The Namibia Media Trust Foundation hosted the International Youth Day celebration, underscoring that access to information is a powerful tool to shape a desired future for the youth.

A Youth ATI Advocate, JP van der Westhuizen, stressed that technology is now the new territory.

“It can either build bridges or it can deepen divides. And if we ignore this, we risk becoming a free nation of labour but dependent on others for innovation, solutions, and opportunities. That, my young people, that is digital colonisation. And we must resist it with the same fire our elders resisted political colonisation,” he noted.

The Chairperson for Namibia Media Trust, Gwen Lister, said freedom, coupled with access to information, becomes a powerful tool in shaping a desired future for Namibia.

“You have the gains of independence, the democratic constitution, the bill of rights, and the mother of all rights access to information. That's your tool. That's how you make "I am unstoppable when I am informed" a reality. So here's the question. What kind of future do you want for Namibia? Do you still want democracy? The freedoms we take for granted today depend on what you, the youth, do now.”

Lister further noted that the International Youth Day is a reminder that young people are central to Namibia's future, challenging them to reflect on whether they are ready to do things differently.

She emphasised that, while groups such as YouthQuake can provide support, the true empowerment lies in the hands of the youth themselves.

The conference focused on access to information and youth empowerment, under the theme "Access to Information: Igniting Youth Power".

The exhibition offered an exploration of Namibia's transformation, from a political liberation struggle to the socio-economic and digital challenges confronting today's youth.

It created a space to reflect, engage and shape the vision for a shared future.