During the Covid-19 pandemic, 16-year-old Riya Chandra discovered a passion for hiking but noticed a lack of girls of color in outdoor spaces. Research revealed historical non-inclusivity and systemic barriers preventing families of color from accessing nature, validating her own experiences.

To address this, Chandra founded HYPE: GIRLS (Hiking Youth Program for Equity: Girls) in 2021. The program organizes hikes, nature walks, and lectures for teenage girls of color in New York's Westchester and Yonkers areas. HYPE: GIRLS fosters a safe, inclusive community, promoting nature interaction for coping and self-discovery. It aims to inspire young people to protect our environment and become role models for future generations.

The 24th annual Brower Youth Awards ceremony, a flagship event of the New Leaders Initiative presented by Earth Island Institute, was held on October 17, 2023, in Berkeley, California. The evening celebrated six outstanding youth leaders for their accomplishments in the environmental movement, featuring special videos and speeches from the awardees.

This year's theme, "Moving Forward Together," underscored the power of teamwork and diverse contributions, inspired by the proverb: "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together." The awards, which have recognized environmental youth leaders since 2000, highlight how young leaders are redefining traditional leadership roles. For more information, visit broweryouthawards.org.

Angelina Xu delivered a compelling speech at the annual Brower Youth Awards ceremony. This prestigious event celebrates young environmental leaders and their impactful contributions.

The ceremony took place on October 17, 2023, at the Freight & Salvage, a renowned venue located in Berkeley, California.

Muskan Walia delivered a notable speech at the Brower Youth Awards ceremony. This prestigious event recognizes young environmental leaders.

The ceremony took place on October 17, 2023, at the Freight & Salvage in Berkeley, California.

Katherine Martínez Medina delivered a notable speech at the Brower Youth Awards ceremony.

The event took place on October 17, 2023, at the Freight & Salvage in Berkeley, California.

Maanit Goel delivered a speech at the prestigious Brower Youth Awards ceremony.

The event took place on October 17, 2023, at the Freight & Salvage venue in Berkeley, California.

Will Charouhis' speech at the Brower Youth Awards ceremony, held October 17, 2023, at the Freight & Salvage in Berkeley, California.

Riya Chandra delivered a speech at the Brower Youth Awards ceremony.

The event was held on October 17, 2023, at the Freight & Salvage in Berkeley, California.

Angelina Xu, 17, founded a food recovery and composting program in 2018, addressing middle school food waste and insecurity. It collected unopened food for school food banks and sent cafeteria waste for composting. By 2021, her program became Compostology, a youth-led nonprofit now involving 35,000 participants managing 24 K-12 school programs across Maryland.

Compostology received a World Wildlife Fund grant in 2021. In 2023, a student campaign spearheaded by Compostology passed SB 124, allocating $1.25 million for K-12 schools to implement their own programs. Compostology is now rolling out this grant program, ensuring accessibility for all schools.

After graduating high school in Utah’s Davis County, Muskan Walia committed to climate justice. In 2020, collaborating with the Sierra Club Utah Chapter, she launched the Davis School District’s first student-led Clean Energy Schools Campaign. This initiative aims for 100% clean electricity by 2030 and all energy sectors by 2040. Walia and her team successfully passed a nationally recognized policy for energy efficiency and building upgrades, inspiring similar clean energy resolutions in other Utah school districts.

Walia, 21, also co-leads Utah Youth Environmental Solutions, a network activating youth for climate justice. She coordinates an annual curriculum that equips young people with the skills to organize clean energy campaigns in their schools and communities.

ITU and partners annually encourage girls to pursue ICT careers, aiming to bridge the gender digital divide. Girls in ICT Day promotes studies and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), helping young women achieve their dreams and fostering digital gender equality.

This year’s theme is ‘Digital Skills for Life’. The global Girls in ICT event will be celebrated on April 27 in Zimbabwe, as part of the Transform Africa Summit 2023 (#TAS2023). Coordinated with POTRAZ and Smart Africa, the celebration will address digital skills topics like role models, education, mentorship, and youth participation.

