I think we’ve all heard, and probably been offended by, the phrase “youth is wasted on the young”, but does anyone know who said it, or indeed, why?
After it bugging me for the last few years I did a bit of research and it turns out no one is actually 100% sure. It’s has been attributed to both George Bernard Shaw (an Irish writer) and Oscar Wilde (an English one), but it turns out, neither of them ever said it fully and much like Gandhi’s “be the change you want to see in the world”, it’s a misquote, and one that is more often than not totally misused (the earliest reference I found is actually from a book published in the 1930’s which was a titled 10,000 Jokes, Toasts, & Stories)!
Seeing as it’s International Youth Day we decided to right this wrong, do some research and show the world just how amazing young people can be. Just look at these inspiring international youth movements that are having a major impact and changing the world for the better:
Global Youth Action Network
While not technically a movement itself, GYAN plays an important role as a clearinghouse for today’s youth movements! It is one of the largest networks of youth organizations ever created and connects youth-led and youth-serving organizations in more than 190 countries. It’s known for its role in increasing youth participation within the United Nations System. In 2001 GYAN merged with TakingITGlobal, an award winning “social network for social good” that carries out its motto to “inform, inspire, and involve” through digital youth engagement, social innovation and global education programs.
ONE Youth Ambassadors
ONE Youth Ambassadors are a dedicated team of volunteers who help electrify ONE’s campaigns across Europe. They lobby decision makers, work with the media to raise the profile of our campaigns, and encourage the public to sign petitions through online activity and local events! Thanks to their contribution millions of pounds/dollars/euros of funding has been allocated to help the world’s poorest get the services they need to lift themselves out of extreme poverty! Submissions for next years programme will open in January and application instructions will be posted here.
Sawa World
Sawa World believes there is a way to end extreme poverty for billions of people on our planet. The solution lies in the minds, hands and hearts of those who suffer it most. They call them Sawa Leaders; unsung heroes who have themselves been among the one billion people living on one dollar a day or less. Their solutions are documented and shared by Sawa Youth Reporters – unemployed youth in their communities who are trained by local media partners to become community reporters. The Youth Reporters produce short videos and regular updates about the practical solutions and impact of Sawa Leaders and present them throughout their region and through local media. This allows other impoverished people to feel inspired and to replicate the solutions in their own communities!
Scouts
With over 40 million members from 223 countries around the world, the Scouts is the largest youth movement in the world. It is a voluntary non-political educational movement for young people, open to all without distinction of gender, origin, race or creed. Scouting offers young people the opportunity to develop their full emotional, intellectual, physical, social and spiritual potentials as individuals, as responsible global citizens, and as members of their local, national and international communities. There are National Scout Organizations all over the world. To become a youth member or an adult volunteer go here.
After it bugging me for the last few years I did a bit of research and it turns out no one is actually 100% sure. It’s has been attributed to both George Bernard Shaw (an Irish writer) and Oscar Wilde (an English one), but it turns out, neither of them ever said it fully and much like Gandhi’s “be the change you want to see in the world”, it’s a misquote, and one that is more often than not totally misused (the earliest reference I found is actually from a book published in the 1930’s which was a titled 10,000 Jokes, Toasts, & Stories)!
Seeing as it’s International Youth Day we decided to right this wrong, do some research and show the world just how amazing young people can be. Just look at these inspiring international youth movements that are having a major impact and changing the world for the better:
Global Youth Action Network
While not technically a movement itself, GYAN plays an important role as a clearinghouse for today’s youth movements! It is one of the largest networks of youth organizations ever created and connects youth-led and youth-serving organizations in more than 190 countries. It’s known for its role in increasing youth participation within the United Nations System. In 2001 GYAN merged with TakingITGlobal, an award winning “social network for social good” that carries out its motto to “inform, inspire, and involve” through digital youth engagement, social innovation and global education programs.
ONE Youth Ambassadors
ONE Youth Ambassadors are a dedicated team of volunteers who help electrify ONE’s campaigns across Europe. They lobby decision makers, work with the media to raise the profile of our campaigns, and encourage the public to sign petitions through online activity and local events! Thanks to their contribution millions of pounds/dollars/euros of funding has been allocated to help the world’s poorest get the services they need to lift themselves out of extreme poverty! Submissions for next years programme will open in January and application instructions will be posted here.
Sawa World
Sawa World believes there is a way to end extreme poverty for billions of people on our planet. The solution lies in the minds, hands and hearts of those who suffer it most. They call them Sawa Leaders; unsung heroes who have themselves been among the one billion people living on one dollar a day or less. Their solutions are documented and shared by Sawa Youth Reporters – unemployed youth in their communities who are trained by local media partners to become community reporters. The Youth Reporters produce short videos and regular updates about the practical solutions and impact of Sawa Leaders and present them throughout their region and through local media. This allows other impoverished people to feel inspired and to replicate the solutions in their own communities!
Scouts
With over 40 million members from 223 countries around the world, the Scouts is the largest youth movement in the world. It is a voluntary non-political educational movement for young people, open to all without distinction of gender, origin, race or creed. Scouting offers young people the opportunity to develop their full emotional, intellectual, physical, social and spiritual potentials as individuals, as responsible global citizens, and as members of their local, national and international communities. There are National Scout Organizations all over the world. To become a youth member or an adult volunteer go here.
