This ITU Tech Monthly episode explores how digital skills empower women entrepreneurs in Nigeria. It features Maryam Lawan, founder of Blue Sapphire Hub, whose "Women on Wednesday" project won an EQUALS in Tech Award for Leadership in SMEs, recognized at Mobile World Congress Barcelona in March 2026 (https://www.equalsintech.org/post/equals-in-tech-awards-at-mwc-26-meet-the-winners). The discussion highlights how digital upskilling, mentorship, and investment access drive growth for women-led businesses.

The episode also examines how emerging technologies and supportive digital ecosystems foster inclusive economic participation for women. This reflects the work of the EQUALS Global Partnership for Gender Equality in the Digital Age in advancing digital skills and inclusion.

Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) at ITU, has issued a video message.

This message commemorates International Girls in ICT Day 2026.

Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) at ITU, has released a special video message.

This message commemorates International Girls in ICT Day 2026, emphasizing the importance of empowering girls and young women in information and communication technologies.

Day 4 of the 11th Annual HBCU Climate Change Conference was electric, showcasing the movement's excellence. Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré's strategic brilliance and innovative student research underscored a strong foundation for climate action.

HBCUs are actively designing the future, not just discussing it. This day highlighted resilience, groundbreaking research, and the rising legacy of these institutions in advancing climate and environmental justice. #HBCUCCC2026 #LegacyRising #ClimateJustice #EnvironmentalJustice

The #HBCUCCC2026 conference moved from discussion to action. Dr. Calvin Mackie presented on STEM NOLA, while Pastor Williams highlighted the critical reality of flooding in Shiloh, emphasizing the urgency of our work. A powerful panel of TSU students demonstrated how the next generation is actively building the future.

Our efforts bridge STEM, storytelling, and climate justice, driving tangible solutions for environmental equity.

Day 2 of the 11th Annual HBCU Climate Change Conference focused on empowering the next generation of leaders. The day's events included awarding the Damu Smith Award to Donnelle Wilkins, Founder & CEO of the Green Door Initiative.

Attendees also participated in inspiring panel discussions, highlighting critical themes of environmental and climate justice.

Day 1 in New Orleans brought together students, faculty, and community leaders to bridge the gap between climate research and real-world action. These initial sessions highlighted the critical connection between climate justice and the fight for racial and economic equity.

This collaborative effort, spearheaded by the Bullard Center and DSCEJ, underscores a commitment to climate resilience, particularly within HBCU communities.

Day 1 in New Orleans, LA, convened students, faculty, and community leaders to bridge climate research with real-world action. Sessions underscored the inseparable link between climate justice and the fight for racial and economic equity.

Key themes included climate resilience and the vital role of HBCUs.

The ITU Future Innovators podcast presents 'Voices That Lead: Women Shaping ITU', featuring women in diverse roles sharing their journeys, achievements, and hopes as digital transformation drivers. Host Rebecca Mzungu Saeluzika interviews Elizabeth Locatelli, Mehtap Dufour, May Thi Aye, Susan Teltscher, and Harisa Shahid, exploring their work's impact and career milestones. Essential for those interested in women's leadership in global digital policy. Listen and subscribe!

ITU, the UN agency for digital technologies, drives innovation with 194 Member States and nearly 900 private sector/academic partners. Established in 1865, ITU coordinates global radio spectrum, promotes satellite orbit cooperation, improves communication infrastructure, and sets worldwide standards to connect the world.

Find the audio episodes on: Spotify | Apple | Soundcloud

Earth Guardians' Indigenous Youth Initiative trains young Indigenous leaders from across Turtle Island. This Native-led, nature-immersed program focuses on Traditional Ecological Knowledge, movement-building media, and climate justice organizing. Participants develop campaigns to defend their communities' lands, waters, and people, fostering relationships for the movement's future.

Established seven years ago by young water protectors after the NoDAPL movement, the initiative maintains a radical, grassroots approach. This year features two sessions (June & October) for Indigenous youth (18-30) in the Mid-Atlantic region (MD, VA, DC, DE, PA, WV). Learn more: https://www.earthguardians.org/indigenous-youth-initiative

On January 14, 2026, the New Leaders Initiative hosted a virtual panel featuring 2025 BYA alums Lily YangLiu and Sophie Tipper. YangLiu discussed using climate education to promote youth participation in political and environmental decision-making. Tipper focused on policymaking and passing environmental justice legislation in Colorado.

