.png)
The SDSN Youth and PASS are proud to release the latest agenda for our Vatican Youth Symposium event, April 3rd-4th, at the Casina Pio IV, Vatican City.
Thursday, April 3rd, 2025
Session I - Opening Session
The adoption of the Declaration of Future Generations and the Pact of the Future during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September 2024 exposed a clear message: youth are key actors for a sustainable future. For the opening session of the 2025 Vatican Youth Symposium, this commitment to youth empowerment and intergenerational justice will set the tone, emphasizing the need to provide leaders of all ages with the necessary skills and knowledge to achieve a sustainable planet for the post-2030 world for the current and future generations.
Session II - Educating with Impact: Skills and Knowledge for Sustainable Development
As education continues to be a core pillar of sustainability, millions of students across the globe start to embrace new education methodologies and curricula, the ones that will serve to develop the necessary skills and knowledge for sustainable development. From global citizenship to green skills and collaboration, this session presents strong case studies of educating with impact, showcasing how Education for Sustainable Development can empower learners to make a tangible difference in their communities and beyond.
Session III - Smart, Green, and Inclusive: Sustainable Cities and Communities
In the face of the climate crisis challenges in cities and other communities, citizens of the world are increasingly recognizing the value of smart, green, and inclusive spaces. By fostering a sense of shared responsibility and the integration of local knowledge and expertise, communities can cultivate a more sustainable and resilient future. For this session, speakers will address holistic solutions that leverage community engagement to create inclusive and sustainable Communities.
Session IV - Laudato Si: Promoting Human Rights Through Care for Our Common Home
The rise of geopolitical conflicts and increasing social inequalities have amplified the urgency for a collective commitment to human rights and social justice. In this context, this session discusses the need for mutual respect and understanding and the collective commitment to human rights.
Session V - Navigating the Climate Crisis: Aligning Goals for a Green Planet
In an era where the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, are more pressing than ever, aligning our goals for a sustainable and resilient planet has become imperative. Speakers of this session will address solutions to navigate the climate crisis, including the best practices for harmonizing strategies among stakeholders, the need to dismantle misinformation, and importance of prioritizing science in decision-making processes.
Friday, April 4th, 2025
Session VI -– The arts and craft of innovation with Generali (closed session, only for in-person participants)
Join us for an engaging 3-hour session where we delve into the fascinating world of innovation methodologies. This session will provide an introduction to the arts and craft of innovation, exploring various techniques and strategies that drive creative thinking and problem-solving. Participants will gain valuable insights into the principles of innovation, learn the tools of Design Thinking, and discover how to apply these concepts to real-world scenarios. This session promises to equip you with the tools and knowledge needed to foster innovation everywhere, anytime. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your skills and ignite your creative potential!
Session VII - Scaling Up: Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Change
In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing world, entrepreneurship stands as a beacon of innovation and resilience. This session will discuss the role of entrepreneurship and innovation for sustainable development. Key topics will include youth-led innovation, the future of work in a post-pandemic society, sustainable business practices, and the role of technology in advancing sustainable development globally.
Session VIII - Youth Voices, Global Choices: Shaping the World Beyond 2030
As we approach the critical milestone of 2030, imagining the world in the post-2030 era involves envisioning how current trends, innovations, and challenges might shape our societies, economies, and environments. This session will discuss how young people in major organizations and through diverse backgrounds envision this new world and their solutions on the potential end of the 2030 Agenda framework.
Session IX - Closing Session
Speakers will come together to summarize the main takeaways of each session and discuss the synergies between each of the thematic areas. Participants will be asked to share on their experiences from the day and explain how they will adapt the lessons from this symposium into their respective projects and solutions.
For any inquiries about the Vatican Youth Symposium, please reach out to youth@unsdsn.org