An award winning activist inspired Sheffield’s youth on Sunday, telling them they are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but the leaders of today,
Her comments were made as part of Sheffield’s Festival of Debate, which is the largest political festival in the UK, taking place annually.
Sophia Badhan, a 23-year-old youth activist from Birmingham, took part in the festival, speaking about how young people can shape systematic change.
Sophia is a multi-award winning speaker, holding the 2019 Diana Award, inspired by the late Princess Diana and presented to young people who have made huge contributions to society.
She said: “I needed someone who looked like me and I’m trying to be the person I needed to see when I was unwell.
“Change can be anything, it can be on any level. It doesn’t have to be this huge national or international thing. Change is change, it doesn’t matter on what scale.
“I want to encourage people to use their voice and really stand up for the things that they believe in. Work with the systems that exist but also challenge them. Young people aren’t just the leaders of tomorrow, we’re actually the leaders of today as well.”
Sophia was motivated to become a youth activist after suffering with her own mental health and completed her first talk in a school assembly during eating disorder week to raise awareness to her peers.
She is currently in the Netherlands studying European languages and cultures, but hopes to continue a career in youth activism, doing what she can to help others in their mental health journey and inspire change within the community.
The recent debate took place online on Sunday 21st April and was led by multiple female youth activists to inspire change to Sheffield’s youth.
The speakers in the debate focused heavily on hoping to inspire more young people to push for change and use their voices to speak up about anything they may be passionate about.
They want more young people to know that their opinions and voices are valued and that their youth is a strength which can be used to shape change.
