THE NATIONAL YOUTH AGENDA

We deserve to feel safe.

We envision spaces where we can thrive without fear, neighborhoods free from violence, schools are sanctuaries of knowledge, and homes are havens of security. We are calling on our leaders to help secure our future by investing in policies and resources that keep us safe where we live, learn, work and play.

We deserve quality education.

Every student deserves a chance to thrive. We believe schools should be safe spaces that are equipped with the tools needed to help us reach full potential. We want curriculum that inspires us and gives us skills that prepare us for a changing workforce. We envision a future where college is accessible, student debt is manageable, and the pathway to success is open to everyone.

We deserve a just society.

We believe in equal rights for everyone, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Our generation is not afraid to speak up and stand up against injustice. Discrimination and violence have no place in the future we are building. We demand leaders who are committed to justice and equality for everyone.

We deserve a healthy planet.

We want to live in a world with clean air and water, healthy habitats for plants and wildlife, and systems that promote climate justice and environmental resilience. We worry that we won’t inherit a planet with a sustainable future. It's time to commit to sustainability and preserve our home for the generations to come.

We deserve wellness.

We dream of communities where our well-being is prioritized and basic needs are met. We reject the stigmatization of mental health, because mental health is health and we need diverse, culturally representative resources so we don’t have to figure it out on our own. Cultivating both physical spaces in our communities and digital spaces online where we can thrive is essential for our well-being.

We deserve to belong.

We value communities that foster a sense of belonging by welcoming diversity, encouraging kindness and ensuring people feel their voices are not only heard but belong as part of decision making processes. We need leaders who prioritize programs that build a more representative and participatory democracy where people can freely organize and have multiple avenues to contribute to creating the change they want to see.