Young people centre stage in shaping our world

The challenge is to change what we can to ensure future generations don’t feel neglected, left behind, discarded and hurt by those who decide what their fate is both politically and personally.

I’m sitting here contemplating this blog. Now what do I say about hope hhhmmmm. I’m usually the optimist, looking for the rays of sunshine in the storm, the love where there is hate. But I’m not going to lie this is hard and that this year like for so many other people on a global scale has been devastating.

How do I best capture especially for all the children and young people of this city what hope looks like today? My mind then becomes flooded with memories old and new of the incredible acts of kindness, support, courage, commitment and struggle that the young people and children that I have had the privilege of meeting and working with have shown. 2020 set us all a challenge that in the face of the most horrific virus and acts of hate and discrimination young people stepped up, raised their voices and acted in kindness to others.

The challenge is to change what we can to ensure future generations don’t feel neglected, left behind, discarded and hurt by those who decide what their fate is both politically and personally. We do now I believe have an opportunity to put young people centre stage in shaping our world, celebrate their achievements and know that where we do this it will be a better place for us all.

Rebecca Palmer – Senior project officer for children and young people’s participation at the GLA.