Celebrating International Youth Day 2026 with UNDP South Sudan
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to join fellow young people in Juba for the International Youth Day 2026 celebration, organized in partnership between UNDP South Sudan and the South Sudan Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The celebration brought together young people from different backgrounds to recognize the energy, creativity, culture, entrepreneurship, leadership, and potential of South Sudanese youth.
One of the highlights of the celebration was an interactive exhibition showcasing youth-led businesses and innovations, alongside a Career Clinic that connected young people with guidance, opportunities, and conversations around their professional growth.
I was also proud to participate as part of the UNDP Student Ambassadors, joining other young people who are contributing to positive change within their communities.
Innovation and the SDGs
A particularly meaningful part of the day for me was connecting the celebration with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
And, naturally, I found myself with SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.
As someone passionate about design, technology, digital innovation, and building solutions, SDG 9 strongly connects with the kind of future I believe young people can help create in South Sudan.
Our country has enormous potential, and young people have an important role to play in transforming that potential into practical solutions — by creating, experimenting, learning new skills, building businesses, developing technology, and strengthening the systems and communities around us.
More Than a Celebration
International Youth Day was more than an opportunity to gather and celebrate.
It was also a reminder that meaningful national development requires young people to have the space, skills, opportunities, and confidence to participate.
Whether through entrepreneurship, technology, creative industries, community initiatives, education, leadership, or innovation, young South Sudanese are already contributing to the country’s future.
I am grateful to have been part of the celebration and to share the experience with fellow young people committed to learning, creating, leading, and making an impact.
The future is not something young people simply wait for — we have a role in building it.