16 things young people can celebrate from 2016
With the end of the year in sight, we want to celebrate 16 brilliant moments from 2016 – including some impressive young people who have been shaping the world.
1. THIS 18 YEAR OLD SYRIAN REFUGEE MADE A SPLASH AT THE OLYMPICS
Yursa Mardini helped save the lives of 20 people after jumping off a sinking dinghy into the sea and pulling the boat to land. She was fleeing her home in war-torn Damascus.
That isn’t the only amazing thing about this 18-year-old. Last year she also competed in the women’s 100-meter butterfly and freestyle heats in the Olympics. Confronting the dehumanisation of refugees in the media, a true inspiration.
2. YOUNG PEOPLE MADE THEIR VOICES HEARD IN POLITICS
Young Zambians helped their fellow citizens find out more about the elections in their country, used their power to vote, and rallied for peace after the election. In Uganda young people articulated an alternative vision for their country.
Oh and youth turnout for the Brexit vote was double what you were first told – and they’re already organising to get the best deal for young people.
Important stuff? We think so.
3. YOUNG SIERRA LEONEANS WERE CRUCIAL TO ENDING EBOLA
On 17th March 2016, the World Health Organisation declared the outbreak of Ebola over. Thousands of young Restless Development volunteers were crucial to ending the virus. Working in their communities across the country to show people how to prevent the spread of Ebola.
