C20 Turkey Chairwoman of the Steering Committee and IKV Vice-President Zeynep Bodur Okyay attended on 17-19 August 2015 the Y20 (Youth 20) Summit in Istanbul, to which 94 young representatives from 24 different countries participated.

The opening speeches of the Summit were delivered by the Rector of Boğaziçi University Prof. Gülay Barbarosoğlu, Y20 Turkey Chairman Dr. Emre Cenker, G20 Sherpa Ambassador Ayşe Sinirlioğlu and Minister of State and Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan. Furthermore, young representatives from Low Income Developing Countries (LIDCs) such as Afghanistan, Madagascar, Mongolia and Vietnam also participated to the summit.

In his speech, Deputy Prime Minister Babacan briefed the participants about the aims of Turkey’s G20 Presidency and further stressed that the future is in the hands of the youth and that the youth would build a better future. Deputy Prime Minister Babacan also added the utmost importance to create a synergy between universities, youth, civil society organisations and governments. In his speech, he also assessed the current situation of the global economy.

During the first day of the summit, Y20 delegates interacted through live internet connection with representatives of other G20 engagement groups (C20, B20, L20, T20 and W20). In the first part of the panel, Chairwoman Okyay pointed out to the policy recommendations of the C20 working groups; whereas in the second part, she answered the questions directed by the participants. In this context, Chairwoman Okyay responded to questions related to youth unemployment and to the situation of immigrants coming from LIDCs. Within this framework, she spoke about the recommendations formulated by C20 and further stressed that C20 is calling upon G20 leaders to define permanent and comprehensive strategies aimed at reducing youth unemployment.

In the summit meetings, Y20 delegates tackled three key issues of global importance such as youth unemployment, education in the 21st century and the contribution of youth to global peace. Following intense discussions, the delegates agreed on a series of recommendations within the framework of the Final Communique that will be passed on to leaders who will meet in Antalya for the G20 Summit on 15-16 November 2015.

Some of the other recommendations prepared by the young leaders of Y20 are as follows:

- Creating effective ecosystems in order to support SMEs, young and innovative entrepreneurs;
- Facilitating the access of the disadvantageous and marginalized youth to the labour market by eradicating digital inequalities;
- Reducing the gap between the education system and the skills required by the labour market;
- Enhancing opportunities for qualified internships and vocational education;
- Encouraging the free movement of students;
- Recognizing the rights and needs of refugees and immigrants.