Conferences as Learning Spaces for Advancing Knowledge and Action for the SDGs

Abstract

The international community is increasingly recognizing the importance of youth as key stakeholders in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2030. Young people need to be continuously empowered and provided with opportunities to enhance their competences and networks. There are multiple capacity-building and networking events that seek to engage youth, yet the learning and impact generated in such spaces remains less understood. This chapter explores the value of youth-targeted and youth-led conferences and events centered on sustainability themes in advancing the learning experiences of youth participants. Testimonials from young people provide key insights into their engagement. The findings highlight the need for such platforms to be more empowering through focusing more directly on fostering collaborative actions amongst youth and organizations rather than merely on capacity-building on the spot; and through garnering financial or technical support for advancing youth action on the SDGs, especially at the local community level.