World Bank Group Youth Summit & The Future of Skills

Johnny Dabrowski, EARTHDAY.ORG Youth Lead

Hi, this is Johnny Dabrowski and I’m the Youth Lead at Earth Day Network. Skills and education matter more than ever! Join me at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington, DC, where on June 11–12 2026  more than 300 youth delegates shared their advocacy for innovation, sustainability and finance.

Are you passionate about international development, sustainability, and digital innovation? Then this diary is for you!

If you’re interested in the upcoming Earth Day opportunities and the new Youth Climate Skills Accelerator, stay tuned and keep an eye on our socials! At the same time you can join the Climate Education Coalition today;)

Whether your goal is to lead a global institution, launch an AI startup, or become a climate leader, your journey should start with a sense of purpose that will drive your work forward.

For many young people, it’s not always easy to know exactly what the next step should be. We may lack experience, but we can trust our instincts and make new connections and meet people that move us closer to our goals.

To improve your networking abilities, you can now apply to become an Ambassador for the My Future My Voice campaign led by EARTHDAY.ORG.

Remember: Everyone can make a difference. Every small step moves you closer to success.

As President Banga concluded, 50% is about luck, and the other 50% is about how we respond to it. Not everything is in our control, but we must recognize and seize opportunities when they come. Otherwise, the train moves on.

And remember – you are not alone 😉

The Power of Teamwork

Youth Summit included an Innovation Lab, a group pitch competition focused on designing a development project. I was randomly assigned to a team – however it proved to be great luck!

The group was truly diverse, bringing together people from Egypt, the United States, Ghana, and beyond. Manufacturing wasn’t my strongest area, but this team made me feel that every contribution mattered and together we each used our unique skills to create a complete project.

Important: As each of us brought different perspectives, strengths and ability to listen to one another we were able to succeed.

We challenged each other’s ideas respectfully and built stronger solutions through thoughtful debate, not simple compromise.

This is how the Climate Education Coalition works. A network of 150+ Youth Organizations working on green skills, advocacy training – join the world’s largest youth coalition for climate education today!

At the World Bank, we didn’t win the competition, BUT we created a strong project framework connecting young Cambodians with experienced leaders in the textile industry.

And most importantly, we strengthened our communication, time management, critical thinking, and public speaking skills!

If you are interested in further improving your skills, the Youth Climate Skills Accelerator will feature inspiring climate leaders sharing their personal insights, career journeys, and practical advice on building a successful career in climate action. Follow along and join us!

Communications and Networking

These are fundamental skills for any career.

Yes, it can be challenging, but you need to stay focused on your mission instead of worrying about what others might think. Often, the loudest critics are the ones who never take action themselves.

The best way to introduce yourself to the group is to show up, stand up and ask the question.
It’s simple but I always do that at youth conferences and always end up having more connections and being recognized in the room.

Then, try to be interviewed, or as I did at the World Bank, interview someone else for social media;)

Thanks to The World Bank Group’s Connect4Climate I was invited to a conversation with Sarah Nedolast, Water Security and Sanitation Partnership Manager at the World Bank.

We discussed the future of skills and the water sector. Today, 4 billion people experience water scarcity, while more than 2 billion still lack access to safe drinking water. These are realities we cannot ignore.

Meeting these challenges requires new partnerships for skills, and a new generation of people passionate about humanitarian action, climate solutions, and technological innovation in water and sanitation.

We need science and innovation, but we also need people who can communicate these solutions effectively, inspire others, and drive meaningful change.

Every day you have the power to make a difference for our planet. Every day is Earth Day. Join our movement, build your skills, and become part of the next generation of climate leaders.

A huge thank you to the World Bank Youth Steering Committee for the invitation. Especially to Marco Fayet, Jose Malbec Leighton and Hannah Rosenthal. See you next year!

LINKS:
MFMV https://www.facebook.com/share/1D7R6mWUkV/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Climate Education Coalition: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSehupPUpzQKW_HxO05CMQMjMbvFMbHCB8mO0u9k__wjH86U9g/viewform