#1point8 News: 1.8 Billion Young People for Change Mobilizes Youth Voices at Glastonbury Festival 2023, UK

30 June 2023

Departmental news

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1.8 Billion Young People for Change branding on stage before Rudimental’s Headline performance, Sunday Glastonbury Festival.
Credit: Scott Garfitt/AP Images for @1point8Billion

The 1.8 Billion Young People for Change campaign from PMNCH teamed up with the White Ribbon Alliance UK to mobilize for young people’s voices at the renowned Glastonbury Festival last week in support of the 'What Young People Want' initiative. Operating from their central hub in The Park, one of the festival’s most popular areas, youth leaders and allies representing the 1.8 campaign engaged with thousands of young festival-goers to gather their visions of a healthy future. Artists and performers also engaged in different activities, raising awareness and support for the campaign. Meanwhile the Festival's overall population of 205,000 festival-goers, performers and staff enjoyed five days of sunshine in Somerset's 'city in the fields' ending with a first ever appearance by Sir Elton John.

Visibility of the campaign was high: headlining band Rudimental showed its support by flying 1.8 flags and giving up their onstage promo screen to 1.8 Billion branding for 45 minutes in the run-up to their headline performance on Sunday evening. Additionally, award-winning spoken word poet Sami Rhymes debuted her new piece '1.8 Billion Strong' at the festival's official Joint Charities' opening party on Wednesday night, hosted by Greenpeace, Oxfam, and WaterAid. The piece was composed from the voices of young people calling for what they want for their health and well-being as part of the campaign, expressing their aspirations for a better future.

At WRA UK's Solidarity Tent in The Park, 1.8 Billion Young People for Change created a fun Photo Booth and space to discuss the campaign and engage with festival-goers, gathering demands for world leaders to prioritize the health and well-being of young people.

From climate change to conflicts, the cost-of-living crisis, and the lasting effects of the pandemic, life is increasingly challenging for young people, making mental health a pressing global issue.

As Ruby, a British festival-goer aged 17 shared: "Our lives were frozen during the lockdowns, and it's hard to be hopeful about the future." Unfortunately, young people's voices are seldom heard. Ruby adds, "No one ever asks us what we think."

The Solidarity Tent was a vibrant space where young festival-goers could connect, network with fellow activists such as Sami and Omnia El Omrani, 1.8 Champion and climate change activist, and join the movement towards positive change. Young people were excited to express their visions for a better future, participate in the world's biggest-ever survey on youth aspirations.

Big thanks to PMNCH partners, FIA Foundation and WRA UK, who provided invaluable support for the 1.8 Billion Young People for Change campaign at the festival, as well as Michael and Emily Eavis and Glastonbury Festival for making it possible.