If you had five minutes to speak to the world about something really important to you, what would you talk about? Do you think anyone would listen?

In New Zealand, 119 high school and college students will gather soon to be a part of the annual Youth Parliament this coming July—a chance for young people to debate issues that are important to them in the same way that the elected Members of Parliament gather to discuss issues important to the country. The young people selected to be a part of the Parliament are hoping the country will listen to what they have to say.

In Evanston, IL, 60 teenagers gathered on a recent Saturday to learn how to engage in the political life of their community. They talked about things like homelessness, gangs, sex education, and college admissions. Ra Joy, the keynote speaker, told the youth: “Your presence and your voice represent your ownership in your school, your ownership in your future, your ownership in your community.”

A college student who volunteered for the event remarked: “This is saying, ‘Wow,’ instead of sitting around and brainstorming as 50-year-olds, let's ask the youth. This is a time for the adults to listen. That's a big deal.”

Evanston Assistant City Manager Judith Aiello expressed her hopes for what this youth-led movement could accomplish: “I hope to see kids who are engaged, making new friends, thinking about ideas they've never thought about before and, most importantly, coming up with their own ideas for solutions.”

In Virginia, 16,000 teenagers gathered for an event called “BattleCry,” where they were encouraged to use their voices as young Christians to help “take back their generation from popular culture.”

“I have a voice!” screamed thousands of teenagers at the prompting of speakers from the stage. In response, the rally leaders urged them: “Then use it!”

One youth group member told the story of how a youth group protested at a local Victoria’s Secret store because they were offended by the way the store’s pictures portrayed women.

One speaker remarked: “You guys are good at ruffling people’s feathers. So instead of ruffling your parents why don’t you use it for God?”