Youth and access to education as an engine of sustainable development

Abstract

The article examines the interrelation between youth, modern educational technologies (EdTech), and the concept of digital educational sovereignty in the context of achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The relevance of the study is determined by the global digital transformation of the educational environment and the growing role of the young generation as a driver of these changes. The paper proposes a comprehensive analysis that combines pedagogical aspects of education for sustainable development with legal aspects of protecting learners' digital rights. The international legal framework includes key universal documents enshrining the right to education and non-discrimination, as well as global initiatives highlighting the role of youth in the transformation of education. The national legal framework of the Russian Federation reflects the implementation of these principles in Russian legislation - from the Constitution and federal laws on education and youth policy to strategic programs and projects aimed at digitalization and inclusive education. The article reveals the pedagogical role of education as the foundation of sustainable development and youth civic engagement: it provides definitions of sustainable development, statistical data on the young population, and analyzes the contribution of education to unlocking youth potential for achieving the SDGs. Special attention is given to the influence of digital platforms on the accessibility and quality of education. The article also analyzes problems arising at the intersection of education, technology, and law: the absence of unified quality standards for online learning, threats to learners' privacy and data security, insufficient legal regulation of artificial intelligence algorithms, the deepening of digital inequality, and others.