A Better Normal:
Girls call for a revolutionary reset
UPDATE: This open letter is now closed for signatures as our youth leaders prepare to present it, along with their research and your signatures of support, to leaders at the UN General Assembly.
Join the Movement to make sure you receive their report-back from the event!
What are girls’ visions for a better normal?
A group of 22 young women in Australian and Vietnam lead a research project to answer this question – with engagement from 1325 girls in 99 countries. This year, our Youth Activist Series (YAS) is supported by The Body Shop Australia to help launch the inspiring visions of Australia’s future leaders and change-makers. Girls and young women have valuable, passionate and hopeful insights and a right to be consulted in constructing their futures, including their voices is essential to make sure that the world we rebuild is fair, equitable and does not repeat past mistakes.
From the girls’ report
COVID-19 is unlike anything we’ve experienced before. It raises questions, challenges and uncertainty; but equally, we believe it presents opportunities for change.
The pandemic has exposed, revealed, deepened and created significant cracks in our systems, institutions and leadership. As the world rebuilds in the wake of this crisis, we cannot simply return to ‘normal’.
We envision a world in which everyone constantly strives to create the best world possible.
A world where everyone feels valued and heard, and free to do what they love.
A world surrounded by kindness, peace, opportunity and acceptance for each other, with equality in leadership and the protection of rights.
A transformation of the way society works to truly coexist with the Earth, leaving an equitable and hopeful.
Our visions presented in this report are aspirational, but also achievable – we need a systems change, and we have ideas for what that should look like. We have seen through this pandemic how possible it is for governments and other power-holders to enact a reformist agenda.
We want that agenda to be informed by what we have to say, by our ideas and views; because without an equity lens, you recreate inequalities.
A world surrounded by kindness, peace, opportunity and acceptance for each other, with equality in leadership and the protection of rights.
A transformation of the way society works to truly coexist with the Earth, leaving an equitable and hopeful.
Thank you!
We want to thank The Body Shop Australia for their ongoing commitment to empowering young women, and helping to amplify their voices, by supporting the 2020 YAS program and the production of this research study.
Authorised by S. Legena, Plan International Australia, 60 City Road, Southbank, VIC 3001