While I watched the thick clouds in the sky, thinking about the brilliant minds in the world of data that I was about to meet, a sense of weightlessness washed over me. It was November of last year. I had been proudly selected as a young representative to attend the UN World Data Forum on behalf of the Commitment to Data Governance Fit for Children, an initiative spearheaded by UNICEF’s Chief Data Office.

I met my fellow representatives in person for the first time during our layover at Bogotá Airport en route to Medellín, Colombia. I was amazed at the variety of our group, with members ranging in age from 9 to 24 years old. With great excitement, we greeted each other and immediately bonded over our shared mission – children, adolescents, and youth coming together to work towards a data landscape that is truly safe for us.

(Youth representatives from the Alberto Merani Institute presenting their ArcGIS-based project on educational equity in Colombia at the World Data Forum.)

A first taste of the UN World Data Forum: fun and fast

It was really exciting to be able to connect with peers from around the world, learn about their lives, and share our ambitions. We connected instantly, but I also realized that our conversations couldn’t be too technical. With such a wide range of backgrounds, we needed to communicate in a way that was more accessible and practical for everyone.

I was soon impressed by my fellows’ knowledge and skills in the field of technology and data governance. A standout example was a group of students from the Alberto Merani Institute, who developed an award-winning project analyzing educational coverage in Colombia using geographic data and generously shared their findings with us. This demonstrated that, if given the right platform, youth-led initiatives have huge potential to contribute to real-world solutions.

It was just past noon, but I already felt that the pace of this forum was exhilarating. I had just attended COP16 Colombia, an international conference on biological diversity. My body was exhausted after 15 intense days of youth engagement and advocacy, but I didn't want to give up.

If we, the young people, manage to open the door, we must go through it. 

With this determination, I participated the first gathering convened by UNICEF along with my fellows. We quickly delved into the history of the World Data Forum and understood why the involvement of children and youth was so important in this space. We then engaged in a series of discussions that prepared us for the upcoming formal sessions. We aligned our schedules and reviewed our presentations and interview questions for senior policymakers one last time. Looking at the young faces around me, I knew I was ready.

(Interviewing Dr. Ola Awad Shakhshir, Director of PCBS, on data and the lives of children in Palestine.)

Dialogue with global policymakers: a mixed feeling

The most important experience of my UN World Data Forum journey began the next day. I was fortunate to meet Ola Awad Shakhshir, the Director of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), and pose questions on behalf of young people, in a series of interviews organized by UNICEF.

Prior to my turn, I observed my peers engaging with senior policymakers like the OECD Chief Statistician. Their discussions were truly eye-opening for me, demonstrating how complex data concepts can be translated into accessible and simple forms for non-experts, such as children. And finally, it was my turn. I felt a mix of nerves and excitement. Conducting my first interview in English added an extra layer of challenge. But I was determined to speak up for my people.

I started in English, asking how data is being used to protect children in Palestine, where such initiatives are critically needed. Without hesitation, Dr. Ola Awad answered me in a soft but firm voice. I had the feeling that she knew the programs on the ground like the back of her hand. Struggling to follow some of her references, I switched to Spanish—my mother tongue—and asked the interpreter for help. Dr. Ola Awad noticed my situation and slowed down, which largely soothed my nerves and encouraged me to resume the interview in English. 

My final question was about how the Palestinian government uses child statistics to expand educational and health opportunities. It was great to learn that data is genuinely making a difference in a place where many young people like me need support. And I believe some of these practices can be scaled and applied in other policy contexts, for example, in Colombia.

(Young people worldwide gathering together to shape the declaration.)

Youth Manifesto: unity is strength

The following day, we experienced perhaps one of the most important moments of the entire forum. Youth representatives, policymakers, and data experts from various countries came together to explore ways to foster unity and cooperation in the field of data..

After a long day of engagement, my fellow representatives and I finally had the opportunity to gather in the same space, sit down, and reflect, as we prepared a declaration that captured some of the most urgent concerns we had. The debate quickly became heated, as we each tended to have different agendas. Meanwhile, due to logistical issues, we were asked to move to a new space, adding to the initial chaos. 

However, we quickly reconnected and found common ground. People with similar concerns were then divided into smaller groups for more focused discussions. At one point, we lost access to the interpretation service provided by UNICEF’s Colombia Office, but we still managed to communicate all the complex ideas. 

In just two hours, we agreed on some key points for this declaration. The drafted document obviously didn’t capture all local perspectives, but it was already a great achievement considering the short span of time. Seeing this dynamic at that moment, I felt so proud of how children and youth were cooperating together. 

Coincidentally, right in the middle of this whirlwind, my university teacher called me, demanding that I take a virtual exam and answer the questions via phone call. The situation put a lot of pressure on me, but it solidified my belief that young people must learn to juggle multiple responsibilities while actively claiming their voices.

(Meeting with other young leaders from Colombia.)

A vision for the future: giving youth a place in the world of data

At the UN World Data Forum, more than 18 child and youth leaders co-created a joint declaration and set an example for deliberative participation, in the hope of promoting a more representative and inclusive decision-making space globally. This very declaration was officially released at a high-level meeting that discussed data governance with global delegates the following day. It was an unforgettable moment that undoubtedly planted the seeds of youth influence. 

A few months later, invited by the UN Secretary-General's Data Strategy Office to attend a webinar, I had the opportunity to reconvene with peers and UNICEF colleagues involved in the forum. I was glad to learn that, even as time went by, the interests in young people’s perspectives on data governance never faded away. We talked about what we had accomplished at the forum and what we could do better next time. While our declaration hasn't yet sparked major policy changes, it undeniably laid the groundwork for future youth influence. 

As a young advocate, I always seek to widen the door for youth participation. I seize every opportunity I have to amplify the concerns of my generation, ensuring that our voices can be heard, respected, and taken into account. After all, the future of data belongs not only to governments and big companies but also to every young innovator. 

We young people must go through that door–and all the more powerful when we do it together.

(Note: The lead photo was taken after the closed-door High-level Group for Partnership, Coordination and Capacity-Building for statistics for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development session, with global leaders including Stefan Schweinfest[second from left], Director of the UN Statistics Division, and Dr. Fahd Al-Dosari[far right], President of Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Statistics.)

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