Arts activities can provoke empathy and inspire youth action on urgent UN global goals

'The Sad and Cheerful Story of a Certain Dandelion' was a theatre project in Poland that saw students create a script encouraging audiences to protect the local species. (Shutterstock)

Young people have a vital role to play in addressing global crises today. Around the world, arts education is helping youth understand the issues, connect with them emotionally and take action.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals identify some of the most critical challenges confronting humanity. These include taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts (Goal 13), promoting just, peaceful and inclusive societies (Goal 16), and conserving life on land (Goal 15).