Generation Connect – ARAB Group !
The Generation Connect is the overarching initiative of the ITU Youth Strategy on the journey to the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-21) and the Generation Connect Global Youth Summit. It aims to engage global youth and encourage their participation as equal partners alongside the leaders of today's digital change, empowering young people with the skills and opportunities to advance their vision of a connected future.
Within this context, the Generation Connect – ARAB Group (GC-ARB) has been launched in April 2021. It aims at providing a unique participative process for Arab youth to contribute to the work of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in the Arab region. This initiative is carried out in line with the ITU Youth Strategy and within the framework of the “Generation Connect" global initiative. It also contributes to the implementation of digital inclusiveness in the Arab region. It also offers the Arab youth a virtual platform to discuss opportunities and challenges related to digital technologies. Through this platform, youth will be able to share with the ITU membership their interests, concerns and perspectives on digital transformation.
Arab Youth were called to contribute to the preparatory process for the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC) through the establishment of the Generation Connect – Arab Youth Group (GC-ARB). The call for nominations of the members of Generation Connect – ARAB Group for the first phase launched in April 2021. This call targets all Arab youth between 18 and 24 who have an interest and/or experience and knowledge in the field of digital technologies and digital transformation. They should possess strong communication, analytical and writing skills, the ability to work remotely in teams, and have an advanced level of English.
During the first phase of engagement, Generation Connect – ARAB Group produced a crowd-sourced Outcome Document presenting the needs and interests of Arab youth with respect to information and communications technology (ICT) development.
Looking towards the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2021 (WTDC-21), the Conference that was originally set to take place in November 2021 but has been postponed until June 2022 as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, a Call for Nominations of the Members of Generation Connect - ARAB Group for the second phase is launched in December 2021, which aims to continue to engage with members of the GC Regional Youth Groups in the journey to the WTDC-21 Generation Connect Global Youth Summit.
