Greta Thunberg, a renowned activist, started her activism at 15 by protesting

outside the Swedish parliament in 2018, urging political leaders to meet carbon
emissions targets. Her grassroots campaign inspired thousands of global students
to organize similar strikes. By December 2018, over 20,000 students from various
countries, including the U.S. and Japan, participated. Thunberg has been a leading
candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize for her climate activism every year since
2019.

In February 2022, Florida's House passed House Bill 1557, dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" bill. Jack Petcoz,
17, led efforts against discrimination, organizing a school walkout and advocating against book bans. He
now serves as policy director at Gen-Z for Change, a youth-led nonprofit using social media for
education and mobilization.

In 2012, Malala Yousafzai, targeted by the Taliban for advocating girls' education, survived a shooting
and became a global symbol. At 17, she became the youngest Nobel laureate, establishing the Malala
Fund to support education.

During South Africa's apartheid (1948-1991), the Bantu Education Act of 1953 enforced unequal
education for Black South Africans. In June 1976, 3,000-10,000 students protested against this directive,
facing a violent police crackdown that resulted in hundreds dead. June 16th now commemorated as
National Youth Day in South Africa.

On Valentine’s Day in 2018, a gunman killed 17 students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in
Parkland, Florida. Students from the school founded Never Again MSD and began organizing a rally
called “March For Our Lives.” The march occurred on March 24 with 1-2 million participants for stricter
gun regulations. Students worldwide joined in highlighting their enduring role in advocating for change a
in America's ongoing struggle with mass shootings.

Greta Thunberg's 2018 protest outside the Swedish parliament catalyzed global attention. By 2019, the
Global Climate Strikes, spanning over 163 countries, became the largest climate protest, with millions
participating. Youth-led activism, including Thunberg and it continues to drive progress on climate
change worldwide.