YOUTHS are among the most powerful forces in shaping the future of society. Their capacity, morality, creativity, and technological skills play a vital role in driving innovation and development. Young people are capable of imagining diverse possibilities and applying technology with high levels of critical thinking, often in ways that minimize environmental impact. As a result, both developed and developing countries increasingly rely on the talents and capabilities of their youth.
As an example concerning the capacity of youths, international news agencies in recent months specialized in the news story that the 2025 Earth Prize regional winner for Asia was Team Thermavault from India, consisting of Dhruv Chaudhary, Mithran Ladhania, and Mridul Jain. Those teenagers won for their Thermavault, a salt-powered, electricity-free refrigeration unit designed to transport medical supplies, especially to remote areas where electricity is scarce.
They were awarded a cash prize of US$12,500 and the Earth Prize on 19 April this year. Those young Indian students from a high school in Chennai of India, are building 200 more Thermavaults to be used at 120 hospitals by spending their cash prize. Their activities show the innovative ability of students and the encouragement of authorities to the modern teaching process of schools.
Such an occurrence highlights that the high innovative capacity of youths depends on the governments of relevant countries and their educational policies. Only when these governments invest more in the education sector will young people be able to enhance their capacity for innovation. Therefore, it is essential to nurture youth in order to strengthen their capabilities.
Governments and relevant authorities should prioritize improving the fundamental education of young people, creating opportunities for them to showcase their skills, and attracting investment to support the development of innovations and new initiatives. Innovation involves the creation of new ideas, methods, products, and services, or the transformation of production processes for the benefit of society. Therefore, it is essential to provide young people with the freedom to explore different ideologies, implement meaningful projects, strengthen their capacity for innovation, develop teamwork skills, and embrace lifelong learning.
The countries at the top of the innovation index are investing more in research and innovation due to a comprehensive understanding of the potential of their youth. These countries provide high-quality infrastructure and technological resources to support young people. When a country creates learning opportunities and an environment that fosters creativity, the innovative capacity of its youth tends to increase.
