The World’s Youth Call for a Focus on Creativity

From December 13-17, 2019, the World Youth Forum was held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Under the auspices of His Excellency President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, over 7,000 young people participated in several days of sessions and discussions to elevate ten recommendations for the United Nations and governments around the world; these include one focused on creativity.

I had the pleasure of being invited to participate and share the world of Creative Generation, as well as my own personal work in the field of arts, education, and activism, representing the United States. Through the incredible investment of the Egyptian government the Forum facilitated the networking of under-30’s ‘where civilizations meet’ (as they say in the promotional materials for the Forum) on the Sinai peninsula. Filled with creatives, entrepreneurs, budding diplomats, and more, the young people came from over 180 nations and represented diverse perspectives on myriad topics, including the arts and creativity, artificial intelligence, blockchain, international affairs, peace, and food security.

The opening ceremony was a feast for the senses, with the pomp and circumstance of any major gathering of world leaders (especially with the Egyptian President, Jordanian Prince, and many other dignitaries in attendance). It included a special showcase from the World Youth Theatre, the Forum’s signature evening event featuring performances from young people and adults around the world, illustrating messages of inclusion, cooperation, and more. The song played throughout, with the chorus:

“We are the ones that create. We are the super power. This is our hour. We are the future ‘cuz we are the youth!”

On the concluding day of the Forum, all of the young people in attendance, gathered together for a session hosted by President Al-Sisi, who read out the ten recommendations (and the Egyptian government commitments in service to them. One of the items is focused squarely on creativity:

Recommendation 9: Launching a global initiative titled “Arts for Humanity.” “I want to issue a call for a new initiative focused on the arts in humanity. This will be a platform for young artists to create identities for their countries in an effort to increase cooperation and encourage institutions to call on creative innovators around the world to enable this process,” said President al-Sisi.

Further, he went on to outline how he plans to direct his government to host a platform calling on the world’s creative youth to submit documentaries telling the stories of creative social change in their communities and countries. 

This is, ultimately, no surprise after the focus on the arts in several sessions, including one titled, “The Arts in the Human Space.” With prominent speakers such as Nigerian singer and entrepreneur Banky Wellington, who gave meaningful advice to young creative leaders. He said: 

  1. Music can empower youth to take control of their lives 

  2. By investing in the arts, you’re creating a chain of employment

  3. Never stop learning; & as your learn, never stop teaching

  4. Leaders don’t just amass followers, they create more leaders

 Also on the panel was Ms. Iman Taalat, Chair of the Board, Voice of Youth, who was quoted as saying that she “…always connects arts, politics, and development, [since] The arts are a way for us to accept each other and pursuepeace.” 

Among the other panelists was Zambian filmmaker, Musola C Kaseketi:

“I eat, sleep, and breath art... I am a filmmaker for social change. As a filmmaker with a disability, it is important to tell our stories, to use the arts as a tool to communicate and discuss our issues.” 

What I found most powerful about the World Youth Forum was the gathering of young people from all different countries, pursuing change in diverse ways. Whether a Kazakh IT professional working on a startup idea or a pharmacist developing a platform to aid in pharmacy placements in the Middle East, virtually every young person I met had a connection to the arts and creativity. They celebrated the arts for helping them hone the skills they employ in their endeavors today and believe that the arts drive the social change we all desire.

I am increasingly curious to see what happens with these recommendations, and specifically, what happens with this new “Arts for Humanity” program. As it develops, I would welcome the platform with open arms, much like the embrace of the world’s youth at the 2019 World Youth Forum.