Giving Compass' Take:

• At the Resnick Aspen Action Forum, youth leaders discussed the different issues arising in their communities and detail the action they have taken to address problems related to race, gender, and socioeconomic status. 

• We are seeing an outpouring of more youth activism in recent years and these young leaders say that "they refuse to be put in a corner because of their age." How can more adults help facilitate and provide resources for young changemakers? 

• Read about a few lessons for adults about youth-led movements. 

Leadership and courage are not determined by age. On Friday evening at the Resnick Aspen Action Forum, Adria Goodson, chief program officer of the Pahara Institute, spoke with five young leaders from across the globe— Annabel Lee from China, Isaiah Son Pather from South Africa, Salvador Gomez Colon from Puerto Rico, Daniel Mills from Florida, and Lucia Fernandez from Georgia.

Goodson kicked off the discussion by asking the panelists how they have acted as bold leaders. Annabel has decided to focus on girls’ access to secondary education in China, an issue that she believes does not receive the attention it deserves. Last year, Annabel and her sister started Wings for Girls, a program that raises money for young girls living in remote villages to attend high school.

Isaiah is from Cape Town, South Africa and attends a school with a majority white population.  Isaiah spoke to the school’s faculty during a sustainability conference, focusing on the idea of embracing one’s identity. He encourages students to be proud of their backgrounds and who they are because "It can be quite a difficult environment for boys from alternative religions, backgrounds—social and economic," he says.

Lucia is also dealing with issues of race and identity at her school in Atlanta. There is a wide socioeconomic gap in her community.

The young leaders offered advice to the adults in the audience. They encouraged them to let go of their pride, speak the truth, and do the right thing, even when it is difficult. They also refuse to be put in a corner because of their age.

Read the full article about youth leadership by Leah Sorini at The Aspen Institute