UNESCO Harps on Youths’ Digital Skills

James Sowole in Abeokuta

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has said Nigerian youths are in a better position to transform the country through digital tools, describing them as game changers.

The organisation made the remark during a sensitisation programme organised for secondary school students in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, by its Institute for African Culture and International Understanding (IACIU) located within the premises of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta.

The theme of the event was: ‘The Role of Young People in the Promotion of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of Diversity of Cultural Expressions and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)’.

The Director of the Institute, Prof. Peter Okebukola, in his address at the programme noted that the strength of the younger generation cannot be underestimated in the contemporary world, adding that young people have the capacity to connect across borders as a result of their vast knowledge in the digital environment.

According to him, the youths have the ability to transform the contemporary world by breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes as well as fostering diverse cultures.

He said the IACIU organised the workshop to address ‘the role of young people in the promotion of the UNESCO Convention on the protection and promotion of diversity of cultural expressions and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)’.

He said: “As a result of their vast knowledge of the digital environment, they have the capacity to connect across borders with a view to amplifying their voices through the use of the media. With these veritable tools at their disposal, young people are in a better position to transform the contemporary world by breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes, and fostering diverse cultures. They also have the capacity through the use of the media to promote their ideas through music and works of arts.”

Okebukola stated that the Sustainable Development Goals have become veritable developmental processes through which impediments can be improved upon significantly.

He added: “It is rather gratifying to note that the SDGs have become veritable developmental processes through which impediments such as inadequate healthcare systems, pervasive poverty, insecurity, climate change, global warming, food scarcity, infrastructural deficits and a host of others can improve upon significantly if not totally eradicated.

“It is interesting to observe that in the last couple of years, young people globally have shown interest in the ongoing campaign to tackle the intractable issue of climate change. From advocating for cultural diversity and preserving heritage to mobilising for climate action and social justice, their contributions are boundless.”