(Det talte ord gælder / The spoken word applies)

Good morning everyone. It is such a pleasure for me to be here today and thank you for a great but, warm morning run.

Today’s festival marks the culmination of the Youth Innovation Summit. I imagine that the past four days have been challenging and maybe even frustrating, inspiring, an eye-opener – and hopefully rewarding in many ways.

The ambitious 2030 Agenda with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals was agreed upon in response to the global challenges we are facing and the fact that no single country, region or person or business can solve them alone. These challenges are so big, complex and inter-connected it will require partnerships and innovative solutions on a level that we are yet to see.

And these challenges are affecting us all but, perhaps those with many more years ahead of them – the youth – more so, or at least in different ways. Because it is your future, your livelihoods, your security and your environment. 

At the same time, the broad reach of these challenges calls upon the youth to be part of findings the solutions. Youth has a central role to play. You have a duty to challenge the strategies of today’s leaders. And there is no doubt that what you have to offer is needed.  

Albert Einstein, once said, “No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it”. In other words: More of the same will just not ’cut-it’, when developing potential solutions. 

When faced with challenges with the level of complexity that we are seeing, we have to move beyond traditional approaches, we must unleash human creativity and innovation.

Your youthful restless energy, innovative and creative thinking and problem solving. Your commitment and courage to creating a collaborative vision for the future and the strategy for getting there are invaluable.

Current leaders and decision-makers around the world need to recognize and accept the value of opening the door to you and closing the generation gap.

Tapping into the creativity of youth is therefore essential, in the search for new ideas and answers on how best to shape and build a sustainable and inclusive future for all. 

As Youth you are not as blinded by learnt patterns or existing societal structures and norms; you see the world differently – where possibilities (not limitations) abound.  And that is exactly the reason why youth has been a key target group of the Danish-Arab Partnership Program since its launch. 

The involvement of young people is essential – ensuring an equal seat at the table and that the voice of youth is heard and echoed in decision-making at all levels.  

The vision of the Youth Innovation Summit is to provide young people with the tools, space and support and guidance required to contribute with concrete solutions and innovative ideas to boost sustainable development in Morocco and create the future you want for yourselves.

New insights emerge when different people come together in conversation. Exchange of thoughts and ideas change the way we understand an issue. Change requires conversation and an open mind. Change requires fully understanding a problem first. Importantly, change requires that we work together – collectively - rather than on our own.

And today’s Dialogue Festival brings together young entrepreneurs, private companies, NGO’s, educational institutions, government officials and public organizations with a simple purpose: To engage in dialogue across generations and cultures and bring youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and innovation to the forefront of the agenda for development.

The past four days Innovation Lab has focused on some of the most pressing challenges; Climate Change and Renewable Energy, Urban Sustainability, and Agribusiness and Food Production. 

Fortunately, with challenges come opportunities. And I am extremely impressed by the way you have creatively formulated possible solutions to some of these challenges. 

Yesterday, I had an inspiring talk with some of you and heard a little about the ideas and solutions you have developed over the past couple of days. One of things that struck me, which I would just like to mention, is your desire, commitment and strong will to make a difference and do it together. 

You are here today, not only because you are talented, but also because you are driven by a belief that innovative ideas, drive progress, and inspire change.  And here, you are not alone. 

Today there are 1.8 billion young people between the ages of 10-24 – you are the largest youth generation in history. That presents both an enormous potential and an enormous challenge.  

Given space to participate and contribute fully, you have the potential to be part of the most effective transformation of the world - to a better place for all. You are agents of change who can encourage and empower others to participate in implementing the 2030 Agenda into local, regional and global actions and solutions.  

It has been an inspiration to speak and meet with so many talented young people here in Morocco. 

Remember, you are not only the future of your country, you are also powerful today.  Continue to use the power you demonstrate; be active, work hard, demand your space, seek guidance in your peers and create the world you want to live in.

Thank you.