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Peachy Liv uses her platform and social media savvy to advocate for children's rights
Straight A's don't matter
Straight A’s don’t matter. Plain and simple. In the schematic system of school, a grading based system is better and much easier for the school itself--heck, all you have to do is put points into the grade book and the teacher’s job is done. It’s easy for them to put in grades--it’s only a letter after all. And for students, it shouldn’t mean anything more than just a letter, it won’t affect your life that much, in the grand scheme of things. We tend to pressure our students to get straight A’s, emphasizing that these grades engender success. According to Adam Grant in his New York Times’...
The Importance of Education, and How Teens Are Closing the Access Disparity
When the pandemic hit in early 2020, the effects were immediate: hospitals were short on overworked workers, people quarantined in their homes, public and private institutions—schools, workplaces, hotels, malls, etc.—shut down, and thousands were sick with COVID-19. Though the pandemic affected everyone differently, everyone was affected regardless. As a student myself—a sophomore in high school at the time—I experienced first-hand COVID’s impact on education and schooling. As schools across the world closed and learning went digital, both staff, students, and parents were unsure as they tried...
2020’s Explosion of Youth Advocacy and How We Can Keep the Political Momentum
As a teenager, it can feel daunting to try and get involved in worldwide issues. We can feel powerless and sometimes shamed for being too young to understand weighty issues like human rights, the economy, and climate change. Additionally, participation in advocacy efforts and other activities often requires reaching a certain age threshold. We must be 18 to be eligible for many volunteer positions, as well as participating in elections. Our lives are intertwined with social media and technology, so the pandemic surrounded our screens with tragic news and confusing politics. But we were...
I want our education system to be different
Why do we always have to write essays on patriotism, perseverance and value of time? What is the point of memorizing the sets of dates in history? What good is there knowing about grasshopper's digestive system? These are the questions stuck in my head for a long time. I am that type of person who never likes the conventional education system. I can't just break myself out of it, if I could I did.
STEM education
Today I was attending a webinar that relates to the theme: Steam4all: Accelerating gender equalities. So, did you know that there is only 28% of women STEM workforce representation around the world. Plus, Future-of-jobs will be technology and sciences, therefore women need to be well equipped with STEM skills to enter the workforce. I have heard lots of stories of women fighting with stereotypes. Like if you are entering to study mathematics or physics where there is a so-called “boy’s club” you have to prove you are smart enough and show your abilities to compete with others. I have learned...
6 tips for teens on how to develop critical thinking
My name is Marianna and I am 19 years old. I live in Kyiv, Ukraine. We all know how important it is for young people to stay safe and savvy online. With the rise in 'fake news’, experts have warned us to check sources carefully, pay attention to manipulative headlines and think twice about the stories we share with friends. Like me, you have probably heard these tips many times. But I didn’t truly become media literate until I took the time to develop critical thinking. Media literacy affects the way we look at and perceive the world. For me, it started at school, when I was constantly writing...
I look forward to a world where children have equal access to quality education
After this COVID-19 pandemic, I look forward to a world where children have equal access to quality education – where every child could go to school, every learning needs are met, each talent is nurtured, and each dream could be achieved. I reimagine a world where a child’s social, racial, or geographic background is irrelevant to the education they should receive. #VoicesOfYouth
Our future under attack: Nigerian youth reimagine learning through art
Discrimination towards teens
In today's generation there are many teens that have a job. Of course, they work with adults, young and old. I've heard many stories from my fellow classmates about what they experience at work. Because my classmates are younger, the older employees feel as if they can treat them any kind of way. They force them into doing duties that weren't even given to them. I believe there aren't enough rules to avoid things like this from happening. When teens are working at a job with older people, I think the managers and supervisors should pay EXTRA attention to what's going on. From personal...
Cute's message to the world
We aren't learning
I like solving problems of mathematics and physics on my own. When I get stuck on a problem and after brainstorming for a long time I finally solve the problem, I feel real pleasure. I remember telling myself not to give up while solving calculus problems. But I didn’t hate them. I like studying at my own pace. Without having pressure or the thought of an examination in my mind. I like doing it slowly, to the point it doesn’t make me feel bad. But all my good feelings go away when I remember that I have to sit for an examination. Studying is not for enjoying. Studying is for getting good...
It only works if we play together
"Volleyball isn't just for girls" When you first think of volleyball, many people think of girls serving and hitting a ball over the net. How about breaking this gender role by making girls and boys play together? During a boardgame session on gender disparity that I attended, coaches and sports trainers discussed actions and solutions to break this stereotype. Gender should play no role in what sports boys and girls want to play. This should be the same as in all areas of their lives. Adolescence is a key transition period for boys and girls; when attitudes and social norms are shaped. It may...
The Journey of Young Leaders #YouthDay
I started my volunteering journey at the age of 18. While teaching few under-resourced students in an NGO, I realized the extent of the gap in the opportunities and adequate training that exists in society. I have always been extremely fascinated and inspired by young leaders from the Indian subcontinent and the world over who have broken all the glass ceilings and have been successful in creating their mark in the society with their hard work and perseverance. Helping people and uplifting them to realise their actual potential has always been one of my dreams since a very young age. The lack...
The Future of Youth Activism: How Our Votes can Uplift our Society for Generations
I am Ryo Mitsuhashi, a high school student in Tokyo, Japan and Founder of BEFORE VOTING INITIATIVE. Since I was a small child, I watched TV specials for the elections with my parents. So, it was natural for me to be interested in politics. Most of the time, the low voting rate was the most concerning issue regarding the elections in Japan. Once it went below 50%. I was wondering why they didn't go to the election. A decade or so has passed, and this year, I’m turning 18 years old. Finally, I’m getting my voting right. Unfortunately, I couldn’t vote in this year’s election because I haven’t yet...
#YouthDay What do you want to change in the world?
What do you want to change in the world? - Education. I think most of the issues facing nowadays are caused by a lack of education. If we could just teach how to be a well, correct, and informed human being, with values, we wouldn't have this type of problem that is killing our world. Education is everything. Same with the environment, why don't we ALL start to recycle? why do some others and some others not? Why aren't we all interested in taking care of our planet? Just because not all of us are well-educated and informed. We need education for everyone around the world, that can impact...
Youth Day
What are your hopes and struggles as a young person? My hopes are to have a career that I like, meet new people and have a complete family. What do you think people misunderstand about young people like you? They misunderstand our feelings, our relations, life, friends or partners, our problems like low self-steam, loneliness and the stress we feel. What do you want to change in the world? I want to change the thinks of the old people and stereotypes. How can we make young voices heard? We can make voices heard with social media and don't talk criptically.
Transforming Education in Uganda
Of course I am going to start with the famous Nelson Mandela quote, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” because I have always believed in that statement. For context, I am currently a law student in the oldest university in the East African region, Makerere university (est: 1922), and I went to the oldest school in my country, Mengo Senior School (est: 1895) I have also studied in Uganda all my life, so I am an expert witness by experience if you believe in that sort of thing (that’s a joke). I am writing this in order to add my voice to the United...