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.

Being part of UNOAU’s strategic communications team has shown me how youth engagement fosters inclusive dialogue, amplifies diverse voices, and drives innovative solutions to address global challenges.

From organising a photo exhibition for the International Day of UN Peacekeepers to amplifying climate-related initiatives and creating messages around dialogues on disarmament and peacebuilding, I have seen how young professionals bring something essential to multilateral spaces: curiosity, urgency, and a deep sense of responsibility.

One particularly impactful moment came during the Climate Security Mechanism Partnership Dialogue and Workshop in Addis Ababa, where discussions on climate, peace, and security highlighted youth as vital agents of resilience.

While capturing moments and creating digital content for the event, I reflected on how the ambition of young professionals drives progress  from fostering dialogue to shaping innovative solutions for climate resilience, peacebuilding, and inclusive governance.

I also participated in a Youth Forum themed “Building the Future Together”, held to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, where young people from across Ethiopia discussed climate action, education, employment, and technology.

Witnessing the hope and determination of these participants reminded me of the vast space youth have to lead, innovate, and collaborate on urgent global challenges. One outcome I valued was the UN Country Team’s call to maintain a continuous dialogue by regularly organising youth forums ensuring young people play an active and meaningful role in shaping decisions.

Through this internship, I have come to deeply appreciate the vital role communication plays in delivering an organisation’s key messages, mobilising support, and raising awareness around critical causes such as peace and development.

As young people, we bring fresh ideas and advanced skills in technology and social media, allowing us to reach broader and more diverse audiences. Our familiarity with today’s global challenges makes our messaging relevant and impactful. My generation carries a deep commitment to confronting the issues of our time and transforming them into positive change. This collective energy, combined with creativity and innovation, shows that youth are not only the leaders of tomorrow, we are already active agents shaping the present.

To accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, it is essential to create spaces where young people have the resources, mentorship, and opportunities to act. When youth are trusted, supported, and fully included in decision-making, they have the power to deliver solutions that are innovative, inclusive, and lasting.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the United Nations Office to the African Union.