The Global Youth Leadership Summit — which is held every year — has the prospects for bringing positive changes. According to multiple newspapers, the Global Youth Leadership Summit 2023 was held in Dubai in March this year participated by young leaders, innovators, peacemakers, youth activists and civil society pioneers from different countries around the world and the next summit will be held in the United States and Canada in 2024. The youth leadership summit, which features inspiring speakers and interactive workshops and provides awards for contributions in several sectors including youth leadership, peace and entrepreneurship, provides a platform for networking, collaboration and learning with the aim of empowering youth to become agents of positive change in their communities and beyond.
It is notable that the participants of the global youth leadership summit, which promotes the next generation of leaders from around the world, definitely gain valuable knowledge and insights through discussions into leadership and global issues that help make positive contributions to a range of areas: poverty reduction, environmental sustainability, public policy and several others. Additionally, the global youth leadership summit equips young leaders from around the world with leadership skills and tools imperative to become effective agents of social change with improved capacity and inspire others to take impactful initiatives and take action in implementing impactful initiatives in their own neighborhoods in diverse areas. Among others, attendees with the opportunity to network with individuals from around the world at the youth leadership summit, which fosters a sense of global citizenship, foster cross-cultural understanding and make global connections that pave the way for effectively collaborating at a global scale for addressing different global challenges.
But there are limited diversity based and other limitations that can make the youth leadership summits less prospective and effective. One of the crucial flaws is the lack of diversity among the participants. The youth leadership summit often fails to adequately represent different cultures, backgrounds and perspectives, limiting the potential for truly inclusive and comprehensive discussions, the effectiveness and inclusivity of decision-making processes and the diversity of solutions to diverse global challenges. Additionally, limited access to these youth leadership summits for underprivileged youth — driven by the cost associated with attending the summit — is another crucial limitation. Many young leaders from disadvantaged communities in different countries may not have the resources or opportunities to attend such events. Among others, insufficient focus on actionable solutions and language barriers are notable.
Limitations are desired to be addressed for the better outcomes of the global youth leadership summits, which bring together young leaders from around the world. But the youth leadership summit needs to ensure the diversity of participants by providing equal opportunities for young leaders, regardless of their backgrounds and cultures. Additionally, there should be a stronger focus on actionable solutions to diverse problems, practical skill-building and mentorship programs during the summit to truly equip young leaders with the tools they need to create meaningful changes in their communities and beyond. Among others, cultural sensitivity and capacity to mobilize resources and overcome barriers need to be given emphasis in the youth leadership summit.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
