International Youth Day: how ITTO is tapping the energy and skills of young people to further sustainable tropical forestry

ITTO acknowledges the role of youth in shaping the digital world and furthering sustainable forestry. Photo: INAB

12 August 2024: The 2024 theme for International Youth Day, celebrated every year on this date, is "From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development", highlighting how young minds are harnessing technology to create sustainable solutions to our world's most pressing challenges.

ITTO recognizes the value of engaging youth in its work, as they represent the promise of a better future. A clear example is ITTO’s Fellowship Programme, which was established in 1989 and is currently open for applications.

The Fellowship Programme promotes human-resource development and strengthens professional expertise in tropical forestry and related disciplines. Now in its fourth decade, the programme has enabled more than 1400 young and mid-career professionals from about 50 countries to pursue professional development opportunities, improve their career prospects and in turn, contribute to improving sustainable forestry across the tropics. Articles written by fellows appear in almost every issue of Tropical Forest Update, showcasing how youth is contributing to sustainable forest management and sustainable development.

Use of digital technologies is an important component of the work of many recent fellowship awardees. Examples from among the 2023 awardees include modelling the value of products from the thinning of teak plantations in Togo; valuing peatland ecosystem services in Indonesia; and measuring greenhouse gas emissions in mangroves in Mexico.

ITTO also engaged with youth on the development and deployment of ITTO’s online course on legal and sustainable supply chains, which has been crafted especially with “digital natives” in mind. The online course has been available for free since the second half of 2021.

ITTO also interacts regularly with the International Forestry Students Association to ensure it reflects the insights and perspectives of young people into its work on topics such as climate change and fire management.

ITTO actively engages with the youth of its host country, Japan, with staff regularly delivering lectures designed to promote understanding of the importance of the sustainable management and use of tropical forests for the benefit of the global community. ITTO also participates in various festivals and exhibitions in Japan. A comprehensive list is available at www.itto.int/activities_in_japan.

ITTO acknowledges the role of youth in shaping the digital world and furthering sustainability right across society, the economy and the environment, and will continue to enable young people to channel their skills and energy into tropical forestry.