Global Voices – Lifelines Program: Empowering Young Environmental Advocates Across the Globe

This spring, our 2024 Global Voices Lifelines exchange brought together high school students from three environmentally diverse regions: INEB El Cruzadero in Petén, Guatemala, Makaalu Secondary School in Machakos, Kenya, and the Fairchild Wheeler School in Bridgeport, CT, USA. Over a span of 13 weeks, these young environmental advocates engaged in a vibrant exchange of ideas, facilitated by Creative Connections’ Global Voices Initiative Director, Miguel Barreto.

As part of the Global Voices Initiative, the Lifelines program was designed to foster cross-cultural interactions and inspire students to research and address environmental challenges in their communities. Through creative collaborations and hands-on projects, students developed practical, student-led solutions to these pressing issues.

At the culminating videoconference, students from each country presented their innovative projects to a panel of experts. After thoughtful deliberation, the panel awarded cash prizes to the winning projects to enable their implementation, recognizing the exceptional efforts and ingenuity of these young leaders and enabling them to step right into action.

Lifelines is more than just a program; it’s a celebration of youthful creativity and a testament to the power of collective action. This exchange not only highlighted the importance of environmental advocacy but also empowered the next generation of leaders to collaborate and make a lasting impact on our world.