Through UNCTAD's Youth Network e-discussion tool, young people around the world can express their views on different aspects of e-Commerce, hereby meaningfully contributing to the conversation taking place during the UNCTAD E-Commerce Week 2017.
Youth alone represent over 1.5 billion of the world's population, the largest recorded in history. They play a key role in the implementation of the sustainable development goals and are part of the solution to create inclusive growth. There is therefore a need to change the landscape and empower them to take part in the decision-making process by making their voice heard.
UNCTAD will hold an e-discussion from 10 March to 2 April 2017, in which young men and women, aged between 18 and 30 may participate.
The virtual three-week conversation is organized in preparation for the UNCTAD E-Commerce Week, taking place from 24 to 28 April 2017, in Geneva.
UNCTAD encourages young people worldwide to share their views and define opportunities for action towards an enabling environment where they can benefit from and contribute to e-commerce and development in the digital economy.
The main topics driving the E-discussion are:
The challenges for Youth Employment in the Digital Economy
The availability of financial technology for youth-led start-ups and businesses
Access to supporting mechanisms that allow youth to benefit from e-commerce and drive economic and inclusive development
The challenges and opportunities of data management for e-commerce businesses
UNCTAD's E-Commerce Week, themed "Towards Inclusive E-Commerce", will gather leading representatives from governments, international organizations, financial institutions and the private sector to define concrete actions towards more inclusive e-commerce for sustainable development.
Youth will play an active role in the E-Commerce Week in April. A report containing the main outcomes of the E-discussion will be shared with all the participants of the Week, and a youth-led session entitled "Youth Employment in the Digital Economy" will be held on 24 April2017.
Youth are invited to follow and share updates on youth involvement during the E-Commerce Week on Facebook and Twitter @UNCTADYouth and use #ShapingTheWorldWeWant!