Social media and information and communications technologies (ICT) help achieve development. In many ways, it has empowered youth to pave the way to improve some of the most critical social, economic and environmental issues in the developing world, as projected in the United Nations’ (UN) Millennium Development Goals campaigns, like providing laptops to students or children in Uganda through the ‘One laptop per child program’.

The potential of such programs is invaluable, because it provides many learning and employment opportunities, thus reducing poverty. Social media has worked as a catalyst for the Millennium Development Goals through the use of information, communication and technology by the effective transfer of knowledge, benefitting all segments of society.

The last decade witnessed many economies leapfrog their communication infrastructure, from having no telephones to having widespread cellular networks, which has allowed the rapid spread of mobile services, allowing youth and women to secure small business loans, health services and improve their living standards. Mobile networks also helped disseminate information by allowing farmers to gain access to best practices for irrigation and fertilisation and to find better markets. ICT has been an enabler for smart water management and various solutions.

‘My World 2015’ is a United Nations global survey for citizens, aiming to capture people’s voices, priorities and views, so world leaders can be informed, as they begin the process of defining the next set of goals to end poverty.

The youth is empowered with various innovative platforms and tools, to learn, share and inspire, by connecting through social media and this power has and will bring in a much-needed change. In today’s world, social media actually brings people closer, connects them and creates a network of determined individuals with a common cause.

Sharing innovative projects have been successfully implemented locally, but shared globally. It is completely in our hands to develop this type of activism with wisdom and prudence, and to place it among the best practices of advancing sustainable development.

- The reader is a youth ambassador for World at Schools, based in Dubai