Girls in ICT Day is now a global movement, with ITU partners and other organizations conducting events throughout the year. Learn more at itu.int/girlsinict.

The ITU Secretary-General delivered a special video message for Girls in ICT Day 2023.

This annual observance highlights the critical role of women and girls in the information and communication technologies sector, encouraging their participation and empowerment in digital fields.

On June 27, 2022, a discussion explored Blue Shield's latest Youth Climate Survey, focusing on how climate change impacts the mental health of young people.

The event featured insights from David W. Bond (Director of Behavioral Health, Blue Shield of California—Promise Health Plan), youth environmental activist Kat Lee (APEN), and student representative Maya Gomez (Mind Out Loud, Whitney High School). Additional speakers included Antoinette Mayer (Senior Director, Corporate Citizenship, Blue Shield), Joel Castro (President, Cesar Chavez Service Club), and co-host Michelle Meow (Producer and Host, "The Michelle Meow Show").

For the Climate Justice Movement to achieve true "justice," it must be radically inclusive, intersecting with social, racial, gender, and disability justice movements. Alexia Leclercq, a Brower Youth Award winner and environmental justice organizer, passionately advocates for these rarely discussed aspects of intersectionality.

Leclercq delivered this talk at the 2021 Bioneers Conference. Learn more at www.bioneers.org.

Young people worldwide are actively addressing the climate crisis and demanding action from leaders. Our Creating Citizens initiative provides a forum for youth to connect with peers and civic leaders on pressing issues.

Join us for a special panel featuring young climate activists discussing their work and the power of youth to tackle climate and social injustice. Educators and students registering receive a free copy of Vanessa Nakate's book, *A Bigger Picture: My Fight to Bring a New African Voice to the Climate Crisis*.

Additional books are available at the Club's online bookstore. Support our work: Become a Member.

Following his COP26 speech on November 8, 2021, President Barack Obama joined youth climate activists, including Columbia students, at a private roundtable. Co-sponsored by the Columbia Climate School and the Obama Foundation, the discussion explored the future of climate action and what inspires hope.

The session featured Andrew Fagerheim (SEAS'24), Eduarda Zoghbi (SIPA'22), and Columbia Obama Scholar Christian Vanizette.

Watch the entire session on C-SPAN: https://bit.ly/3ofNEoC

Wolf Joe is a new animated series following Joe, a young First Nations boy. Inspired by the universal values of The Seven Teachings Wheel, Joe and his two best friends explore Indigenous culture, heritage, and identity.

This 46 x 11-minute animated action-adventure series is a TVOkids Original. It was created in collaboration with the Turtle Lodge, Media Rendezvous, and Amberwood Entertainment.

The 21st annual Brower Youth Awards, a two-part virtual event, celebrated six inspiring youth leaders in the environmental movement. The "Meet-the-Winners Q&A" explored their passion and purpose, reflecting the event's core theme.

These award recipients are thought leaders and environmental activists, dedicated to making the world a better place and galvanizing others towards environmental mobilization. The Brower Youth Awards, the flagship event of the New Leaders Initiative, has recognized outstanding youth leaders since 2000. It is hosted by the New Leaders Initiative and presented by Earth Island Institute.

Learn more at broweryouthawards.org.

While volunteering at a Warrenville, Illinois juvenile detention center, Isabella Wallmow, 20, realized incarcerated youth needed healing, not just punishment. Inspired by permaculture agriculture, she conceived a gardening program. With support from the Resiliency Institute and detention staff, she launched the Seeds for Change Garden Program in 2019.

Seeds for Change creates a safe, healing space, equipping youth with marketable skills. The program empowers them to lead all aspects of gardening, from planting to harvesting, addressing food insecurity and providing valuable health education.

http://www.broweryouthawards.org/

Alexandra Collins delivered a speech at the 2020 Brower Youth Awards.

The ceremony was held virtually on October 15. For more details about the awards, visit the official website: Brower Youth Awards.