Change starts with uncertainty by YLEF Community Keeper Van Anh Tranová

The uncertainty of what will happen tomorrow is daunting. Health and economic crises have given way to conflicts, which now seem even more frightening and damaging than natural disasters, at least in Europe. The climate crisis is gradually beginning to affect millions of lives in Europe, while in Africa, it has already severely impacted 68 million people (Nyasha Chingono, Reuters). Many people, not only younger generations, are left with a sense of dread about their uncertain future.

Initiatives for youth to become more resilient

In the face of these overwhelming challenges, it’s heartening to see initiatives focused on helping young people build resilience such as Youth Leadership for Emerging Future programme that I joined last year. The ambiguity of the future and the rising crises bring a lot of uncertainty and anxiety that lead to apathy. After witnessing the ongoing crises, I felt powerless and overwhelmed, but I realized that complaining wouldn't lead to change. Though I often feel powerless in the face of these overwhelming challenges, this same feeling drives me to commit fully to a program that holds the potential to not only shape the future but also help me discover my own capabilities.

Hope

After the first live meeting in Prague, I felt truly empowered. I was excited to meet such a diverse group of people, all driven by a shared desire to make a positive impact in the world. These people embody hope, showing that there are countless ways to create positive change. It was refreshing to be surrounded by so many inspiring people, each offering a unique perspective on how to tackle global challenges.

The program itself was well-prepared and expertly facilitated. For me, this experience underlined the difference between traditional classroom learning — where an authority figure dictates what to do — and workshops led by experienced changemakers. The goal is the same — to ignite the learning process, but the two methods couldn’t be more distinct. In one, discipline and instructions are emphasized, while in the other, there’s space created for curiosity, discovery, and personal storytelling. This shift in approach not only enhances learning but also empowers participants to share their own ‘hero’s journey,’ fostering a deeper sense of connection and growth.

Leadership

When I met so many leaders from different fields and experiences, I had a chance to see how leadership manifests and it led me to think about what makes a good leader, inspiring me to ask questions and learn from those with greater experience. What do these people have in common?

Firstly, great leaders articulate problems clearly and inspire others to pursue meaningful causes. Clarity is key to effective communication and problem-solving. Leadership is about collaboration; without a team, a leader cannot succeed. In my team, each member was a leader and each of us took the roles with responsibility

Secondly, in addition to communication, a growth mindset is yet another essential quality. Great leaders accept that their weaknesses go beyond their limitations and actively search for a possibility to learn and grow. For example, in the YLEF program, my team set ambitious goals — reaching them and taking a chance to experiment created a lot of stress. Once we encountered uncertainty, it was important to create a safe space for active listening; it was helpful to have structured meetings with defined goals as well.

Thirdly, set an example for others, because lack of vision and enthusiasm is disempowering; in uncertainty, the team can easily lose direction. I saw how one leader energized the team by clearly defining our goals and rallying everyone behind a common cause.

Fourthly, the leaders must make sacrifices. It can be a sacrifice of time, energy, and so on. They not only enlighten a path but are also brave enough to walk it and show others how they can do that too.  

Lastly, the leaders are great connectors. They build meaningful relationships and link ideas that lead to innovative solutions.

These insights emerged from my experiences in the YLEF program, where I had the opportunity to witness these qualities in action.

Gratitude for taking risks

I feel immensely grateful for the possibility to participate in this program. I am also proud of myself for taking a chance and seeing how the program has evolved — thanks to the people who were part of it. Watching the program evolve through the contributions of its participants has been inspiring; hearing so many hero journey stories was truly empowering. Collaboration in international teams allows the exchange of unique perspectives and implementation of innovative practices. I don’t think the program would be able to reach its success if the organizers weren’t leaders themselves. I see that they also must have a good dose of courage and confidence to lead people into their program because they recognize that involving young people in problem-solving might lead to a greater impact than excluding these young voices. Recently, a mentor expressed excitement about working with young people. He pointed out that it requires giving up some control and placing trust in those with less experience, which can create uncertainty. However, by empowering young voices, we secure and shape the future together—a priceless investment for humanity.