Empowering Youth Voices at the Summit for the Future

In September 2024, I represented the United Nations Association of Uganda (UNA-Uganda) at New York’s Summit for the Future Action Days and Summit for the Future. The event gathered global leaders, young changemakers, and civil society organizations, all committed to the urgent goal of creating a sustainable future. As part of this collective drive, UNA-Uganda’s presence was a dynamic force, focused on best practices and the power of youth to lead transformative change across Uganda. Through a series of impactful side events, collaborative meetings, and grassroots-focused discussions, our goal was clear: to bring the Pact for the Future into action, starting from the grassroots.

The Summit for the Future was a powerful reminder that youth leadership and grassroots engagement are essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Representing UNA-Uganda, I highlighted Uganda’s role as a leader in grassroots youth engagement, emphasizing our approach to SDG implementation through practical community initiatives and youth empowerment programs. Uganda’s youth are making strides in climate action, health advocacy, and sustainable development—and it was an Honor to share these successes with the global community.

The summit also emphasized the importance of the Pact for the Future, an action-oriented framework for securing a more just and equitable world. At every opportunity, I encouraged other young leaders to embrace this pact, reminding us of all that real, lasting change happens when we bring the SDGs to life at the grassroots level.

Beyond the main sessions, the summit provided opportunities to build critical alliances through a series of side events, each focusing on different aspects of sustainable development and youth leadership. At the Ugandan Side Event, UNA-Uganda’s efforts in bridging the gap between policy and practice took centre stage. Sharing Uganda’s achievements in areas like climate resilience and health advocacy, we sparked an international conversation about mobilizing youth to implement SDGs within their communities.

The side events organized by Ireland and Austria brought invaluable insights from global partners who are implementing youth-driven solutions in their nations. These sessions provided a platform for exchanging ideas and exploring successful initiatives that could inspire similar grassroots campaigns in Uganda, further enhancing UNA-Uganda’s reach and impact. The conversations were not only enlightening but also empowered us to form alliances that can make the Pact for the Future a reality across borders.

The African UN Youth Delegate one of the programs that is implemented in Uganda also had participants participate in the high-level week and they also organized a side event. This program is running in 6 East African countries, and it brings together youth from these countries. The side event enabled the young people to grow their skills and interact with several high-profile persons.

During Climate Action Week, we engaged in discussions that drove home the importance of climate resilience, a critical issue for Uganda’s youth. The realities of climate change in Uganda demand urgent solutions, and UNA-Uganda’s climate initiatives reflect the commitment and creativity of our young advocates. We shared strategies that can be adapted across communities, particularly those that engage young people in practical, community-led responses to environmental challenges.

United Nations Association of Uganda is affiliated to the World Federation of United Nations. As part of the high-level week, the participating UNAs were able to hold a meeting and create better collaborations.  The World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) UNA Meetings was another highlight. Here, we strengthened our commitment to collaborative SDG projects across countries and shared strategies to engage more young people in UN goals, particularly through grassroots campaigns. The collaboration and exchange of best practices at WFUNA has armed UNA-Uganda with fresh ideas to broaden our reach and mobilize even more youth leaders.

UNA-Uganda’s presence at the Summit for the Future was not just about dialogue—it was a call to action. We believe that every young person and civil society organization has a role to play in making the Pact for the Future a reality. By embracing local leadership and mobilizing our communities, we can turn global commitments into tangible change. UNA-Uganda is dedicated to expanding these efforts, inviting more young leaders and community organizations to join us in building a sustainable future for all.

As I return from New York, my message to the young people and CSO counterparts is clear: we have the tools, the partnerships, and the determination to make a difference. Together, let’s bring the Pact for the Future to life in our communities, transform Uganda’s landscape for sustainable development, and inspire others to do the same.

Now is the time to act, and UNA-Uganda stands ready to lead the way, hand in hand with every young person and every organization willing to make this vision a reality.

Captured by Asaba Linda- Programs manager (UNA-Uganda)