In the complex web of international relations, where constantly emerging and long-standing
global issues demand creative, innovative, and effective solutions, it is where the youth of today
enter the fold. They have the potential to be the driving force that drives change and progress at
all fronts of global movements. Historically, the youth had significantly less power and role in
suggesting any sort of change, being passive observers as compared to the active participants
that they could be. However, that has changed significantly in recent years.
Children as young as 9 years old have started making noise on the international stage, calling
for change on a global scale, and pushing global leaders to enforce reform on all levels of
society, including, but not limited to, environmental challenges, human rights violations, and
political changes. A notable name among the youth is Greta Thunberg, a Swedish climate
activist who calls for global leaders to take immediate action for climate change mitigation. She
founded a global movement called Fridays For Future and has been known to make bold
stances that have gotten her arrested and fined on different occasions, but she has made sure
to make her voice heard in Global Affairs.
One of the most significant contributions of youth in international relations lies in their ability to
work beyond borders and become the bridge between cultural divisions. With advancements in
technology and social media, today’s youth are more connected than ever before. We can now
see regular collaborations between youth organizations all over the world with the touch of a
button. They form networks that go beyond the traditional geographical boundaries, enabling
them to engage in discussions, exchange innovative ideas that have worked in their regions,
and collaborate on a global scale. A notable example of this is the Model United Nations
concept, where the youth set out to tackle global challenges and take on the role of diplomats.
Since the adoption of advanced video-calling technology during the pandemic, access to these
global events has become easier and has boosted organizational diversity, enabling youth to
receive more international exposure than ever before. This interconnectedness has enabled the
youth to gain awareness, boost their interpersonal skill, and make their voice heard on a global
scale.
Another notable name amongst these youth is Cherry Sung, a dedicated South Korean
environmental activist working towards global change from a very young age, winning awards
for her efforts to enact change. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Greener is
Cleaner, a youth-led organization that works to empower the youth worldwide to take action
against the issues plaguing their regions and to make a difference. Cherry has personally made
huge strides in this matter, making her voice heard across multiple international channels.
Moreover, the youth bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to counter global
problems. They are immune to the traditional ways of thinking and possess a natural pull
towards taking risks in search of bigger rewards, as shown by the efforts of Greta Thunberg.
Their creative thinking allows for out-of-the-box solutions that would otherwise not even exist.
Furthermore, youth engagement in international relations enhances democratic governance and
accountability. Events like university summer programs and Model United Nations Conferences
play a vital role in shaping future leaders who are educated, confident, and hungry to make a
difference. That’s why you see the number of youth organizations popping up every single day.
An organization that’s very well known for its work, International Global Network, is based in
Indonesia and includes a youth workforce that works tirelessly to train the next generation of
global leaders through conferences, workshops, fully-funded trips, and many more.
Along with these types of NGOs, university students have taken a big role in shaping young
minds and giving them a platform to share their ideas. Programs like the Yales Young Global
Scholars Program, Oxbridge Summer School, and Bucharest Summer University, all aim to
equip the youth of today with the resources they need to excel and make a difference, to be
more socially responsible and, more importantly, sustainable, with the drive to improve their
neighborhoods, regions and countries as a whole.
However, despite the immense potential of youth engagement in international relations,
significant barriers persist. Structural inequalities exist, political marginalization hinders basic
citizen rights, and lack of access to education for rural areas and third-world countries turns the
world order into a vicious cycle of dominance for the ruling elite. The lack of equal employment
opportunities as well as cultural challenges continue to block the participation of the youth in
major reform decision-making procedures.
In conclusion, the youth play a vital role in shaping the future world order, breaking down
outdated norms and traditions, and paving the way for a more flexible, inclusive, innovative, and
dynamic future for all. Investment in the youth is vital because they are the changemakers of
today and the leaders of tomorrow.