The 5th Annual GOYN Convention, organized by Lighthouse Communities Foundation, in collaboration with Pune Municipal Corporation and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, took place from November 17-21 in Pune, Maharashtra. This year’s theme, “Transforming Youth Livelihoods: Pathways to Full Potential,” has set the stage for vigorous conversations and collaborative actions aimed at creating a better future for youth around the world.

The Gala Day began with a celebration at Balewadi Stadium on Sunday 17th, infused with the energy of Pune culture. The atmosphere was electric as over 2,000 alumni, 300 dynamic young leaders and adult allies from over 15 communities across 11 countries came together to share knowledge and best practices to build inclusive economic pathways.

The event was graced by distinguished dignitaries including Dr. Ganesh Natarajan, Co-Founder and Chairman, Lighthouse Communities Foundation, Eric Garcetti, US Ambassador to India, Shekhar Singh, Municipal Commissioner, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, Prithviraj BP, Additional Municipal Commissioner, Pune Municipal Corporation, Jamie McAuliffe, Founder and Director, Global Opportunity Youth Network, and Sayalee Marathe, Founder, Aadyaa.

“Lighthouse Communities Foundation is delighted to host attendees from around the world, allowing us to showcase our efforts in building livelihoods and an inclusive community. This gathering has already laid the groundwork for meaningful dialogue, reflecting our collective desire for change and innovation […] We intend to delve deeper into the pressing issues facing youth in today’s rapidly evolving world.” Dr. Ganesh Natarajan – Co-Founder and President of the Lighthouse Communities Foundation.  

In the following days of the Convention, GOYN partners and subject matter experts had the opportunity to visit Lighthouse Centers, where they led engaging conversations, breakout sessions, plenary discussions, and community visits. These activities were designed to inspire innovation, share best practices, and highlight the promise of youth partnerships to drive systemic change. Interactions at these centers offered valuable insights into the work being done on the ground, while serving as a platform to exchange ideas that can be scaled up and replicated across regions.

These sessions fostered a deeper dive into critical issues, promoting thought-provoking dialogue on how young people can take a leadership role in advancing economic opportunity, social inclusion and community-driven development.

“As we look to the future, we must recognize that any nation’s greatest asset is its youth. By investing in the potential of young people, creating opportunities for skills development, and fostering cross-cultural dialogue, we can ensure that the next generation not only inherits a better world, but shapes it […]. Eric Garcetti, U.S. Ambassador to India.

“It is an honour and a privilege for Pune to have been the host city to such a diverse and inspiring group of people from around the world. Events like this offer a tangible platform to create real opportunities. For many young people, these gatherings represent a unique opportunity to open new pathways to economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods,” Prithviraj BP – Additional Municipal Commissioner, Pune Municipal Corporation.

“I felt truly privileged that Pune had the opportunity to host such a diverse group of people from across the globe. Events like this foster cross-cultural exchange and also provide a valuable platform to accelerate important conversations about the future of our youth. By bringing together voices and perspectives from different corners of the world, we can collectively address the challenges faced by youth in ensuring sustainable livelihoods and create impactful solutions that will shape their future,” Shekar Singh – Municipal Commissioner, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation.

“At GOYN, we are committed to working with communities around the world to create economic mobility for ‘Opportunity Youth.’ The opening day of the 5th Annual Convention has been a magnificent experience, witnessing the power of diverse cultures coming together to celebrate youth, the future. It is a reminder of how essential it is to build global connections and amplify voices from all corners of the world, all united in the shared mission of empowering young people and opening new pathways for their success,” Jamie McAuliffe – Director of the Global Opportunity Youth Network.

To watch the full video of the opening of the 5th Annual Convention of the Global Youth Opportunity Network, click on the following link

Original source: https://nrinews24x7.com/insights-from-the-global-opportunity-youth-networks-5th-annual-global-convening-in-pune/

NOTE: Translation done with the free version of the DeepL.com translator. Lightly edited by Karla Ambrosio for publication in Spanish on Plataforma JuventudES