The conversation was facilitated by Renata Brillinger, Director of the California Climate and Agriculture Network (CALCAN), a project of Earth Island.

On January 29, 2026, the New Leaders Initiative hosted a virtual panel featuring 2025 BYA alums Inaam Chattha and Kyle Trefny. Chattha discussed establishing a safe space for youth experiencing climate anxiety.

Trefny shared his journey from fearing fire to adapting and coexisting with it as a firefighter. The conversation was facilitated by BYA alum Jess Rimington, founder of One World Youth.

Izabela Iglewska, Minister Advisor at Poland's Ministry of Digital Affairs and the ITU-T Regional Representative for Europe for the Network of Women (NoW), discusses the vital role of the Network of Women in telecommunication standardization.

For more details, visit: itu.int/go/NOWT

Over the past 20 years, youth incarceration has plummeted by 75% as states closed prisons and reformed policies. In her new book, *In Our Future We Are Free*, journalist Nell Bernstein dissects this transformation. She chronicles the forces that moved us from a "moral panic" to a time when youth prisons are rapidly fading.

Bernstein's book highlights the pivotal role of imprisoned youth, mothers, activists, and even prison officials in challenging the "racist brutality of youth prisons" and closing institutions. Join Nell Bernstein and moderator Chesa Boudin to learn how this coalition reformed a "racist and destructive institution" and what other social movements can learn from their struggle.

Discover the latest highlights from the Network of Women in ITU-D.

These concise summaries showcase their key activities and achievements from 2023 through 2025.

Rebecca Solnit, a renowned writer, historian, and influential feminist thinker, authored "Men Explain Things to Me." This essay famously articulated an experience shared by millions of women worldwide.

In a conversation with writer Marina Espasa, Solnit reflects on contemporary feminism, the narratives perpetuating inequality, and the urgent need to collectively rethink our relationships with nature, culture, and one another.

On November 18, at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, WECAN hosted "Women on the Frontlines of Climate Action." Global women leaders, including representatives from Africa, Colombia, Brazil, and Turtle Island, shared powerful insights. They addressed ending fossil fuels, ensuring rights-based Just Transition, advocating for Indigenous Peoples' rightful place, and building a just world.

At the conference, WECAN also launched its report, "Justice-Based Climate Finance for COP30 and Beyond." This report provides in-depth analysis and strategies for governments to advance effective, rights-based climate finance. Read the full WECAN report: https://wecaninternational.org/climate-finance.

For more information on WECAN’s COP30 advocacy goals, delegation, events, and speakers, visit their website: https://tinyurl.com/COP30blog.

At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, on November 13, WECAN hosted a press conference where Amazonian leaders issued urgent calls to protect Indigenous rights, women land defenders, forests, water, communities, and the global climate.

WECAN also launched its “Escazú Agreement Toolkit for Women Land Defenders and Frontline Communities.” This resource offers eleven country-specific guides to help women land defenders navigate domestic laws for Escazú Agreement protections, ensuring their rights and environmental safeguards. Access the toolkit: WECAN Escazú Toolkit.

Prominent Indigenous leaders spoke at the event. For more details on WECAN’s COP30 advocacy and speakers, visit: WECAN COP30 Blog.

On November 13, WECAN hosted the press conference, “Women Leading Fossil Fuel Phaseout and a Just Transition,” at COP30 in Belém, Brazil. Speakers shared critical strategies to advance a fossil fuel phaseout, uplift Indigenous and human rights, stop extraction, and implement a Just Transition that supports communities and ecosystems.

The event featured global experts including Dr. Ameria Sawas, Colette Pichon Battle, Esq., gina cortés valderrama, and Majo Andrade Cerda (Kichwa). Osprey Orielle Lake, WECAN’s Executive Director, provided comments and moderated the discussion.

Learn more about WECAN’s advocacy goals, delegation, events, and speakers on their website: https://tinyurl.com/COP30blog

At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, WECAN hosted "Rights of Nature: A Systemic Solution to the Climate Crisis." This press conference highlighted how Rights of Nature offers a new legal and economic framework for living in balance with Earth, providing a systemic solution for defending biodiversity, communities, and our climate.

WECAN also released its report, "Rights of Nature as a Central Pillar of a Just Transition," underscoring its critical role in global climate responses. Read the full report here. Speakers included Casey Camp-Horinek, Nnimmo Bassey, and Osprey Orielle Lake. Learn more about WECAN's COP30 advocacy on their website.