Open Comments, hosted by The Open Group
Welcome to Open Comments hosted by The Open Group, where we’ll discuss things openly with our guests from a variety of backgrounds and from different walks of life. Through this podcast, we hope to give you an inside look into a variety of topics with an equal mix of humor and candor.
In this series so far, we have touched on the following topics: Healthcare, HR, Diversity + Access to Technology, Cybersecurity, and lots more. We hope you enjoy our show and look forward to bringing more topics into the fold. Let’s get started!
Disclaimer: The Open Comments Podcast (hosted by The Open Group*) is presented purely for informational and educational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts and the guests are their own and are not intended to harm or offend any group, organization, company, individual, anyone, or anything.
*The Open Group is a global, vendor- and technology-neutral consortium upon which organizations rely to lead the development of technology standards and certifications. With more than 900 member organizations around the globe, we have a diverse membership that spans all sectors of the technology community.
Hosts: Ash Patel (Marketing Specialist, The Open Group), Oliver David (Marketing Manager, The Open Group), and Irene Canizales (Events Planner, The Open Group).
Open Comments, hosted by The Open Group
Open Comments - Episode 25: From Clicks to Progress on International Youth Day - Digital Pathways and Green Skills with Ash, Oliver, and Irene
How are young people leveraging digital technologies to shape a sustainable future? Join us on Open Comments as we look back on International Youth Day with the theme "From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development." Ash, Oliver, and Irene are excited to share stories of innovative youth who are driving progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This episode highlights how digital adoption and green skills are empowering young people to tackle pressing global issues like climate change, while also opening up new career opportunities.
You'll hear the inspiring journey of Melati and Isabel Wijsen from Bali. At the tender ages of 10 and 12, they launched Buy Buy Plastic Bags, a movement that has made significant strides in combating plastic pollution through awareness-raising and policy advocacy. Discover how their initiative has grown over the years, achieving remarkable milestones and inspiring global change.
Tune in to learn how you can support their mission and join the conversation celebrating the indomitable spirit of youth driving sustainable development and much more.
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Welcome back to Open Comments. In this episode, we'll be talking about global voices, where we'll explore issues and events that shape our world.
Speaker 2:I'm Ash, I'm Oliver, and we're thrilled to have you with us today.
Speaker 3:And I'm Irene. Today we'll be focusing on International Youth Day. We'll discuss its significance, highlight inspiring stories of young people making a difference and explore ways we can support youth around the world young people making a difference and explore ways we can support youth around the world.
Speaker 1:Every 12th of August, we celebrate International Youth Day. This is a day that's dedicated to celebrating the contributions of young people to society and addressing the challenges they face. International Youth Day was initially conceptualised by young people at the World Youth Forum in Vienna, austria, in 1991. So why do you think this day is so important? Oliver Well International.
Speaker 2:Youth Day is crucial because it shines a spotlight on the issues affecting young people globally. It provides a platform for the youth to share their ideas and advocate for their rights and needs.
Speaker 3:Right. You know, young people are the future and empowering them is essential for creating a better world. This day really helps recognise their potential and encourages investment in their development and the world around them. What about you, Ash?
Speaker 1:I agree, Irene. International Youth Day reminds us of the importance of listening to young voices and supporting their initiatives. It also emphasises the need for policies that address the unique challenges youth face today.
Speaker 2:So let's talk about this year's theme, then Each year International Youth Day has a different theme that focuses on a particular aspect of youth development.
Speaker 3:So this year's theme is From Clicks to Progress Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development. It's about focusing on how young people drive digital technologies to advance progress towards achieving the SDGs or sustainable development goals. There is no doubt about it that the digitalization is transforming our world. Digital tech, or I should say our mobile devices, services and AI are becoming a necessity in advancing SDGs. Digital tech and data contribute to at least 70% of the 169 SDG targets, with a profound impact across economic, social and environmental dimensions, and with the youth being online at a higher rate than other age groups, the youth are the leading charge in digital adoption and innovation.
Speaker 1:With the growing concerns about climate change and environmental degradation, it's crucial to prepare the next generation to tackle these issues. Educating youth about sustainability and digital pathways is a step in the right direction.
Speaker 2:These green skills encompass a wide range of competencies, from renewable energy and conservation to sustainable agriculture and eco-friendly technologies. Providing young people with these skills not only helps the environment but also helps us open up new career opportunities, right?
Speaker 3:So, with so many of our youth being online, I think we shouldn't forget to mention that today there are 1.2 billion young people, accounting for 16% of the world's population. So now let's get into sharing some inspiring stories of young people accounting for 16% of the world's population. So now let's get into sharing some inspiring stories of young people who are making a difference in the world.
Speaker 1:First, let's talk about Melati and Isabel Vigenson, two sisters from Bali who founded the organization Buy Buy Plastic Bags when they were just 10 and 12 years old. They've been campaigning against plastic pollution and have made significant strides in raising awareness and driving policy changes. They've been campaigning against plastic pollution and have made significant strides in raising awareness and driving policy changes. The Buy Buy Plastic Bags initiative was launched in 2013, with the Vigenson sisters aged 10 and 12, beginning their mission to reduce the use of plastic bags on their home island.
