Empowering Tomorrow: The Crucial Role of Youth in Shaping Education
- Christopher McCormick
- Jan 21
- 4 min read
Several years ago, I volunteered at the LGBTQ+ Youth Center in Seattle. One of the youth who often showed up during our walk-in hours asked me for some support on a speech she planned to give to her local school board. Given I knew she felt challenges with anxiety and would often begin to stutter when she felt under pressure, I was happy to help and provided some thoughts, insights, and perspectives. At the end of working with her that evening, she invited me to come and attend the school board meeting. She wanted to have a friendly face to support her while she was advocating for improved mental health resources in schools. As I sat there, I watched this 16-year-old girl step up to the podium, her voice shaking but her resolve unwavering. She spoke passionately about her struggles with anxiety and how the lack of supportive resources made her feel isolated and unheard.
She shared her vision for a peer support group that could provide a safe space for students to discuss their mental health challenges. As she spoke, the room fell silent, and I could feel the weight of her words. It was more than just a plea for help; it was a call to action that resonated with many in attendance. Her courage sparked a wave of support from both parents and educators in the room, leading to a commitment from the board to explore the creation of such a group.
Witnessing her bravery reminded me that youth are not just passive recipients of education; they are powerful advocates for change. Her story is a testament to the impact that young voices can have when given the opportunity to be heard.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela
As we approach the International Day of Education on January 24, 2026, we’re reminded that the future of education lies not just in textbooks, but in the hearts and minds of young people. This year’s tagline, “Ignite the Self, Impact the World,” emphasizes the pivotal role youth play in co-creating educational pathways that are inclusive, equitable, and transformative. It is directly tied to this year’s theme "The power of youth in co-creating education,"
Throughout history, we’ve seen young individuals rise as powerful catalysts for change. We’ve witnessed them educate on a world stage about some of the most important barriers they are witnessing first hand.
Malala Yousafzai: A Pakistani advocate for girls' education who survived a Taliban assassination attempt at age 15. In 2014, at age 17, she became the youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. She continues her work to this day through the Malala Fund, advocating globally for girls' rights, recently publishing a memoir Finding My Way that explores her life beyond activism, and remains based in the UK after graduating from Oxford University.
Xiuhtezcatl Martinez (X): An Indigenous climate activist and youth director of Earth Guardians, who addressed the UN General Assembly in 2015 at age 15 to advocate for environmental policy. Now in his twenties, he focuses on blending music with environmental justice, releasing projects like TONATIUH and "Veils," while advocating for Indigenous land rights, systemic change, and returning to his roots.
Greta Thunberg: A Swedish environmentalist who in 2017, at 15, began a solitary "School Strike for Climate" that sparked the global Fridays for Future movement. In recent years, she has broadened her focus to include human rights and global justice, voicing support for Ukraine, Palestine and Armenia. In 2025, Thunberg twice joined a humanitarian flotilla bound for the Gaza Strip.
The United Nations (UN) started the International Day of Education in 2018. Without these three young activists taking a stand for their beliefs, the UN may have never taken this bold stance or action. It is about celebrating education as a basic and fundamental human right, a public good, and a vital driver for peace and development on a global scale. That said, across the globe, countless young people face daunting barriers that can stifle their dreams of education and development. From financial constraints, infrastructure & logistics, systemic inequity & discrimination, personal & health issues, to the digital divide. These challenges can feel insurmountable, yet they are not without hope or potential for change.
As we celebrate this International Day of Education, ask yourself: how can I be a part of this change? How can my experiences shape the future of education for the next generation?”Whether it’s advocating for policy changes, volunteering, or simply listening to young voices, every action counts. What calls to you? What compells you? It's easy to sit on the sidelines and think we can't have an impact. That isn't serving anybody, including ourselves.
As we contemplate the legacy we wish to leave, let us remember that every contribution in youth education is a possibility for a brighter, more equitable future.
“When we invest in youth education, we invest in our future.” – Malala Yousafzai
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