Youthink! International Youth Day Essay Contest

We asked for your views on the topic: What are your tangible ideas for how youth can create effective, long-lasting change? How can youth in your country—or around the world—work together to really make a difference?

We received so many wonderful entries, and it was really difficult for us to select a winner. In the end, we had to add two Honorable Mention categories! A huge thanks to all of you who took part!

1st PLACE: Lusia Nini Purwajati, 23, Indonesia
Lusia combined lively personal anecdotes with a wider look at how our attitudes can help shape our planet's future. Congrats, Lusia!

RUNNER-UP: Ashwini Menon, 18, Malaysia
Ashwini proposed an interesting idea: a TV channel by and for youth around the world.

RUNNER-UP: Soo Jin Yun, 16, Malaysia
Soo Jin Yun believes that so-called obstacles like red-tape or limited finances are no excuse—everyone can make a difference if they want to!

HONORABLE MENTION: Michael Boampong, 24, Ghana
Michael shared his first-hand experiences in youth-led development as founder of a group called Young People We Care.

HONORABLE MENTION: Timothy Ogene, 25, Nigeria
Timothy caught our attention with his book donation project and his ideas for how young people can team up with corporations to make a difference.

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