Be giants in the education work you do: the request of young people at 10WEEC
Around the world, young people are marching for action on climate change.
Around the world, students are striking.
Around the world, the youth are protesting for a better world.
Young people are standing up and asking to be heard. This is what democracy is about. Being heard.
Dear Congress organisers, Her Royal Highness, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, WEEC Committee, and conference delegates, thank you for this opportunity to stand up, speak up, and be heard. Thank you for this opportunity to be a part of this 2019 World Environmental Education Congress.
I am speaking on behalf of 68 students and teachers from Thailand, Taiwan, Nepal, Japan, Philippines and India. In a way, I am also speaking on behalf of all young people in those six countries and around the world.
It is an honour to have the chance to present the views of young people to this Congress.
I want to thank you all for the work you have done and the work you are doing in environment and education to make the world better. It is not young people Vs old people. The Earth is one country and we humans are its citizens. We are in this together and we youth want to help heal and protect the Earth.
Yesterday, students from the Youth Camp came up with messages for some of the main groups in this room.
To the people from schools and universities, please teach students to become aware of the problems and how to help. Then students can use their knowledge and skills to make the better world.
To community organisations, please keep doing what you are doing to care for people and the environment.
To the scientists and engineers, we ask you to keep doing good science and keep innovating new designs and materials for the betterment of the planet and the people.
To the business people, we ask you to use your platform as a foundation to promote environmental awareness and action.
To the politicians here today, please make good decisions so young people can enjoy being young and not worried about the future. We don’t want to protest. We want to be children.
Finally, to everyone here, please work together. A sustainable world depends on communication and collaboration of all groups in society.
Sir Isaac Newton, a famous scientist from the 17th century, once said, “If I have seen further than others, it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants.”
We students at the Youth Camp will leave school soon. We will go to universities, we will go into the community, and we will go into the workforce. We ask you…
Please be giants.
Please be giants in the science and education work you do.
Please build a strong sustainability foundation that we can stand upon. Please be sustainability giants with strong shoulders that will help us see further and continue your work in building a world worth living in.
Please be giants.
Phansa Duangtip
Plutaluang Wittaya School, Chonburi Province, Thailand
