The call for change

Recently, I was having dinner in a restaurant in St. Gallen. Around 20 young people were sitting at the neighbouring table, some wearing a sticker with the words «climate strike» on their sleeves. My companion commented: «For years, I had the feeling that today's young people were no longer interested in socio-political issues. And now they're on strike. That's impressive!»

In fact, the climate protest seems to have taken many adults by surprise. Because up and down the country, people weren't initially talking about the content of the protests, but rather about whether pupils should be allowed to skip school with impunity.

With their protest, the young people are addressing a concern of our time.

Personally, I find it very courageous that young people, inspired by the young Swede Greta Thunberg, are speaking out loudly. Especially as they are in a dilemma as to whether they should attend school or stay away during this time. Young people should be able to express themselves and they should also be heard. And with their protest, they are addressing a concern of our time.

The extremely dry summer of 2018 was the latest reminder that the consequences of climate change can be very unpleasant for Switzerland. The issue has not left many people indifferent. On 2 February, more than 40,000 people took to the streets in Switzerland in support of climate protection.

The young people want to hold politicians to account.

The population, especially young people, want to hold politicians to account. The unresolved issues surrounding climate change involve far more than just climate agreements that are not being honoured or the restriction of personal consumption. The young strikers are also right to demand: «Change the system, not the climate!» In my view, this call is right and important. It should be about how we, as inhabitants of this earth, manage to live peacefully with each other and with the environment.

In numerous Pestalozzi Children's Foundation projects, children and young people work on and discuss topics such as dealing with diversity, tolerance and equal opportunities. We believe that real situations are needed in order to grow from real learning experiences.

At the International Summer Camp, we are therefore working with young people from Switzerland and eight other countries on how they can take a stand, how they can stand up for their opinions and publicise them. I very much hope that the young strikers will achieve their goal and also succeed in highlighting the global context of climate change.

Image: climatestrike.com

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