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FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA – United States Senator Tim Kaine, Democrat from Virginia, joined the Centre for Voters Initiative & Action at a local high school last Wednesday. The Centre welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with a seasoned policymaker. During the event, the Centre facilitated a youth focused panel and interactive dialogue ahead of the upcoming 5 November U.S. elections.
In an era of intense political polarisation, the Centre is committed to the pursuit of bridging the intergenerational gap between youth and seasoned policymakers.
Executive Director Samad Quraishi & Assistant Director for U.S. Programmes, Eleanor Liang, joined the Senator to lead a youth-centred roundtable. Amongst the list of issues discussed included socioeconomic civic education for youth, dangers of misinformation exacerbated by social media, and the future of democracy.
When Assistant Director Liang brought up concern on the ways by which youth receive information concerning elections – particularly misinformation through social media – Senator Kaine echoed the concerns brought up. He highlighted the need for increased federal protections of youth on social media, including his affirmation of support on the Chinese TikTok ban.
In the final question of the panel, Director Quraishi inquired, “What is one thing you'd want every young person to take away from this discussion?” Senator Kaine declared that when he was young, it seemed as if “the grown-ups destroyed the world”. Having witnessed the Vietnam War, civil rights demonstrations, and assassination of President John F. Kennedy, he emphasised his past emotions of despair and hopelessness as a young man.
Yet his despair was not met without hope. He vividly detailed how “young people are consistently fighting for a better future for the world”, as far back as the civil rights movement in the 1960s to continuous movements for change today. Youth, indeed, are the key to a more prosperous tomorrow.
The Centre gathered over 150 students, teachers, and activists to participate in the interactive dialogue. Meaningful efforts to bridge the gap through interactive programmes remain at the core of our mission, and we aspire to continue bridging these challenges. We remain committed to defeating despair and creating a culture of hope, and extend our gratitude to Senator Kaine and the members of civil society who joined us.
