A Global Youth Movement for Road Safety
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In recognition of road traffic injuries being the leading cause of death for people ages 5 to 29 globally, we have partnered with Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) to help combat this issue. Current FCCLA member, Jane Kratz, and FCCLA alumni, Zachary Love, will be representing FCCLA and Ford DSFL at the 2nd World Youth Assembly for Road Safety in Stockholm, Sweden, February 18-21, 2020.
Assembly Goal: To save young lives on the world’s roads by mobilizing and inspiring global youth to take action for road safety; empowering young people and pushing for meaningful youth engagement on designing, implementing and evaluating a safe mobility system.
Stay tuned for proposed solutions from the assembly on how to transform our communities into safer and more sustainable spaces. Follow this page between February 16-21 for live updates from the Jane and Zack.
Meet Zack Love
Where are you from?
I grew up in Talladega, Alabama. I’m currently living in Washington D.C. and attending The Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University.
Why are you passionate about road safety?
If nothing changes, roadway related fatalities will be a leading cause of death globally by 2030.
Why do you want to participate in the 2nd World Youth Assembly on Road Safety?
My time in FCCLA has been highlighted by an organizational dedication to the belief in the empowerment of young people, and this assembly represents an extension of this dedication. In addition, through pursuing an undergraduate degree in public health, I understand the intricate role that youth play in advocacy for social betterment around the globe and the international need for road safety reform. I am excited to serve as a strong representation of initiatives being taken within the United States by FCCLA and Ford Driving Skills for Life and their partners to combat unsafe roadways.
If you could be any road sign, what road sign would you be and why?
I would be a caution sign. We are at the peak of really crucial developments in the world of road and vehicular safety, and with cautious, calculated steps, we can successfully lead the way towards a safer and healthier global community of motorists and pedestrians.
Meet Jane Kratz
Where are you from?
I'm from Kittitas, Washington which is located in the center of the state with a population of about 1500 people. I’m currently a senior at Kittitas Secondary School as well as a Running Start Student at Central Washington University.
Why are you passionate about road safety?
I am passionate about road safety because I have seen the impact fatalities have on the road and how they affect families and communities.
Why do you want to participate in the 2nd World Youth Assembly on Road Safety?
I'm excited to represent FCCLA and Ford DSFL on a global level and to return home with crucial traffic safety information that will save lives.
What issues do you face on the road?
Coming from a very rural area, a common issue I face on the road is speeding. Sometimes I can go miles without seeing a single car on the road, which can tempt teens to drive way too fast.
What needs to change?
Changing the behaviors of drivers by making safety their number one concern will make the biggest change.
If you could be any road sign, what road sign would you be?
I would be one of the blinking arrow signs to catch your attention and let you know something different or unexpected is coming your way.
LIVE UPDATES
Thursday, February 27
Q & A: After Stockholm
Now that the 2nd World Youth Assembly for Road Safety is over, how do you feel?
Zack: I feel inspired. In working with youth from around the world, I have seen so much passion for improving human life on the roadways. Thousands of youth are all over the globe working towards a safer future, and that is inspiring.
Jane: The assembly made me feel very inspired to take action on road safety and to encourage others to do the same. I feel hopeful that youth have the power to work together and work towards our road safety goals, and I can't wait to see what we can do together.
What message from the assembly had the greatest impact on you?
Zack: “Pick a lane”, a line from the youth declaration, had the largest impact on me during my time at the conference. It is a simple, yet effective, international call to action for road safety. In 2030, will we be able to say that we chose a safer and healthier lane for everyone?
Jane: There was a big emphasis on the fact that road traffic crashes are the single biggest killer of youth, and that it has been this way for more than a decade. This hit hard for me since many teens don't classify driving as one of the most dangerous activities that they will ever do.
What's next?
Zack: Next, I hope to return to my university and share with my peers what I learned at the youth assembly and ministerial conference. I hope to engage people from outside of the realm of traffic safety in why building safer roads should be a concern for everyone – not just those who work to make our roadways safer!
