Listen to the future this World Children’s Day

Young people have been overlooked this year. Some say they will be the worst-affected by COVID-19, particularly in relation to education, employment and mental health, as well as set backs on the climate progress needed for their future. Their opinions and voices aren’t being listened to or represented in decisions relating to the issues that impact them the most. 

This World Children’s Day, as with every day, we want to make sure young people are heard. That’s why we’re proud to share a new project that amplifies the voices of young people across Europe, created by our partner Studio Olafur Eliasson.

Do you listen to the future? Today on #WorldChildrensDay, adults, politicians and organisations are listening to future generations. Kids across the world are speaking up for the future wellbeing of our planet with #EarthSpeakr. We invite you to #ListenToTheFuture too.@UNICEF pic.twitter.com/tFUFW6ACBl

— Earth Speakr (@EarthSpeakr) November 20, 2020

Earth Speakr is a networked artwork by Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson. Launched in July 2020, it creates a platform for young people (aged 7-17 years) to respond to a series of prompts about the planet. Users participate through a playful, interactive app that places their faces onto an object of their choosing and allows them to speak through the scene. Olafur Eliasson has used his platform to amplify messages in exhibitions inside parliamentary spaces across Europe, presented them in meetings with European politicians, and displayed them across public spaces and on public transport throughout a variety of European cities.

In our partnership with Studio Olafur Eliasson, we tested movement building methodology and campaigning principles within the development of the artwork. Through this unique collaboration we’ve been able to experiment where activism and art meet and occasionally diverge; drawing on the best of both practices. A key learning, in these tumultuous times, is to allow for flexibility and rapid response, because as we know, the priorities and needs of young people are ever changing.

On World Children’s Day, Olafur Eliasson is calling for us all to listen to the messages within Earth Speakr and share the on all social platforms using the hashtag #ListenToTheFuture and linking @earthspeakr. We encourage you to do the same.

Here are some of our favourites:

Learn more: earthspeakr.art