What is The People Speak?

Welcome to The People Speak, a community of young people who are passionate about global issues. Here, you can exchange ideas and perspectives with young people from around the world and learn more about how you can make a difference.

Since the campaign began at the United Nations Foundation in 2003, there have been more than 20,000 TPS activities reaching young people in all 50 states and more than 60 countries. Below you will find links to our ongoing campaigns, programs and contests. Explore the site, poke around. Tell us what you think.

Download the TPS one pager

Youth Leadership Summit
The first ever UNF Youth Leadership Summit was held in New York City from July 17-19, 2008. The summit was an amazing opportunity to meet UN officials, learn new skills and interact with other student leaders from around the world. Details for the 2009 summit will be available this fall.

Global Debates
Join a truly global discussion on critical issues by organizing a Global Debate in your high school.

Climate Crews
Climate Crews harnesses a valuable natural resource: college students’ creativity. Students propose innovative campaigns to raise awareness about climate change on their campus.

Buzz Cuts
Find out what all the buzz is about as 12 campus leaders create innovative and creative campaigns to raise awareness about malaria on their college campuses.

Think Globally, Report Locally

Got great video skills? Interested in journalism? Learn how you can enter this video contest.

Speak Up. Change the world.

A wise man named G.I. Joe once said, “Knowing is half the battle.” While a cartoon character might be an odd source of wisdom, this American hero is right. Learn something new about the world and then do something, anything, to make your corner of the earth a better place.

Featured Action

Do Something is calling on you to green your school. If you go to the Increase Your Green webpage you can register for the competition and you can find tips and Energy Saving Stats. Even better, if you sign up to DoSomething.org, you can gain access to many more activity ideas and resources! Competing schools are eligible for a $1500 first prize grant. Visit now to register and learn more about the contest, including additional prizes!

Other Ways to Get Started Now:

Stay Informed on UN Issues

UN Dispatch is a blog providing commentary and coverage on UN issues. UN Dispatch's intended purpose is to: -Offer thoughtful perspective on UN issues; -Provide factual information about the UN's work; and -Fact-check claims and coverage about the UN offered by pundits, journalists, bloggers, and others.

Say NO to Violence

At least one out of every three women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime — with the abuser usually someone known to her. Violence against women and girls is a universal problem of pandemic proportions. Perhaps the most pervasive human rights violation that we know today, it devastates lives, fractures communities, and stalls development.

Be a Young Visionary

Are you actively engaged in shaping a world where women and girls are free from discrimination, sexual coercion, and violence; where they make free and informed choices about sexuality and reproduction; or where health information and services are available to help them lead safer and healthier lives? Be a Young Visionary!