The Global Town Hall serves as a platform for high-level discussions and debates regarding the world's pressing issues, bringing together esteemed thinkers from around the globe. Its mission is to offer global citizens a variety of perspectives and solutions to address critical challenges facing humanity.

Since its inception in 2020, the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI) has spearheaded this international consortium, comprising prestigious think tanks, academic institutions, civil society, and non-governmental organizations. This collaborative initiative includes over 150 partners from across the world. As of 2022, the Global Town Hall has been organized by FPCI in partnership with Global Citizen.

To date, the Global Town Hall has engaged more than 30,000 participants from over 140 countries. The virtual conference has featured keynote addresses from prominent figures such as the President of the European Commission, Foreign Ministers from nations including Indonesia, Australia, China, the European Union, the UAE, France, South Africa, India, and Russia, along with leaders from various international organizations.

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The FPCI Global Town Hall 2024

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The Global Town Hall 2024, organized by FPCI successfully brought together a diverse group of experts to discuss the UN Summit of the Future with notable figures such as Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs, a prominent advocate for sustainable development, and Abby Finkenauer, the US Special Envoy for Global Youth Issues. Their expertise was complemented by contributions from other distinguished speakers who represent various organizations focused on youth engagement and sustainable practices. This panel of knowledgeable individuals underscored the GTH's commitment to providing a comprehensive understanding of global issues and potential solutions.

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A significant focus of the Global Town Hall (GTH) was on youth involvement in shaping future policies. To enrich these discussions, Nardos Berehe, SDSN Youth's Project Lead of the Global Youth Networks joined the panel, contributing valuable insights into youth engagement strategies.

Similarly, Salma Ranggita Cahyariyani the Network Coordinator for SDSN Youth Indonesia and volunteers of the Network provided their inputs on the importance of promoting “Actions and Solutions for a Messy World," by being one of the key speakers featured in the video series throughout the Conference. Salma and her team were able to underscore the importance of global cooperation in addressing complex challenges and finding innovative solutions for the SDGs.

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The UN Summit of the Future: Whose Future and Who Shapes It?

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By bringing speakers and participants from every corner of the world, the Global Town Hall session delved into key themes, global expectations, and pressing questions related as part of the UN Summit of the Future, while also examining the UN's continued relevance in today's world despite the challenges and criticisms it faces. Additionally, the session focused on how the global south can contribute to shaping the future agenda and promote reforms aimed at establishing a more equitable international system.

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Youth as a key stakeholder at the Summit of the Future

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At the Global Town Hall, youth were said to emerge as vital stakeholders, embodying the energy, creativity, and innovative spirit necessary for driving transformative change. It was emphasized that their active participation is crucial, not only as representatives of their generation but also as agents of action capable of tackling global challenges. The discussion focused on the importance of engaging young leaders in meaningful dialogue and decision-making processes, harnessing their insights and solutions to ensure a more inclusive and sustainable future. Recognizing youth as key stakeholders empowers them to shape policies that directly impact their lives and communities, ultimately paving the way for a more equitable world.

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SDSN Youth in engaging youth meaningfully

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Nardos Berehe, Networks Project Lead at SDSN Youth,  shared how SDSN Youth aims to empower young people globally to create sustainable solutions and play a pivotal role in achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDSN Youth focuses on amplifying youth voices and fostering a community of like-minded individuals committed to sustainable development.

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Nardos emphasized that young people are crucial to addressing global challenges and highlighted the initiatives under the organization to provide tools, expertise, and resources necessary for their success. Key strategies include outreach to raise awareness about the importance of youth involvement in decision-making, capacity building through training and resources, and advocating for the inclusion of youth perspectives in global discussions.

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As part of the Summit of the Future, SDSN Youth will actively engage in advocating for meaningful youth participation. The organization aims to ensure that young people are not only represented but also influential in shaping policies and decisions that affect their futures.

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This is not the end!

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By fostering partnerships and increasing global youth participation, SDSN Youth strives to continue to empower the next generation as essential stakeholders in creating a sustainable future for all.

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