A place for young leaders to inform, inspire and engage: Space Transformers Live
On December 21st 2021, Space Transformers Live provided a platform for young changemakers, thinkers and innovators to tell their stories, in order to inform, inspire and engage a global audience to address the most pressing issues of our time and join the journey towards humanity’s survival.
Space Transformers Live is one of four annual global digital experiences from Peace One Day, alongside Anti-Racism Live (March 21st), Climate Action Live (June 21st) Peace Day Live (September 21st).
The Kofi Annan Foundation is thrilled to partner with Peace One Day. Space Transformers Live, which showcases exceptional young activists from around the world. The Kofi Annan Foundation shares Peace One Days’ conviction that young people have the energy, ideas and vision to transform the world around them. Young people must be given a seat at the decision-making table and the proper platforms to develop and present these ideas. Space Transformers is one of these platforms.
“Kofi Annan and Peace One Day have a shared history, so the collaboration came very naturally.” – Corinne Momal-Vanian, Kofi Annan Foundation Executive Director
The young leaders: Hajer Sharief
One of the young leaders involved in Space Transformers Live 2021 was Extremely Together Young Leader, Libyan Peace and Human Rights Activist and Co-Founder of Together We Build It. Hajer promotes the participation of women and youth in peacebuilding efforts in Libya. She was selected to serve as a member of the Advisory Group of Experts for the Progress Study on Youth, Peace and Security mandated by UNSCR 2250. Hajer is also one of the twelve UN Women Champions on Women, Peace, Security and Human Rights.
“Peace is a public good, so everyone should have the right to enjoying, building, making, and shaping peace.” – Hajer Sharief
Hajer Sharief Interview | Space Transformers Live 21 December from Jeremy Gilley on Vimeo.
The young leaders: Junbert Pabon
Another young leader involved in Space Transformers Live 2021 was Kofi Annan Changemaker 2021 Junbert Pabon from the Philippines. For Junbert, children in conflict with the law (CICLs) should not be branded and should not be deprived of opportunities since many of them are just victims of circumstances. Junbert, who volunteered at the Social Development Center (SDC) in Bacolod back in 2016 where CICLs are sheltered, realized that something should be done to eradicate the stigma against these children. Cramped into a single cell, surrounded by a run-down building with no activities, resulted in CICLs reverting back to committing infractions against the law once they are released from the SDC, he said, adding that once caught, they are returned into the facility.
To break this seemingly never-ending cycle, Pabon, who is also a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, coordinated with the Boy Scouts of the Philippines in creating an auxiliary unit of the organization inside SDC. “We gave them a sense of community and even after their stay at the SDC they have a group to go to in order to deviate their attention from committing infractions against the law again,” he said.
“I see so much hope in young people, and as one of the young people with the capability to help, I believe we must reach out to more youth, ensuring that no one is left behind.” – Junbert Pabon
Interview with Junbert Pabon | Space Transformers Live 21 December from Jeremy Gilley on Vimeo.
Voices Against Racism: Up next
