Ella Robertson of One Young World: Advocating for Tangible Activism in a Digital Age
In a world increasingly dominated by digital platforms, Ella Robertson, managing
director of One Young World, is championing the importance of tangible
activism. She has been vocal about the growing phenomenon of slacktivism, where
individuals show superficial support for causes online without engaging in real-world actions.
Robertson argues that while social media can be a powerful tool for raising awareness, it often
fails to translate into meaningful change. She believes that many activists are
falling into the trap of slacktivism, mistaking likes, shares, and hashtags for
genuine progress. “When you share a post on Instagram, you get a dopamine hit
from the likes and comments. But, in reality, all you’ve done is put pixels out
into the ether,” she says.
One Young World, under Robertson’s leadership, is striving to bridge these divides. One Young Worl encourages young leaders to move beyond the digital realm
and engage in concrete actions that have a lasting impact. Robertson emphasizes
the need to connect with people who hold different views, believing that true
change can only occur through diverse and inclusive dialogues.
One of her key messages is the importance of collaboration with unlikely allies. “You need to
be reaching out to people who aren’t like you. Even if we disagree on many
things, there will be areas where we agree we need to make progress,” Robertson
states. This approach underlines One Young World’s commitment to fostering
inclusive and diverse communities.
Beyond advocating for effective activism, Ella Robertson also warns against disruptive tactics that alienate potential allies. She cites
examples of environmental protests that have crossed the line into
counterproductivity, thereby undermining their own objectives. “Movements need
to be judicious about when they’re picking disruption and focus on the less
glamorous work where the change is really happening,” she advises.
Ella Robertson’s insights serve as a critical reminder that while digital activism has its
place, it should be a complement to, rather than a substitute for, real-world
efforts. Through her leadership at One Young World, she continues to inspire
young leaders to enact meaningful change in their communities. See related link for more information.
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