Youth Voices from India & Korea: Creating Sustainable Cities
- IVECA Center
- 10 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Friday, December 12th, marked a meaningful milestone in the life-long journey towards global citizenship for two middle school classes separated by thousands of miles. Following a semester of in-class and virtual collaboration, the students from South Carolina, USA, and Uttar Pradesh, India, joined their IVECA Live Class to present their research on problems identified in their countries and initiatives the youth in their communities can take to improve people’s lives, imagining new ways we can build a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Exploring the global-scale issues of access to quality education and climate change, Indian students reflected on how these challenges connect to their local communities. Focusing on education, students observed that some areas are often impacted by poverty, inadequate infrastructure, teacher shortages, and gender inequality. These factors, they noted, can lead to high dropout rates and limited future opportunities for many children. Through their research on educational inequality, students drew clear connections to conditions in their own communities, where access to quality schooling often determines young people’s preparedness for work and life. They highlighted government initiatives such as the National Education Policy 2020 and the integration of smart technology in classrooms and teacher training as key to social mobility and national progress. They emphasized that “investing immediately in these evidence-based solutions is essential to empower our citizens and secure a prosperous future for all.”
Continuing the discussion of a brighter future, the second group of Indian students expressed their concern regarding climate change, a global challenge with visible local consequences. Sharing how human activities contribute to environmental degradation, the group reflected on severe air pollution in cities such as Delhi. “Many days the air quality index (AQI) shoots up to dangerous levels — making outdoor air unsafe to breathe,” they said, emphasizing how smog and poor air quality affect daily life, health, and well-being. The students emphasized the shared responsibility individuals and governments hold in protecting the environment and ensuring a healthier, more sustainable future.
With the same desire for sustainable, healthy living, students from the USA presented their observations and solutions to issues close to home. Reflecting on their own responsibilities and the efforts of their hometown of Greenville, South Carolina, the first group explored what makes cities sustainable, including green spaces, renewable energy, and responsible resource use. They also acknowledged the positive and negative impacts individuals can have, sharing, “As middle schoolers, we cannot do everything, but we can make a small difference!” Inspired by the recent government shutdown, the students described launching a fundraiser to support the local organization Harvest Hope, which helps sustain nutrition and food supplies for families in their community.
While the first group focused on environmental sustainability and community well-being, the second group of US students turned their attention to social sustainability by examining inequalities within their own community. Discussing racial discrimination, gender pay gaps, stereotypes, and LGBTQ+ inequality, students highlighted how these challenges affect people’s daily lives, mental health, and sense of belonging. Students shared wise advice, encouraging their classmates and partners to take everyday actions as middle school students: “Treat everyone with respect, even when they are different from you. Speak up when you hear someone using hurtful or unfair language. Listen when others share their perspectives or challenges.” The students beautifully demonstrated how youth voices and everyday actions can contribute to building a more equitable and compassionate community.
These presentations reflected the power of youth voices in addressing global challenges and the roles we can all play in local solutions. By connecting their research to their communities, the students from India and the United States demonstrated empathy, responsibility, and a shared commitment to building a more sustainable and inclusive future. Their collaboration is a meaningful reminder that global citizenship begins with understanding our shared humanity and the courage to take action at any age, proving that young learners can be thoughtful contributors to real-world change.