Guest Episode: A Discussion with Eugenia Olliaro on Youth Engagement | Why Youth Voices Matter in Tech & Policy

Half the world’s population is under 30—yet young people are often left out of the conversations shaping their future. In this episode of Rethinking Tech,

Aparna sits down with Eugenia Olliaro, a global leader in responsible technology for children and youth engagement. From her work at UNICEF’s Responsible Data for Children initiative to advising international organizations, Eugenia shares why meaningful youth participation is critical for shaping policies, technology, and data governance.

We explore:

🧒 Why young people are excluded from key decisions—and how to change that

🔍 The risks and opportunities of children’s data in a connected world

🌍 Global examples of countries doing youth engagement right

🗣️ How language, culture, and local context impact participation

👥 What it takes to move beyond tokenism to real inclusionIf you care about the intersection of technology, rights, and the next generation’s voice, this conversation is for you.

🕒 Chapters

• 00:00 – Why Youth Voices Matter
• 02:15 – The Power of a Young World
• 05:40 – Why Youth Get Left Out
• 09:20 – Kids’ Data: Risks & Rewards
• 14:05 – Youth Engagement That Works
• 18:50 – Beyond Tokenism23:10 – Culture & Context Matter
• 27:40 – Tips for Policymakers & Tech Leaders
• 31:25 – Final Call to Action

LINK TO SURVEY!

👋 Stay in the Loop

- Follow Eugenia on LinkedIn!

🔗 Full transcript + sources → https://rethinktech.substack.com/

📩 Free episode briefs → link pinned in comments

Hosts: Aparna Bhushan | Harinda Katugaha

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