It is no wonder that 17-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg idolizes 22-year-old Pakistani human right’s activist Malala Yousafzai. Both women have come from adversity to take a stand on contemporary world issues they are passionate about. Malala was shot for exercising her right to an education. Since then, Malala has gone onto become the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize and is a champion at being a voice, promoting awareness and funding programs that encourage the education of girls around the world.

Greta Thunberg is a 17-year old climate and environmental activist from Sweden who despite facing considerable adversity with her mental health has criticised prominent leaders both in Sweden and around the world regarding their handling of the climate crisis.

With these two powerful stories of young women taking charge of prominent contemporary world issues in the absence of world leaders we may have seen a glimpse into the future.   We were joined earlier by  by Juliet Bennett from Sydney University who discussed the issues of activism and politics.