By BONIFACE AKARAH

Young people must move beyond being regarded as leaders of tomorrow and take their place as changemakers and leaders shaping the world today, Editor-in-Chief of the World Media Organization (WMO), Gautam Karve, has said.

Karve made the call in a message marking the 2026 International Youth Day, where he celebrated young people's energy, creativity, courage and determination while urging them to take greater responsibility for addressing the challenges confronting the world.

According to him, young people are already playing an important role in shaping communities, nations and the future of global society through their ideas, actions and vision.

"Young people are not merely the leaders of tomorrow—they are the changemakers, innovators, and leaders of today," Karve said.

He noted in the message, made available to News Express via e-mail, that the world is currently confronted by major challenges, including climate change, global warming, armed conflicts, inequality, unemployment, displacement and growing threats to peace and security.

Karve stressed that governments and institutions cannot address these challenges alone, arguing that meaningful and sustained youth participation is essential to developing solutions that are inclusive, innovative and lasting.

"These challenges cannot be addressed by governments and institutions alone. Meaningful and sustained youth participation is essential to building solutions that are inclusive, innovative, and lasting," he stated.

The WMO editor-in-chief also called for youth leadership anchored on peace, dialogue, sustainability, inclusion and humanity, particularly in an increasingly interconnected world.

He said young people have an opportunity to deploy technology, education, media and innovation to build bridges across borders, cultures and communities.

"Young people have an extraordinary opportunity to use technology, education, media, and innovation to build bridges across borders, cultures, and communities," Karve added.

He urged young people to raise their voices courageously, embrace responsibility, pursue knowledge and turn their ideas into meaningful action.

Karve expressed optimism that the younger generation would continue to inspire positive change while contributing to peace, understanding and sustainable development across the world.

He said: "May the young generation continue to inspire positive change, strengthen peace and understanding, and build a more inclusive, sustainable, prosperous and peaceful world for all."