Two Nepali youth leaders joined a cohort of global youth leaders as a part of the British Council’s “90 Youth Voices for the Future” program in the UK held in July 2024, with a mission to bridge cultures, spark dialogue and drive positive change. The program was part of the British Council’s 90th Anniversary celebration designed to build cultural connections between youths from 45 countries and build a global network of youth leaders.
The Nepali youth delegation was represented by Shreya KC, a passionate Nepali socio-climate justice activist, and Naresh Sharma Awasthi, a youth activist working for youth-led organisations to carry out grassroots youth movements.
The two embarked on a transformative journey across the UK, as a part of an international network that aimed to serve as a platform for collaboration, learning and action. They got to explore how young people from different cultures work to create a better world in their unique ways.
“I got to talk with youngsters of various ages and discuss with them their culture, customs, and methods of working with young people from a variety of backgrounds. They told me how they are working to promote their culture through their projects. Identities and cultures are closely connected. Understanding this helped me realize that our solutions need to find a deep connection to who we are and what we truly care about to have any meaningful impact”- Naresh Sharma Awasthi.
The diversity of the event participants was the most invaluable asset of the event. The interactions created a space for people to build empathy with each other and foster a feeling of being a collective global citizen. The event provided an opportunity to enhance the understanding and capacity of the Nepali delegates in several areas.
“Being a part of the '90 Youth Voices' has enhanced my leadership skills, broadened my perspective, and taught me several new things. I connected with young professionals from diverse fields such as law, arts, and media. The interactions and teamwork have deepened my understanding of the global interconnectedness of problems and solutions including the climate crisis and the significance of working together.” -Shreya KC.
Naresh and Shreya were taken on exposure visits where they were shown how young people in the UK are finding solutions by bringing people together using art and music. It was pivotal in providing new insights and opening avenues to solutions closer to home. The UK elections provided a fitting backdrop to highlight the importance of youth engagement and representation. They have gained ideas to take home and benefit their peers and their communities.
“I learned about unique approaches to sustainability such as community-driven grassroots organizing, and expression through poetry and music. I was inspired to try new ways to engage people outside of the climate bubble, such as by encouraging students from the legal field in climate initiatives, enhancing knowledge of climate to media, and incorporating creative arts to aware people and empower them to take action to address climate crisis. The working model of the Scottish Youth Parliament was also an insightful one.” -Shreya KC
“During my visit to Cardiff, I had conversations with a Member of Parliament about youth participation in the political agenda and policy-making process at various levels. I got to know that they had established a youth parliament, where young people discuss various issue and bring them for discussion with elected members of parliament. I am motivated to push for a comparable structure in Nepal with the goal of increasing youth participation in policymaking after seeing the youth parliament in Cardiff.” -Naresh Sharma Awasthi.
Being a part of ’90 Youth Voices’ has had a notable impact on Shreya and Naresh. They have gained a broader understanding of various identities and issues, along with potential solutions. Their experiences have expanded their perspectives and provided them with ideas that may benefit young people in their communities.
“Regular sharing sessions on each other's understanding of the discussed subject topics allowed me to gain an appreciation for my own and others’ unique perspectives and ways of thinking. I realize the importance of opening up spaces by listening to new ideas and speaking less. This belief was only enhanced with interactions with youths from different countries. The session on deep listening by Emily Kasriel also taught me practical ways of building meaningful connections”- Shreya KC
“It feels like a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me to have travelled to London from the isolated and varied backdrop of the rural far-western part of Nepal. A life-changing experience of individual development and group influence has come from taking part in the cultural exchange workshops and interacting with other young leaders. I’ve become more empathetic and developed an accepting viewpoint after being immersed in many customs and values. And, I have made friends who share my commitment to sustainability and community empowerment.” -Naresh Sharma Awasthi
