The upcoming Summit for the Future (22-23 September) promises to be revolutionary for the youth. It is a global platform focused on long-term resilience sustainability and the challenges of the coming decades, positioning youth as central players in shaping resilient societies. The focus on youth at this Summit aligns with the goals of the Arctic Youth Network (AYN).
Six Arctic states (Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Canada, and the USA) made official speeches just days before the Summit (Click to watch speeches from officials of different states). “Young people must be heard,” stated the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb.
Dialogue, multilateral cooperation, peace, human rights, and sustainable development are the priorities of this Summit, which aims to reform the Security Council and strengthen the role of Youth in global governance.
AYN stands as a powerful example of how youth across the circumpolar North are responding to the significant environmental, social, and geopolitical challenges shaping the Arctic region. Within this broader international context, the AYN exemplifies how cross-border collaboration and youth leadership are integral to building sustainable futures in fragile environments. One example of this is the EU-funded project, “Youth Together for Arctic Futures,” which encourages youth involvement in shaping long-term sustainability strategies for the region. By engaging in this project, AYN empowers young people to lead efforts in creating resilient, sustainable communities.
As outlined in the version “Revision 3” of the Pact for the Future (hereinafter “the Pact”), one of the key documents framing this Summit, youth are “are critical agents of positive change.” This emphasis underscores the understanding that young leaders, like those in the AYN, are not only stakeholders but key architects in developing adaptive strategies for facing future challenges.
The Action 40 of the Pact is centred around strengthening of meaningful participation of the youth at the international level. Building resilient communities is important as the global catastrophic risks pose unprecedented threats to humanity. Academic and political discussions often frame existential risks as global, requiring world-class experts and nation-state solutions (Click to read more). Technological optimists propose large-scale geoengineering, while crisis narratives increasingly suggest the possibility of world-ending scenarios driven by technology. However, youth has often been left out of the conversations on how to manage catastrophic risks. This historical Summit promises to strengthen the participatory rights of the youth on the UN level.
The Pact follows on stating that “children and youth are distinct groups from future generations”, which implies that the Declaration for the Future Generation is also devoted to the youth. The Pact envisions a future where the youth take on active leadership roles across environmental and social governance platforms, reflecting AYN’s mission.
Additionally, the Declaration for Future Generations, another pivotal document influencing global youth engagement, specifically highlights the role of youth in protecting the environment and fostering innovation. This mirrors the work of AYN, as the network leverages the innovation and adaptability of Arctic youth to address climate change, a problem disproportionately affecting the Arctic region.
The AYN exemplifies the multifaceted approach needed to build resilience in a rapidly changing world. By promoting environmental stewardship, fostering cross-border cooperation, and emphasising the importance of cultural preservation, AYN creates a blueprint for how youth can lead efforts to sustain their communities. The network’s work is closely aligned with the global movement towards youth leadership, as reflected in documents like the Pact for the Future and the Declaration for Future Generations, both of which place youth at the heart of sustainability efforts.
Through initiatives like “Youth Together for Arctic Futures” and its Indigenous Working Group, which will be launched soon, AYN aims to show that resilience in the Arctic is not just about surviving present challenges but about thriving in the face of future uncertainties. As the Summit for the Future approaches, AYN is eagerly preparing to follow the proceedings of the event closely.