Speaker 1:One year after starting the cause, the Avast petition was created. This involved citizens supporting a ban on plastic bags. 77,000 plus signatures were collected online and an additional 10,000 signatures were collected through in-person campaigning at the Bali airport. In 2017, a video was circulated on the web to highlight the journey of Buy Buy Plastic Bags and share the facts collected. Buy Buy Plastic Bags published a video on Facebook to gently put some pressure on local government to follow through with their commitment to make Bali plastic bag free by 2018. In 24 hours, the video was viewed more than 25,000 times. You can learn more about this initiative by visiting their official website, including how you can support them on wwwbuybuyplasticbagsorg.
Speaker 2:I'd like to highlight Greta Thunberg, a name we've all come to know, the Swedish environmental activist who started the global Fridays for Future movement. Her dedication and courage have inspired millions of young people to take action against climate change. She gave speeches at the World Economic Forum in Davos, switzerland, and at the European Parliament. In addition to her environmental work, thunberg was credited with raising awareness about Asperger's syndrome and inspiring those who had the disorder. Whilst acknowledging that Asperger's has hampered her in some ways, she also noted its advantages. At one point, she tweeted I have Asperger's and that means I'm sometimes a bit different from the norm and, given the current circumstances, being different, is is a superpower, which is a great message to send to tomorrow's youth to go against the norm. Greta thunberg was named the youngest times person of the year in 2019. She's included in the forbes list of the world's 100 most powerful women in 2019 and multiple nominations for the nobel peace prize.
Speaker 3:Both stories are so inspiring. I'd like to mention Sheriel and Katrina. Both ladies are entrepreneurs from Trinidad and Tobago, inspired to improve financial literacy of young people in the country and across the region. They set up Wisdom CRM, an edutech company that launched the Caribbean Sustainable Virtual Stock Market Game Platform for secondary students in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean. Their platform is accessible and inclusive, and it uses AI and game-like features to teach secondary schoolers finance basics like saving, budgeting and investing using virtual cash to trade stocks. Over 3,200 students have joined, some seeing their virtual portfolio skyrocket like a 15-year-old hitting $10 million. The platform also connects them with local business insights and leaders through award ceremonies. Sheriel and Katrina aren't just teaching money smarts they're preparing the next gen for real-world finance.
Speaker 2:A 15-year-old hitting $10 million.
Speaker 3:Yep. That just goes to show how their platform is helping students grasp investment strategies. Another student gained $8 million within just three months. These successes highlight how effective the platform is in teaching practical financial skills and empowering students to make informed decisions.
Speaker 1:How does Wisdom CRM ensure inclusivity and accessibility in its educational offerings?
Speaker 3:Good question, ash. So Wisdom CRM is committed to inclusivity by designing features that accommodate diverse learning needs, such as including sign language support for students with hearing impairments. This ensures inclusivity that a wide range of young people can participate and benefit from the program. So, oliver, as we focus on supporting and empowering youth in our communities, what are your thoughts on effective strategies we could all explore to make a lasting impact?
Speaker 2:Well, it's not just about the youth of today. It's about how we can help them. So one effective way is to provide mentorship and guidance. Connecting young people with mentors can help navigate their careers, develop new skills and gain confidence.
Speaker 3:Great idea, Oliver. I believe in creating platforms for youth to voice their opinions and ideas, whether it's through youth councils, forums or social media. Giving young people a space to be heard is vital for their empowerment. What about you, Ash?
Speaker 1:I think investing in education and training programs is key. Ensuring access to quality education and vocational training equips youth with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed and contribute to society.
Speaker 2:I think all three points we've come up with are great, but maybe I'm biased. So why don't we share some final thoughts on how we can collectively support the youth?
Speaker 3:One thing we can do is encourage active participation in community service and social initiatives, and that can be very empowering for young people. It helps them realise their potential to make a difference and fosters a sense of responsibility and leadership.
Speaker 1:That's a great point, irene. I'd add that recognising and celebrating the achievements of young people can also be very motivating. It shows them that their efforts are valued and appreciated.
Speaker 2:It's important to create inclusive environments where all youth, regardless of their background, have the equal opportunities to thrive. Inclusivity and diversity should be at the heart of all programmes for all 1.3 billion of them.
Speaker 1:So how can we encourage more youth engagement and amplify their voices? Making a difference starts with taking a step, advocating for what you believe in and utilising available resources. It doesn't have to be a monumental project. It can begin with something you're passionate about. Your voice matters, and with that we're out of time for today's episode. Thank you all for tuning in to Global Voices.
Speaker 2:We know this isn't the usual type of content we produce on Open Comments, but we hope that you found today's discussion inspiring and are encouraged to take action in supporting the youth in your communities.
Speaker 3:And stay tuned for more episodes of Open Comments.
