Child and Youth Participation
1. Switzerland | “Save My Planet, Save My Rights”: Children Unite for a Sustainable Future | Terre des Hommes Suisse
Save my planet activities in India. ©Tdh
In 2023, for “International Environment Day” on June 5th, Terre des Hommes Suisse launched the “Save my planet, Save my rights” campaign, bringing together hundreds of children and young people worldwide to campaign for environmental protection. This initiative highlighted children and young people’s growing concern for their future in the face of environmental challenges and their determination to do everything to secure the future they deserve.
The campaign mobilised children and young people through various activities: awareness raising workshops, discussions and debates, creation of vegetable gardens, street parades to convey messages, waste collection, and even workshops in the Amazon to raise awareness about the fragility of nature.
These experiences allowed children and young people to concretely understand environmental issues and develop a sense of belonging to a global movement.
While these children and young people may not live in the same country, speak the same language, or share the same culture, the goal was for everyone participating to realise that they share the same planet and must find solutions to the challenges it faces.
Children and young people’s testimonies reflect certain concerns about the future, but also their determination. Rinku, for example, a young child rights activist in India, expresses this anxiety:
Due to pollution, the Earth’s global temperature is rising. But it’s also the sun that’s causing more and more damage to our skin. Our generation will be so affected that we won’t be able to leave our homes anymore.
Or Camila, 11, in Peru:
We went to see how the river was doing and we saw a lot of pollution. I would like to make the planet cleaner, tidier, and have less pollution and contamination.
This desire for concrete change illustrates children and young people’s commitment to a healthier environment.
By empowering children and young people to be agents of change, Terre des Hommes Suisse is investing in the development of future engaged leaders. This campaign illustrates the organisation’s approach, placing children’s rights and participation at the heart of its actions for a more sustainable and equitable world.
Watch this video (in French and English) with more testimonies from the children and young people involved in the campaign.
Learn more about the campaign here (in French).
2. Germany | Young Activist Academy 2023: Strengthening Youth in Claiming their Rights | Terre des Hommes Germany
Young Activist Academy event. ©Tdh
In 2023, the inaugural Young Activist Academy (YAA) brought together 15 young activists from diverse backgrounds across Germany. Hosted by Terre des Hommes and Gripswerke, this initiative focused on youth who have faced discrimination and are passionately involved in social movements. Among them were young refugees, street-connected youth, young Roma, care leavers, and LGBTIQ+ youth activists. Their mission: to learn, share, and advocate for their rights using cutting-edge tools and creative strategies.
Throughout the year, these young activists met on weekends, forging strong bonds and exploring innovative ways to advocate for social change, with workshops covering topics like press work, action art, and the use of artificial intelligence in activism. Central to their learning was an intersectional approach, recognising the inter-connectedness of their struggles—whether for housing, non-discrimination, or equality—and finding ways to support one another.
One of the standout sessions focused on harnessing the power of artificial intelligence. The participants learned how AI could amplify their voices and extend their reach. From data analysis to creating compelling narratives, AI provided them with new tools to fight for social justice. This innovative approach not only equipped them with practical skills but also opened their eyes to the endless possibilities AI could offer in their activism.
Beyond the workshops, individual activists received support through the “MegaFonds”. This fund allowed them to request resources for their own projects and campaigns. This financial backing was crucial in turning their ideas into tangible actions, furthering their impact in their respective communities.
The year-long program culminated in a closing event in December 2023. Here, the young activists showcased the results of their workshops and individual projects. This event was not just a celebration of their achievements but also a platform to share their stories with a wider audience, attracting the attention of the press and inspiring others to join their cause.
I’ve also spoken to journalists about our campaigns before. But during the interview training at the Young Activist Academy, I learnt how to convey our message better and more consciously,
Journalists are drawn to compelling narratives that highlight personal journeys, challenges, and triumphs. By training young activists in storytelling and media engagement, the program ensures that their voices are heard far and wide.
The Young Activist Academy is more than a training program—it’s a movement. It equips young people with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to advocate for social change. By focusing on AI, action art, and storytelling, it empowers a new generation of activists to fight for justice in innovative and impactful ways.
Learn more about YAA here (in German).