Antalya Bilim University hosted the Youth and
Intergenerational Dialogue on the Energy Transition on 9 November
2026, bringing together students, young professionals, international experts
and representatives of the energy sector to discuss the challenges and
opportunities of the global energy transition in the context of COP31.
Co-organised by Antalya Bilim University, the
Council of Engineers for the Energy Transition (CEET), the United Nations
Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the UN Sustainable Development
Solutions Network (SDSN), the event provided a platform for meaningful exchange
between generations, encouraging young people to contribute their perspectives,
ideas and aspirations to discussions shaping the future of energy.
A particularly important aspect of the event was
the participation of Antalya Bilim University students alongside approximately
25 high school students from Dr. İlhami Tankut Anadolu Lisesi. Bringing
together participants from different educational backgrounds created an
opportunity to introduce younger generations to the energy transition debate and
encourage dialogue between high school and university students, young
professionals and experienced energy experts.
Inspiring
the Next Generation to Shape the Energy Future
The programme opened with welcome remarks by
Professor Dr. Hülya Şimga, Vice Rector of Antalya Bilim University, followed by
a panel discussion entitled “Inspiring the Next Generation to Shape the
Energy Future.”
The panel featured Ms. Rana Ghoneim, Director of
the Division of Energy and Climate Action at UNIDO; Mr. Kutalmış Ersoy, energy
professional and member of the UNIDO Youth Advisory Group; and Mr. Adriell De
Amorim Araujo, MA student in Global Politics and International Relations at
Antalya Bilim University. The discussion explored how innovation, engineering,
entrepreneurship, public policy and international cooperation can accelerate
the energy transition and create opportunities for young people to contribute
to sustainable energy systems.
Through interactive audience participation, live
polling and questions from participants, the session encouraged young people to
reflect on their role in the energy future, the skills required for emerging
careers and the barriers they may face in accessing opportunities in the energy
sector.
Intergenerational
Dialogue Across Eight Discussion Topics
The programme continued with parallel breakout
dialogues, bringing together members of CEET, students and young professionals
in smaller discussion groups. The sessions were organised around two
overarching themes: Engineering and Accelerating the Energy Transition and
Governance, Cooperation and Youth Leadership in the Energy Transition.
Participants explored eight topics, including
artificial intelligence and emerging energy technologies, entrepreneurship and
innovation, the circular economy, careers in the energy and environmental
sectors, international cooperation and energy finance, meaningful youth
participation in decision-making, cross-regional exchange, and the relationship
between engineering and political solutions.
These discussions provided an opportunity for
participants to exchange experiences, raise questions and consider practical
proposals. Particular emphasis was placed on identifying what needs to happen
to advance the energy transition, who should be involved and what resources and
partnerships are required to translate ideas into action.
An important feature of the sessions was the
active involvement of young participants, who took on reporting
responsibilities and presented the main ideas, questions and proposals emerging
from their respective discussion groups.
Turning
Dialogue into Action
Following the breakout sessions, participants
reconvened to share their findings and reflections. Youth representatives from
each discussion group presented key takeaways, highlighting common priorities,
outstanding questions and potential areas for further collaboration.
The event concluded with remarks by Mr. Tarık
Keçeli, Graduate Student at the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences of
Antalya Bilim University, and Professor Dr. Semida Silveira, CEET Co-Speaker.
Their closing reflections underlined the importance of continued engagement
between generations and the need to translate dialogue into meaningful action.
Empowering
Young Voices for a Sustainable Energy Future
Held in the context of COP31 in Antalya, the Youth
and Intergenerational Dialogue on the Energy Transition highlighted the
importance of creating inclusive spaces where younger generations can engage
directly with experts, decision-makers and practitioners.
By bringing together university students, high
school students, young professionals and international energy experts, the
event reinforced the value of intergenerational exchange in addressing one of
the most significant challenges of our time.
For Antalya Bilim University, hosting this
dialogue also provided an opportunity to strengthen its engagement with
international organisations and experts while encouraging students to become
active contributors to discussions on sustainable development, innovation and
the global energy transition.
The event reaffirmed a central message: the
energy transition is not only about the technologies and policies of tomorrow;
it is also about the people, ideas and partnerships that will shape them.
