Interview with Léa Thuillier from the En Avant Toutes association.
What is specific about youth mobilization in international processes?
The mobilization of young people is essential if we want to build inclusive international processes that take into account all realities and experiences. The ideas and demands of the younger generations are still too often met with a certain infantilization, or even paternalism based on the idea that adults know better what is good for them. Yet it is the younger generations who will have to face the major social, political, and ecological challenges of tomorrow. Now more than ever, it is time to listen to them!
What did the collaboration with West African activists bring?
Networking, sharing, working collectively: that's the key. First, because uniting our voices allows us to have a stronger impact, makes them resonate further, and gives much more echo to our demands. It also allows us to discuss our specific and, above all, common realities. Ahead of the FGE, En avant toute(s) organized #HearYouthVoices, an inter-association event to bring together young French and West African activists. This rich and relevant work led to the development of 11 joint recommendations on four themes: SRHR, combating gender-based and sexual violence, combating cyberviolence, and prevention. These recommendations were presented to Minister Elisabeth Moreno during an Instagram Live session, which was viewed by more than 15,000 people.
