Adolescents showcase innovative solutions to real world problems

Jakarta, 17 October 2021 – Today, 31 young changemakers from DKI Jakarta and Semarang City showcased 12 innovative solutions for social good during a live online demonstration to government officials, private companies and investors. They presented innovative solutions for pressing social and development issues ranging from waste management, mental health, literacy, and violence against women, in the form of web-based applications, games and mobile applications.

The ‘Demo Day’, which was livestreamed through UNICEF’s YouTube channel, was the finale for the Digital Innovation Challenge 2021 – a programme initiated by UNICEF and Yayasan Daya Kreasi Anak Bangsa (Markoding), with support from DKI Jakarta Provincial and Education Office, Central Java and Kota Semarang Education Office, and Regional Office of Ministry of Religious Affairs in DKI Jakarta and Central Java.

The 31 finalists were selected from a total of 4,774 young people, aged between 10 and 19 years. Participants developed their 21^st century, digital and entrepreneurship skills through a series of training, workshops and mentorship. The young people who participated come from disadvantaged backgrounds; and are currently pursuing their studies through a variety of education institutions, including formal secondary schools, vocational schools, religious schools and community-based learning centres.

“Strengthening the ability for young people to further develop 21^st century skills, through innovative learning initiatives such as today’s Demo Day and the Digital Innovation Challenge, is an important contribution to strengthening the link between adolescent development, education and employment,” said UNICEF Indonesia’s Chief of Education, Katheryn Bennett. “I am very proud of what the young people involved in this programme have achieved. As a result of their creative thinking, problem-solving and great teamwork they have identified solutions to tackle issues that affect us all,” She added.

In 2019, UNICEF completed Skills for the Future study shows that adolescents consider creativity, critical thinking and digital skills as the most important competencies for their future. Many adolescents felt that they were not developing these skills through their education. These findings are in line with private sector respondents, who highlighted a significant lack of transferable skills amongst new recruits.

"Despite the challenges faced during their online training period - including the COVID-19 pandemic, flooding, as well as limited access to reliable devices and internet - they showed resilience and persevered consistently, and as a result, they have now successfully completed their digital innovation solutions,” says Markoding CEO & Founder Amanda Simandjuntak.