Generation Earth Freedom Dialogue
Generation Earth gives the youth a voice within the social and environmental realm where they feel empowered and part of the development of their own future.
As South Africa heads towards its most important elections to date, having recently celebrated Freedom Day, ‘born free’ citizens have an important voice that must be heard. Learners from Generation Councils across Gauteng recently spent an afternoon debating and challenging the issues we face as a society today, as they build the future they believe is possible.
“Every generation has a revolution to fight for. Twenty years ago the fight was for human rights, equality and freedom. The fight for this generation is for their home,” said Ella Bella, the organisation’s founder and United Nations Youth Ambassador.
“We need to allow the youth of today to lay the foundations for the path that will serve them well in the coming decades, one where people and the planet are taken into equal consideration,” she continued.
The Freedom Dialogue is a conversation and realisation that the freedom these young minds have been born into does not come without responsibility, and it is up to each individual to actively work on their freedom to preserve and enhance this gift as a young SA.
The gathering which took place at the Apartheid Museum was not only appropriate, but reminded the speakers and participants that there is so much more work to be done to allow for this freedom to be realised.
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others,” proclaims a quote by Nelson Mandela on the wall of the Museum at the entrance. Not without its critics, the Apartheid Museum is the definitive reference on Apartheid, and one of Johannesburg’s top tourist attractions.
Speakers who addressed the students and learners were high profile activists such as Yusuf Abramjee, Head of Crime Line and Lead SA, Neeshan Balton, CEO of the Kathrada Foundation, who also shared an important message with the students from Mr Kathrada, CEO of Africa Rising Ndaba Mandela. Other organisations present spoke about the next 20 year vision of sustainability, and a shared vision for people and the planet; these included Eskom’s Dave Lucas, Rand Water, the Endangered Wildlife Trust, SANEDI, Fry’s Family Food and Michael O’Brien Onyeka from Greenpeace.
The esteemed presenters had the opportunity to engage in a panel discussion with Generation Earth council members, a Q & A session, and they also had a chance to share their thoughts, opinions and wishes for a future South Africa they will be proud to live in.
We all need to add value to the youth, whom we expect to take the reigns and continue to develop and act on the freedom that was made real only 20 years ago. In the words of Nelson Mandela: “Few things make the life of a parent more rewarding and sweet as successful children.”
