Ms. Sumire Hayakawa-Ivanovic (2025 Cohort)
International Youth Day 2025: Youth for Peace and Development
By Sumire Hayakawa-Ivanovic, Digital Communications Intern at the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU)
As a young intern with the Communications team at UNOAU, I have had the opportunity to contribute directly to multilateral work at the intersection of youth, peace, and development. Whether supporting communication strategies, drafting event materials, or engaging with partners, I have witnessed how youth perspectives strengthen inclusive and sustainable peace initiatives. This year’s theme, “Youth for Peace and Development,” resonates deeply with that journey. Read more.
Ms. Betesayda Bezabeh (2025 Cohort)
This year’s International Youth Day theme, “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,” underscores the transformative role of young people in adapting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to local realities. It is a reminder that youth are not merely beneficiaries of development; they are innovators, decision makers, and active agents of change in their communities and beyond. Read more.
Ms. Jingyi Olivia Zhang (2024 Cohort)
This year’s International Youth Day theme, “Local Youth Action for the SDGs and Beyond,” recognizes the vital role of young people in driving sustainable change within their communities and across the world. My internship at the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) in 2024 was more than a career milestone, it was an opportunity to contribute to peacebuilding and partnership efforts that connect global frameworks to local realities. Read more.
