For the first time, through Teach the Future's advocacy, young voices weren't just present but were genuinely heard and valued at one of the world's premier foresight gatherings.
The Dubai Future Forum 2024 made history by including youth delegates, chosen for their demonstrated leadership in futures thinking and social impact. Each delegate brought a unique journey that earned them this groundbreaking opportunity. Our delegates include Sadiyah Saqib, Tia Aftab, Claire Bridgette, Vrishank Sai, Sofia Londoño, representing five countries and distinct cultures (also seen in this picture above is Lisa Giuliani, Amna Habiba and Lourdes Rodriguez TTF Coreteam members)
Sadiyah Saqib, a graduate of Jebel Ali School and aspiring Quantum Computer Scientist, first encountered the forum in 2023 through her school. Her passion for quantum physics and cybersecurity led her to present on "Encryption, Cybersecurity, and Quantum Cryptography" at World Futures Day 2024, where she explored how quantum key distribution could revolutionize data security, earning her a place in this year's youth delegation.
Tia Aftab, born and raised in Pakistan and now a sophomore at UC Berkeley studying Environmental Economics and Data Science, was chosen as a 2022 NGFP-YV Award winner for founding 'This Is Us', aiming to build confidence in girls from a young age. Her organization has launched several groundbreaking programs including DISCOVER Leadership Programs and 'Girls for Climate Justice,' and she has shared her insights at both World Futures Day (WFD) and the World Futures Study Federation Conference in Paris.
Claire Bridgette's Eduqette platform, supporting higher education access in Indonesia, earned her the 2023 NGFP-YV Award with special recognition for SDG 4. Bridging cultures between Japan and Indonesia, she has inspired a new wave of futures thinking in her home country, leading to a surge in NGFP-YV applications from Indonesian youth and organizing successful events that attracted over 70 students from various schools.
Vrishank Sai, Year 10 student from GEMS Modern Academy in Dubai and founding member of Teach the Future's Young Voices Council, was selected for his work bridging the digital divide through his initiative that has distributed over 12,000 books to remote Indian villages and earned him Next Generation Foresight Practitioners - Young Voices (NGFP-YV) Award recognition for SDG 16.
Sofia Londoño, at just 17 years old, was recognized with the NGFP-YV Award for SDG 15 for founding IMPAKTO Community, an international environmental action network. Her passionate advocacy for environmental and social change through World Futures Day and other global platforms demonstrates her commitment to guiding people toward positive action and empathy.
All united through Teach the Future's Young Voices Network, these young futurists brought their unique perspectives to the Forum's conversations about empowering generations and our collective future, marking the first time youth voices were not just present but genuinely heard in this prestigious gathering.
Vrishank Sai (UAE) - Digital Inclusion Advocate
It was an incredible three days representing Teach the Future as a Young Voices Council Member. The forum showcased world-class thought leadership in foresight and futurism, bringing together experts from across the globe under the theme "Empowering Generations."
The Foresight Games workshop demonstrated how Futures Thinking can be seamlessly woven into everyday life through engaging methods. A highlight was hosting my podcast, "Beyond Tomorrow – Navigating Frontiers," where I discussed Trauma-Transformative Foresight with Dr. Steven Lichty. We explored how unresolved trauma influences individuals' abilities to engage with Futures Thinking and the neurological underpinnings of memory in envisioning tihe future. The Youth-Led Unconference on the final day created dynamic discussions that encouraged participants to "vote with their feet."
Looking ahead, I'm excited to collaborate with fellow youth futurists to bring these ideas back to the Futures Club at GEMS Modern Academy. We'll be incorporating foresight games into our club activities and launching new initiatives on the Dubai Future Horizons Podcast platform. This experience has reinforced the importance of having a supportive futures thinking community as we continue our journey in this field.
Sadiyah Saqib (UAE) - STEM Pioneer
DFF 2024 felt like a full-circle moment, looking back at how my futures journey started. At DFF 2023, I was just attending talks with my school when I met Lisa, who saw we were the only youth faces at the event and encouraged us to explore beyond the forum. This led to my presentation at World Futures Day 2024 on Quantum Cryptography, and eventually, a spot with Teach the Future's youth cohort for this year's forum.
Upon arriving, I immediately felt I had found like-minded people discussing important future-related topics. Sara Sabry and Suaad Al Harthi's stories of fierce bravery and commitment as STEM women in the Middle East left me feeling inspired, especially as a woman of color myself. The SOIF "Build Your Own Commissioner" workshop connected me with futurists keen to discuss future-oriented policymaking, who valued my input despite my age.
