The beginning of the new academic year is an opportune time for students to find their passion in extra curricular activities. In general, your college experience offers plenty of opportunities for you to make a difference. Whether it’s volunteer service, or a student government, it’s pretty easy to get involved and make a difference. I believe in the “power of youth” today, and I think that our generation has the incredibly opportunity to a make a difference in our own lives and the lives of others thousands of miles away from us.
I truly believe that the power of youth is an increasingly popular phenomenon, which is only going to become stronger in the future. I think that our generation is more equipped with education and resources to not only be more aware of current global issues, but more importantly, we are able to learn how to help and we are able to think of creative, innovative ways to make a difference in the world.
Recently, two Emmas come to mind when I think about the power of youth today. Emma Watson and Emma Sulkowicz are excellent examples of our generation making a difference. Watson proved that “gender equality is your issue, too” with the HeForShe campaign, while Sulkowicz powerfully demonstrated a case against sexual assault on college campuses with her “Carry That Weight” performance piece. Another young woman making a global difference is Malala Yousafzai. Malala is a Pakistani education activist, who strives for access to high quality education for all, who was provoked to take action after being shot in the head on a schoolbus. Follow the links to find out more about each of these powerful young women.
But you don’t have to become famous to make a difference at a young age. Jonny Cohen is sixteen years old and the founder GreenShields. After riding the bus one day, he was inspired to increase the environmental efficiency of school busses and is now the founder of a successful project that will help schools save money on gas and reallocate those funds towards education.
Power of Youth is a global network with international events and development programs for entrepreneurs and their businesses. It’s an organization that exists to support entrepreneurs who are driven to build a better world. POY “exists to support and celebrate these entrepreneurs and to spread the message of values-based businesses.”
Whether it’s our several service-oriented clubs and organizations, volunteer and community service opportunities, resources from the office of civic engagement, the opportunity to join a service fraternity, or volunteer service trips, Bucknell has so much to offer to students who wish to ignite their passion for helping to make the world a better place.
The first step in making a difference is to find a cause you’re passionate about. Completing the following statements can help:
If I could change one thing about the world I would change…
The world would be a better place if…
Every human deserves access to…
Once you start thinking broadly, you should channel in on the statement. For example, if I completed the statement, “the world would be a better place if gender inequality wasn’t an issue.” I would then narrow my view to, “In Cambodia, gender inequality exists in the limited education for girls.” Then I would have to think how to resolve this issue, expanding my statement to, “The world would be a better place if gender inequality was eliminated from the Cambodia. I can help because I can fundraise for scholarships for girls’ education, which will also raise awareness of the issue and encourage others to do the same.”
We are a lot more powerful than we think. I think this misunderstanding is further reinforced with compliments like “you’re going to be really successful someday”. Why someday?! Why wait any longer when someone has told you that you have the traits to be influential now? The power of youth is really inspirational and only expected to grow, so join the other influential youths before you’re a powerful elder (which would still be pretty cool).