Youth, Innovation and Academia

The voice of youth is important. The youth have the energy, creativity, knowledge, and passion to drive positive change and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.

PP Resolution 198 (REV. BUCHAREST, 2022) "Empowerment of youth through telecommunication/ information and communication technology" recognizes the ITU Youth Strategy, as the operational framework for strengthening ITU's capacities in engaging and empowering youth through ICTs.The strategy aims to be fit-for-purpose and to reduce the youth digital divide.

ITU is also strengthening its efforts to promote and empower young people in its work and is currently working on several initiatives to ensure that youth perspectives are incorporated in ITU’s work, such as an internship programme, engagement/partnership with Academia to support youth through "university programmes", a young professionals programme (YPP), junior professional officers (JPOs) and many other initiatives.

There have been numerous activities which have supported participation and engagement of young people in ITU events and conferences, such as Generation Connect, Kaleidoscope conference, WSIS Generation Connect Youth Prize, GC-EUR Digital Jam, EQUALS and many more.

ITU YPP: the next generation of Global ICT experts and leaders

Young Professionals Program (ITU YPP): the next generation of Global ICT experts and leaders.

The ITU YPP is a recruitment initiative for the next generation of global ICT experts and leaders to help shape the future of the tech sector – standards, policies, regulations and recommendations. Over the course of this 2-year program, talented and qualified individuals will be exposed to understand technology, regulatory and policy issues and learn how it works in practice. Young experts will contribute to bridging the digital divide and leveraging technology for the benefit of society. The ITU YPP will support emerging talent to work across ITU's three Sectors and the General Secretariat in HQs and the field. Find our more informaiton here.

ITU Journal

The ITU Journal on Future and Evolving Technologies (ITU J-FET) considers yet-to-be-published papers addressing fundamental and applied research. It shares new techniques and concepts, analyses and tutorials, and learnings from experiments and physical and simulated testbeds. It also discusses the implications of the latest research results for policy and regulation, legal frameworks, and the economy and society. Read more here.

Generation Connect

Generation Connect is the overarching initiative of the ITU Youth Strategy. Generation Connect aims to engage global youth and encourage their participation as equal partners alongside the leaders of today's digital change, empowering young people with the skills and opportunities to advance their vision of a connected future. Find out more informaiton here.

The ITU Secretary-General's Youth Advisory Board

The ITU Secretary-General's Youth Advisory Board is a dynamic and forward-thinking initiative that empowers young individuals to shape the future of global connectivity. This advisory board is all about action and results, offering practical advice to the ITU Secretary-General. The board will provide diverse youth perspectives, and concrete recommendations to enhance worldwide cooperation in bridging the digital divide, “connecting the unconnected" and aligning ITU's programs with the Sustainable Development Goals.

The open call for expression of interest received over 850 applications.

Digital Inclusion for Youth

ITU's Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) promotes school connectivity, digital literacy skills, and ICT-enabled employment opportunities for youth, including encouraging more young women and girls to prepare for and enter careers in the ICT sector. BDT's work includes a wealth of research and analysis on the above topics. Read more

Collaboration with universities

Some 170 universities and research institutions participate regularly in the work of the ITU, working together with 193 Member States and some 900 companies and international and regional organizations to shape the future – standards, policies, regulations and recommendations. There are opportunities to promote and develop joint initiatives including science and technology research, training, publications, events and many others. Find our more informaiton here

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Contact Us

Email us at academia@itu.int or additional information on how to get involved in ITU's youth activities.

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