December 26, 2019
5 Youth Advocates that have helped Change the World
Though perhaps not always fully appreciated, youth advocates have been at the forefront of influencing positive change in the world. Current and future youth advocates can be benefited by providing them with platforms for their work, but it’s arguably more advantageous to market them as role models to inspire others. Below are some examples of existing advocates who have brought about real positive impact in the world. The ignition of inspiration is hope, and it is our duty as a society to continually provide hope for ourselves and future generations.
1. Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai becomes youngest ever Nobel Prize winner
Known for her resistance against the local Taliban’s agenda to deny Pakistani girls in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa an education, Malala Yousafzai, 15, was shot in the head in 2012 on the school bus home from taking an exam. Surviving the ordeal, she went on to become an advocate for every girl’s right to education and became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. She continues her humanitarian efforts as an activist to this day.
2. Greta Thunberg
In August 2018, at age 15, Greta Thunberg gained fame from protesting outside the Swedish parliament with a sign that read “school strike for the climate”. This gained traction online and other students were inspired to rally alongside her. Now Greta is one of the most influential environmental icons, and travels the world to deliver the message of unity and positive change to combat issues of climate change.
The moment we decide to fulfil something, we can do anything. – Greta Thunberg
3. Iqbal Masih
Iqbal Masih was forced to work in a carpet factory in order to pay off his family’s debts. Chained to prevent escaping, Iqbal worked from the age of 4 years to 10, after which he escaped by learning bonded labour was declared illegal by the supreme court of Pakistan. Despite failing to escape once, he succeeded the second time and embarked on his studies and campaign to raise awareness of bonded labour. Iqbal helped 3,000+ Pakistani children to escape debt bondage. He was murdered at the age of 12 by the “carpet mafia.”
4. Claudette Colvin
Teenager Claudette Colvin was arrested at the age of 15 in 1955 for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus to a white woman. Having occurred nine months prior, this inspired Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott that followed. Claudette “…challenged the law in court, one of four women plaintiffs in Browder v. Gayle, the court case that successfully overturned bus segregation laws in Montgomery and Alabama.”
5. Easton LaChappelle
Easton LaChappelle with Momo
With a passion for building and creating, Easton LaChappelle found his way into robotics after submitting a robotic arm into a science fair. He met a young girl named Momo, who had a prosthetic arm that cost $80,000, which sparked an idea: to create prosthetics for an affordable price. Easton now creates prosthetic limbs using a 3D printer.
Written by Hannan Almasyabi
Marketing Support Officer
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