Antioch University New England
Center for Climate Preparedness and Community Resilience
Thursday, June 11, 2020
12-1:00 PM ET
“Why aren’t all kids taught civics in schools?” Jaysa Hunter-Mellers asks. There has never been a more critical time in our history for young people, especially those from marginalized communities, to see themselves as change-makers, fighting for social and climate justice and understanding their role in our democracy. In her keynote, Jaysa will tell the story of how, when she was 10-years-old, she began to give speeches at rallies, testified at City Hall, and helped shut down the coal-fired power plant that was causing her asthma. This story is captured in the award-winning short film, “Words Have Power”. Jaysa—now 14—is a passionate advocate for school civic education. Jaysa will also talk about how the success stories documented in the Young Voices for the Planet films and the YVFP ACTION plan give young people the self-efficacy to change minds, laws and their communities – even though they are not yet old enough to vote. Jaysa envisions a world where all students learn how to participate in their own governance, take action, and speak truth to power.