The Young Activists Summit 2024, themed “Go Far, Go Together,” honored five youth leaders tackling significant global challenges like climate change and social injustices. Notable laureate Sohanur Rahman, who founded YouthNet for Climate Justice, emphasizes youth empowerment and advocacy for climate action in Bangladesh. The summit reflects the growing influence of young changemakers in driving positive societal change.
The Young Activists Summit, established in 2019, has emerged as a vital platform for empowering young leaders dedicated to promoting human rights and environmental protection. This year, the summit adopted the theme “Go Far, Go Together,” celebrating five inspiring individuals aged 19 to 30 who are making significant strides against pressing global issues such as climate change, sexual harassment, homelessness, and racism. These 2024 Laureates highlight the vital role that youth play in driving impactful change within their communities and beyond. Among the laureates, Marley Dias advocates for diversity in literature, while Shanley Clemot McLaren addresses gender-based violence online. Alvaro Quiroz focuses on empowering the homeless through art and advocacy, and Cynthia Houniuhi leads legal initiatives targeting climate change for future generations. Notably, Sohanur Rahman champions climate justice and democratic reforms in Bangladesh, having been nominated for his significant contributions to climate activism with YouthNet. Sohanur’s activism was spurred by his childhood experience with super-cyclone Sidr, witnessing firsthand the devastating effects of climate-induced disasters in Bangladesh. In 2016, he founded YouthNet for Climate Justice to raise awareness and mobilize youth around climate issues. His efforts led to the Parliament of Bangladesh declaring the climate crisis a planetary emergency and helped halt the construction of ten coal plants. Recently, YouthNet played a pivotal role in organizing peaceful protests that resulted in the ousting of the long-standing Prime Minister. Currently, Sohanur continues to advocate for the prioritization of climate action within Bangladesh’s new interim government. During his participation in the summit, Sohanur met with EU Ambassador Lotte Knudsen and engaged in discussions with young professionals from the EU Delegation and Member States Missions. The collective efforts of these young activists represent a powerful movement against systemic global challenges, as underscored by Maimouna Ba, a previous laureate, who characterized the summit as: “For me, the Young Activist Summit was quite literally a new breath of air.”
The Young Activists Summit serves as an important venue for young individuals aiming to make a difference in global issues. With a focus on human rights and environmental activism, the summit encourages networking and sharing experiences among young leaders. Each year, it highlights the dedication of young activists who tackle diverse and pressing societal problems. The 2024 summit introduced a theme aimed at fostering collaboration to create impactful change, recognizing individuals who lead initiatives that resonate globally.
In summary, the Young Activists Summit 2024 exemplifies the significant contributions of youth to addressing critical global issues. The participation of laureates like Sohanur Rahman and others illustrates a growing movement that emphasizes collective action for systemic change. Their stories and initiatives inspire hope and action among their peers, highlighting that collaboration is essential for creating a more equitable and sustainable future.
Original Source: www.eeas.europa.eu