Hosted by the European Commission, the Global Gateway High-Level Youth Event will take place on 9-10 October 2024 in Brussels. It will highlight the transformational impact of the EU youth agenda, celebrate achievements and new partnerships and connect youth champion networks.
Nearly half of the world’s population is under 30, with 90% living in less developed partner countries. By 2030, 20% of the world’s population will be African, with over 55% of Africa’s population younger than 20. This demographic trend will significantly shape global economic relations and politics in the coming decades.
The focus on youth is a game-changer: a well-educated and healthy young population is the bedrock of a stable society and economy. In a world facing colossal transformations, nurturing genuine partnerships, and working with and empowering young people is not only responding to their legitimate demands, but also a much-needed strategic investment to our common future.
Preceded by the Summit of the Future and celebrating the 2nd anniversary of the YAP adoption, the Global Gateway High-Level Youth Event aims to consolidate the foundations of the youth agenda in EU external action by connecting youth networks and showcasing the political potential of partnering with youth. The forum will mark an important milestone for the EU and its partners’ Youth Agenda, underlining the importance of youth as a catalytic investment for the future.
Adopted in October 2022, the Youth Action Plan (YAP) in EU external action (2022-2027) provides the framework for engaging, empowering, and connecting youth globally, making youth strategic partners in EU external action, particularly in implementing the Global Gateway Strategy. It aims to give youth a voice, to equip them with the skills and resources necessary for the green and digital transformations, and to create networks of change-makers, ensuring no one is left behind.
Gathering high level policymakers and young leaders, the Global Gateway High-Level Youth Event will highlight the impact of the EU youth agenda; showcase inspiring examples of successful youth initiatives; reflect on the achievements and added value of the Youth Action Plan (YAP) and inspire further action. It will multiply the impact of youth action by strengthening the connection between and with all the young people engaged in our EU external action.
Agenda
DAY 1: Connecting Youth Sounding Boards and Advisory Structures (By invitation only)
DAY 2: Global Gateway High-Level Youth event
- 9.00-9.45Opening session
Keynote speech and rapid-fire questions with Commissioner Urpilainen
- 9.45-11.00Youth in Power
The session will put the spotlight on young people in decision-making positions and their role as actors of change in society
- 11.00-11.30Networking Coffee
- 11.30-13.00Breaking barriers - Two years of implementation of the Youth Action Plan
The panel will highlight how the Youth Action Plan, its flagships and the youth stakeholders involved contribute to break barriers to increase meaningful youth participation from engagement in institutional processes to youth-friendly funding schemes
- 13.00-14.30Networking Lunch / Signatures and announcements
- 14.30-15.45Global Gateway: what’s in for youth?
How does the strategy benefit youth? How can young people be actors of change within and around Global Gateway investment? Concrete examples will be showcased linked to fair green and digital transition, inequalities, education
- 15.45-16.15Networking Coffee
- 16.15-17.00Fireside chat
Peace, democracy and human rights in geopolitically challenging times – An enabling environment for Global Gateway Strategy
- 17.00-18.00Closing session | Youth recommendations for next Commission | Discussion
Forward looking recommendations by young people to continue the path initiated by the Youth Action Plan for meaningful youth participation and empowerment in EU external action for sustainable development, equality and peace
- 18.00-20.00Networking cocktail - Market place
Stands with information on specific youth programmes, tools or capacity building opportunities that can be of interest to participants
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