Today, we commemorate International Youth Day on which we highlight the importance of youth participation in our work. This year’s theme is “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development”. As shared by the United Nations “Digitalisation is transforming our world, offering unprecedented opportunities to accelerate sustainable development”. Digitalisation is important to take with us in our work with youth and in prevention, treatment, and recovery. Digital connectivity provides opportunities for youth to gain insights into substances, including their risks. Yet, it also contributes to the normalisation of drug use among youth and can become a platform for the black market. Youth are often targeted by the latter with targeted advertisements leading to the need to have to decide consciously daily to refrain from substances.

In light of this year’s theme and the defined challenges by our youth presented at the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna, in March 2024, we want to invite you to partake in our first webinar within the framework of our Virtual World Forum “Global Challenges – Local Solutions”*. The webinar titled “Youth Engagement in a Digitalising World” will be held on September 17th at 14.00 CEST. The webinar will highlight our members’ work with youth and for youth.

We open the call for abstracts for our members today! Submit your abstract (max 300 words) related to the theme for a presentation of 10 minutes to us by August 25!

*Our 9th World Forum will be held virtually as a webinar series on “Global Challenges – Local Solution”. During the World Forum, we want to highlight the work and best practices of our members. Globally, we face similar challenges, yet we have to develop evidence-based local solutions to ensure that we strengthen prevention, create access to treatment, and promote recovery in our communities. Culturally sensitised research is often lacking. Hence, it is of utmost importance to provide a platform for our members to share their experiences and solutions. Every month, 1 webinar is held on the following topics: Youth Engagement, Treatment, Gender-Based Violence and Recovery, and Regional Developments.