Foreign
WITH over 75% of Sierra Leone’s population under the age of 35, young people are central to the country’s future development. Recognizing this, the United Nations Foundation has launched Once Upon a Future, a global campaign calling on youth across the world — including Sierra Leone’s dynamic youth — to engage in the UN Summit of the Future and join millions of others in taking action for a better future.
This campaign encourages Sierra Leonean youth, who are already leading positive change in their communities, to shape the future of global cooperation. A key highlight of the campaign was a YouTube streaming event on September 22, featuring creators, influencers, and global leaders. The event aimed to inspire Sierra Leonean youth to play an active role in shaping global decisions by exploring how young people can contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Hosted by the United Nations on September 22 and 23, the Summit of the Future brought together world leaders, civil society, and young change makers to address the critical challenges of the 21st century. For Sierra Leone’s youth, this summit offered a unique opportunity to voice their ideas and perspectives on peace, security, digital inclusion, and sustainable development — issues that are critical to their country’s progress.
A Call to Sierra Leonean Youth: What If We Get It Right?
The Once Upon a Future campaign adopts a hopeful approach, asking the important question: “What if we get it right?” In partnership with award-winning creative agency Droga5, the campaign sought to engage Sierra Leonean youth by encouraging them to imagine a future where global challenges like climate change, poverty, and inequality are addressed through united, proactive efforts.
The campaign uses eye-catching graphics, animations, and video content tailored to resonate with Generation Z and young leaders in Sierra Leone. It amplified the voices and aspirations of young people, ensuring their demands for change are highlighted during the Summit of the Future.
In addition to inspiring participation in the Summit, the campaign encouraged individuals to take small but meaningful actions in their daily lives through the UN’s ActNow platform. Sierra Leonean youth are invited to make choices that contribute to sustainable development — from promoting eco-friendly practices to advocating for inclusivity in their communities. The goal is to achieve 2 million actions worldwide by September 30, with Sierra Leonean youth playing a key role in this global effort.
Unpacking the Summit for Sierra Leonean Youth
As part of the campaign, a youth-centric broadcast of the Summit of the Future premiered on YouTube on September 22, and was designed to both educate and entertain young viewers. Creators and influencers explained the Summit’s goals and the Pact for the Future — a global agreement aimed at strengthening cooperation on peace, security, and sustainable development.
The broadcast, hosted by Lea’h Sampson and Hallie Haas, will featured well-known personalities such as Heidi Becker, Felipe Neto, and Dan Rosen, alongside creators and UN experts. This event offered a chance for Sierra Leonean youth to learn, engage, and feel inspired to be part of the movement toward a sustainable and equitable future for all.
Building a Better Future for Sierra Leone and Beyond
With Sierra Leone’s youth driving innovation and activism in areas like climate action, digital development, and entrepreneurship, the Once Upon a Future campaign connects their efforts with a broader global movement. As the world moves forward in addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Sierra Leone’s youth have a critical role to play in influencing the discussions and decisions that will shape global cooperation for years to come.
The Once Upon a Future campaign goes beyond hope; it calls for action and encourages belief in a future that reflects the aspirations of the next generation. Sierra Leonean youth can join the movement by visiting ActNow and participating in this global effort to create a better world for everyone.
A.I
Oct. 3, 2024
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