On 16th November, my English class went to Geneva to attend the Young Activists Summit. But before telling you about our interesting trip, I’m going to explain what the YAS is in the first place. The Young Activists Summit 2023 gathers young activists from all over the world from a wide range of backgrounds and identities who share the mission to fight for justice for the environment or people. The main aim of the YAS23 is to open a space for these activists to connect with others, share their life stories, and create a positive change for their cause, communities, and beyond. Overall, the Young Activists Summit is a powerful demonstration of the potential of young people to create meaningful changes in the world, and a reminder that the future of our planet lies in the hands of the next generation.
To go back to our trip we left by train from Morges to Geneva. We took funny group pictures in front of the Palais des Nations, then we waited at the gate for our individual badge to be allowed to enter the site. Once inside the building we left our bags and coats on the seats of the conference room. Since we had arrived a little bit early, we were allowed to visit the building on our own. Personally, I went straight to the bookstore. I have always loved reading since I was a little kid, so it was impossible for me not to go check out their books. There were many options from small cute books for little kids to books about the Second World War. After that, we all went back to the conference room to attend the summit.
I personally thought that it was a very interesting moment. I learned more deeply about topics that I wasn’t aware of. For example, I had no idea that an entire minority in Myanmar was being persecuted for years and that so many people had to flee from their own country to end up in a refugee camp like Sawyedollah Maung. Or that so many young girls like Roshni Perween get married at a very young age against their consent. And also that Francisco Vera (who’s only 14 years old!) had to run away from his home country because he fights to protect the environment. I’m a very sensitive person and my future is a topic that I hold close to my heart. Seeing and hearing those stories made me feel less alone in a way that made me realise that I wasn’t the only one that worries about my future and the future of our planet.
Seeing all of those people fighting every day and trying to make the world better gave me hope. I don’t know what the future holds, but I’m sure that whatever happens, I won’t be alone. I really hope that this summit inspired people to do something because yes I know that we are the generation that is going to live in the mentioned future but we are all together in this – old and young people, women and men, and the LGDTQIA+ community. We are all involved in making the world better.
Clothilde Murri (2CS3)
