Younger generations need to become actively integrated into efforts to bring about political change, according to several youth activists, including Greta Thunberg.
The young people made the demand on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
“Young people have ideas to offer that can complement the experiences that politicians bring to the table,’’ said 18-year-old Natasha Mwansa, who advocates against child marriage and for girls’ rights in Zambia.
According to Mwansa, concrete action at home, not more talking, will get results.
Speaking at a discussion panel on the first day of the global leadership summit in the Swiss mountain resort of Davos, she said; “We are not going to be in Davos forever.’’
Swedish climate strike leader Thunberg and the youth activists said the trick was to make sure they got the world’s attention.
“I’m not the person who can complain of not being heard.
“But science and the voice of young people is not in the centre of the conversation, but it needs to be,’’ the 17-year-old activist added.
Salvador Gomez-Colon, who is the same age as Thunberg, seconded her.
“Things are being politicised, but it is not a political issue,” the sustainable energy advocate from Puerto Rico said about the climate debate.
In reaction to the global climate protest movement that Thunberg has inspired, the World Economic Forum invited several young social and environmental activists to Davos from around the world this year.
She did it as a counterweight to the Western political leaders and corporate chiefs that make up a large portion of attendees.
