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At UNGA79, Tahmid Khan highlighted the crucial role of demonstrating the value of youth-driven ideas and initiatives, especially in securing corporate funding. He remarked, "Youth have a lot to give and are coming up with great ideas, but we also have to acknowledge the world for what it is." He emphasized that without showing the value these initiatives bring, "you will not be able to channel the funding to us." He identified a significant barrier for small organizations, minority communities, and gender and sexual minorities, noting the challenge of providing proof of concept to corporate funders.

Khan also addressed the power of art as a tool for advocacy, differentiating between "art for expression" and "art for advocacy." He stressed the importance of creating platforms for artists to showcase their work, remarking, "We want art for change, but we want the artists to survive." He emphasized the need for advocacy-focused art to make an impact, especially in sectors like sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

Reflecting on the missed opportunities to integrate art into global conversations, Tahmid expressed disappointment at the lack of focus on art in major conferences, such as those on SRHR, stating, "One of the biggest issues during the pandemic was how you communicate relevant information... there are no sessions about that."

The panel also addressed key challenges in youth engagement, including tokenism, lack of funding, and limited trust in youth-led initiatives. The importance of valuing young people's time and giving them ownership of their creative ideas was emphasized, as was the need for platforms where their contributions are acknowledged. Barriers to youth participation in the global health sector, such as the absence of youth voices in policy-making, were also discussed.

The session highlighted the transformative potential of youth-led initiatives, cross-sector collaboration, and the integration of art into advocacy efforts, as participants shared their insights on driving meaningful change through innovative practices.