.
PLAN International
Youth Consultation Project
Plan International Australia’s Youth Activists are a force to be reckoned with. They are a group of fierce activists amplifying the voices of young people to tackle inequality head on.
They are fearless, powerful and feminist. We have partnered with some equally awesome adolescent girls and young women in Vietnam for this research.
The youth activists
This is an interactive platform with three different options for participation depending on how much time you have to give:
OPTION 1: 3 mins = Scroll through the page and DECIDE on your priorities by answering the last question at the bottom of the page.
OPTION 2: 7 mins = DREAM up a vision for the future, and DECIDE on your priorities by answering the question related to the vision statement and prioritising your top themes.
OPTION 3: 15 mins = Deep dive into the research, DISCOVER its possibilities, DREAM up your vision, and DECIDE on your priorities by answering as many questions as you want!
Don’t forget to submit your answers at the bottom of the page!!!
How to interact with this site
tell us what the 'new normal' should look like!
​
Make sure you scroll to the bottom to click ‘submit answers’ before you leave the page! Note: This is better viewed in a web browser if you possibly can. If so, hover over each text section to read more.
The world we live in is unequal and has many shortcomings. Although we have seen some positives arise from the changes to our lives during this global pandemic, it has also highlighted deep cracks in the system.
PAST
the world
We don’t want to continue this way or return to those days – we want to go forward from this moment on, envisioning and building a better future – a future that is radically and universally transformed to become more just and sustainable.
Present
An IDEa
What do we, adolescent girls and young women, in all our diversities, want to see in our future – and who do we need to work with to co-create this change?
future
building a vision
The research Question
How long is this going to last? And what comes after? We don't have all the answers to the questions we all have at the moment, but we do know there are going to be various stages between lockdown and a return to ‘normal life’. We also have to question what a post-COVID world should look like, given this global ‘stress test’ has revealed, deepened and, in some cases, created significant cracks in our systems, institutions and leadership styles.
​
So we figured - this is a unique opportunity to envision and influence a new world, or the ‘new normal’. It is a chance for this world to be co-created with young people in an inclusive and transformational way. This is a pivotal moment to ‘stitch a new garment’ and to build back better.
​
Through the unique perspective of our views and experiences of COVID-19 and our dreams for the future, power holders will be invited to co-create the world we want to see – the ‘new normal’.
BACKGROUND TO THE
‘NEW NORMAL’ CONCEPT
We are excited to see you here. Your input today will be analysed by the youth activists to build a view of what girls and young women, in all our diversities, want to see in the ‘new normal.’ It might be included in reports and recommendations used by Plan International. If you continue on, you are aware and accept this use. If you are under 18, please ensure you have your parent/guardian's permission to use this page.
Consent
​
Education & Training
Challenges: The digital divide. Lack of universal internet connectivity. Disruptions to learning. Curriculum and teacher skills are not fit for purpose for online learning. Risk for girls falling behind and dropping out of school. Increase in online harassment, abuse and spread of misinformation.
Appreciation: Intercultural communication and being a part of the global community. Ability to explore more resources and increase skills in utilising technology. Increased ability to engage and participate. Ease of access to courses and events. Empowered to speak up more openly and creatively.
Health
Appreciation: Time to invest in personal and emotional wellbeing. Alternative support pathways available. Recognition of the importance of medical equipment and the knowledge needed to protect individual and community health. Mental health highlighted.
Challenges: Difficulty accessing mental health services. Isolation increasing risks to those with mental health issues. Limited access to emergency services (e.g. for sexual and reproductive health). Fearful to seek help. Panic buying increasing period poverty.
Protection
Challenges: Lack of/difficult to find support systems. Worsening rates of domestic violence due to isolation. Difficulty accessing telehealth services (safety, linguistic backgrounds). LGBTIQA+ youth in unsafe/unaccepting homes. Increase in child, early and forced marriage.
Appreciation: Highlighting/education of domestic violence as an engrained issue. Introduction of hotlines and silent emergency numbers.
Family and Community
Appreciation: More time to spend with family. Sharing of duties at home. Solidarity and unity within the community. Caring and thoughtful actions. Slowing down and appreciating the important things in life.
Challenges: Heightened inequality. Disproportionate roles and responsibilities on girls and women. Exacerbation of negative norms and stereotypes. Increase in discrimination and xenophopia. Expectation of productivity in extreme times. Sense of entitlement to services. Increased sense of nationalism.
