Gaborone, Botswana – Negative stereotypes often cast young people as a problem, obscuring how crises and instability are depriving an entire generation of healthcare, decent employment and other opportunities to flourish. Yet young people remain a driving force for progress, innovation and peace. This year’s International Youth Day (IYD) is a reminder that youth are not only beneficiaries of development but also leaders and agents of change.
Observed annually on 12 August, International Youth Day was established by the United Nations in 1999 following the adoption of the World Programme of Action for Youth in 1995. It aims to celebrate the contributions of young people to society, raise awareness about the challenges they face, and galvanize action in response.
The 2025 global theme, “Local youth actions for the SDGs and beyond”, underscores the pivotal role of young people in building peaceful, inclusive and sustainable societies.
In Botswana, the commemoration, hosted by the Botswana National Youth Council in collaboration with SRHR Africa Trust and UNFPA Botswana, brought together young leaders advancing diverse Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). From SDG 3 on health and wellbeing, to SDG 4 on quality education, SDG 9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure, and SDG 13 on climate action, the event showcased the breadth of youth-led initiatives shaping the country’s future.
During a panel discussion with youth leaders, Tshepiso Masilonyane, Programme Manager of the Botswana Climate Change Network, challenged the audience: “Where do you see yourself in 50 years? Perhaps you see yourself retiring comfortably. But the truth is, climate change is a crisis that will only worsen in a few years. Young people should start acting now.” His words highlighted the urgency of youth-led solutions to address both immediate and long-term challenges.
Speaking on behalf of UNFPA Botswana, Ms. Kagiso Molatlhwa, Programme Specialist – Youth and Gender, reminded the audience: “Youth remain at the centre of everything we do. This year’s theme recognizes that young people are not just beneficiaries but are agents. Youth Day is a call to action to reflect, share ideas and amplify your voices.”
Millicent Sethaile, Board Chair of the Botswana National Youth Council, further inspired the gathering: “We gather here not just to celebrate but to remind ourselves of the great power that lives in the hearts of Batswana. It is built by young people who refuse to take the backseat. Their drive shows that solutions for global challenges can start right here in Botswana.”
Hon. Lesego Chombo, Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs noted that this year's theme resonates well with Governments efforts to accord young people the space to meaningfully engage with policy makers, youth leaders, development actors and community champions on critical matters that concern their role in development."
Minister Chombo further reiterated that youth are closer to their communities and are uniquely positioned to create inclusive policy environments, influence resource allocation, and establish mechanisms for broader youth participation in local planning and decision making.
"Leadership is not just about holding the title of Minister. It is about championing change in your own space, being a leader in your community. No matter how bold our declarations are in Geneva, they mean very little if they are not felt in villages like Shorobe. While drafting the National Youth Policy, I kept asking how many young people were in the room because I wanted to ensure that every time I represented, your voices and your realities.” Hon. Lesego Chombo, Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs.
The significance of this day is reinforced by Botswana’s demographic profile. “Young people are at the heart of Botswana’s demographic profile, representing a major opportunity for accelerated development if investments in their health, education, and skills are well-aligned,” notes the Youth Health and Wellbeing in Botswana: An Analytical Report Based on the 2022 Census and Supplementary Data Sources (UNFPA Botswana, Statistics Botswana). The report draws on WHO findings which highlight adolescence and youth as a formative period for lifelong health behaviors, identity and social wellbeing.
Youth health is central to sustainable development. As the report explains, good health enables young people to remain in school, secure decent work, avoid risky behaviors and make informed life decisions. Poor health outcomes, including early pregnancy, untreated mental health challenges and sexually transmitted infections, can undermine personal potential and hinder national development goals.
In Botswana, the Revised National Youth Policy (2010) defines youth as persons aged 10 to 35 years. This reflects the extended educational, economic and social transitions young people often experience. The policy aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which recognizes youth as vital agents of change. SDGs particularly relevant to youth include SDG 3 on health, SDG 4 on education, SDG 5 on gender equality, SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, and SDG 10 on reducing inequalities.
One key message from the commemoration was the call for stronger youth collaboration, with a particular emphasis on SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals. This goal is about strengthening partnerships between governments, the private sector, civil society and communities to achieve all the SDGs. For young people, this can mean resource mobilization through youth networks, access to funding, mentorship, technology transfer, and training opportunities from NGOs, international agencies and businesses.
International Youth Day is more than a date on the calendar. It is a call to action for all young people in Botswana to unite, collaborate and lead. By working together across communities, disciplines and sectors, youth can turn their ideas into lasting solutions – proving that no dream is too small, no youth too rural, to make a global impact.
“Big dreams exist in little bodies too, and remember their name.” Mumsy Themba, contemporary Motswana poet.
