YSP Rally: Honoring Changemakers and Youth as “Our Future”

Photo credit FFWPU

Who are the youth? It was the question of the night during the first-ever virtual Youth and Students’ Rally of Hope, streamed live on social media to 100,000 participants worldwide from South Korea on April 17.

The two-part program, sponsored by the International Association of Youth and Students for Peace (IAYSP), consisted of a star-studded concert of various Korean entertainers; inspiring messages from politicians worldwide; a food demonstration from a top chef; as well as the international finalists of the global S!NERGY competition.

“For me, the definition of youth is someone who is excited about life, excited about tomorrow, and excited about each day,” said one emcee. “When we think of youth, we think of passion, and we think of challenging oneself.”

“Anyone challenging themselves to really accomplish their dream is a youth,” said another emcee. “If you challenge yourself to follow your path and follow your dreams, and follow your passion and whatever excites you and inspires you each morning, that is a youth.”

The high-energy program–a call for hope and peace among all people–included an incredible opening dance performance and uplifting music from noted K-pop singers like LYn, and Sojung from the former group Ladies’ Code.

“We have the power to change the world, and we have the power to make a better future,” said LYn, who performed her song “My Destiny,” which features lyrics about “overcoming adversity.”

Several world politicians also weighed in with messages of hope, calling the youth “our future.”

“I congratulate everyone participating in this ambitious and noble gathering,” said Paulin Claude Danho, a politician from Cote d’Ivoire. “May this rally help consolidate and materialize peace in our hearts and spirits.”

“This rally shows we can still achieve things together, especially during the pandemic that made so many people around the world struggle,” added Moroccan politician Abdelmajid Fassi-Fihri. “Youth communities have a fundamental role to play in the coming years in order to rebuild socially and economically in our countries and bring back confidence and trust among everyone.”

Honorable Anatole Collinet Makosso, a Congolese politician, said youth “have the responsibility and duty of being able to lift high the flags, cultures, and values of the world and solve its challenges, such as realizing peace, promoting education, and protecting the environment.”

Such changemakers were later honored in the program during the global S!NERGY competition. 

The five finalists, who each presented their humanitarian projects, received real-time votes from a panel of judges and the virtual rally audience. Tatiana Nekhodtseva of Russia presented the ‘GoodFood’ project, which addresses the global food waste issue and food-sharing in Moscow. Kim Unji of South Korea presented the ‘UniUS’ project, which makes videos targeting different social issues such as the peaceful reunification of Korea and resolving the conflict rising from its division. Oscar Ruiz of Nicaragua (second place winner) introduced an innovative method of bioremediation where ‘Arsenic Degrading Bacteria’ is used to purify local contaminated water. Yeonkyeong Kim and Yeongmi Park of South Korea presented ‘Hug Korea,’ an effort to bridge Korea and Japan and support international families from both countries. And Rica B. Marfil of the Philippines (first place winner) shared about ‘Project NCT ((Nurturing Child’s Talent), which provides training and education to children with disabilities and special needs so they can be employable. 

The youth rally, broadcasted from the Cheongshim World Peace Center using revolutionary virtual technology, is a spinoff of the Rally of Hope series initiated in 2020 by Mother of Peace Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon. The rally aims to unite and uplift youth seeking to bring hope and peace to the world.

You can watch the full Youth and Students’ Rally of Hope here.

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