On July 15, 2025, the world will come together to celebrate the 10th anniversary of World Youth Skills Day (WYSD), a United Nations initiative established in 2014 to emphasize the critical role of equipping young people with skills for employment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. This year’s theme, Youth Empowerment through AI and Digital Skills, underscores the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies in shaping the future of work and education. As we mark this milestone alongside the 5th anniversary of UNESCO’s Global Skills Academy, global events and initiatives will highlight how youth can harness these tools to address contemporary challenges and drive inclusive progress.
History of World Youth Skills Day
The origin of World Youth Skills Day dates back to 2014, when the United Nations General Assembly declared July 15 as the official day to celebrate youth skills. This decision stemmed from a growing awareness of the need to reduce global unemployment among youth and to empower them with the right skills. Since then, the day has served as a global platform to bring together young people, Technical and Vocational Education Institutions (TVEIs), businesses, policymakers, and development partners.
Sri Lanka first proposed the day, and it received overwhelming support from UN member states. Over the years, it has grown into a significant movement to raise awareness about the challenges young people face regarding employment and access to education.
World Youth Skills Day 2025 Theme
The official theme for World Youth Skills Day 2025 is expected to be announced by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in collaboration with UNEVOC, ILO, and other global partners. However, we anticipate that the focus will remain on building resilient, skilled, and future-ready youth in the post-pandemic digital age.
Likely sub-themes include:
- Digital Transformation and Skill Adaptability
- Green Skills for a Sustainable Future
- Bridging the Skills Gap in Developing Economies
- Inclusive Skill Development for Marginalized Communities
This theme will guide workshops, webinars, events, and international dialogues aimed at empowering youth with modern skills, especially in the fields of technology, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and innovation.
The Importance of World Youth Skills Day
World Youth Skills Day was created to address the global youth unemployment crisis and the mismatch between the skills young people possess and those demanded by evolving labour markets. According to the International Labour Organization, in 2015, 73.4 million young people were unemployed, representing a 13.1% youth unemployment rate. This structural challenge persists, with many young people lacking access to quality education and training that align with modern economic needs.
The 2025 theme focuses on the Fourth Industrial Revolution, where AI and digital technologies are reshaping economies and societies. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs are pivotal in preparing youth for this new era, offering skills for self-employment, increasing productivity, and reducing barriers to the workforce, particularly for marginalized groups. For instance, in Gambia, 24-year-old Alhadgie Faal transformed his life through TVET, gaining skills in vegetable production to run a successful business growing high-value crops like strawberries. Such stories highlight the power of skills development to foster economic empowerment and social impact.
AI and Digital Skills: Opportunities and Challenges
The rapid rise of AI is revolutionizing how we live, learn, and work. From e-commerce chatbots to mental health apps and misinformation detection tools, AI offers young people unprecedented opportunities to innovate and solve real-world problems. UNESCO’s 2025 WYSD celebrations, co-organized with the Permanent Missions of Portugal and Sri Lanka, the International Labour Organization, and the UN Youth Office, will host a global hybrid event at the Learning Planet Institute in Paris. This event will bring together policymakers, educators, youth leaders, and tech developers to discuss ethical, inclusive, and human-centred AI in TVET.
However, AI also poses challenges. Without equitable implementation, it risks exacerbating the digital divide and reinforcing biases, such as gender and geographic disparities. Modernizing curricula and aligning training with labour market needs are critical to ensuring that all youth, especially those from marginalized communities, can access these opportunities. UNESCO emphasizes the need for systemic reform to prevent growing inequalities, particularly for the 450 million economically disengaged youth worldwide who lack adequate skills to succeed in the labour market.
Global Initiatives and Youth Engagement
World Youth Skills Day 2025 will feature a range of initiatives to engage and empower young people:
- Video Showcase: UNESCO-UNEVOC invites youth aged 15–35 to submit short videos by June 30, 2025, showcasing how they use AI and digitalization in areas like education, trade, mental health, or ethics. These videos aim to inspire others and promote TVET as a driver of sustainable development. Submissions can be sent to [email protected].
- Skills in Action Photo Competition: Launching on July 15, 2025, this competition invites those over 18 to capture the impact of skills development through photography, celebrating hands-on ingenuity.
- Skill Up Africa 2025: In Nairobi, Kenya, a two-day event on July 15–16 at the KICC will feature workshops, panel discussions, and a skills showcase extravaganza, hosted by Jose Trends. The event, themed around youth empowerment through AI and digital skills, encourages young people to network, learn, and display their talents.
- Global Events and Discussions: High-level panel discussions at the Learning Planet Institute in Paris and UN Headquarters in New York will explore how skills development can advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (quality education) and SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth). Youth are encouraged to share their visions through a UN survey by July 5, 2025, to inform these discussions.
A Call to Action for a Sustainable Future
WYSD 2025 is more than a celebration—it’s a call to action. Governments, educators, and private sector stakeholders are urged to collaborate on funding digital skills training, supporting grassroots innovations, and amplifying youth voices in decision-making. Organizations like UNICEF highlight the need for inclusive education, noting that only 33% of adolescents in Eastern and Southern Africa complete lower secondary education, and digital skills remain scarce. By fostering partnerships and offering opportunities like internships and mentorships, stakeholders can bridge the gap between education and employment.
Young people are already leading the charge. From developing green technologies to combat climate change to creating AI-driven solutions for mental health, youth are proving their potential as changemakers. Events like the Lao Children’s Forum, supported by ChildFund, and UNICEF’s skills-building program in Burundi, which has reached over 300,000 adolescents since 2019, demonstrate how empowering youth with skills fosters social cohesion and self-reliance.
How to Get Involved?
Anyone can participate in World Youth Skills Day 2025:
- Attend or Organize Workshops: Engage in hands-on sessions on digital skills, entrepreneurship, or sustainable practices.
- Support Youth Organizations: Volunteer or donate to groups like ChildFund or Ehsaas, which provide scholarships and training to disadvantaged youth.
- Spread Awareness: Use hashtags like #YouthSkillsDay2025 and #WYSD2025 to share stories and inspire others on social media.
- Advocate for Policy Change: Push for inclusive education policies and increased investment in TVET to ensure no youth is left behind.
Conclusion
As we celebrate a decade of World Youth Skills Day, the focus on AI and digital skills reflects the urgency of preparing youth for a rapidly changing world. By equipping young people with the tools to innovate and thrive, we can build a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. Whether through a video submission, a photo entry, or attending a local event, July 15, 2025, is an opportunity to celebrate the resilience, creativity, and potential of youth worldwide. Let’s skill up, connect, and transform futures together.
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