On August 12th, the world celebrates International Youth Day, a day dedicated to recognizing the incredible potential and impact of young individuals. This year’s theme, “Green Skills for Youth,” highlights the vital role of imparting sustainable skills to young people for a better tomorrow. Yet, as we delve into discussions about nurturing these skills, we cannot overlook a crucial aspect that underpins any form of empowerment: the safety of our children and youth.
A Safe Environment as a Foundation for Growth
Imagine trying to sow the seeds of knowledge and skill development in a field marred by shadows of violence. Just as a plant cannot thrive without a nourishing environment, young minds cannot flourish in an atmosphere tainted by fear, specifically the fear of gender-based violence. It is easy to underestimate the ripple effects of such violence on a person’s potential to grasp the green skills required for a sustainable future.
The Intersection of Violence and Sustainability
The urgency to combat SRGBV may seem overshadowed by the pressing global climate agenda. However, let us remember that it is the students who learn in safe spaces that can later become climate activists, innovators, entrepreneurs, and scientists; we need to safeguard both people and the planet. The roots of a sustainable world can grow only in violence-free fertile soils.
Rising Child Foundation’s Advocacy Efforts
At the Rising Child Foundation (RCF), we are committed to driving grassroots advocacy that ensures young people not only understand the gravity of SRGBV but also possess tools to identify, report, and mitigate it. Our mission extends beyond imparting green skills, and encompasses cultivating a safe space for growth, learning, and empowerment.
A Call to Action
As we commemorate this International Youth Day, let us urge decision-makers and policymakers to prioritize combatting SRGBV. We must collectively invest in interventions and initiatives to safeguard children and young people. This necessitates comprehensive laws and policies that address the multifaceted aspects of SRGBV and create an environment in which young individuals can blossom.
Commending the Unsung Heroes
Amid these challenges, it is important to acknowledge the remarkable work that young people are doing worldwide. In particular, we applaud volunteers at the Rising Child Foundation, who tirelessly drive grassroots advocacy for education and gender equality. Your efforts are the beacon of hope, guiding us toward a future where young minds are not only equipped with green skills, but are also nurtured in an environment where violence-free and empowerment go hand in hand.
This International Youth Day let us collectively commit to nurturing the generation of changemakers, a generation that grows in a safe haven, armed with green skills, and empowered to steer the course of our world toward a brighter, sustainable future.
International Youth Day 2023 Statement by RCF Co-founder Taibat Hussain
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