When I found out that we have pretty serious environmental problems, I decided to buy a fabric shopping bag and give up using plastic straws. I thought of myself as a kind of hero, who was going to change the world for the best by these simple actions. Now, a year later, I realize that’s really far from enough. But not because I think that I shouldn't be a zero waster or vegan. I think it’s because everybody must be a zero waster and vegan :)

It is hard to be an activist in a world where everybody expects a girl to be soft and cute at all times. And I can tell because I have been bullied my entire childhood and during my teenage years. I was called “bossy” most of the times, or worse, “boyish girl”. Today, as a grown up, the situation isn't much different. It wasn’t easy for me to put up with all the pressure. But I did. I knew what I had was bigger than their words and the names they were calling me. Frankly, what they thought is going to break me, broke them, and made me stronger. One year ago, I read an article with the title...

Whether you are a movie fan or not, it is likely that you are familiar with the much-romanticized idea of ‘superheroes’ – the outstanding characters dedicated to fighting evil and defending the public. Although we only get to watch them as fictional characters, the youth across the globe today are turning out to be the real-world superheroes; stepping up the fight against climate change. They are actively advancing solutions that can make a real difference, demanding bold action from world leaders and holding them accountable for their plans to combat the mounting climate crisis. Indeed, the 1...

In the year 2090, will even half of the land that exists on the Earth today still exist? Will children still be able to watch polar bears and penguins in documentary programmes, or will they be shown as historical data from the past? As things stand now, it is realistic that we will hear: "All the ice has melted in Antarctica... polar bears as a species are now extinct..." In the same way, news on climate change, or rather, news of catastrophic consequences for nature and wildlife will be heard. Can you imagine this kind of news in 70 years?! It won't be fake news for sure!

It’s been said that money can’t buy happiness. While this can be true in many ways, a steady source of income can alleviate many stressors. Living below the poverty line in the United States leaves many families looking for a roof to sleep under each night, ways to put food on the table, and the means to obtain physical and mental healthcare. A recent study done by researchers at Boston Medical Center (BMC) reports that you don’t have to be homeless to experience both adverse physical and mental health outcomes from housing insecurity. The study interviewed more than 22,000 families about...

How many times have you ever thought of this question: “Who inspires you?” I know it might seem easy. But trust me, it is not. Especially when your answer should be clear and honest, identifying the person who has impacted your past and will continue to impact your future. I have spent a week already brainstorming who might be that person. I don’t want to give a random answer. I identified several criteria for what makes a person influential. I looked up the characteristics of influential people. According to all the articles I read my person should hold these traits: 1- He must be a leader of...

and if not for yourself, do it for the women that broke the shackles to see you run free into the rose bush and become one. the women that carry the legacy on their backs. of strength and complete dedication to see your little heart beat freely without hesitation. they held back to watch you run free. and broke themselves into pieces to see you become whole. if not for yourself, then for the magicians who from plain air spun you. a block of pure gold. go on and run free, my dear. for they did not do the extraordinary to see you become just mediocre.

As a bullied child, people were used to calling me by different names: "ugly", "chubby boy", "useless". I had never paid much attention to these different comments. After all, everyone has the right to share their own thoughts. Since the wind was carrying these words away, I kept ignoring them and growing up accepting to face this obnoxious reality. I remembered it being kind of hard, sometimes, to believe that these judgements were only dust in the air, not facts. My classmates were seeing me standing, always smiling, but they could not distinguish what was hidden behind this facade, given...

Hello, This is Ethar Khalid. I am a 25 year-old Saudi girl, I became an American permanent resident last year. In another part of the world my dad is working in a dangerous place where the oil attack happened a few days ago, he is there to fix the damage. I feel so sad and depressed..I have been crying for days worrying about his safety there! I am desperate, scared and far far away from my family to support them. I have a small YouTube channel and there are bunch of young people watching me... But, I hate it when people still believe we should only trust people with certain identities. They...

Every day we face challenges. Some of them are bigger than others, like getting out of bed compared to having one of the most important exams of the semester. It may even be doing that essay you have been procrastinating on doing. The thing about challenges is that they are not easy to face. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean that they can´t be confronted. Yes, it will be hard, but it will also be worth it. We usually think only on the cons and we create excuses, instead of focusing on what would we gain afterwards. We may also believe that we are not capable of confronting the challenge, that we...

