This story originally appeared in our January 27, 2011 e-magazine. Click here to subscribe.
By Abby Callard and Nisha Kumar Kulkarni
By The Numbers
Percentage of African population between the ages of 15 and 24.
The estimated number of youth aged 15 to 24 in Africa by 2050. » Continue reading “Data — Focus on Africa”
“Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation.” -Robert F. Kennedy
Last weekend, I came across a few young people who, like Robert Kennedy, believe that through small acts, they can redefine this generation. In India, a country still riddled by the barnacles of a caste system unwilling to let go, seeing young people working together across class to make change proffered hope for a new India.
While waiting for the monsoon to arrive in an auditorium in Mumbai, I met a series of social entrepreneurs, part of Ashoka’s Youth Venture program, who have taken on the responsibility to change our world, with perseverance and steady energy.
Eighteen year old Shubhangi has started an initiative to inform her community about child sexual abuse. Monika is 15, and raising awareness of substance addiction among young people in her neighborhood. Prabal has started an alternative magazine called SLAP. Prashant is sending drop-outs back to school.
Each of these projects is led by a young person (15-24) and has produced measurable results. 18 conversations about alcohol abuse. 12 drop outs re-enrolled in school. 4 girls returned to school.
As I watched the video about a young woman helping send girls back to school, I caught myself in a wave of cynicism. Four girls, I thought. It’s quite a small number. But then, I tried to imagine the girls. In a classroom. Learning. Playing. Reading aloud. Proving their point. » Continue reading “Blurring Social Divides”
