Young people make a difference in global poverty in many creative and innovative ways. 

Advocacy and Awareness

One way that young people make a difference is through advocacy, as seen in grassroots movements such as Why Hunger. This organization works with young people at the local level to change their food systems. It has connected 932,000 people to nutritious food and services.

Another way they advocate is by raising awareness, often by using social media. For example, Joshua Heart’s Foundation, started when he was just 4 years old, has raised more than $1 million to help end hunger worldwide. This highlights how young people use their tools to effect change in the world.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation

A second way that young people can positively impact global poverty is through entrepreneurship and innovation. This is exemplified by social enterprises such as the Solar Sisters, which enable young women seeking work to become entrepreneurs and create sustainable energy alternatives. This innovation helps provide technological solutions to global poverty issues. The Solar Sisters and other entrepreneurs develop technological solutions that address existing problems with power in the world, offering new ways to combat poverty.

Volunteering

Young people also make a difference through both local and international volunteering. The New York Times found that one initiative in New York managed to serve up to 1,000 people in a food bank, highlighting the impact of young volunteers. It also found that the young people involved wanted to make a change and felt good about it. This demonstrates how they are making a difference now and see the benefits of volunteering, which encourages them to continue supporting the goals of ending world hunger and addressing global poverty.

Education

A penultimate way for young people to make a difference is through education, which can be seen in both educational initiatives and skills training. For example, SEED, a British organization, has significantly impacted global poverty goals through education, with young people leading the charge. SEED aims to enhance young people’s learning to help eradicate global hunger and address global poverty. One study found that SEED improved access to water, sanitation, hygiene and education for more than 400 students at Sainte Luce Primary School. This demonstrates how educational initiatives can significantly influence global poverty outcomes.

Leadership and Governance

Finally, young people can make a difference through leadership and governance. This is most evident through youth representation in groups and at government meetings, such as the Global Food Summit, which led to discussions surrounding policy. Young people put pressure on decision-makers and push the conversation forward. Additionally, governance can involve them in policy development that directly affects those suffering from global poverty. This direct involvement has a positive impact on laws that benefit those in need.

Young people have a significant impact on addressing global poverty. In many different ways, they are one way forward in tackling global poverty and similar issues. They benefit both these goals and provide new and innovative ways of solving problems.

– Rosie Miller

Rosie is based in Edinburgh, Scotland and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

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