World Bank Group Youth Summit 2023 | From the Ground Up: Local Solutions to Drive Global Impact

(All times are in U.S eastern time.)

7:50-7:55     Opening ceremony | WATCH THE REPLAY!

Welcome and run down of the activities by the Master of Ceremony.

•    Alice Vandenberghe, YS23 Steering Committee Co-Communications Lead
•    Marco Fayet, YS23 Master of Ceremony

7:55-8:05     Introduction of the 2023 Youth Summit Theme by the Manager | WATCH THE REPLAY!

•    O'Neall Massamba, YS23 Steering Committee Manager

8:05-8:15     Opening remarks by Keynote Speaker | WATCH THE REPLAY!

•    David Malpass, President, World Bank Group

8:15-9:00    Roundtable – Celebrating 10 years of the WBG Youth Summit: Bringing youth-led local solutions to the global stage | WATCH THE REPLAY!

For 10 years, the WBG Youth Summit has brought together young people from all over the world to exchange ideas, explore innovative solutions, and learn from each other's experiences. This session celebrates this milestone with a conversation among former Youth Summit Managers and Pitch Competition Finalists, as well as senior WBG leaders. This dynamic roundtable discussion will highlight the importance of youth-led local solutions with a global impact and showcase the support provided by the WBG to young innovators through community-driven development projects and the WBG Youth Summit. 

•    Mamta Murthi, Acting Managing Director of Development Policy and Partnerships
•    Ousmane Diagana, Vice President of the World Bank for West and Central Africa
•    O'Neall Massamba, Moderator, YS23 Steering Committee Manager
•    Hope Ndhlovu, Founder and CEO of TUVERL
•    Kilian Koffi, MBA Candidate, Columbia University
•    Zenna Law, Co-founder and CEO of Pinkcollar

9:00-10:00    Plenary Session 1 – Setting the Community Agenda: How Local Development Strategies Have a Global Impact | WATCH THE REPLAY!

A deep dive into the theme of this year’s Summit, this session will highlight how local development solutions can sustainably eliminate poverty and reduce income inequality on a global scale. In alignment with the World Bank Group's community-driven development approach, the Summit will use the lens of local voices, experiences, and solutions to discuss three critical development challenges: (1) fragility, conflict and violence (FCV), (2) climate and energy; and (3) jobs and skills. This plenary conversation is an opportunity to discuss community-driven development projects with young innovators, a WBG representative, and a representative from the private sector.

•    Sofyan Yusufi, Deloitte Principal - Risk and Financial Advisory Leader for International Development Organizations Practice
•    Patrick Barron, World Bank’s Global Lead for Social Cohesion and Resilience 
•    Sera Bulbul, Research and Advocacy Associate for the Hunger Project & the Movement for Community-led Development
•    Julie Ryan, Moderator, Risk Communications Officer 
•    Menno Pradhan, Professor of Economics at the University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
•    Sara Boughedir, Program Officer on Forced Displacement, Center for Mediterranean Integration

10:10-11:05    Activity 1 for Online Delegates – Youth, Jobs, and Conflict: Navigating Complex Delivery Systems | WATCH THE REPLAY!

Fragility, conflict and violence are not static or linear – nor are development solutions. WBG research consistently shows that locally led development solutions are the most effective to reach remote or insecure areas in FCV locations. Local solutions through community-driven development are highlighted in the World Bank’s FCV strategy as one of six areas for special emphasis. This session will focus on insights, lessons learned, and best practices for strengthening delivery systems and strategies for youth employment and education. 

•    Heela Yoon, Founder of Afghan Youth Ambassadors for Peace Organization
•    Ivanna Khrapko, Chairman of the Youth Council of the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine 
•    Lucky Omaar, Project Manager, Women, Peace and Security Project
•    Noris Moreno, CEO of Más Resilientes
•    Sylvie Umwere, Moderator, Admin & Client Support of the World Bank

11:10-11:40    Fireside Chat 1 – Breaking the Cycle: Grassroots Solutions to Gender-Based Violence | WATCH THE REPLAY!

Gender-based violence affects one in three women worldwide according to the WBG. This somber and dark problem devastates potentially every aspect of a survivor’s life including health, education, and financial security. This fireside chat between two well-regarded experts will discuss innovative ideas and best practices at the local level, as well as obstacles that need to be overcome to end gender-based violence.

•    Maria Gonzalez de Asis, Practice Manager, World Bank Social Sustainability and Inclusion Unit
•    Raaga Akkineni, Moderator, 2023 Pitch Competition Co-Lead
•    Hanna Lemma, Founder and Director, Addis Powerhouse
•    Iryna Pavlyk, GBV specialist from UN Women Country Office, Ukraine

11:40-12:30    Plenary Session 2 – Rising Seas, Rising Tensions: The Intersection of Fragility and Climate Change | WATCH THE REPLAY!

This plenary session will present the intersectional challenges of climate change and areas affected by FCV. Climate change can exacerbate FCV situations by leading to droughts, floods, and food insecurity. Environmental shocks such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions have devastating effects on local communities already affected by instability and violence. The WBG predicts that climate change could force 216 million people across six world regions to move within their countries by 2050. Additionally, access to food is becoming increasingly unreliable because of both FCV supply shocks and extreme weather events driven by climate change. To deliver durable development outcomes that ensure peace, stability and security, it is vital to act decisively to address both FCV and climate change. Local solutions may provide the most effective and long-lasting strategies. 

•    Louise Cord, Global Director for Social Sustainability and Inclusion, World Bank
•    Srujani Shrawne, Moderator, Pitch Competition Co-Lead for the 2023 World Bank Group Youth Summit   
•    Amina Bintaleb, YOUNGA Youth Delegate 2021 for the UN General Assembly
•    Binta Bajaha, Special Assistant to Emergency Director at World Food Program
•    Jevanic Henry, Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Fellow
•    Opira Bosco Okot, Founder of the Leads and Climate Change Activist 

15:05-16:35    Activity 2 for Online Delegates – Green Jobs, Golden Experience: Youth and the Green Transition | WATCH THE REPLAY!

Green jobs are decent jobs to preserve or restore the environment. Promoting green jobs can be a powerful tool to address many global issues such as rural poverty, unemployment, climate change, and food insecurity. The transition to green jobs is projected to generate over 24 million full time jobs by 2050. Green jobs, in addition to providing innovative solutions to climate change and preventing environmental degradation, can help solve the rural youth unemployment crisis. Green jobs can also strengthen energy security and solidify energy sources in rural areas. Let’s explore how youth are already creating, promoting, and taking green jobs around the world.

•    Elizabeth Ruppert Bulmer, Lead Economist in the Jobs Group at the World Bank
•    Gibson Kawago, Founder and Chief Technical Officer of WAGA
•    Hanyuan Karen Wang, Founding Member of Carbonbase
•    Yurshell Rodriguez, Environmental Engineer
•    Vicky Aridi, Moderator, Program Manager for YEO 2030 Initiative & Advisor for Green Jobs for Youth Pact