Jane: I plan to continue to advocate for traffic safety and spread the messages of the conference through workshops at three different FCCLA State Conferences, as well as a workshop at this year's National Leadership Conference. I will also be attending the Lifesavers conference in a few weeks to speak on a panel there.
Thursday, February 20
This morning we all attended different road safety sessions. Zack attended Protecting Children and Adolescents, Ensuring Equity and Gender Perspectives to Road Safety Solution, and Enhancing the Post-Crash Response. Jane participated in Developing New Technologies for Road Safety, Mitigating Climate Change Through Road Safety, and Improving the Behavior of All Road Users.
We were also able to see the Everyday Counts People Exhibition. The pile of shoes in Stockholm’s central station tells the story: 3,700 pairs of shoes, one for each person killed in a traffic crash around the world every day.
Wednesday, February 19
We're having an awesome time so far at the 3rd Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety. The conference was opened by Sweden's King.
The theme of the conference is Achieving Global Goals 2030. The event is co-sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO), and minister-led delegations from more than 80 countries.
The Conference is an opportunity for delegates to share successes and lessons from the implementation of the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011–2020: chart future strategic directions for global road safety up to 2030 and beyond: and define ways to accelerate action on proven strategies to save lives. The Conference also provides an opportunity to link road safety to other sustainability challenges.
Tuesday, February 18
We just heard from Ms. Zoleka Mandela, Nelson Mandela's granddaughter. Her daughter was killed in a road crash by a drunk driver. It was her grandfather’s words that helped her find hope and purpose in her global campaigning on road safety. The message we took from her was to never give up hope and she encouraged delegates to collaborate and align campaigns to build successful movements.
Tuesday, February 18
The Youth Statement was adopted! We will be presenting this at the 3rd Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety tomorrow.
This Global Youth Statement brings together the voices of more than 1500 young people who took part in Youth Consultations. It paints a vivid picture of what we experience every day on our unsafe roads. We, the Youth, representing over 74 countries proclaim ʻhear our voiceʼ and our call for immediate action. Not tomorrow, today.
We, the Youth of the Americas, experience poverty leading to poor public services. Many of the victims could have been saved if post-crash services were more efficient or adequate facilities even existed. Also, public insecurity and sexual harassment are major concerns that prevent women from using public transport.
Tuesday, February 18
We are having an amazing time at the 2nd World Youth Assembly for Road Safety today. There are more than 200 youth from 70+ countries around the world. Meeting with other inspiring youth committed to making a positive difference in road safety and ministerials from across the world has been an amazing experience so far and we are grateful for the opportunity.
Monday, February 17
We're Jane and Zack, the proud representatives of FCCLA and Ford Driving Skills for Life at the 2nd World Youth Assembly for Road Safety! We’ve arrived in Stockholm. It's gorgeous here and change is in the air. We’re so excited to join young leaders from around the world and start #claimingourspace at the decision-making table for safe mobility.
Sunday, February 16
It's almost time! We have flown in from across the country, from the State of Washington, Washington D.C., and Ohio, to meet at the FCCLA National Headquarers in Reston, VA. This is the first time we have all been together, in one place, as one team. This afternoon, we have a call with Kyle Green with the Ford Driving Skills for Life program and at this time we will discuss all of the final details of our trip. We're so excited about this adventure. Road traffic injuries have been the leading killer of young people worldwide for over a decade, so why are youth so often not included in preventing these tragedies? We are ready to start #claimingourspace for safe mobility and at the decision-making table!
(Photo: L to R) Damien Connelley, a former member of FCCLA and sponsored by MAPFRE Foundation to attend the World Youth Assembly and Ministerial Conference; Jane Kratz, FordDSFL and FCCLA assembly representative; Marissa Kunerth, FCCLA communications manager and chaperone; and Zack Love, Ford DSFL and FCCLA assembly representative.
