Earlier this week, on 12 August, the world celebrated International Youth Day — a moment to recognise the power, creativity, and potential of young people, as well as the challenges they face. This year’s theme focused on the role of youth in building a better future, a mission that resonates deeply with us at Justice in Motion.
Young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow — they are the changemakers of today. Yet too often, their voices are marginalised, their creativity undervalued, and their potential overlooked. According to the UN, over 1.2 billion young people aged 15–24 make up 16% of the global population, but many still face barriers to education, employment, and participation in civic life. In the UK, government data shows that youth unemployment remains higher than average, and arts funding cuts disproportionately affect youth-focused creative initiatives.
When opportunities for self-expression, collaboration, and leadership are limited, we lose out on the unique perspectives that only young people can bring. This is why the arts are so vital — they offer not only a platform for self-expression, but also a way to build confidence, foster connection, and explore social issues in a safe and collaborative space.
Justice in Motion: Creating Space for Youth Voices
At Justice in Motion, empowering young people has always been central to our work. Through our productions, workshops, and creative residencies, we give young people the tools to explore big ideas, share their lived experiences, and perform alongside professional artists.
We believe the stage is not just a place to perform — it’s a platform to be seen, heard, and valued. Whether through movement, music, or storytelling, our youth collaborations create opportunities for participants to discover new skills, forge meaningful relationships, and see their contributions come alive before an audience.
When young people work alongside our team, they’re not just learning performance techniques — they’re learning that their stories matter, that their communities matter, and that their voices have power.
From Participation to Empowerment: The Impact of CODE
While our production CODE focuses on the exploitation of young people by County Lines gangs, its creation is rooted in youth collaboration.
In each location, we invite local young people to join a creative residency where they learn parkour, movement, and performance skills from our professional cast. But more importantly, they become part of the storytelling process — adding their voices and experiences to a narrative that tackles issues affecting young people across the UK.
By placing them centre stage, alongside professionals, we show that young people are not just an audience to be educated — they are active participants who bring their own voices and perspectives into the work. Their involvement and contributions help shape the performance, and the process of working with them has influenced the production along the way.
Global Inspiration: Youth Leading Change
The power of youth leadership is being recognised worldwide. From climate activists like Vanessa Nakate in Uganda, to youth-led arts collectives addressing racial justice in the UK, young people are showing that creativity and activism can go hand-in-hand.
One standout example is The Advocacy Academy, a London-based youth movement dedicated to building the next generation of leaders, campaigners, and organisers. Based in Brixton, they work primarily with young people from marginalised backgrounds — those whose voices are too often excluded from political and social decision-making. Their year-long fellowship equips participants with the skills to research issues affecting their communities, design and run impactful campaigns, and engage directly with policymakers.
The Advocacy Academy takes a holistic approach, combining training in leadership, public speaking, and policy analysis with a strong focus on personal development, collective care, and community solidarity. Fellows are encouraged not only to advocate for change but to reimagine the systems they want to see, rooted in values of equity, justice, and mutual support.
Graduates have gone on to lead campaigns tackling housing inequality, racial injustice in schools, and youth mental health provision, often collaborating with grassroots organisations and national movements. The ripple effect is clear — when young people are equipped with the tools, confidence, and networks to take action, their impact extends far beyond their immediate circles, influencing policy, shaping public conversations, and inspiring other young leaders to step forward.
This kind of sustained, intentional investment in youth leadership mirrors our own belief at Justice in Motion: that creativity, training, and community connection are catalysts for lasting change.
A Call to Action
International Youth Day is a reminder that investing in young people is investing in the future we all share. That means more than token gestures — it means creating sustained opportunities for youth leadership, equitable access to the arts, and platforms where their voices are not just included, but amplified.
At Justice in Motion, we are committed to ensuring that every young person who works with us walks away knowing they have something valuable to say — and the tools to say it.
This International Youth Day, we invite you to join us in recognising and supporting the young people in your life and community. Celebrate their creativity, listen to their stories, and give them the space to lead. Because when youth have the opportunity to speak, create, and act, they don’t just imagine a better future — they help build it.
Sources
- UNESCO. Youth. UNESCO, 2024. https://www.unesco.org/en/youth
- United Nations. International Youth Day. United Nations, 2024. https://www.un.org/en/observances/youth-day
- House of Commons Library. Youth Unemployment Statistics. UK Parliament, 23 May 2025. https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn05871/
- The Advocacy Academy. About Us. Accessed Aug. 2025. https://www.theadvocacyacademy.com/about-us
Little People, BIG DREAMS. Vanessa Nakate. Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara; illustrated by Olivia Amoah. Accessed Aug. 2025. https://littlepeoplebigdreams.com/book/vanessa-nakate/