LocationsTurkmenistan’s Youth Lead the Way to Sustainable Development
December 30, 2024
Empowering the next generation for a healthier future! TurkmenYouth4SDGs session on World Health Day. 7 April 2024, UN Building, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
Within the dynamic atmosphere of the United Nations Building in Ashgabat, a transformative movement is quietly unfolding. Gathered are the future diplomats, scientists, innovators, and changemakers of Turkmenistan, united in their pursuit of a more sustainable, equitable world. This is TurkmenYouth4SDGs, a groundbreaking initiative that has transcended open talks with youth to become a movement of change, transforming not only the minds of its participants but the societal norms they carry back to their communities.
Launched in collaboration between UNDP Turkmenistan and the Institute of International Relations, this series of educational sessions has become a beacon of empowerment for the country’s youth. Throughout 2024, this initiative has sparked meaningful discussions on a range of important topics, including health, climate action, digital inclusion, and gender equality. These interactive sessions, featuring open discussions, quizzes, and question-and-answer sessions, have not only provided valuable information but also inspired young people to challenge long-standing stereotypes and envision a brighter, more inclusive future.
For Gulshat, a 20-year-old student, the journey has been nothing short of life-changing. “I used to think sustainability was just about protecting the environment,” she reflects. “Now I understand it’s about how we live, how we treat one another and our planet, and how we secure a better future for everyone. I’ve come to realize that, as a youth, I play an important role in making this happen.”
This understanding evolved through a series of interactive sessions that connected the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the specific challenges and potential for growth within Turkmenistan. The sessions exposed young people to international experiences and connected them to global knowledge, exploring diverse themes such as water resource management, energy efficiency, advancing gender equality, promoting digital inclusivity, and recognizing healthcare as a fundamental human right. The campaign empowered young people, enabling them to not only acquire knowledge but also take on leadership roles, inspiring them to actively contribute to building a more sustainable and equitable society.
Breaking Barriers, Redefining Roles
The impact of TurkmenYouth4SDGs goes beyond the event halls. Participants have become catalysts for change, carrying the principles of the SDGs into their homes, universities, and workplaces. They challenge outdated norms, advocate for equality, and inspire peers to act. The ripple effects are evident in shifting societal attitudes—toward gender roles, environmental responsibility, and digital inclusion. A lecture on SDG 5—gender equality—was particularly transformative for Begli, a third-year student. “Hearing about women leading climate research made me question the assumptions I'd always taken for granted. Now, I'm trying to make a difference, starting with my own family.”
In a society where tradition often defines opportunity, this initiative is fostering a new narrative. Youth are stepping into roles as decision-makers, community leaders, and global citizens, ready to dismantle barriers and drive Turkmenistan toward a brighter, more inclusive future.
Turkmen youth learn from UNDP North Macedonia's experience in accelerating SDG progress, October 2024, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
A Decade of Action: Looking Ahead
As the year concludes, TurkmenYouth4SDGs has proven to be more than an educational campaign—it’s a movement, awakening a generation to their power and responsibility. Young participants exemplify the program’s legacy: informed, inspired, and unstoppable in their pursuit of a sustainable Turkmenistan.
With youth leading the way, the country’s journey toward the 2030 Agenda is not only on track but accelerating, driven by the belief that each mindset changed brings us one step closer to a better world. This campaign, launched by UNDP in collaboration with national partners, is set to have a lasting impact, shaping the future of Turkmenistan for generations to come. Together, the youth of Turkmenistan are not just imagining the future—they’re actively creating it.
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