"We can be 'negative' and also hopeful" (about climate, nature and the planet) says Vanessa...
... a Youth Voice speaker at the recent #ContentRising event.
Who is Vanessa Terschluse?
Vanessa Terschluse is a professional communicator with a master’s degree in Sustainability and Management.
She works with Greenhouse Communications and is Editor-in-Chief of The 50 Percent, (a global movement driving youth-led systems change, supported by the Club of Rome, a platform of diverse leaders promoting holistic solutions to complex global issues).
What does Vanessa have to say about Campaigns and Communications?
In a vibrant, fun and insightful panel session at Content Rising with fellow speaker Lira Valencia and panel host Chantelle Lindsay, Vanessa shared some great points and observations.
Here are a few for you:
- Find a goal, then find an audience.
- When campaigning for a range of audiences, work out what messages connect with the young.
- (In content creators and influencers) Young people are looking for trustworthiness, honesty and people who are not too ‘self-promotional’.
- Be empowering
- We can be ‘negative’ (about things happening in the world) and also be hopeful
- It’s important to listen to young indigenous voices
- It is naïve to turn away from what is happening in the world. A lot of solutions being asked for are not ‘mad’ but actually doable.
Storytelling Fellowship: A Guide to Storytelling for Young People who Want Change in the World
Vanessa pointed to the Storytelling Fellowship as a way for young people to cultivate their communication, storytelling and advocacy skills.
It is a free online fellowship program, organised through the 50 Percent, designed to empower youth voice through guided discussions, mentorship, and peer engagement.
The storytelling program is open to young people from diverse backgrounds, all keen to make a difference in the world, including climate activists, advocates for social justice, and members of social impact networks.
If you, or a young person you know, is interested, please check out the Storytelling Fellowship details on the 50 Percent website.
Building a Global Community of Young People to Protect Nature: The Iris Project
Vanessa also referred to The Iris Project, a charity set up in memory of nature-loving teenager Iris Goldsmith, who died in a tragic accident aged just 15.
The organisation is building a global community of young people working to protect and restore their local natural environment. And supporting young people as leaders, including helping them to access funds to do more of their work.
How YOU Can Help (action points)
- Please repost or share this article with any young campaigners, activists or advocates for social change.
- If you’re a young person reading this, why not do some more research and create your own posts or videos in your social media platform(s) of choice – so more young people can discover these projects, communities and opportunities?
- Check out the resources below to find out more about organisations, movements and people doing good for the good of us all and the planet.
RESOURCES to check out:
