In many countries, COVID-19 has robbed an entire generation of at least a year of education and child care, not to speak of many social connections. Climate change is already threatening the wellbeing of young people around the world and will negatively impact them and future generations for decades to come. And the impacts of many social problems like unemployment and the rising cost of housing are especially severe for younger people.

What would the world look like if policymakers gave priority in their decision-making to long-term consequences over short-term political expediency?

U.N. Next Generation Fellow and WPR columnist Aishwarya Machani joins Peter Dörrie on Trend Lines to discuss what the world looks like from the perspective of a young activist today and how to make young people’s voices heard in finding solutions to the crises that disproportionately affect them.

Relevant articles on WPR:

A Youth Activist Wish List to Make 2022 a Year of Breakthroughs 

Young People Should Have a Say on COVID-19 Policy 

Give Young Changemakers the Funding They Need 

There Will Be No Pandemic Recovery Without Tackling Youth Unemployment