The Earth Belongs to the Youth
Penulis : Harry Surjadi, INDEPENDENT JOURNALIST & ASHOKA FELLOW
Sosok
Senin, 23 Juni 2025
Editor : Yosep Suprayogi
BETAHITA.ID - The earth is changing: global warming, climate change, the loss of forests and biodiversity, the exploitation of resources, increasing natural disasters, the emergence of new diseases, conflict and war, declining freshwater supplies, a widening gap between the rich and the poor, technological disruption, cybersecurity threats, and threats to press freedom. Yet, human behaviours on Earth remains unchanged.
Who can solve all these problems? What will happen to Earth and humanity in the next 50 years? It is the youth who can — and must — create change, because the Earth belongs to the youth.
"The Earth belongs to the youth - not just by inheritance, but by the actions they take today to heal, protect, and reimagine it," texted Nouran Aly Farouk, one of the United People Global (UPG) Sustainability Leaders, to me on 22 June 2025.
According to the World Report in 2020, there are 1.2 billion young people aged 15 to 24 years, accounting for 16% of the global population. Imagine: if only half of the young generation became changemakers, the Earth and humanity would be saved.
Nouran believes that all youth have potential to be changemakers. Whether through social entrepreneurship, advocacy, or education, young people bring fresh perspectives and energy.
Nouran herself is a young changemaker. She is one of the UPG Sustainability Leaders. She is also a physician and social entrepreneur. She has started inspiring youths through her Tribe 9. As part of UPG sustainability Leadership Program, Nouran have led training session for youth on sustainability, women's empowerment, and climate action.
She focused on how simple local action - such as choosing eco-friendly transportation or supporting inclusive urban space - can contribute to long-term environmental and social change.
Tribe 9 - with tagline "Wave of Change" - reflects the belief that every action, no matter how small, can trigger wider transformation. "We aim to empower youth to be active contributors to sustainability in their communities," wrote Nouran in her email to me.
She and her team at Tribe 9 tackle pressing local challengers with a global perspective: "think globally, act locally."
The Tribe 9's tagline "Wave of Change" refers to a movement or initiative focused on driving positive change within a specific context within community or organization. "Wave of Change" can be interpreted as a wave creating impactful movements.
Nouran is a changemaker. What is a changemaker?
The term "changemaker" only made it into the dictionary about 12 years ago while the concept has been around for centuries.
According to Bill Drayton, the founder of Ashoka, a changemaker is anyone who takes creative action to solve a problem for the greater good.
Ashoka formally started the "Everyone a Changemaker" movement in 2005. Ashoka believes that because we are living in a truly historic movement where anyone - especially young people - can create positive change; everyone needs to become a changemaker (https://www.ashoka.org/en-aaw/story/ashokas-history).
Since its launch in 2019, Nouran with other UPG Sustainability Leaders have inspired 2,742 young leaders from over 100 countries up to and including 2025.
"I do believe all youth have the potential to be changemakers. Whether through entrepreneurship, advocacy, or education, young people bring fresh perspectives and energy. They don’t need to wait for permission to lead change — they just need the right support and encouragement," wrote Nouran in her email to me.
And, Nouran is the young changemaker who support and encourage other youths.
Nouran Aly Farouk, United People Global (UPG) Sustainability Leaders (Foto: www.linkedin.com)
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