Youth of the Commonwealth have called on member states to design and ensure digital education tools for marginalised communities in rural areas. 

This is one of the resolutions contained in the Windhoek Declaration following the recently concluded first Commonwealth Ecosystem Stakeholder Consultative Dialogue held in Windhoek.

 The Dialogue was aimed at reaffirming the Commonwealth's youth commitment in co-creating an inclusive, equitable and sustainable future for all young people.

In the Windhoek Declaration, the Commonwealth youth put forward declarations across four interlinked pillars, including mental health and wellbeing, digital innovation, climate leadership and youth employment.

The youth call on member states to design and ensure digital education tools for marginalised communities in rural areas.

In an interview with NBC News, the Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, says the Windhoek Declaration is not an articulation but a mandate that represents the voice of millions of young people nationwide.

"Of course they also call for the provision of basic infrastructure, ensuring universal digital access through subsidised data devices and internet connectivity. This one is quite important because they specifically make reference to rural areas and underserved communities."

The youth urged the government to invest more into the arts and the sports sectors.

Young people also proposed the transition to renewable energy with green jobs that are accessible to young people through upskilling and vocational training. 

"And another urge to governments to invest more into sports sectors, and equally, they are recommending the institutionalising universally of quality assurance standards on TVET, so we can see there is quite a critical call for action that they are urging the leaders to move from rhetoric to action."