International Youth Day: The Kids Are Alright But How Can We Support Them To Be Even Better ?
This post was written by Ryan Langley, Capacity Building Summer Fellow
It has been 21 years since the United Nations General Assembly and the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth determined that the 12th of August be celebrated as International Youth Day. On this date of commemoration, we “celebrate and mainstream young people’s voices, actions, and initiatives” across the world, under the 2020 theme of: “Youth Engagement for Global Action”.
This year’s theme highlights how youth engagement in political and social institutions at the community, national, and global level is not only enriching to these processes, but can also be enhanced to better support young people’s ability to be a positive source of change. Currently we as a world are facing a critical convergence of challenges, from climate change, state-sponsored racism, sexism, homophobia and violence, unemployment, poverty, homelessness and barriers to food/water access, to the outbreak of COVID-19. During such times we learn to ‘expect nothing’ and to ‘embrace a new normal’. What is perhaps unexpected for some, is that it is some of our world’s newest individuals who have taken to the front lines of these causes. Teens are leading Black Lives Matter protests across major cities, adolescents are advocating against climate disaster, and young social media users encourage their peers to harness their collective power by voting. They are guided by the words of historical figures, career activists, and community leaders, but with a drive that is all their own.
Today, young individuals from 15 to 24 years of age represent 16 percent of the total global population. That is 1.2 billion people with the capacity to dismantle and rebuild our unjust and failing systems and that number is only expected to rise. However, this potential, though not new but perhaps more visible now than ever, is only fully realized when we start by ensuring our youth have real access and opportunity to be educated, heard, and allowed to lead.
There is oftentimes a misconception that ‘the real world’ starts after schooling ends. In reality, there is no separation. Young people do not want to be exempted or excluded from their role in their future. People. Change. Systems. This does not come with an age caveat.
So what can we do to secure vibrant and productive lives for our young people?
Operationalize the momentum of the youth by creating Youth Councils in key organizations and local communities so that young people can have a voice in shaping the structures that inevitably affect them. Protect the health and safety of students and teachers as they return to school in the fall. Build anti-racist curriculum and pedagogy into your schools to support those from historically marginalized communities and lay the foundation for all to lead through an equity lens. Push leaders to make decisions that reflect our values because it is our young people that will inherit the consequences. Finally, recognize that while we celebrate that the youth have responded to these calls to action, we cannot neglect the reality that they should not have had to. Every child is due a childhood and the weight of the world should not fall on the young.
Happy International Youth Day!
Resources
COVID-19 Information for young people
Pandemic participation: youth activism online in the COVID-19 crisis
Talking with Kids about the Protests
5 Things Educators Can Do to Address Bias in Their Schools
Meet The Young Activists of Color Leading the Charge Against Climate Disaster
How Student Activism Shaped The Black Lives Matter Movement
References
Ryan Langley is Beloved Community’s Summer Capacity Building Fellow. She a senior at Washington University in St. Louis pursuing dual degrees in French and Anthropology, with concentrations in Global Health and African and African-American Studies. Her personal advocacy, academic studies, and professional work focus on supporting the lives of marginalized women and children by challenging systemic and multi-dimensional barriers to health and well-being.