Innovating for the Future: Thomas Davin’s Vision for Empowering Youth Through UNICEF

In a world facing complex global challenges, innovation offers a ray of hope, especially when driven by the creativity and energy of young people. This is the core message conveyed by Thomas Davin, Global Innovation Director at UNICEF, during this conversation with Vesna on the Corporate Unplugged podcast. With over two decades of experience in international development and humanitarian work, Thomas shares how UNICEF is harnessing innovation to address pressing issues affecting children worldwide.

The Role of Innovation at UNICEF

UNICEF operates in 160 countries, tackling diverse issues such as healthcare, education, climate change, and sanitation. Thomas emphasizes the urgency of accelerating progress to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to children. He highlights that despite ambitious targets, the pace of change needs to multiply significantly to achieve these goals.

“Innovation is not just a tool but a necessity to bridge this gap and create a more equitable world for children.”

Empowering Young Innovators

A key focus of UNICEF’s strategy is empowering young people to become active contributors to solutions. Thomas underscores that youth are not merely victims or passive observers but are shapers of their futures, particularly in climate innovation. Through initiatives like climate accelerators, UNICEF supports young innovators in developing impactful solutions. An inspiring example is a young entrepreneur who discovered that feeding algae to cows can reduce methane emissions by 95%, offering a scalable solution to a significant environmental challenge.

“We want to help people understand that young people are not just voices or victims; they are shapers and sometimes also shapers of climate innovation.”

Overcoming Global Challenges

Implementing innovative solutions on a global scale is complex. UNICEF’s approach involves identifying key problems affecting children and finding effective solutions across different regions. Thomas explains how his team vets these solutions for impact and efficiency before scaling them in collaboration with local governments and NGOs. This process ensures that innovations are not only effective but also contextually relevant and sustainable.

Building Future Leaders

Through programs like Upshift, UNICEF equips young people with critical skills in problem-solving and adaptability. This initiative has reached over 1.5 million adolescents globally, fostering a generation of innovative thinkers ready to tackle future challenges. Thomas believes that providing these skills prepares youth for a rapidly changing world where they may experience multiple career shifts.

“When you educate a child, you educate a village; you educate a community.”

The Power of Collaboration

Thomas highlights the importance of collaboration and co-creation in solving global problems. By bringing together diverse minds united by shared values, UNICEF creates synergies that transcend individual capabilities. This collaborative approach is crucial for addressing complex issues like the global learning crisis, where 70% of 10-year-olds cannot comprehend texts they read—a statistic that rises to 90% in Africa.

A Vision for the Future

Thomas envisions a future where every child has equal opportunities for quality education and health. He dreams of a world where children are not only educated but empowered to shape their communities positively. This vision extends to rethinking economic models focused on consumption and exploring sustainable alternatives that prioritize well-being over mere growth.

Challenges and Hopes

Despite the daunting challenges, Thomas remains hopeful about the future. He stresses the need for more messages of hope and empathy in an increasingly polarized world. By fostering understanding and collaboration, he believes we can overcome divisions and build a more equitable society.

Thomas Davin’s insights highlight the transformative power of innovation when driven by youth empowerment and global collaboration. By embracing bold thinking and unlearning conventional approaches, organizations like UNICEF are paving the way for a brighter future for children worldwide.

If the talk resonates with you, we’d recommend you listen to these episodes too: Lisen Schultz and Christopher Evatt.