World Vision Foundation of Thailand hosted the national youth platform ‘Youth Forum 2025: Shaping Young Minds to Change the World’ on 26–27 September 2025, aiming to empower young people from 36 areas across the country. The event encouraged creative expression and meaningful participation in reflecting on the social and environmental changes that affect children and youth. It also provided opportunities for young people to explore learning spaces tailored to their interests.
Alonzo Lee, Ministry Quality & Impact Division Manager, stated: “World Vision Foundation of Thailand recognises the importance of empowering youth and supporting their development in life skills, leadership, and innovation. The national Youth Forum is a space for young people to express their ideas and actions creatively and to engage meaningfully in issues that affect their lives, families, and communities.”
A Platform for Youth Empowerment and Learning
The main activities at Youth Forum 2025: Shaping Young Minds to Change the World included a variety of sessions that allowed youth to engage meaningfully with issues impacting their lives, families, communities, and society:
- Panel Discussion on ‘Child and Youth Development in a Changing Environmental Context’, featuring experts and representatives from government, private sector, civil society, and youths from World Vision Foundation of Thailand
- Focus Rooms – interest-based learning spaces for youth, such as:
- Youth in the Pursuit of Success: Anyone can pursue self-development
- Youth Skill Next: Unlocking potential, building skills for the future
- A Letter to Myself: A self-discovery workshop
- “Youth Expression Space” Exhibition, showcasing youth-led initiatives and products from vocational skill development projects. Partner organisations also participated, including Internet Foundation for the Development of Thailand and Saturday School Foundation
Voices of Youth: Co-Creating the Future
Tawan, a youth representative from World Vision Foundation of Thailand, shared his perspective: “In a rapidly changing world, young people need adaptability skills—critical thinking, emotional resilience, and safe technology use. I hope all sectors will listen to our voices and create spaces for us to express ourselves. Not just preparing us for the world adults envision, but allowing us to prepare for the world we want to build. The future is not a solo journey but the one we walk together.”
Essential Skills for Youth in a Changing World
Assoc Prof Dr Thunyalak Weerasombat, Faculty of Social Administration, Thammasat University, spoke about 21st-century learning, highlighting ‘Adaptability’ as a key survival skill in the modern world. She outlined three core components for preparing youth for the future:
- Tool Set – Communication tools and skills to access and apply new knowledge
- Skill Set – Diverse or X-shape skills that integrate expertise across multiple domains
- Mindset – A growth-oriented attitude, open to learning and change
Dr Srida Tanta-atipanit, Managing Director of Internet Foundation for Thailand Development, added: “21st-century skills are not just for children—adults must understand and support them too. Especially the 4Cs: Critical Thinking, Creativity, Communication, and Collaboration. Today’s youth need literacy in information, media, digital, and AI to navigate misinformation and use technology effectively.”
Honouring Outstanding Youth Leaders
The two-day event concluded with the ‘Outstanding Youth Awards’ ceremony, celebrating 64 youth leaders who have made significant contributions to community development and positive change at international, national, and local levels.
World Vision Foundation of Thailand’s Commitment to Sustainable Youth Development
Mrs Rosalin Kowae, National Director of World Vision Foundation of Thailand, expressed the organisation’s commitment:
“In a rapidly changing world, youth are a vital force for positive transformation. World Vision Foundation of Thailand is dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable children by promoting life skills and work readiness. We aim to equip youth with the development assets to have a good quality of life and grow with stability into the future.”
The ‘Youth Forum 2025: Shaping Young Minds to Change the World’ was not only a space for nationwide youth exchange and learning, but also a spark of hope and faith in the power of the new generation—ready to become leaders of change in their communities.
World Vision Foundation of Thailand believes that Youth Development is an investment in the nation’s future. The organisation will continue to support every child and youth in discovering their potential, gaining opportunities to learn, grow, and use their abilities to build a better world—one they help design with hope and shared responsibility.
