Topic:
"The Role of Youth Activism in Social Change"
Introduction:
The youth has always been the primary driving force for social change,
and it is from this group that frontline positions are taken so that
change comes through, be it civil rights movements or environmental
issues, and history shows that such pivotal movements have always
been led and catalysed by the youth.
An example is the civil rights movement with the SNCC being a group
of youths advocating for racial equality. The youths' actions have been
the most critical front that transforms laws and social opinions and
henceforth still decides what happens today. The role played by youths
in activism is bigger and more profound today than ever before. The
formation of technology and social media has made access to
organization, visibility, and impact much easier. It has opened new
avenues where people can express their sentiments, share concerns
with fellow-minded people elsewhere in the world, and struggle for
policy changes about issues affecting them and generations yet to
come.
The internet and the derivative digital spaces open avenues whereby
young activists may carry their messages further at unprecedented
speeds and magnitudes, undertaking lobbying efforts for key policy
changes or raising awareness around climate change, social justice,
human rights, among many more. Equipped with such tools, youth
activism has become this massive force of power carving changes and
uprooting traditional power structures for a better future. This concept
paper would elucidate the debate on the defining of the youth activism
concept, give some historical and contemporary examples thereof, as
well as analyze the impact thereof on society at large. The paper will
delve deeper to the drivers for young people movement into activism
by personal experiences, effects of social media, and societal
injustices. This paper will also discuss the challenges that face young
activists such as political opposition, societal perceptions, and risks
inherent in advocating for change.
Despite these challenges, youth activism remains a vital component of
social movements. Young people have led the fight for the expression
of rights of marginalized and oppressed communities.
Objectives
1. What is meant by youth activism: The definition of what
constitutes youth activism and its history in social movements.
2. Evaluate Impact: Discuss current cases of youth-led movements
on climate change or social justice and assess their impact on policy
and public opinion.
3. For Identifying Motivations: Anyone who has a motivation; it may
vary from social media influence or personal experiences.
4. Presentation Problems: Issues the young activists face in their
involvement, such as the political back pushes and perceptions by
society.
Rationale/Significance:
Very important, as what youths play forms the future of our societies.
At this moment, times will test the world with urgent matters, such as
climate change, racial injustice, or inequality; youth-led movements
have managed to push further the conversation into action by
governments, corporations, and communities towards research on
youth activism.
1. Empowerment: This goes hand-in-hand with the roles of youths
within social movements, which empower young people to act as
change agents and realize their potential. Youth activism invokes a
sense of responsibility and agency within the younger population to be
able to exert an influence over the communities and societies that they
live in. The study on youth-led movements teaches one on how young
people can claim rights and fight for a brighter future even amidst
numerous obstacles.
2. Social Awareness: This paper will address social awareness
concerning controversial issues fought for by youth activists. They
include the Fridays for Future, which brought the world at large to
realize that there is an urgency concerning the climate crisis, and Black
Lives Matter, which raised systematic racism and brutality. Most
frequently, youth activists will lead national debates concerning issues
that mainstream media ignores or scoffs at those holding power.
3. Policy Impact: Much more significant, however is that youth
activism creates the effects of policy modification and policymaking
legislation. That in itself speaks to the power of young people in
exercising influence over the choices and consensus-building processes
about policy-making by making politicians act or by changing public
opinion about what is salient in society.
Activism by the youths will change the laws and the regulations
running the society, hence making good tools for social change.
4. Knowledge Value: While undertaking research on the roles of
youths in social movements, this study should be regarded as having
educational values. Evidently, this would outline the role of the youth
in activism and how their involvement can make society shift its course
of direction.
Activism by youths is neither merely a service but also a process in
learning civic participation, social responsibility, and the impact of
collective action on future generations.
5. Implication of the Future: Finally, this paper will evaluate what
implications young activism has in policymaking today and in the
future. Of course, the government, NGOs, and other stakeholders have
an interest in knowing how to assist them as more young people cry
out for action. Through the research, recommendations will be made to
the policymakers and organizations on how to co-opt them in tackling
the most salient issues of our time.
Methodology:
This paper employs a case study approach in analyzing the role of
youth activism in social change. First, a detailed case analysis of each
of three youth-led movements will be conducted:
Fridays for Future Fridays for Future is a global movement lead by
climate activist Greta Thunberg, which has rallied millions of the youth
to demand action on climate change.
The Black Lives Matter organization fights for systemic racism and
police brutality. This movement has given rise to waves of numerous
demonstrations around the world and discussions on racial justice.
March for Our Lives: Gun control, led by youth. After the latest school
shooting in Parkland, Florida, demand the government to propose and
implement stricter gun policies.
It discusses strategies and challenges of youth activism through case
studies in a bid to gain a comprehensive understanding of exactly how
these young people manage to make social change happen.
Time Plan:
Task: Start date: End date:
Survey Preparation October 9, 2024 October 12, 2024
Data collection October 10, 2024 October 14, 2024
Data analysis October 10, 2024 October 15, 2024
Writing and October 12, 2024 October 15, 2024
preparation
Final Presentation October 16, 2024 October 16, 2024
Gantt chart:
Task Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day Day 7
6
Topic X X
Selection
& Approval
Literature X X
review
Cases X X
study X
selection
Data X X X X X
analysis
(cases
study)
Drafting of X X
paper X
Editing & X X
Final X X
review
Final
submission X
Reference:
Cullors, Patrisse Khan, with Asha Bandele. When They Call You
a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir. St. Martin's Press,
2018.
Thunberg, Greta. No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference.
Penguin Books, 2019.
Brookings Institute. The Black Lives Matter Effect on Policy and
Policing, 2020.
