In today’s world, young voices are often overlooked on critical social issues, despite their valuable perspectives. To affirm that the younger generation has the right to speak up and help shape the world, the Institute of International Education at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH) held a talk show, "Voices for Change: Empowering Youth to Shape the Future,” on October 23.
The event draws a large student audience
The guest speaker was Siri Ankarfors, a Political Science and Development Studies student at Lund University in Sweden. At 23, Siri has represented Swedish youth, bringing their voices to international forums such as the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) and as a speaker at the Green Economy Forum (GEFE) 2025.
Ms. Siri Ankarfors, guest speaker at the event
Ms. Siri shared that although politicians, officials, and large organizations are the usual attendees at climate summits like UNFCCC or COP, young people also have the right to speak up. She emphasized that this right gains value only when individuals empower themselves and boldly express their views. For her, change starts with the belief that even the smallest voice can make a meaningful difference.
Ms. Siri Ankarfors shares her experiences speaking at major international conferences
When asked why she wanted to empower young people to speak up, the young expert explained that society belongs to everyone, and each person has a responsibility to voice their concerns. She encouraged creating a community where young voices are respected, and their rights are protected.
Students engage in a Q&A session with Siri Ankarfors
Ms. Siri acknowledged that gaining recognition isn’t easy and that to achieve genuine rights, we need to act now. She highlighted three levels of action: individual (self-education and self-improvement), local (sharing knowledge with friends and family), and community (organizing initiatives, participating in activities). She concluded that when we develop ourselves well, others will listen and respect our opinions.
The talk show aims to encourage students to speak up on various issues
Emphasizing the theme of the talk show, “Voice for Change: Empowering Youth to Shape the Future,” Siri encouraged students to “be brave,” inspiring them to voice their beliefs and take action for positive change in society.
News: Quynh Anh
Photos: Hoang Nam
Communication Center