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Ulaanbaatar Rocked by Youthquake; Future Declared Bright
July 17, 2019
It was two days of debates, workshops, comedy, multimedia, and music in the capital of Mongolia, as hundreds of young people descended on Ulaanbaatar in mid-June for the first-ever Youth Voices Summit.
As this rapidly urbanizing nation in the heart of Asia wrestles with political, economic, and social transformation, the growing population under 35 holds the key to Mongolia's future.
Billed as a meeting “for youths by youths,” the June 15–16 summit, organized by an advisory committee of young community leaders, brought together over 900 Mongolians, age 16–35, to discuss, debate, and celebrate their nation’s future.
The two-day event focused on five themes: entrepreneurship, political participation, sustainable development, citizen engagement, and good governance.
Sessions ranged from “The City As a Service,” a panel on issues and opportunities in urban planning and design, to “Waste to Wealth,” an interactive event focused on achieving a zero-waste society.
Participants were encouraged to bring recyclables and trade them for a reusable water bottle to use during the summit.
Popular drummer Duulal, who has appeared on "Mongolia's Got Talent," burned down the house with his ensemble of recycled instruments.
There were films, multimedia, musical performances, and a showcase for young Mongolian artists and entrepreneurs.
As Youth Voices came to an end, the Australian ambassador to Mongolia, David Vosen, offered some thoughtful words of support for the country's youth.
The takeaway? Respect one another, protect the environment, be informed, know your rights, and participate!
“Youth Voices” was supported by the Asia Foundation’s Mongolia office in cooperation with seven NGOs including the Caritas Czech Republic, International Republication Institute, Mitchell Foundation, Mercy Corps, World Learning and World Vision.
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