Youth Representation
Appreciation: Quick spread of critical information and updates. Valuing student voices around education in particular.
Challenges: Overwhelming focus on COVID19 at the expense of other important stories and news. Spread of misinformation and exposure to negative stories. Impacts on young people lacking in the conversation. Negative portrayal of young people as scapegoats for COVID19 spread. LGBTIQA+ folk, First Nations voices and people with disabilities' voices not amplified in the conversation. Difficult to highlight other issues and injustices.
Climate Change
Challenges: Neglection of climate change action plans and critical events postponed. Blame going to communities instead of industrialism as the real virus to the environment. Climate change conversation halted as a whole.
Appreciation: Noticeable positive changes to the environment due to restrictions, particularly air and waterways pollution. Great to see listening to experts and creation of evidence-based policies. A collective awakening as the world heals. Discovering long term opportunities to reduce human impact and rebuild sustainably.
Gender Equality
Appreciation: Strong feminist leadership. Less of 'perfection' on social media and people openly talking about inclusivity. Safer on the streets with more people in parks/out for exercising.
Challenges: Increase in domestic violence world wide. Increased risk of child marriage and unwanted/teen pregnancy. Disproportionate impact on women and girls’ livelihoods (frontline health workers, increase in unpaid work and duty of care). Negative norms and stereotypes reinforced.
SYSTEMS BREAKDOWN
Appreciate: Some governments utilising multiple outlets to help people e.g. financial support. Support from aid and humanitarian organisations. Highlight on personal health and wellbeing, with an overall sense of empowerment.
Challenges: Increase in racism. The political world focused on blaming rather than on solutions. Increased distrust of institutions. Ineffective communication and levels of apathy for varying approaches to COVID19.
Inclusivity and equality in power
A cycle of leadership which includes minorities and youth as experts in their own right, to ensure policies and laws empower and lend a voice to those they affect.
Protection of rights and access to resources
A world where human rights are protected, respected and upheld, with equitable distribution of resources and opportunity, including financial security and freedom from discrimination or exploitation. This is a world of solidarity, where people support each other, providing all the necessary equipment to thrive in a new world so no one will be left behind.
Educated citizens of the world
A world of equal access to quality and inclusive education and training resources teaching compassionate understanding of others beyond the classroom, going hand-in-hand with fundamental and practical knowledge of the world.
Climate Justice
A society in harmony with nature and the planet, everybody lives within what our planet can sustain. Accepting the knowledge of experts and Indigenous peoples, in which we develop a sustainable and hopeful future.
Tell us about you
Freedom to be human
A joyful, caring and peaceful community in which you are empowered to be who you are and do what you love without constraint or prejudice. A world where all are free to slow down, be present and continue to take on life with kindness and excitement.
LIVELiHOODs
Appreciation: Recognition of the importance of front line and essential workers. Understanding there are different ways of working (online, less work travel, work/life balance). Increased ease of access to spaces for people with disabilities. Increase in financial support for youth and unemployed.
Challenges: Loss of job/income and heightened insecurity. Uncertainty for the future of graduate roles and accessing the job market. Challenges affording basics, services and rent. Increase in unpaid work. Impacts of parents/guardians losing work (family wellbeing, food security).
We envision a world in which everyone constantly strives to create the best world possible. A world where everyone feels valued and heard, and free to do what they love. A world surrounded by kindness, peace, opportunity and acceptance for each other, with equality in leadership and the protection of rights. A transformation of the way society works to truly co-exist with the Earth, leaving an equitable and hopeful place for the generations to come.
Vision Statement
GENDER JUSTICE
A society with no prejudices; an open-minded community where gender does not limit opportunities, safety, or acceptance. An empathic world where girls and women in all our diversities have a say in the decisions affecting our bodies and quality of life. Each voice is respected and empowered. In this new world, roles and responsibilities – including domestic chores – are shared equally. Girls will live and learn in a world that appreciates them and recognises their true capability. They will no longer be forced into early marriage, but supported and encouraged to make their own decisions and pursue their dreams, free from gender stereotypes. They will be free, safe and equal.
Sign up below and we will keep you updated on this project! You can also sign up if you want to be further involved in how the research is presented and any media opportunities that may arise.
