A Global Youth Townhall on Digitally Powered Economic Journeys
The townhall brought together more than 500 participants, including youth, development practitioners, and partners from across the globe to take stock of youth economic empowerment programming, with a lens of exploring the impact of the digital era on youth employment, including self-employment. The townhall explored how the digital era is reshaping skills, employment, and economic opportunities for youth worldwide, with a particular focus on marginalised youth. Participants shared experiences, lessons, and recommendations on how technology can be harnessed to expand decent work and inclusive growth, especially in the Global South.
The session examined the impact of rapid digital transitions and technological advancements on youth employability, entrepreneurship, and access to livelihood opportunities. Discussions also addressed the need for youth economic empowerment programmes to be designed in light of the impacts of technology and AI on the future of work. Within this context, ILO delivered a presentation on the progress made towards Sustainable Development Goal 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth.
Mr Mana Al Ansari, Executive Director of EAA’s Silatech Programme, delivered the opening remarks, emphasising the need for partnerships that prepare young people for a digital future. “The digital era is impacting the rules of work and opportunity. Our collective responsibility is to ensure that young people, particularly those in fragile and underserved contexts, are equipped with the skills needed to respond to these rapidly changing times and to thrive in this new economy. Through forums like this, we listen to youth voices and translate their insights into action that advances inclusive and sustainable employment,” he said.
Mr. Francesco d’Ovidio, Director of the ILO Office in Qatar, added a quote: “Digital transformation holds great potential to create new employment opportunities for young people - but only if it is decent, inclusive, and rights-based. As technology reshapes labour markets, our collective task is to ensure that young people globally are able to thrive in this changing world of work.”
The townhall started with several keynote speeches from youth beneficiaries of EAA and ILO programs, as well as from key partners including Qatar Foundation (QF) Alumni. The highlight of the townhall was a moderated discussion that provided youth from 58countries a platform to reflect on the opportunities and challenges of the digital era on employment prospects and the future of work. The townhall focused on hearing youth’s voices and recommendations for more effective programming and youth employment policies.
“As a refugee, I often felt that opportunities were limited, so I saw this training as a real chance to build skills that could open new doors for me.” Seba Ajaj, a young beneficiary who participated in the ILO Job Search Clubs programme implemented in Jordan under the PROSPECTS Partnership programme funded by the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Closing the event, the organisers reaffirmed that key takeaways from the Youth Townhall will contribute to EAA’s and ILO’s strategic high-level event on taking stock of youth economic empowerment programming at the upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development to be held in Doha in November 2025, where youth perspectives will inform discussions on employment and decent work.
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