Becoming a Youth trustee

Author: Tamar, AFC Youth Trustee

Becoming a Youth Trustee wouldn’t have happened and I wouldn’t have been able to make this impact without putting myself up for this role as a young person. That’s why I believe that young people everywhere’s voices should be heard and this is only possible if young people feel they are able to get involved. Particularly for Action for Conservation (AFC), which focuses on the environment and young people, this is the world that the older generation will leave behind, so young people should be listened to in decision-making now. We may be young now and consider these issues as ‘it’s not our responsibility’, but one day it will be in charge and therefore it is ultimately the younger generation that needs to feel inspired to be involved. At COP conferences for instance, decisions may be made by people who will not feel the ultimate impact of their decisions long-term. 

As a Youth Trustee I have learnt about financial decisions. I have learnt how to analyse and even create financial accounting documents. I have learnt about the importance of being in the room when people make decisions. I have become better at quantitative calculations and sharing my ideas. But most importantly I have learned that what I have to say as a young person is valuable and that I should not hold back. Therefore, the impact I have made is making AFC, an organisation which I sincerely care about, a better place. 

As today is International Youth Day, in conjunction with 16-17 year olds now being able to vote, it should be now more than ever that young people realise the power of their voice and opt to get involved in making decisions. Being passive gets nothing done, which is why young people with their unique perspective and new innovative ways of thinking should be involved in decision-making.

Something that is not considered is how often is, who are the voices making change? Are these the same as people in positions of power? Ultimately, it is time for a change, and for change to come from young people.

Particularly when it comes to the environment. If young people actively get involved in decision-making, not only will the concerns of the younger generations be brought to the forefront, but there will be more diversity in who those voices are. Being the only Black person in many of these rooms for instance, has allowed me to bring representation to the table. 

This can’t be achieved by just one person. More organisations should have Youth Trustees just like AFC has, because it is paramount to our future that young people are decision makers and therefore change makers too.

Thanks for reading!

Tamar.