Real sustainability means getting serious about youth leadership

Participants at an event in Kitakyushu play the Rhythm for Life-Saving game, which teaches children about CPR and emergency response essentials. | RCE Kitakyushu

By Nafissa Insebayeva - Héctor J. Esparra-Escalera

Sep 27, 2026

For decades, youth have been told they are the future — the changemakers, co-creators, and leaders of tomorrow.

But are we truly listening to what they have to say? Do we empower young people to be able to lead societal transformations? And most importantly, do we give them enough power to shape decisions that affect their livelihoods?

Younger generations are inheriting a world shaped by overlapping environmental, economic, and social challenges. The U.N.’s 2030 Agenda recognizes youth as “critical stakeholders” in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals — yet too often they remain limited to advisory roles or symbolic forms of participation with marginal opportunities to influence decision-making or lead meaningful and sustainable change.

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