The emphasis on creation rather than prediction has given me renewed motivation to pursue my passion for quantum computing and cybersecurity. The connections made during the "Prototypes for Humanity" tour with women pursuing PhDs in scientific fields have inspired me to keep pushing forward despite any challenges. I'm now more determined than ever to contribute to the future of quantum cryptography and encourage other young women in STEM.
Tia Aftab - Youth Leadership Advocate
From Day One, the forum provided invaluable insights into shaping a sustainable future. Antonio Mezzeo's vision for Tuscany 2050 sparked crucial questions about preserving cultural heritage within agricultural systems - a perspective that resonates deeply with my work in Pakistan. The oceans panel demonstrated how AI can amplify human capabilities while emphasizing the irreplaceable role of human expertise.
The "Next Gen Futures" workshop exemplified the power of youth-led intergenerational dialogue. Its unconference format energized participants through dynamic topic selection and lively discussions. In the Creative Foresight Studio session, we moved from theoretical discussions to tangible prototypes and scenarios, demonstrating the practical applications of futures thinking.
These experiences have strengthened my commitment to fostering youth leadership through 'This Is Us.' We're now developing new programs that incorporate futures literacy and foresight tools, ensuring our initiatives maintain a balance between immediate impact and long-term sustainability. The forum's emphasis on deliberate action while considering past, present, and future will inform all our future work.
Claire Bridgette (Indonesia) - Education Innovator
As someone deeply passionate about empowering youth in Futures Thinking, the Dubai Future Forum was transformative. The session "Are Humans Really Shaping the Future?" challenged my understanding of control and uncertainty. I learned that disappointment often stems from fixed expectations, and instead of letting unmet expectations hold us back, we have the power to carve our own path.
The Youth-Led Unconference workshop was particularly meaningful, tackling the question "How Can Young People Shape the Education System?" - a focus that aligns perfectly with my work through Eduqette. The workshop's format, where youth led the groups while adults shared experiences and insights, created a powerful dynamic for innovation and problem-solving. The Leaders of Humanity workshop provided practical tools for integrating foresight into everyday decision-making.
Moving forward, I'm implementing these insights through Eduqette, particularly in mobilizing Indonesian schools, educators, and youth to learn about futures thinking. We're developing new programs that combine practical education access with futures literacy, ensuring students not only reach higher education but are prepared to shape its future. The forum has reinforced my commitment to democratizing education and empowering young voices in educational transformation.
Sofia Londoño (Colombia) - Social Impact Champion
I found it fascinating how the modern environment of the forum perfectly matched its future-focused mission. From the beginning, I had the opportunity to share valuable information with other participants and speakers, gathering surprising stories and insights from every panel. Dr. Kenneth Nsah's statement that "if foresight is not accessible to everyone in some years, at least it should be democratized" particularly resonated with me. In our subsequent conversation, he emphasized the importance of peace over technological advancement alone, noting how wars create setbacks that prevent humanity from evolving correctly. The panel on "Repatterning the Future" provided crucial insights about building sustainable futures while acknowledging our limitations in time, resources, and capacities.
These learnings are already shaping IMPAKTO's approach to environmental activism. We're developing new initiatives that balance technological innovation with cultural preservation and peace-building, ensuring our environmental work contributes to broader societal progress. The emphasis on including diverse perspectives – from children to elderly, and even AI – will inform how we design and implement future projects.
Looking Forward: The Impact of Youth Voices
The 2024 Dubai Future Forum marked a turning point in how youth perspectives are integrated into global futures thinking. Through their participation, these five young leaders demonstrated that age is no barrier to meaningful contribution in shaping our collective future. Their experiences and insights have not only influenced their own projects and communities but have also set a new standard for youth inclusion in high-level foresight discussions.
As these delegates return to their respective communities and continue their work, they carry with them new tools, connections, and perspectives that will enhance their impact. More importantly, they have opened the door for future generations of young futurists to have their voices heard and valued. Their presence at the forum wasn't just about representation - it was about transformation, showing that when young voices are genuinely included in conversations about the future, everyone benefits from their fresh perspectives, innovative approaches, and unwavering commitment to positive change.
Co-authored by:
Vrishank Sai, GEMS Modern Academy, Founding Member of Young Voices Council, Dubai, UAE
Sadiyah Saqib, Jebel Ali School, Dubai, UAE
Tia Aftab, UC Berkeley, USA/Pakistan
Claire Bridgette, Indonesia/Japan
Sofia Londoño, Colombia
Teach the Future’s Young Futurists at Dubai Future Forum 2024
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