Trusting Young People: The Key to Sustainable Development
At the closing ceremony of the seventh and opening ceremony of the eighth internship programs of the Asian Mayors Forum, the Secretary-General of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO highlighted the role of young people in future governance, emphasizing that young human capital, with its motivation, creativity and abundant energy, is one of the main pillars of transformation in governance structures and the development of societies. At a time when generational change within the country’s management structures is inevitable, it is essential to prioritize trust in young people and entrust them with responsibility. |
The closing ceremony of the seventh internship program and the opening ceremony of the eighth internship program of the Asian Mayors Forum were held on Tuesday, 10 July 2025, at Bagh-e Ferdows in Tehran, in the presence of Dr. Hasan Fartousi, Secretary-General of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO. The event was held at the invitation of Dr. Hamidreza Gholamzadeh, Secretary-General of the Asian Mayors Forum, and provided an opportunity to emphasize the strategic role of young people in the sustainable development process.
At the event, Dr. Hasan Fartousi, Secretary-General of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO, outlined the approaches adopted by UNESCO and, accordingly, the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO to strengthening young people’s capacities. He emphasized the importance of nurturing future leaders with a global and sustainable outlook. He went on to state: “We must not allow an atmosphere of despair and distrust to overshadow young people’s hope and motivation. It is essential to provide a constructive and dynamic environment in which they can grow, learn and express their creativity. Continued use of the capacities of these human resources is an undeniable necessity on the path towards sustainable development.”
Dr. Fartousi also referred to the mandates of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO and introduced the fundamental concepts of sustainable development. He identified the links between education, social responsibility and youth empowerment as strategic priorities for the Commission.
In the opening session of the ceremony, Dr. Hamidreza Gholamzadeh, Secretary-General of the Asian Mayors Forum, outlined the objectives of the Forum’s internship programs and announced that interns would be entrusted with real responsibilities within a structured and creative program. He added that, through participation in specialized meetings, field visits and the use of tools such as strategy games, interns actively contribute to urban decision-making processes.
At the end of the ceremony, interns were presented with certificates of appreciation and commemorative gifts in recognition of their active participation in the seventh and eighth programs. The event concluded with a group photograph, but its central message; that trust in the younger generation is a cornerstone of transformation in the future of cities and societies, remained with those in attendance as a key principle of sustainable development.
