Too often young people are excluded from the political decisions that shape their lives. The International Congress of Youth Voices was founded in 2018 with the purpose of providing a way for young writers and activists to assemble and learn from established leaders in activism, politics, and publishing, and most importantly, to facilitate direct collaboration between young people determined to make a difference. The inaugural meeting of congress was in August 2018 in San Francisco. Its second meeting was in San Juan, Puerto Rico in August 2019.
The delegates, ages 16 to 22, come from 27 different nations and are working in a range of fields to create the change they want to see in the world. From climate justice to gender equity to education reform and beyond, these students’ perspectives on what they seek are an essential call to action for us all. Edited by Nyuol Lueth Tong, What We Seekfeatured 115 youth delegates, and is a primer—a sampling of the thoughts on the minds of Congress delegates, and a glimpse of the future of youth activism.
