change was further emphasized by headline speaker Amara Ifeji, a National Geographic Society Young Explorer, who candidly shared her experience about being active on climate councils and not seeing anyone who looked like her. Born in Nigeria and raised in Maryland, her love for green living was inspired by her grandfather, who grew and harvested vegetables on his own land. This love spurred her down an environmental education path where she promotes equitable access to the outdoors. "As a person of color and a Black person, being outdoors has not always been welcoming," she shared.
The Summit also challenged participants to rethink their strategies for gathering evidence. Dean Karlan, a fellow headline speaker, encouraged attendees to prioritize evidence-based approaches and long-term sustainability in business. He urged them to ask difficult questions: "What are the economics of that business? Is the value chain really there? Let’s not do something just because it feels good and it feels right." Karlan advocated for a focus on measurable results, explaining, “If you have a counterfactual for your outcome, then you’re good,” and encouraged the use of randomized evaluations to ensure that programs are working effectively.
As the Summit concluded, participants were left with a clear call to action: to be bold, inclusive, and committed to changing systems. The event underscored that collaboration across generations and sectors is essential to creating a sustainable future where young people are not just participants but leaders.
In the words of Martinez, “Be absolutely fearless, and do not let the systems get you down.”
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