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We, the children, adolescents, and youth from diverse regions of the world, present at the 5th United Nations World Data Forum in Medellín, Colombia, raise our voices at a historic moment. For the first time at a UN data forum, our perspectives are being heard, breaking the misconception that these issues do not concern us. In an increasingly hyperconnected world, as we call it, our data represents a fundamental part of our identity and security. Thus, we demand principles of equity, transparency, and privacy protection.  

In this regard, as part of the Commitment to Data Governance Fit for Children, we declare: 

1. Diverse Representation in Forum Participation Spaces with Decision-Makers  

Child, adolescent and youth representation at future forums must reflect the ethnic and social diversity of the territories. It is essential to include the perspectives of the youngest, with their capacity to dream; adolescents, who have grown alongside the rise of social media; and those who have witnessed the arrival of new technologies. Such participation requires the inclusion of marginalised groupsof children, adolescents, and youth, who have historically been overlooked due to a lack of resources.. Therefore, we call for perspectives from various territories to be included, ensuring that their specific needs are heard and addressed.  

2. Proposal for Territorial Data Observatories with Protective Governance and Responsible Use for Equitable Data Collection, Use, and Action

Children, adolescents and youth have the right to access information from diverse national and international sources. Hence, we propose establishing a territorial data observatory in each country  to serve as an entry point and to empower child and youth voices as part of country and regional data ecosystems. These observatories should be designed to collect information, ensure accessibility, and foster inclusive participation spaces for children. They should also provide access to disaggregated data that accurately reflects the realities and needs of each territory and their children to ensure that all children are visible in data, that their rights can be protected and their needs can be served. These observatories must be supported by robust data governance frameworks prioritising children’s rights and promoting a secure digital environment free from risks, including socio-emotional harm and environmental damage associated with data collection and processing. Additionally, these observatories should establish global communication networks with decision-makers, recognising the importance of multiperspectivism. 

3. Promoting Access and Regulations to Protect Our Rights in Rural and Decentralised Areas  

We demand child-, adolescent-, and youth-centred public data policies that facilitate data access in rural and unconnected areas. Companies and platforms must present data in a clear and accessible manner for all. We call for regulations to protect privacy and online security while fostering safe technologies that prioritise our rights, minimising negative effects such as exposure to inappropriate content, cybersecurity threats, and the misuse of personal data by artificial intelligence systems. 

4. Request for Awareness Spaces on Digital Platforms and Social Media Beyond Data Forums

We advocate for and request the creation of public, accessible spaces in different regions of each country for learning, awareness, advocacy, and participation regarding the risks associated with using digital platforms. These spaces must extend beyond closed events so that children, adolescents, and youth can understand and tackle the challenges of the digital age through data.  

Today, we declare that we are no longer just figures in statistics but agents of change who have figured how to work and contribute within these spaces. We view data as a tool for transformation, paving the way for our voices and actions to have a real impact on building a fairer and more equitable present where all children count and are counted..  

We call on the organisers of the next World Data Forum to translate this commitment into action. We demand the establishment of a diverse, inclusive youth delegation with an active voice and voting power in representative spaces, enabling the participation of young people from around the world.  

Now it is your turn, decision-makers, to listen and act. We have come to the World Data Forum to transform perspectives and make a difference!

This discussion is brought by the Commitment to Data Governance Fit for Children, a pioneering initiative spearheaded by UNICEF that unites a diverse group of organisations and young leaders, committed to ensuring that young people’s rights are prioritised in the rapidly evolving world of data and AI.

This commitment brings together:

• Youth representatives ‒ from Generation Unlimited's Young People’s Action Team, Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data’s Data Values Advocates, Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Youth Envoy’s Young Leaders for the SDGs, UNICEF Colombia’s Red Nacional de Participación Adolescentes en Movimiento por sus Derechos, youth groups supported by UNFPA Colombia ‒ to amplify youth perspectives and co-create solutions for positive change.

• UNICEF’s Data Governance Fit for Children Programme to advocate for programmes, policies and systems that are grounded in child and youth rights.

• DevelopMetrics to integrate ethical AI, supervised machine learning, and fine-tuned large language models in collaboration with youth at the onset of AI development. 

• Highway Child to ensure that children’s voices are authentically represented and that the information they share through in creative content is safeguarded.

• Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority to promote responsible government AI systems that prioritise child wellbeing needs and provide a data driven perspective to decision making.

• The GovLab to empower children by ensuring data and technology are used to make more effective, equitable, and legitimate decisions that solve public problems.

• The Datasphere Initiative to empower diverse youth communities by equipping them with knowledge and tools to amplify their participation in data governance and AI policy discussions.

• The Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data to amplify youth voices and empower young people to engage meaningfully in data governance, strengthening their ability to lead impactful, multi-stakeholder collaborations.

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