Envisioning India@100

Students participated in roundtable discussions on India’s priorities for 2047, including energy, food systems, health, cities, workforce, and artificial intelligence. “Over 50 percent of India’s population is below 25 years, and I firmly believe in investing in young people. They are curious, bold, innovative, and bring tremendous energy to the table. Most of them will be there when India turns 100,” said Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa and Next Generation India Advisor via a video message. “It’s commendable to see CEEW and the UN Foundation bring together dynamic young leaders.”

Youth Sabha 2047 brought together students, policymakers, and civil society for discussions on India’s path to becoming a developed nation. “Young people are an unmatched force in tackling a country's current and future challenges. Their voices and ideas are essential for building a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous nation. The UN Foundation is dedicated to empowering these young minds, ensuring they are integral to decision-making processes. At Youth Sabha 2047, we witnessed an inspiring convergence of young people from across the country to drive progress, foster innovation, and ensure a vibrant and equitable future," said Amb. Elizabeth Cousens, President and CEO, UN Foundation.

“The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals are personal. The triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss are not abstract terms anymore. We are all experiencing polluted air, frequent flooding, and diseases like the COVID-19 pandemic. These force us to ask, How can individual choices and actions propel change?” said Dia Mirza, actress, producer, and UN Secretary-General’s SDG Advocate. “I represent a small but growing community of artists advocating for changes necessary for creating a healthy planet for all people everywhere. There are many young people in India who still need to be heard. The SDGs can be the guiding principles of how we build businesses, develop as an economy, manufacture, grow, and produce,” she added.

“India has the greatest youth generation in history, and we have to tap into this segment. Young people are not ancillary; they’re the here and now and our main focus. A top priority is making sure young people’s ideas and aspirations make it into policymaking and that we engage young minds to be part of the solution. Fortunately, it’s never been easier for young people’s voices to be heard because social media has bridged that gap,” said Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator.

The event included participation from Dr. Shamika Ravi, Member of the Economic Advisory Council; Rakesh Sharma, cosmonaut, and Dr. Arunabha Ghosh, CEO of CEEW. “When we were in college, the cool kids had guitars and bands. Now the cool kids in India have starts, ideas, and aspirations. Data is important to help connect them to reality.

Communicating findings with the next generation is extremely fulfilling. Each of us has to use the tools at our disposal to contribute in whatever little way we can to help the world,” said Dr. Shamika Ravi.

“With more than half of our population under the age of 25, Indian youth are in a unique and powerful position to influence the future on a global level. We just need to be made aware of the changemaker within us. Youth Sabha 2047 has been set up to realise this very vision of youth-led nation building,” said Prachi Shevgaonkar, Next Generation India Lead Fellow.

Youth Sabha 2047 unveiled a concept for a youth-led dictionary and an art installation representing youth aspirations. The Next Generation India Fellowship aims to position youth as leaders in addressing global challenges.