Citoyenneté et monde contemporain

Youth Activism in the 21st Century

Over the past decade, young people around the world have become increasingly involved in civic life. From climate strikes to racial justice marches, teenagers and young adults are leading some of the most significant social movements of our time.

In 2018, Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg began skipping school on Fridays to protest outside the Swedish parliament, demanding stronger action on climate change. Her individual act of civil disobedience inspired millions: by 2019, the Fridays for Future movement had organised global strikes involving over four million participants in 161 countries.

Meanwhile, in the United States, the Black Lives Matter movement — founded in 2013 after the acquittal of Trayvon Martin's killer — gained renewed momentum in 2020 following the death of George Floyd. Millions of Americans, including many young people, took to the streets to demand an end to racial injustice and police brutality.

Experts argue that today's young activists are uniquely empowered by social media. Hashtags and online campaigns can mobilise supporters within hours. However, some critics warn that «slacktivism» — liking a post or sharing a hashtag — is no substitute for real political engagement such as voting, lobbying, or running for office.

Whatever one's view, it is clear that young citizens are refusing to stay silent on the issues that matter most to them.