SDSN Youth and PASS Host Ninth Edition of the Vatican Youth Symposium
On April 3-4, 2025, the Sustainable Development Solutions Network Youth (SDSN Youth) and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences (PASS) gathered young leaders and experts from around the globe for the 2025 Vatican Youth Symposium (VYS) to ignite a dialogue and generate solutions for the most pressing challenges humanity currently faces. Now in its ninth year, the Symposium has developed into a leading global forum for young leaders in sustainable development and an intergenerational platform for building social movements.
This year’s theme, “Voices of Change: Sparking Hope with Sustainable Solutions,” was a clarion call to action, urging participants to contribute to a future that is more inclusive, environmentally sustainable, and socially just. The Symposium also prompted participants to consider how youth can envision and create a form of progress that, in the words of Pope Francis, is “healthier, more human, more social, and more integral.”
The event featured keynote speakers from diverse sectors, including policymakers, academics, industry representatives, students, and youth activists. Seventy-two participants participated, representing 38 countries, including 22 delegates from the Global South, 45 between the ages of 18 and 35, and more than half were women. Across the sessions, panelists reflected on the roles of education, urban development, sustainable entrepreneurship, youth leadership, and industry in shaping — and reimagining — sustainable development. They also emphasized the power of youth participation in climate action. Together, they explored a range of topics, including education, climate solutions, entrepreneurship, and community-driven development.
Day 1: Education, Human Rights, Sustainable Cities, and Climate Action
We kicked off the VYS with an Opening Session emphasizing the central role of youth in creating a sustainable future. With the adoption of the Declaration of Future Generations and the Pact of the Future at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2024, the Symposium honed the message that young people are key drivers of change. Key figures, including Cardinal Peter K.A. Turkson, Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, and Professor Jeffrey Sachs, President of SDSN, emphasized the urgent need to equip both current and future leaders with the tools required to build a post-2030 world.
Our first thematic session, “Educating with Impact: Skills and Knowledge for Sustainable Development,” moderated by Kayla Colyard, welcomed a wide array of global experts, including such as Monika Froehler, CEO of the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens; Ilan Enverga, Founder and Executive Director at the Global Changemaker Schools; Stacy Nyathi, Communications Project Lead at the Global Schools Program; and Sinead Bovell, Founder & CEO of WAYE. Together, they highlighted how new educational methodologies, including the teaching of green skills and global citizenship, can empower young people to become agents of change in their communities.
This rich discussion was followed by the “Smart, Green, and Inclusive: Sustainable Cities and Communities” session, moderated by Bessy Thuranira, which highlighted the present-day urban challenges and urged communities worldwide to embrace sustainable city planning. By integrating local knowledge and engaging citizens in climate action, this session illustrated how urban spaces could be transformed into resilient, sustainable environments. Experts like Martin Powell, Group Sustainability Director at AXA; Prof HY William Chan Emeritus Councillor, City of Sydney and Associate Professor, University of Technology Sydney; Amer Qawasmi, Project Officer at the Local Pathways Fellowship; and Daniela Rizzi, Senior Expert at ICLEI Europe, shared valuable insights into how cities can foster inclusivity and sustainability.
Another critical session, “Laudato Si: Promoting Human Rights Through Care for Our Common Home,” moderated by Tara Everton, explored the intersection of environmental action and social justice. The rise of geopolitical conflicts and social inequality has made the need for human rights more urgent. Speakers like Valentina Muñoz Rabanal, Emeritus SDG Advocate at the United Nations; Ruby Haji Naif, Peace and Security Focal Point at UNCCD Youth Caucus; Sienna Nordquist; and Gala Ivković, Board Member at the Rondine International Peace Lab urged for collective responsibility and respect for human dignity in the face of ecological degradation.
The final session of the day, “Navigating the Climate Crisis: Aligning Goals for a Green Planet,” moderated by Antonio Diaz Aranda, brought climate change into sharp focus, stressing the need for science-based solutions, stakeholder collaboration, and the dismantling of misinformation. Experts like Karen Hanyuan Wang, Founder, Climind; Livia Chaves Marcolin, Business Development Analyst, WayCarbon; Alejandra Quiguantar, Member of the Youth Advisory Committee, Science Panel for the Amazon; and Xan Northcott, Project Manager, COP28 Youth Climate Champion Team, discussed the urgent need for global cooperation to combat the climate crisis and preserve biodiversity.
Day 2: Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Youth-led Solutions
On the second day of the Symposium, the focus shifted to innovation and entrepreneurship as catalysts for sustainable development. In “The Arts and Crafts of Innovation with Generali” workshop, participants were introduced to creative problem-solving methodologies, including Design Thinking, to foster innovation. This hands-on session, led by Danilo Raponi, Group Head of Innovation at Generali; Alice Repetti, Innovation Lead, HITS - House of Insurtech (Generali Corp-up studio), and Samyr Mezzour, Chief Venturing Officer at House of Intertech (Generali Corp-up studio), aimed to equip participants with the tools needed to turn ideas into tangible solutions.
The workshop was followed by the panel “Scaling Up: Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Change,” moderated by Nardos Berehe, which delved into how entrepreneurship is not only a driving force for economic growth but also for sustainable change. Speakers such as Yvette Tetteh, Co-founder of Pure and Just Company Limited; Patrizia Braga, Head of Ecological Innovation Area at Melting Pro; Laura Bandeira de Mello, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio); Risuna Malukeke, CEO at the Young African Entrepreneurs Institute NPC; and Deqa Abukar, Founder of BLING, shared how youth-led ventures are leading the charge in creating sustainable solutions. Discussions also touched on the future of work and the role of technology in advancing the SDGs.
As the symposium came to a close, the final session, “Youth Voices, Global Choices: Shaping the World Beyond 2030,” moderated by Raquel Armendariz, prompted young participants to reflect on their vision for the future. This session highlighted how the post-2030 world might unfold, emphasizing the role of young leaders in driving global change. Key figures, including Nisaa Jetha, Founder of Impact for SDGs, and Dr. Sameh Kamel, International Organizing Partner of the UN Major Group for Children and Youth; Chelsea Toler, President at the Private Family Foundation; and Gaia Guadagnini, Young Ambassadors Society & 2024 G7 Youth for the Energy and Environment, provided inspiring perspectives on how young people can shape global policies and frameworks in the years ahead.
A Call to Action
The Symposium concluded with a Closing Session that reflected on key takeaways and underscored the importance of continued collaboration to address the challenges of climate change, inequality, and sustainable development.
The event highlighted the powerful synergy between youth-led initiatives and institutional support in driving meaningful, lasting change. Participants were encouraged to carry the insights and lessons from the symposium into their respective projects and communities.
With youth at the forefront of these discussions, the VYS continues to serve as a global platform for young leaders to come together, exchange ideas, and build movements for a sustainable future. As we look ahead to 2030 and beyond, the voices of young people will undoubtedly remain pivotal in guiding the world toward a more sustainable and just tomorrow.
At SDSN Youth, we are committed to maintaining this momentum through ongoing dialogue and action on sustainable development. As a next step, the SDSN Youth will launch a set of recommendations that will summarize the main insights shared during the event and present these at upcoming events and initiatives.
The Vatican Youth Symposium wouldn’t be possible without the generosity and support of Dr. Betsee Parker. SDSN Youth and PASS are grateful to those who contributed to the event and to those who joined us in person.
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