Nelson Mandela once observed, “The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow” his sentiment has since been deeply resonant in every era, whether it's conventional or technological. However, today's youth are struggling to balance their curiosity of navigating thriving careers and the fear of being left out in the highly complex and competitive technological landscape.

According to the UNICEF U-report: Time to act, preparing youth for work in an AI-powered world, 40% of surveyed young people said they are completely unaware of how to leverage technology for personal or professional growth. This disconnect, between the rapid adoption of AI and the challenges youth face in using it effectively, is largely attributed to regional differences, digital divide, and gender-based inequalities in access to digital tools and training.

Despite these existing hurdles, it’s undeniable that youth have a central role in shaping not only the national economies but also the ethical and civic fabric of society. Adhering to the need, the government and organisations in the Southeast Asia region are stepping up efforts to strategically unlock the region’s youth potential through targeted investments and initiatives and prepare them for the future of work.

For instance, , jointly implemented by t, is a flagship initiative tailored to the Asia-Pacific region’s urgent need for inclusive digital transformation. Launched in 2024, the programme targets marginalised youth and equips them with future-oriented digital and green skills such as AI, data analytics, and sustainability-driven entrepreneurship.

Today, as we celebrate under the theme, it’s worth spotlighting a few more forward-looking initiatives rolled out in the region that not only equip youth for emerging job markets but also nurture a generation committed to building more peaceful, inclusive societies in the disrupted world.

Let’s take a look at a few of them:

Malaysia’s integrated approach to youth upskilling and digital readiness

Indonesia’s drive to prepare youth for a digital-first economy

Philippines’ youth-forward skilling and digital inclusion initiatives

From smart cities like Singapore to rural communities in Indonesia and the Philippines, Southeast Asia is building a youth-powered workforce fit for the future. Its initiatives are not just about employment, they are about dignity, empowerment, and peace. On this World Youth Skills Day, they offer a timely reminder: equipping young people today isn’t a luxury, it’s a responsibility.