Helping young people to become global citizens and develop their voices

As children and teachers head back to school, international development charity Christian Aid is asking what young people can teach us.

The organisation said it knows young people have a strong sense of justice, and is aiming to provide a year-round calendar of creative opportunities to help them explore their ideas and develop their voices.

These include learning how to engage with newly elected UK MPs; getting creative for climate justice; Big Spring Sings; and working to earn a Global Neighbours Award.

In the wake of the general election, pupils have been using resources created by Christian Aid, in partnership with CAFOD, Oxfam GB and Send my Friend to School. They have been learning about the UK election process, looking at how politics affects everyone’s lives and coming up with mini-manifestos setting out their views of the role the UK can have in making the world a better and fairer place.

The charities say, despite not having a vote, youngsters can be global citizens and actively play a part in politics by voicing their opinions.

Another way youngsters can share their views is by showcasing their artistic talents in a scheme calling for global climate justice. Last year, more than 120 schools up and down the country participated in Creative for Climate Justice calling for a fairer and greener future for all.

The initiative is another partnership between CAFOD, Christian Aid, Oxfam GB, Save The Children; Send My Friend to School; and the Royal Society of Literature, with support from The Climate Coalition, and is aimed at helping young people raise their voices on environmental issues.

Children are tasked to come up with creative ways of sharing their opinions about climate change and their hopes for the planet – whether in drawings, poetry, sculpture or prose.

Their work is then displayed in school and community exhibits, with students inviting their MPs as well as friends and family. Some are selected for a national online gallery and exhibitions are also held in London at the Houses of Parliament, and in Wales, attended by some of the children, to inspire those in power to take action.

Following the exhibitions, schools around the country will be taking part in Christian Aid’s Big Spring Sing.

Pupils will be performing, among others, songs written for Christian Aid by Scottish charity Fischy Music with the aim of bringing schools and communities together for an event to raise awareness, money and voices in support of Christian Aid and global justice. Last year, the initiative was piloted in Blackburn and St Edmundsbury cathedrals, with more than 500 people attending each event and 22 schools involved in total.

Alongside these activities and events runs Christian Aid’s Global Neighbours scheme.

The accreditation programme celebrates schools which are helping pupils learn about global poverty and the Christian responsibility to tackle it, as well as giving them the tools to play a confident part in creating a fairer world.

It was initially launched in partnership with the Church of England’s education office with a vision of helping young people understand more about the inequalities in the world and helping them to become courageous advocates for change. Now, it has been expanded to Wales and Scotland.

Alison Brown, Christian Aid’s children and young people programme manager, said key issues like the climate crisis are shaping the future of children and young people everywhere.

Alison explained: “It’s more important than ever that children learn, reflect, and act together to create a sustainable future for everyone, holding adults to account.  

“Young people have strong opinions about global issues and being creative is a fantastic way for them to express themselves. The work they produce is amazing and insightful, and it’s great to see them engaging with MPs and sharing their views. We’re delighted to offer these initiatives, and we have more planned including a new RE resource launching this autumn called Speak Up or Stay Silent.

“We hope schools will join with us, alongside their current projects, to help support children in developing their voices. And we hope adults will take note of how they can stand alongside our young people as they demonstrate their talents and views, both in their communities and on a wider stage as advocates for change.”

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