Share your voice-the world is listening

Jessica Cannizzaro is interning with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF’s Editorial and Creative Services Department.

As a young person in the world today, I’m well aware of the challenges youth face in order to make our voices heard. But young people must be able to join in global conversations. When we have a voice, we are empowered to create real change within our communities.

I will always be thankful for the first opportunity I was given to find my voice and create change by singing with The Young People’s Chorus of New York City. The chorus seeks to bring children of all backgrounds together to create community through artistic excellence. As we traveled and sang around the world, I witnessed something incredible: when young people have a forum to express themselves, they gain a belief in their abilities, and a chance to lead.

©UNICEF Switzerland/2011/Tidey

At the UN Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva (from left): Johnson, 17, Tricia, 14, and Andra, 14.

 

I think back to one moment when traveling with the chorus to Japan. We were being hosted by a children’s chorus whom we sang with at the Hiroshima Peace Park, just days away from the sixtieth anniversary of the atomic bombing. And though we spoke different languages and came from different cultures, we were all singing the same message of peace and understanding. As I sang and looked into the audience, I realized that no matter how old you are, when you make your voice heard, people do listen.