Thirteen youth leaders of the POP Movement participated in an episode of Planet Classroom titled “SHINE a LIGHT on Protecting Our Planet”, hosted by Orb, on 18 August, 2021. During the session, the leaders shared their personal wishes and dreams for a world post COVID-19, and explained how they saw science and art playing a role in helping us solve the climate crisis. The leaders further recommended reforms in global learning that might support local and global good.

Priyanka Prakash from India spoke about her dream for a world post COVID-19 and said, “I wish for a world where our future generations don’t have to struggle for basic sustenance, where they have access to clean water, and breathe clean air; where a sustainable economy offers them with endless opportunities, and where science and innovation cater towards the betterment of our society.” The importance of art and science in combating the climate crisis was emphasized by Cherry Sung from South Korea, who said, “Art and science have become indispensable media for raising awareness about climate change. As complex as climate change itself is, its solutions must be deeply science-based, realistic, and just; not whimsical nor intuition-based.” Another youth leader, Ian Ulloa from the United States, discussed the importance of community in climate action and said, “I wish people would now realize the severity of global warming and just pollution in general. I also wish that people would really begin to appreciate all life on this planet, and try to do more to help save it. We can all contribute one action at a time”

The podcast featured POP Youth Leaders Gabriela Madrid, Samuel C. Okorie, Meda Hope Malinga, Ian Ulloa, Wen Tian, Cherry Sung, Kevin Morales, Nahid Pérez, Ceferino Kreigi, Andres Barragan, Steph Evans, Prachi Shevgaonkar, and Priyanka Prakash, from multiple nations; Venezuela, Nigeria, Uganda, China, South Korea, Mexico, Paraguay, Colombia, Australia, India, and the United States of America.

The podcast was part of Shine, a multimedia project by Planet Classroom that invites youth to use creativity and innovations to inspire new ideas for a positive future for all. Planet Classroom brings together artists, musicians, dancers, video game creators, filmmakers, learning innovators and emerging technologists from all over the world to entertain, educate and engage their audience. Planet Classroom believes that the youth are helping to solve the many problems faced by the world, and features youth voices sharing their passions, ideas, and solutions for a better future.

Shine and Planet Classroom have been brought to the audience by VoiceAmerica, who has been a pioneer in original live talk radio programming for the past 22 years. VoiceAmerica continues to produce exceptional radio content that emotionally connects and creates lasting impact in the lives of their global listening audience. They strive to inform, shape and change the way people live, by offering content that inspires, entertains and enlightens.Their goal is to create content that impacts their audience, any time, any place, and on any device.

Listen to the full podcast here.