When I turned 6, I did not consider myself a kid anymore . Ever since, I saw the world from a different angle. I started dedicating 2 hours per day to my English story book collection. It was called “The Wild Thornberry”. I used to spend hours pinned to my desk reading and writing. I was fascinated by the accent and the sound of the letters of the new language I was learning; English, it was. The biggest question I was constantly asked is “ Are you crazy adding extra study hours to your schedule?” My answer was, “ I don’t think I can be more reasonable.” “Those who know nothing of foreign...

I grew up in a house where an interesting story has been told many times. “When prince charming (your dad) came to steal the heart of my little princess (your mom)” my grandfather starts, with a smile on his face and a glowing tear on his cheek. “Your mom was preparing to harvest the fruit of 12 years of constant hard work, sleepless nights and the perseverance to succeed” he continues. With his hand on my shoulder and a warm voice he adds: “I stood solid and said firmly that no man shall marry my daughter until she celebrates her personal victory”. Which is graduation, he explains. At that...

Yesterday, sixteen child petitioners – including Greta Thunberg and Alexandria Villaseñor – from 12 countries around the world today presented a landmark official complaint to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child to protest lack of government action on the climate crisis. The petitioners – aged between 8 to 17 – allege that Member States’ failure to tackle the climate crisis constitutes a violation of child rights. They urge the independent body to order Member States to take action to protect children from the devastating impacts of climate change.

In Africa, I mean Liberia, they call me the future leader but I ask, when is the future? At 18, young, energetic; At 94, weak and cripple? Ohh no! Wait! Am I? For what have they prepared me? To face a future as dark as a Vantablack My hope has been crushed as my future seems blurry Hopeless, yes, worthless they made me feel I feel a future filled with empty hopes of uncertainty Within me lies the feelings full of empty regrets For long I have been drenched in a hopeless dilemma They care not about my pain, but their greed Their pleasure lies within their immature mind They appear gloomy, but...

I live in the most advanced city of Pakistan, Lahore. A city famous for its advancements and traditions at the same time. It was a city of great minds and cultures and I very much grew up in the middle of this city, playing with clouds in the sky and building up my imaginary stories all the time. I was always a child with lots of curiosities and queries, as most kids are finding every little thing intriguing and questioning. I was always lurking around to look for things I had never seen. I was known to be a kid with energy of a small puppy, who was never tired of exploring and sniffing. I...

On the 14th of December, 2015 I left my home in Syria to start a special journey on Global Citizenship Education (GCED) and peacebuilding. However, because I have a Syrian passport, I had to go through many difficulties and interrogations before arriving in Jordan. Still, it was worth it. Back in the days, we didn’t need any security clearance nor a visa to enter our neighboring country. However, today, things are different. Finally, I arrived there. I entered the room and there I found 41 powerful advocates from 23 different countries. I stood there for a moment and my heart was pumping. The...

The society which you live in is the same society you lack courage in. The people who are by your side always hide, just not be seen by those who backbite behind you. Is it shy, pride? I don't know. And the moment they realize you're progressing, succeeding, they'll start to develop fashion in your dressing. Not knowing all that you've went through has always been so stressing. The society in your community. When you start to cry, no one will stop by not even to try to wipe your tears until it's dried. And then you'll be asked "Were you crying?" Let your answer be "No I wasn't, I was just...

In the everlasting struggle for human rights, the advocacy of women’s equality is one of the most controversial and complex aspects. The importance of considering the huge ethnic, religious and cultural differentiation and the complexity of the contemporary world is vital, when demanding the realization of these rights. To establish and achieve political, economic, personal and social gender equality means to consider each diversity and to treat that diversity according to the person’s values, without trying to have a cultural or ideological hegemony. So, why when it comes to Muslim women, the...

What is this world that is full of cruelty? Where should I live to find people with honesty? Humans on this earth are without humanity. They proclaim in media about freedom and liberty. But in the real world they despise me. Do they hate me because of religion, colour or nationality? Why do they treat me with racism and inequality? Ain't I a human who should live with them equally?