Youth and Advocacy

From Gandhi to Martin Luther King to Mandela, our ideas of resistance have hitherto been inspired by those with severe titles and deep baritones. So when a pint-sized teenage girl, not one year out of middle school, with fire in her eyes and conviction in her voice, unabashedly asked the powers that be "How dare you?", we all paused in that fateful moment and listened to how the world was burning. Tired of those atop the social hierarchy squandering away the resources belonging to the next generations, Greta Thunberg encouraged the new generation to reclaim their future and changed the face of climate activism. Malala was 15 when she staunchly stood against archaic conventions and men with weapons to become beacon of hope for women worldwide to continue their education and pursue their dreams. Fueled by the rage against the systemic injustices against black people, it was three young women that gave birth to the #BlackLivesMatter movement online. Whether it be in the Southall Youth movement of Britain, the historic Stonewall riots or even the Save Aarey movement - the youth have always been key proponents of social change and advocacy for justice.

In today’s digitized world, the entire world sits atop your fingertips. Today, the youth don't have to stand with signs or torches as they can ensure their message is heard and spread to the right people with the click of a button. Social Media has democratized the idea of what it means to be an activist by giving everyone an equal platform. The younger generation, apt at navigating through the digital space, use creativity and technology as tools for their activism.

The potential the youth hold in peacemaking and advocacy was recognized by the UN Security Council when they adopted the the resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security as it mentioned “important role youth can play in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and as a key aspect of the sustainability, inclusiveness and success of peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts.”

The Youth are often either infantilized and seen as vulnerable, in need of protection. They are seen as indifferent and passive when it comes to political advocacy. But whenever the younger generation attempts to use their voice to rebel against the existing power structures, they are suddenly labelled as troublemakers and their demands are wrapped as either naive or problematic. We, as a society, need to start viewing our youth as valuable players capable of instituting real change. As the future leaders of the world, their opinion needs to be heeded. The youth, with all their enthusiasm, creativity and dynamism, can be powerhouses that induce the change we all await.

~ Charumann Dube

Chief-Editor

AICUF 2023-24

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