When I was asked to keynote one of the first national women’s conferences, I wanted to do something awesome as a short intro to my talk. I created New Models, a multi-media show of different perspectives. For material, I wrote a future oriented introduction, and recruited 14 diverse people to participate.
The 14 contributors identified the motivating saying they repeated to themselves in tough times. Then they recorded their saying, and a graphic designer put 3 matching images to each saying. It was a big hit, and I can recite many of the sayings to this day.
If you’re bored with your life, risk it.
The best revenge is living well.
You have the blood of Samarai in you. Live always to be a warrior.
The older you get, the more like yourself you become.
An Indian without land is a dead Indian.
Watch the bagel, not the hole.
A reasonable thought will only take you so far: then you have to become unreasonable.
A loving life is a prayer life.
The one that comes to mind when I hear about youth activists is:
What does it mean when the person you want to be like when you grow up is youn
REFLECT:
Do you have role models younger than you are?
What about them inspires you?
The fastest growing segment of conscious leadership is youth activism, with an estimated 70% of Gen Zers being involved in a social or political cause (those born between 1995 and 2010). They are interlinked and interconnected across the globe. For them, social media blends the personal and professional, erasing the line between who they are and how they advocate. They see the internet as a community and family, and use it to communicate, mobilize and rally support in new ways. They also feel more empowered than previous generations, with 43% of teens saying social media makes them feel their voices are important and heard.
Research suggests many youth activists are motivated by fear for their future and distrust of governments to do anything about it. Operating in the digital space, they are effective. They generate and consume content almost constantly, especially from Instagram, TikTok and You Tube.v
REFLECT:
Many Gen Z activists are motivated by fear for their future and distrust of governments to do anything about it.
Does that make them conscious leaders – connected to a higher source and acting for the highest good of all – or an expression of the “me first” generation?
Malala is probably the most renowned youth activist – the youngest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize at 17. A Pashtun Pakistani girl, she was shot by the Taliban for writing a blog for BBC on the conditions in her country, and for insisting on going to school. After recovering from the life-threatening shooting, she spoke at the UN, and 500 youth education activists attended. She earned her college degree from Oxford in 2020 and operates as a global figure, speaking with heads of state and campaigning for human rights.
Others fight for girls’ education, including Anjali Katti who founded GirlsCo to bring attention to the issues girls face all over the globe. GirlCo conference attendees are encouraged to become activists.
Many young activists focus on climate change. Greta Thunberg is probably best known, beginning by skipping school every Monday to sit in protest outside the Swedish Parliament building. She has organized massive student protests around the world, and in March 2019 an estimated 1.4 million students in 110 countries followed her lead and marched out of school to protest.
Others protest in their own ways. Bye Bye Plastic Bags was formed in 2013 by Balinese activist Wijsen sisters, Melati (when she was 12) and Isabel (when she was 10). Their efforts paid off, and the government phased out single-use
plastic bags in 2019. A counterpart, Licypriya Kangujam campaigned to have all plastic clear from around the Taj Majal when she was 10. The project was completed when she was 12.
In addition, Marinel Ubaldon was impelled to speak out after Typhoon Haiyan destroyed her home in the Philippines. And Lirtia Baleivevuka started speaking out after Cyclone Winston hit her community in Fiji.
Numerous other issues are being addressed by youth
In the US, survivors of the Parkland high school shooting lead a campaign for gun control.
After reading a library book about it, William Kamkwamba from Malawi built a windmill to provide power for his family’s home. He founded the Moving Windmill Project.
Autumn Peltier, a member of the Wiikwemkoong First Nation, fights for clean water in Canada. Izidor
Ruckel, a Romanian orphan who was adopted, advocates for children without parents worldwide.
Farlis Calle Guerrero organized a children’s peace movement in Columbia after her friend was killed in the civil war.
And the list goes on.
APPLY
Locate and observe a youth activist / group (perhaps get involved).
What can you learn from them about leadership?
What can they learn from you about leadership?
