Creating a Hopeful Future: Summit of the Future Youth Action Day
On September 20, 2024, the United Nations Headquarters in New York hosted Action Day 1 of the Summit of the Future, which kicked off with a dedicated, youth-led afternoon, convened by the United Nations Youth Office in close collaboration with other UN entities including the UN SDG Action Campaign and relevant networks. The day’s theme was “#YouthLead for the Future: We believe in the promise of a better world for all”.
The day featured a series of engaging discussions, starting with an inspiring opening ceremony led by global leaders and youth advocates including the high-level dialogue with UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Creativity took center stage. In a world facing unprecedented challenges, creativity has emerged as a powerful tool for transformation. Art, in all its forms, allows us to reimagine our reality, giving voice to the unheard and fostering a deeper connection to our shared humanity. Creativity is not just a means of expression — it is a vital instrument for advocacy, action, and hope. Whether through visual art, music, or digital media, youth are harnessing the power of creativity to address global challenges and demand a more just, equitable, and sustainable future.
From the unveiling of the HOPE IN ACTION art exhibition to the live visual scribe capturing real-time High-Level Dialogue with the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, the Youth Action Day showcased the profound impact of art and youth-led advocacy. This fusion of creativity and action served as a powerful reminder that youth are not just imagining a better world — they are actively creating it.
HOPE IN ACTION: Unveiled
At the heart of the Opening Ceremony of the Youth Action Day was the unveiling of the HOPE IN ACTION art exhibition, curated by the UN SDG Action Campaign and HUG, with support from the UN Youth Office. This exhibition was a powerful testament to the ability of art to inspire hope and action. Featuring 25 selected pieces from over 1,500 global submissions, each artwork told a unique story of hope, resilience, and a call to act now for our shared future.
The HOPE IN ACTION exhibition harnesses the power of diverse creative mediums — performance art, digital art, photography, embroidery, and sculpture — to capture the hopes, dreams, and demands of people worldwide. The artwork addresses six thematic priorities: climate action, gender equality, peace, food security, youth empowerment, and digital transformation. These thematic focuses reflect the urgent issues facing our world today, and the creativity expressed through these pieces serves as both an inspiration and a call to action.
The exhibition that will be featured globally, including key UN high-level conferences and the UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony in Rome, invites everyone to ACT NOW and help shape a peaceful, just, and inclusive future for all.
High-Level Dialogue with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres: Visualizing Hope
A highlight of the event was the High-Level Dialogue with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, where young people engaged in open discussions about the Pact for the Future. This Dialogue provided a unique opportunity for youth to voice their concerns and ideas directly to global leadership, focusing on practical steps for advancing youth participation and global cooperation.
The UN SDG Action Campaign featured a live visual scribe who captured these key moments, including the High-Level Dialogue, translating the powerful exchange of ideas into vibrant visual representations. The scribe’s work visually documented the essence of the discussions, amplifying the messages of hope and action that resonated throughout the event. By connecting youth voices with creative expression, the visual scribe underscored the role of art as a catalyst for change and reinforced the importance of youth-led initiatives in shaping a future aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Creativity as a Catalyst for Change
As the day drew to a close, one message rang clear: creativity is not only a form of expression but a powerful tool for advocacy and transformation. The energy and passion of the youth-led discussions, the vibrant artwork of the HOPE IN ACTION exhibition, and the visual storytelling of the scribe all underscored the importance of engaging young voices in shaping our collective future. This day was a testament to the role of creativity in mobilizing action, breaking down barriers, and envisioning a world where justice, equality, and sustainability are within reach. By harnessing the power of art and advocacy, we take crucial steps toward building a hopeful, inclusive future for all.
