A young Cuban IT specialist confessed that she was already on her way to the hall when she saw the email calling for participants to wear the sweater with the logo of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) World Summit. She "flew back" to her room several floors up to change, not just to follow an instruction, but to seize another opportunity to connect, to feel part of the collective experience that this event in Cuba has become.

Most participants joined in, while others stayed in traditional attire from their regions, such as a pair of Arab girls with their hijabs and African women showcasing dresses in all the colors of nature. The diversity that converges and multiplies around shared concerns, interests, and goals has been the most beautiful aspect of these two intense days of thought and exchange.

Once again, Cuba's Minister of Communications, Mayra Arevich Marín, was close to the young participants, as was Zimbabwe's Deputy Minister of Communications and other officials from nations and international organizations. This is an excellent sign, as one of the key themes is empowerment —empowering young people means accompanying, supporting, and sustaining them.

Inside the Hall...

The Wednesday session opened with the panel "Intergenerational Dialogue: Leveraging ICTs for Health, Well-being, and a Better Future." The question driving the discussion was: How can technology bridge the generational gap to promote good health and well-being for all? This sparked reflection on how ICTs are revolutionizing telehealth, fostering safe listening practices, and addressing mental health challenges across all age groups.

Cybersecurity has been a recurring theme at the Summit. As digital natives, being online is second nature to younger generations. However, living in increasingly digital societies and economies also means greater exposure to cyberattacks and threats. It is essential to highlight the risks we face and the essential skills needed to stay safe on the Internet.

The afternoon session was marked by one word: empowerment. It was addressed from various perspectives in different panels: "Empowering Youth: Economic Aspects of ICTs and Digital Transformation —Innovative Business Models"; "Equitable Digital Empowerment: Women’s Leadership in ICTs"; and "Regional Youth Priorities for Fostering Equitable Empowerment in a Connected Digital Future."

Outside the Hall...

As has been the tone of the event, every break became an opportunity to learn about and exchange ideas on specific youth-led projects. This time, experiences related to digital content creation, AI education, social facilitation through new technologies with self-service stations, monitoring radio spectrum signals, and reusing available frequencies were presented. Also highlighted were various applications developed in Cuba, such as the messaging platform Todus, the audiovisual platform Picta, and Apklis, where users can download a catalog of Cuban apps, among other topics related to the use of new technologies.

It’s remarkable to see how these young men and women make the most of their time to find common ground and forge lasting relationships that could define the future of their projects and efforts. They do so with the same enthusiasm with which they are enjoying the hospitality and culture of a small island in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, stretching its arms to embrace the best endeavors.

Translated by Sergio A. Paneque Díaz / CubaSí Translation Staff