UNICEF Supports Youth Digital Empowerment to Achieve Sustainable Development
The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) supports partners, stakeholders and decision makers in youth digital empowerment for sustainable development of Nigeria.
UNICEF country representative, Cristian Munduate speaking on the theme of the 2024 International Youth Day: “Digital Pathway to Sustainable Development” encourages massive investment in internet access and electricity for the for the benefit of large army of Nigerian youth.
According to the UNICEF representative, the agency introduces several youth-friendly platforms as a way to support youth digital empowerment for sustainable developments in the country.
WeNaija Campaign Mobilises Youths On HPV Vaccination, Leadership Accountability
She says UNICEF platforms have encouraged community participation of youth across various diverse in the development of the nation.
UNICEF plans to engage 20m young people by 2030 for the ‘Change U’ platform, out of which 6.2m are already on the platform.
Nigerian Youth & technology
The platform seeks to encourage young people to acquire entrepreneurial skills and job opportunities for future self actualisation.
Munduate notes the global importance of youth as population dividends of nations hence the need to encourage investment in youth digital empowerment.
She advises the government and partners to listen to the yearning of the young people as well as prioritise investment in them especially their technology needs.
According to Munduate, technology is one of the tools that bridge many of the gaps around the world.
She observed if it effectively used, it will prepare young people for the correct skills they need for sustainable development.
She explains that technology is useful in preparing young people for job opportunities, access to education and learning so as to have a very well groomed youth.
“The world is changing and Nigeria too is changing, there is a huge need for economics and social development and this can only be achieved if young people are well prepared to assume their active energy and resilience can be well empowered to address gaps” , says UNICEF’s Munduate.
“The world is changing and Nigeria too is changing, there is a huge need for economics and social development and this can only be achieved if young people are well prepared to assume their active energy and resilience can be well empowered to address gaps” , says UNICEF’s Munduate.
Munduate describes young people as, “torch bearers” of sustainable development, as well as, “the architects of our shared future.
Youth As Torch Bearers
“We must harness and groom the potentials of the young peopl for the good of the country” She adds
She identifies some areas of immediate investment to include: digital technology, internet access, permanent energy and electricity and more learning platforms particularly for youth in rural communities.
“Government needs an initial huge investment but on the other hand, using technology and platforms, making the internet accessible and providing more permanent energy and electricity are key so that in the rural communities young people can have access to these platforms” notes Munduate.
The UNICEF boss encourages young people to be positively sensitive to use of social media and be more familiar with social media ethics and codes and shun harmful vices.
