Veteran journalist Caroline Faraj emphasized the need to provide young people with tools, training, and opportunities to utilize their inherent power rather than focusing on the concept of "empowerment." Speaking at the CNN Global Perspectives event, Faraj argued that youth already possess significant strength and influence, and the role of institutions, educators, and media organizations is to facilitate their ability to think critically, verify information, and express themselves independently.

Faraj challenged the common narrative of empowerment, stating, “You don’t need to be empowered. I enable you, upskill you and support you, but I don’t empower you because you are so powerful.” She underscored the importance of granting young people access to knowledge and practical skills, allowing them to use their voice confidently rather than relying on others to speak on their behalf.

The journalist linked this approach to the current challenges young people face in navigating an increasingly complex information landscape, where distinguishing fact from misinformation can be difficult. “When you enable somebody and you equip people properly, then you give them the chance to find the fact themselves,” Faraj said. She stressed that providing training and tools helps youth independently reach conclusions based on verified information without imposing facts on them.

According to Faraj, technology has expanded access to information and communication channels for younger generations on an unprecedented scale. However, she cautioned that technology alone does not ensure informed participation. Instead, the combination of technological resources, skill development, and youth energy creates the conditions for meaningful impact.

Faraj also highlighted the importance of encouraging young women to share their own stories directly, rather than relying on others to interpret their experiences. “You are the best person to tell your own story,” she said, noting that credibility is strongest when individuals speak from personal experience. She added that storytelling extends beyond spoken words to include nonverbal communication such as facial expressions and body language.

A key challenge Faraj identified is the widespread issue of fact-checking across the region and beyond. She framed the solution as building people’s capacity to evaluate and verify information themselves instead of asking them simply to accept what they are told. In that way, youth can become not only informed consumers of information but also effective communicators and contributors to public discourse.

Faraj’s remarks underscore a shift toward viewing young people as active agents with the ability and right to shape conversations, reinforced by training, resources, and respect for their voices in today’s media environment.