All over the world, young people are making a difference - here are just five that are creating inspirational change.
Todd Mann once said, “The future of the world belongs to the youth of the world.” Young people worldwide are taking charge and making a change where they can: in their communities.
Autumn Peltier
Since she was eight, Autumn Peltier was an advocate for access to clean water and water conservation.
She was particularly concerned with the indigenous groups in Canada and acted as a ‘water warrior’ to help them have safe water access.
At the age of 14, Autumn was named the Chief Water Commissioner for the advocacy group for over 40 First Nations in Canada, known as the Anishinabek Nation.
She has also been internationally recognized as a clean water activist and has spoken for the Canadian Prime Minister, the World Economic Forum, and the United Nations.
Ye Wai Phyo Aung
At 24, Ye Wai Phyo Aung is the co-founder of Athan, an advocacy organization for freedom of expression. He helped found the group in 2018 when Myanmar started having growing issues with the freedom of speech.
Hundreds of people have been arrested and sued, so Ye Wai began to track the injustice and deterioration of freedoms.
He risked his freedom publishing this information to spread awareness to the local community.
His research contributed to the UN Human Rights Council’s periodic reports on the situation in Myanmar.
Ye Wai also distributes educational material to teach young people about the freedoms they should fight for.
Mari Copeny
At eight years old, Mari Copeny reached out to the then-President Barack Obama about her city’s water problem.
She wrote him a handwritten note that got his attention and led him to visit her and investigate the issue first-hand.
Known as Little Miss Flint, Mari is a young black activist and fundraiser from Flint, Michigan.
Unfortunately, there is still a problem with the water crisis in her city, and she is determined to help.
Mari has raised a lot of money for the city to help clean the water and is hoping to make a difference for underprivileged children suffering the most from it.
She describes herself as the “future president”, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her get elected!
David Moinina Sengeh
At 26, David Moinina Sengeh was named to the 2014 edition of the Forbes 30 Under 30 List.
After suffering a decade-old civil war in Sierra Leone that left thousands of people with amputated limbs, David decided to help.
David is Sierra Leone’s first Chief Innovation Officer and Head. He is also the Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation of the country.
Not only is David transforming critical thinking for youth across Africa, but he has also helped create prosthetics to fit everyone in need.
He has done a TED Talk about his work as a Biomechatronics researcher at the MIT Media Lab.
Age is just a number, and these young people prove that you don’t need to be old and wise to make a difference.
Starting with the areas closest to home, determination and hard work can help transform the community. One by one, improved communities make up a better world!
Want more inspirational stories? How about this one?
Terre des Hommes: A Half Century Long Aspiration for a Safer World for Children
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