A word on the wise

There’s a saying that goes something like: Youth is wasted on the young.  I reckon that’s a bunch of bologne!

 

Once upon a time, before I got a taste for volunteering to work in disasters, it was my role to work with young people in Red Cross to make sure that they were represented across the organisation – at all levels.  To make sure the voice of young community members was heard in the youth projects Red Cross implemented and to make sure the voice of young volunteers was heard – even at the National Board level.

 

It’s an important thing for young people to be heard – not just because we are the leaders of tomorrow, in fact I really dislike that idea…I dislike it because the reason it’s important to have a voice in society is because we are leaders today, right now.  And the skills, motivation, idealism and passion we have for things that make a difference to us, can make a difference to so many people.

 

When Henri Dunant – the founder of the Red Cross Movement – wrote the book that persuaded European Heads of State to support the foundation of an International Humanitarian Organisation he was only 30 years old. 

When Hugh Evans, founder of the Oaktree foundation began that organisation, he was 20 years old.  A year later, he became Young Australian of the Year and the organisation he began has earned more than $1Million in support of its International work.

 

There are more examples of young people doing more, doing better and reaching further than you can imagine – including right here in the pages of this site.  Every Extreme Weather Hero – not just the 6 of us, but all of you just starting your journey as well, is a young leader with the ability to transform organisations, transform society and transform the lives of the people you’ll meet doing your voluntary work.

 

If you check out The Top 10 Leaders of the Future named recently in The Weekend Australian you’ll see that sure, they might not still all be THAT young, but they all began on their chosen paths and achieved incredible things when they were.  People like Alissa Phillips, the winner in the category of Society and Ralph Ashton in the Earth category have been making their mark, forming organisations and transforming people’s opinions and actions since they were at school.

 

So I reckon it’s a fitting thing to check out the youth declaration that has come from a gathering of young Red Cross volunteers in Solferino – the birthplace of the Red Cross Movement.

 

Hundreds of young people got together to share ideas and experiences and to pledge their commitment to working on some significant global issues.  In return, they have asked for very specific support from the Movement and the Governments of their respective nations to facilitate and enable their work.

 

I think it’s an inspiring statement that shows just how innovative and wise young people are.  I hope you enjoy it too and get a few ideas for how you can work within your schools and respective volunteer organisations to show your leadership!

 

Lookim Iu!

 

 

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