The now 22-year-old world activist is opening up about youth rising up and speaking out about the issues important to them, and what she’s hoping for the future. Check it:
On what the next 10 years of youth activism will hold:
“What has given me hope is that the last decade was a decade of youth activism, but the next one is going to be about youth change-making, and that’s what gives me hope. It’s like we have done our activism; we have done enough to raise our voice. And I think the next step is now let’s make the change, let’s be the change-makers, let’s get more involved in this.”
On the millions of young people who hit the streets for action on climate change:
“For me to see millions and millions of young people, not just in the U.S., not just in the U.K. — the so-called developed countries — but from all across the world, in Pakistan, in India, in Kenya, you see these young girls, especially women that are coming forward, and you also see older people in the crowds — I think that’s when you realize how powerful the voices of these young people can be. And I think awareness is important. That’s the first step towards a change.”
On the emergence of other young female activists in the years since she became one of the first internationally recognized teen activists:
“Six years ago, I was receiving global support, and I was happy that this time they were listening to young people. Sometimes in rooms with decision-makers, they don’t have any young people at the table; they don’t even have women, let alone young people. So just to have the voices of young people present there, just to have women being present at those tables, I think it’s a huge difference. And we have seen huge progress over the last few years, and now to see that young girls like Emma [González] and Greta are coming forward and they’re talking about climate change, they are talking about gun violence, and they’re talking about these different issues that are impacting all of us and especially what’s going to affect the future generations. There are hundreds and thousands of women and girls in all parts of the world who are standing up. Some of them we don’t even know — their names would never be known — but they’re changing their communities.”
Article Credit: justjaredjr