GYLDC and ITU Launch ITU Youth Digital Hubs to Build a Global Network for Youth Digital Empowerment
The Global Youth Leadership Development Council (GYLDC) is pleased to announce the launch of the ITU Youth Digital Hubs, a new global initiative developed in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), with support from the Global SDGs and Leadership Development Center (GSLDC).
The initiative was launched during the World Telecommunication/Information and Communication Technology Policy Forum 2026 (WTPF-26) in Nassau, The Bahamas, taking place from 2-4 September under the theme “Accelerating an inclusive, sustainable, resilient, and innovative digital future.”
Building a global network for youth digital empowerment
The ITU Youth Digital Hubs will establish a growing network of youth-led community spaces, beginning with universities and academic institutions around the world. The hubs are designed to provide young people with practical access to digital resources, learning opportunities, skills development, peer networks and platforms through which they can actively contribute to the future of technology and digital development.
At the heart of the initiative is a shared commitment to move youth participation beyond consultation and towards meaningful action. Through the hubs, young people will be able to participate in educational programmes, youth-led sessions, community projects, networking opportunities, global challenges and engagement with ITU, GYLDC, and GSLDC initiatives. The programme also creates pathways for young innovators to develop and showcase digital solutions addressing challenges in their communities and contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals.
As a collaborating partner, GYLDC is contributing to the implementation and development of the initiative, including participation in its Steering Committee and the implementation of various programmes through the ITU Youth Digital Hubs. GYLDC’s involvement reflects its broader mission to equip young people with the skills, networks and opportunities needed to lead in areas including digital development, innovation and sustainability.
“We encourage young people around the world to participate in GYLDC programmes through the ITU Youth Digital Hubs, including Global AI Competency Assessment (GAICA), and challenges including Odyssey Global Challenge, the MakerVerse and AIGC for the Future, alongside opportunities connected to ITU’s AI for Good. This initiative gives us a powerful platform to bring these programmes closer to students, enabling them to learn, create, collaborate and turn their ideas into solutions with real-world impact.”
– Dr. Tan Eng Han, Executive Director of Global Youth Leadership Development Council (GYLDC)
Supporting meaningful youth participation
The initiative is further supported by the Global SDGs and Leadership Development Center (GSLDC), bringing its experience in sustainable development, capacity building, digital economy governance, artificial intelligence and youth leadership to support the wider ecosystem around youth digital empowerment.
The launch at WTPF-26 marks the beginning of a longer-term effort to connect young people across institutions, countries and regions, while strengthening their ability to participate meaningfully in the rapidly evolving digital economy.
Together, ITU, GYLDC and supporting organization GSLDC aim to create more opportunities for young people not only to access the digital future, but to help shape it.