International Youth Day 2020: Amplifying Youth Voices to Achieve the SDGs

August 12, 2020 marks the United Nations’ annual celebration of International Youth Day. The theme for 2020 is “Youth Engagement for Global Action”, which encourages the involvement of young people in decision making and taking action at local, national and global level. Many are concerned with how the evolving global community will be able to reach the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and it’s become increasingly clear that youth voices are needed to create meaningful change in society.

Shumei International believes that investing in our youth is the best way to invest in the future of our planet. Shumei works with schools to help youth gain a holistic perspective on how to engage with the natural world, starting with how their food is grown.  While many children aren’t in school right now, Shumei believes children can still learn outside of the classroom by participating in activities which connect them to Nature. By instilling values of sustainability and interconnectedness at a young age, children learn to give back to their communities while caring for the Earth and connecting with others.

This year has been life changing for everyone around the world. It is truly a reminder that the world we are creating is the world we are leaving behind for the next generation. If the destructive paradigms are not shifted, then the seeds for a brighter future for our youth cannot be planted. Let’s make a commitment to the future of our youth by ensuring they receive a holistic education which incorporates sustainability and caring for Mother Earth.  By empowering youth with information and life experiences that connect them to Mother Earth, we can truly create a better world not just for future generations, but for the planet as well.