7 Messages from Youth the World Needs to Hear

Around the world, young people are rolling up their sleeves and shaping a future we believe in. We are organising community clean-ups, leading advocacy campaigns, starting social enterprises, influencing policies, and using our creativity to solve global problems.

Yet too often, the dominant story about youth is one of waiting, waiting to “grow up,” and “be ready.” But here’s the truth: youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow, we are the change-makers of today.

Inspired by the World Scout MOOT that brought thousands of young people together in Portugal earlier this month, we asked one simple question to young people from around the globe: “If you had one message for the world, what would it be?”

Here are seven answers that remind us of the power, hope, and determination of this generation.

1. Power of Youth – Flor Cagliero (27, Argentina)

“Curiosity is the power of the youth generation. It’s through the spark that comes from curiosity where we young people can find innovative solutions for worldwide problems and be agents of change.”

• For youth: Keep questioning, exploring, and challenging assumptions. Your curiosity fuels innovation.
• For leaders: Create opportunities for young people to experiment, learn, and share solutions to real-world challenges.

2. The Relevance and Importance of the Global Goals – Andrea Torres (27, Mexico)

“The Global Goals give us a shared framework to create change. We need to educate and empower all people, especially young people, to use them as a guiding tool to focus our energy on the issues that matter most in our communities.

• For youth: Learn about the Global Goals.Choose the ones you’re most passionate about, then act locally with them in mind.
• For leaders: Integrate the Goals into education, community projects, and policies so young people can see how their work connects to the bigger picture.

3. Hope in Unity – Shashank D Murki (21, India)

“Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is a Sanskrit phrase that translates to ‘The World is One Family.’ Let’s rise above borders, respect our differences, and work together to protect people and the planet.”

• For youth: Build friendships and collaborations across borders. Our generation has the power to model unity.
• For leaders: Prioritise policies and partnerships that empower youth, promote global solidarity and mutual respect.

4. Youth Action in All Forms – Ana Leonor Fernandes (26, Portugal)

“Big change can seem quite daunting and can sometimes overshadow the power of small actions. We must remember that every conscious action creates ripples. The choices we make today can inspire change far beyond what we see.”

• For youth: Whether it’s speaking up in class, reducing waste at home, or starting local projects, small actions build momentum that can lead to bigger change.
• For leaders: Recognise and invest in youth-led initiatives at every level! Support systems that help young people turn ideas into lasting impact.

5. Collective Power of Young People – Ivan Chaves (20, Mexico)

“Today, young people face numerous challenges and obstacles in the world. It may seem overwhelming, but we have a significant advantage: we are more connected than ever. We have the opportunity to come together as one unified movement, working to change the world. With collective power, there is no challenge too great for us to overcome.”

• For youth: Unite with others to build a stronger movement. Our collective power makes change unstoppable.
• For leaders: Invest in and create spaces where young people can connect, collaborate, and lead together.

6. Message to World Leaders – Andreea-Alexandra Scriosteanu (23, Romania)

“Approximately half of the world’s population is under the age of 35, yet only 1% of global human rights recommendations focus on youth. World leaders must adopt more global policies on youth rights to ensure youth voices are heard everywhere.”

• For youth: Keep organising, gathering evidence, and advocating for youth rights. Our movements are crucial for global progress.
• For leaders: Invest in youth movements and commit to formal protections like a UN Convention on Youth Rights.

7. The Future We Want – Henry Ebuka (30, Nigeria)

“Youth deserve a seat at every table where decisions that impact the future are made. We seek a world where our voices resonate in every conversation, where our perspectives shape policies and actions. We want to live in a future that reflects our needs, dreams, and aspirations, one that empowers us to create lasting change. A world where youth are heard and valued is a world that thrives, and together, we can build it.”

• For youth: Speak up, get involved, and claim your space at the decision-making tables
• For leaders: Ensure young people have meaningful participation in policy and leadership.

These global voices show that young people are already leading change – by educating, connecting, and acting on the issues that matter most. But we cannot do it alone.It will take the collaboration of world leaders, civil society, and every sector to amplify our voices, invest in our movements, and make sure we have a seat at every table.

Because when young people are heard, trusted, and supported, we don’t just hope for a better world — we make it real.

Author: Alysha Alva, Communications and Marketing Executive for The World’s Largest Lesson, Project Everyone