At the Ignite event on 5 September at the Berry School of Arts, every speaker gave us something to think about. Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing highlights from each presentation. You can find the presentations as they are published here.

Lynne Strong took to the stage with a message that was as urgent as it was inspiring: young people may only be 20 percent of our population, but they are 100 percent of our future. They deserve an opportunity to help shape that future, not someday, but right now.

She spoke about how today’s generation is deeply aware of the crises around them, housing, climate, and cost of living. Many young people feel adults are not doing enough. Yet Lynne reminded us of the good news: young people also believe they can be part of the solution. That belief is powerful, and it is worth backing.

To thrive in the 21st century, Lynne argued, we need to equip young people not just with the traditional three Rs, but with the four Cs:

• Critical thinking – asking the right questions to get to the root cause of problems

• Creative thinking – imagining bold solutions

• Collaboration – working with others to turn ideas into action

• Communication – sharing visions with confidence and clarity

Drawing on her own experience as a farmer and educator, Lynne shared how her team designed programs that gave young people real purpose.

Lynne reminded us of Hugh McKay’s research that says

Young people want something to do

They want someone/something to care about

They want something to hope for

Secondary students were invited to tackle the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, while primary school students were challenged to do the same. Their solutions were painted on life-sized fibreglass cows and giant koalas, bringing creativity, art, and action together.

The results were eye-opening. Primary school students consistently outperformed high schoolers.

By the time they reached secondary school, the difference was clear.

• Student confidence fades.

• Their creativity shrinks.

• Their spark dims.

These observations are backed by research, and the reasons are multifaceted.

• The pressure of the curriculum.

• The challenges of adolescence and social conformity.

• The way we reward right answers instead of bold ideas.

• The way we sometimes silence young voices without even realising it.

But, Lynne reminded us, it does not have to stay that way. Young people are not waiting to be saved. They are waiting to be trusted. And when they are trusted, they rise. They lead. They inspire.

Her closing challenge was one we can all take to heart. Every time we design a program, guide a conversation, or make a decision about young people, we should ask ourselves:

• Are we giving them something meaningful to do?

• Are we helping them feel connected to people, place, and purpose?

• Are we giving them a reason to hope?

When we answer yes, young people do not just join the story. They become the heroes of it.

“When trusted, young people rise. They lead. They inspire.”

#IgniteBerry #LynneStrong #YoungPeople #VoiceAndAgency #FutureLeaders #EducationInnovation #21stCenturySkills