Statement by the Secretary General Thomas E. Garrett on International Youth Day

As we celebrate International Youth Day 2024, we highlight the remarkable ways young people are transforming our world through digital innovation. This year’s theme, “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” emphasizes the crucial role youth play in using technology to tackle global challenges and drive sustainable development.

The Community of Democracies (CoD) actively seeks to engage in dialogue and cooperation with young people, recognizing their unique perspective. By bringing together a diverse set of voices from countries worldwide through its YouthLeads initiative, the CoD encourages young people to present their opinions and share experiences on democracy and human rights-related issues with representatives of governments and other democracy stakeholders.

Earlier this year, the YouthLead event, “Tech Talks: Digital Tools in Democracy,” held in the framework of the Third Summit for Democracy in Seoul, was a resounding success. It gathered youth leaders and representatives from CoD Member States to discuss the role of technology and social media in elections and the importance of digital literacy.

International Youth Day is not just a celebration but a call to action. The CoD is dedicated to enhancing youth participation in public life, as outlined in its Strategic Plan for the next five years. Through supporting YouthLeads’ initiatives like the #Ready4Seat campaign, which encourages the U.N. Human Rights Council to prioritize youth political participation, we are reaffirming our commitment to strengthening the role of young leaders in democracy.

The CoD will continue actively promoting and advancing youth participation in public life thought its upcoming global Youth Democracy Network.  Let us celebrate their achievements, support their endeavors, and ensure that the voices of young digital innovators continue to shape a sustainable and democratic future for all.