Empowering Young Activists By Rebecca Ju

Student: Rebecca Ju

School: Year 12 Student At North Sydney Girls' High School

Initiative: Amnesty's Leadership Launchpad

Social Media: LinkedIn

Can You Tell Us About Your Initiative?

Amnesty’s Leadership Launchpad is probably one of the most rewarding projects I’ve got to work on. Essentially, it’s designed to empower young activists by giving them the skills and confidence to lead impactful human rights campaigns in their communities. We launched it this August on International Youth Day and have over 100 amazing young people joining us from all over the country!

The program involves skill-building workshops and training, where participants can learn everything from campaign strategies to the protection of protest. But what I really love about it is the ‘individuals as multipliers’ model—it’s not just about teaching one person. Each participant is empowered to go back to their own networks and inspire others to join the fight for human rights. The ripple effect of that kind of passion is just amazing to see, and I truly believe it’s how we’re going to drive real, lasting change.

What Specific Challenges Did You Identify In Your Community, And How Did You Go About Addressing Them?

One of the biggest challenges I noticed in my community was a lack of accessible platforms for young people to get involved in human rights work. Within Amnesty we have a lot of adults involved, but there were many youth activists who wanted to make a difference in our campaigns but didn’t know where to start.

To address this, I worked on developing programs like the Leadership Launchpad, which is all about giving young activists the skills, confidence, and platform they need to get involved. I also wanted to create something that wasn’t just about human rights, but social justice and activism in general. We focused on practical skills like campaign building, community organising, and even understanding legal protections for protest. Seeing their passion turn into tangible action has been such a rewarding experience!

How Do You Measure The Success Of Your Initiatives, And What Impact Have They Had On The People You Aimed To Help?

For us, success was never about numbers - it’s about the real, lasting impact on the people and communities that we involve. I think what truly matters is seeing the growth and confidence in the participants. Hearing from young activists who started out unsure but are now leading their own initiatives, speaking out for things they care about, and bringing their communities together - that’s the real measure of success.

I’m hoping that at the completion of this program, we’ll be seeing people actively leading local campaigns, advocate for policy changes, and even mentor others in their community. It’s all about the ripple effect - one person taking action will inspire others to do the same. I think that’s how I know we’re making an impact. Definitely not just about the immediate results but the long-term empowerment of these people and the way they continue to spread that energy and drive positive change.

What Were Some Of The Biggest Obstacles You Faced During Your Projects, And How Did You Overcome Them?

One obstacle was balancing the ambitious goals we had with the practical limitations. When we were developing the Leadership Launchpad I had this grand vision of getting young activists all over the country to complete hands-on training at our Gadigal Action Centre in Sydney, but unfortunately some of that wasn’t feasible. There were times when it felt like we didn’t have enough resources or manpower to pull it off, and I definitely had moments of doubt about whether we could achieve everything we wanted.

I had to rely on collaboration, reaching out to the different committees within Amnesty, asking for assistance from the staff, and finding creative ways to do more with less. Looking back, it's the obstacles that taught me so much about resilience and resourcefulness. They pushed me to think outside the box and reminded me why I’m so passionate about this work in the first place!

What Lessons Have You Learned From Your Leadership Experiences, And How Have They Shaped Your Approach To Future Projects? One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of adaptability and listening. Early on, I thought leadership meant having all the answers, but I realised it’s more about empowering others and being open to feedback. Flexibility became key when things didn’t go as planned, and I found that trusting the team led to the best outcomes.

I’ve also learned the value of resilience - staying focused on the bigger picture, even when progress is slow. These experiences have really shaped how I approach future projects. I’m much more collaborative and open to change, and I’ve learned that sometimes the best ideas come from the unexpected. It’s also given me a deeper sense of patience and trust in the process. No matter how big the challenges might seem, I know that if I stay adaptable and keep empowering the people around me, we can make a big impact!

Looking Ahead, What Are Your Plans For Continuing To Make A Difference? Are There Any New Initiatives Or Ideas You're Excited To Pursue? Looking ahead, I’m really excited about expanding the work I’ve started with Amnesty, as well as my other community projects with my local council and friends. In particular I think I’d like to continue to grow Leadership Launchpad to become an even bigger program next year and explore new ways to engage young people in human rights activism!

As I head to university next year, I’m planning to continue to drive change through my studies. I’m really passionate about combining my interests in law and science to advocate for better healthcare policies, especially in the area of mental health service accessibility. There’s so much more we can do to bridge the gap between research and patient care, and I’m determined to use my voice to push for that change. I’m excited to see where it takes me!

What Advice Would You Give To Other Young Leaders Who Aspire To Create Positive Change In Their Communities?

My biggest piece of advice for young leaders is to start where you are, with what you have. You don’t need to wait until you feel ‘ready’ or have the right moment - you just need your passion and the willingness to take that first step. Sometimes, the hardest part is overcoming your own fear that you’re not enough or can’t make a difference. But trust me, it's all the small actions that lead you to places you never would have dreamed of.

Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Leadership isn’t about doing everything alone, and building something bigger than yourself is really taxing. Listen to others, stay open to feedback, and be adaptable. Things won’t always go as planned, but that’s part of the learning process. Change takes time, but if you stay committed, the impact you’ll make will be worth it!

Rebecca Ju participated in our Next Gen Awards 2024 program and was a finalist for the Young Leader Of The Year category. To find out more about the Next Gen Awards and how your projects and initiatives can be showcased head to: www.nextgenoftheyear.com