Lilly Singh (IISuperwomanII) speaks at #Youth2030 - launch of the United Nations Strategy

Summary

The speaker expresses gratitude for being invited by the United Nations and UNICEF, emphasizing the importance of empowering youth through education and skills. Highlighting that young people make up 25% of the global population, the speaker stresses their potential to change the world, citing their own journey and the role of technology in creating opportunities. The speaker also underscores the need for addressing obstacles faced by disadvantaged youth and the ripple effect of empowering them to lead their communities. Through a personal story and video, the speaker illustrates how education and support can transform lives and solve global challenges.

Takeaways

• 😀 Expressing gratitude for being invited twice to collaborate with the United Nations and UNICEF, emphasizing the honor of working with such impactful organizations.
• 😀 The speaker is inspired and ready to contribute to creating a world where all young people are empowered, educated, and skilled to reach their full potential.
• 😀 Young people, making up 25% of the global population, are the most connected generation in history, with access to powerful technologies and platforms like YouTube.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on how the rapid evolution of technology requires the world to keep up, ensuring young people everywhere have equal access to opportunities.
• 😀 Acknowledging personal privilege in achieving success, the speaker recognizes that many young people face significant barriers such as poverty, conflict, and lack of education.
• 😀 There’s a sense of hope and optimism, as the speaker highlights that empowering young people can lead to life-changing opportunities, not just for them but for their communities.
• 😀 Young people’s aspirations often align with the needs of their communities, such as becoming doctors, nurses, or counselors, demonstrating their commitment to societal betterment.
• 😀 By providing education and skills to young people, we equip them to become the leaders and changemakers that the world desperately needs.
• 😀 The importance of involving young people in solving global challenges, from climate change to conflict resolution, is emphasized, as they hold significant potential for positive change.
• 😀 The speaker concludes with the inspiring story of a young woman who achieved her full potential, showing how just one opportunity can transform a life and create a ripple effect of change.

Q & A

What is the significance of the speaker's partnership with the United Nations and UNICEF?

The speaker expresses gratitude for being partnered with both the United Nations and UNICEF, describing it as an extreme honor. This partnership represents a meaningful part of their life, emphasizing the importance of empowering young people and contributing to global development goals.

How does the speaker feel after hearing others speak at the event?

The speaker feels inspired and energized after hearing others speak. They express readiness to join efforts with everyone present to create a world where every young person is empowered, educated, and skilled.

What does the speaker mean by saying that young people make up 25% of the world’s population?

The speaker highlights the significant number of young people globally, making up about 25% of the world's population, which translates into billions of individuals. This statistic underscores the influence and potential of youth worldwide.

Why does the speaker mention YouTube in their speech?

The speaker mentions YouTube as a tool they used to find their platform. It serves as an example of how technology, which didn’t exist 13 years ago, has transformed the way young people can share their voices and experiences with a global audience.

What challenges do many young people face in accessing opportunities?

The speaker acknowledges that many young people face significant challenges, such as poverty, conflict, and weak institutions, which make opportunities like education and support far out of reach for them.

What is the good news that the speaker shares about empowering young people?

The good news is that when young people are empowered, they don’t just improve their own lives; they can also transform their communities and the world. By providing education and skills, youth can become leaders and agents of change.

How does the speaker describe their experiences when traveling to countries like South Africa, Kenya, and India?

The speaker shares that when meeting young people in countries like South Africa, Kenya, and India, they are often asked what they want to be when they grow up. The consistent answers—doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or counselor—reflect the youth's deep connection to the needs of their communities.

What does the speaker believe young people can contribute to solving global problems?

The speaker believes that young people, when empowered through education and skills, are the key to solving global challenges like conflict, disease, and climate change. They argue that young people’s impact is significant not only in their communities but also in their countries and globally.

Why does the speaker emphasize the role of young people in solving global problems?

The speaker emphasizes that young people are essential for solving global problems because they have the potential to become the leaders and change-makers of tomorrow. Their empowerment can create a ripple effect that benefits entire societies and addresses pressing global issues.

What does the speaker mean by showing a video about a young woman realizing her full potential?

The speaker introduces a video about a young woman who strives to fulfill her potential to demonstrate how impactful it can be when someone is given an opportunity. The video serves as a real-life example of how empowering youth can lead to transformative change.