October 2019
In their passion and conviction – pitching proposals to shape our region’s energy and environmental policy – they reminded me of 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thundberg. Days after Greta took the stage at the United Nations, our newest cohort of LearnServe Fellows had retreated to the woods near Poolesville, MD for a weekend of team-building, personal introspection, and a crash course in social entrepreneurship. This marked the start of their year-long growth as civic leaders and social entrepreneurs.
The weekend began with a mock town hall. Representing diverse stakeholder groups, our students’ testimonies before the “Mayor” and “City Council” touched on climate change, asthma, energy prices, and economic growth. Together, they imagined the city and world they hope to live in.
While this introductory activity was hypothetical, the social ventures our LearnServe Fellows create are not. Three years ago, Russell Corbin was sitting in similar seats as he began his tenure as a LearnServe Fellow. Then a sophomore at Richard Montgomery High School in Montgomery County, Maryland, Russell launched “Green Yellow Busses for MCPS” a campaign to promote “alternate fuel transport in the system that most affects our next generations: schools.” He went on to serve as the environmental affairs coordinator for the Montgomery County Regional Student Government Association, where he advocated for electric school buses at the local and state level.
Last month, Russell – now in his first year at Pomona College – reached out with two exciting updates. Plug In America recognized him with their 2019 Student Award, national recognition for his electric vehicle advocacy. More importantly, he shared, the Maryland state government approved funding for MCPS to purchase its first electric school bus.
As Greta Thundberg issued her pointed call for climate action, many of the adults in the room – and listening in from across the globe – seemed to wake up to the power of young people to create change. I, too, am in awe of the movement she has sparked. But I am not surprised. Her urgency, focus, and conviction remind me of Russell and of each of the hundreds of LearnServe students I have had the privilege of working with over the past 12 years.
Greta’s remarks and the wide-ranging response she received – from the enthusiastic applause to the “haters” critiquing her on social and mainstream media – also reminded me that such vocal youth leadership does not happen accidentally.
In one breath, our LearnServe students gathered for their kickoff retreat channeled the vision and voice of Greta. They offered compelling clean energy policy proposals; drew on personal experience with discrimination to imagine a world in which systemic racism no longer exists; and spoke out against the gun violence which has instilled fear in them and their communities. They know the change that needs to happen – and have begun to see themselves as the changemakers that will shape their vision into reality.
In a second, more vulnerable breath, however, the conversation is different. One student questioned her own self-confidence, her fears that everyone around her was more prepared, more polished, more effective. A second questioned her own ability to speak out, worrying how other, louder voices might shut her out. They know that change needs to happen – but wonder if they will be good enough at making it happen.
The power of young people to create change is real. But it is also precarious. There is a very fine line between “youth taking action” and “youth inaction.” While the students themselves are in the driver’s seat, we as adults play an important role. It is that important role that my colleagues and I keep front of mind as we begin our work with this new cohort of LearnServe Fellows.
Here are some of the observations I have gleaned from more than a decade of inspiring, challenging, and coaching young changemakers:
- Trust Youth. We have the opportunity to be our students’ greatest cheerleaders, sounding boards, and shoulders to cry on. We undermine our power as effective adult allies the moment we start to take over their ideas or allow our own doubts to fuel their own insecurities.
- Embrace Vulnerability. Young social entrepreneurs are taking a risk. They are stepping outside their comfort zone to share and act on something of personal importance. We should be honest with our feedback – that is an important part of taking them and their ideas seriously – while at the same time reinforcing a tone that is respectful, constructive, and professional.
- Celebrate Changemaking. As we celebrate the work of famous youth activists, we collectively recognize what is possible when we trust youth. At the same time, we risk placing select individuals on an unattainable pedestal. In celebrating the successes, and failures, of less famous student social entrepreneurs, we reinforce the spirit of “I can do this, too.”
In this new school year, may we be inspired and challenged by the emerging leaders and activists in our own lives – and may we continue to trust youth, embrace vulnerability, and celebrate changemaking.
Scott Rechler
Co-Director & CEO
LearnServe International