Youth Leading the Innovation Agenda
How young voices shape the future of technology and social change
In a world increasingly shaped by science, technology, and innovation (STI), young people are the architects of the future. Positioned at the centre of research, they are equipped to define innovations with the potential to shape the future. Alessandra, 17, captures this vision perfectly: “Enrolling young voices and perspectives ensures that new technologies are designed with inclusivity in mind and address the needs of future generations.”
UNICEF’s Innovation Nodes are turning this vision into reality by placing youth at the heart of the research agenda. These collaborative, transdisciplinary spaces are designed to explore both the "known unknowns"—areas where UNICEF has some understanding but lacks full insight—and emerging domains that may not yet be on our radar. By connecting networks of innovators, including young people themselves, to the needs of children, the Nodes uncover blind spots, reveal opportunities, and broaden UNICEF’s radar for impactful innovation. This approach ensures that the voices of youth are central to shaping solutions for a better future.
Rewriting the rules: youth as innovators
Through collaborations with institutions like Harvard University, the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), and California College of the Arts, young people are not just participants—they are leaders, experts, and innovators driving the conversation on how emerging technologies can shape a better future. These collaborations are designed as “blank slate” exercises, where young voices guide us in understanding what technologies are coming, which ones are still unknown, and where we might be missing opportunities for innovation.
At Harvard, young researchers with diverse backgrounds—from economics and psychology to pre-med and neuroscience—played a central role in identifying emerging technologies that UNICEF wasn’t yet focusing on. They helped us see beyond our existing expertise, exploring areas that might have otherwise been overlooked. This collaboration allowed them to directly shape the direction of research, ensuring that the technologies of tomorrow align with the needs of the people who will live with them. Their analyses have informed Insight Reports on renewable energy, precision health, additive manufacturing, and the business of bringing next-generation biosensor diagnostics to vulnerable women.
The partnership with UTS was similarly empowering, where young people took leadership roles in guiding research on cutting-edge technologies in areas like renewable energy, AI, and health. Katie Yeung, a student at UTS, reflects, “Coming from a science background, I was initially unfamiliar with the business and social enterprise space, but I was able to learn a lot from my peers as they drew upon knowledge from their core disciplines.” This exchange of ideas and expertise ensured that the research was not only relevant but truly reflective of the diverse perspectives of today’s youth.
At the California College of the Arts, where art and design are at the forefront of exploring research, a team of four graduate design students explored how advancements in biotechnology could be communicated so that children aged 10-13 could understand and engage with its implications in their lives. Through research, insights, and testing, the team co-created prototypes with children in six countries in five languages. Their work was integral in designing technological solutions specifically for youth, by youth. Nikhila Isukapally, 23, highlights, “We were exposed to a new audience of youth, which led to a very rich research process and developed into an interest to explore design projects with young people.”
A new era of innovation
Across these three collaborations, young people have not only influenced the research agenda but have co-created knowledge that will inform future technological advancements. From precision health and renewable energy to next-generation materials, youth have shaped the conversations that will determine how we tackle the world’s most pressing challenges.
By centering youth in the research process, UNICEF’s Innovation Nodes are proving that innovation isn't just about developing new technologies—it’s about creating a future where those technologies are designed with the needs, dreams, and aspirations of young people in mind. It’s a future where youth are not just bystanders but leaders, guiding the way forward.
