UN’s Bande emphasises role of youth in changing world

With the 75th anniversary of the United Nations on the horizon, Tijjani Muhammad Bande, President of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly has discussed efforts to inspire young people to discover their unique potential in the face of multiple challenges in today’s world. 
“The UN at 75: The Power of Youth, Education and Innovation in Addressing Global Challenges’’ organised by the Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), also emphasised on how youth can become agents of change, particularly when it comes to conflict prevention and eradicating poverty and social exclusion. 
“It’s through the energy of youth that we are able to tackle today’s challenges. Youth are associated with innovation; with a can-do attitude. If we have youth without education and hope, peace is not likely to happen. Every child today is worried for his or her future. We are at a state in human history where there is no excuse for anybody not to be educated. We must work to ensure education wherever it is denied. Youth without a proper education and hope will hinder peace and sustainability,” said Bande. 
The lecture also gave an opportunity for the audience to hear Bande’s perspectives on how to inspire young people to fulfil their potential in the face of the modern world’s multiple challenges.
The lecture was followed by a Q&A session which considered how youth can become agents of change, particularly when it comes to conflict prevention, eradicating poverty and social exclusion. 
“The role of a higher education institution goes beyond equipping students with technical skills and preparing them for the job market. Our role extends to shaping their mindset to become active global citizens who are able to address global challenges, and instilling in them values and involving them in topics that are relevant to both the local and global market,” said Dr Ahmad M Hasnah, President, HBKU in his opening remarks. 
Dr Hasnah also announced the launch of an outreach initiative enabling refugees to access high-quality online education through 50,000 edX’s vouchers. Through certified courses across a range of disciplines, the global initiative will empower refugee communities to overcome the challenges they face in reaching their potential. Launched in 2018, HBKUx offers an array of programs to students all over the world, with a particular focus on critical sustainability issues amongst other topics. 
Dr Amal Al Malki, founding dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS), moderated the session.