You. Me. Us.
Read more from The Greater Good Edition.
The COVID-19 pandemic, a racial justice revolution, the climate crisis, and the global erosion of democracy — as these hold a grip on society, Generation Z has emerged as an unstoppable force bringing innovation, energy, and a renewed sense of intention to politics in an unprecedented way that is unique to the times we are living in. Oftentimes, young people are told that we are the leaders of tomorrow; however, we would beg to differ. We are unequivocally the leaders of today, with lived experiences guiding us as we work to create and implement intersectional solutions through a lens of equity and empathy. It is for this reason that we need young people at the forefront of public policy now more than ever. We do not need graduate degrees to effect real change, which is why the Journal of Interdisciplinary of Public Policy (JIPP) and The Greater Good Initiative (GGI) have come together in this special edition to present a fresh new vision of what it means to center youth voices in policy.
JIPP and GGI are unique in nature: We are both dedicated to ushering in a vast and diverse cross-section of young people into the policymaking process — a directive that is quite rare. The Greater Good Initiative is a youth-led, youth-run policy think tank working to write and advocate for dynamic and sustainable policy solutions at the local, state, and federal levels. The Journal of Interdisciplinary Public Policy is a journal for young people of all ages across the globe to contribute advanced perspectives in policy, with a particular emphasis on including all voices, mediums, and subject matters.
This edition of the Journal of Interdisciplinary Public Policy, fittingly titled “The Greater Good Edition,” will highlight the policy and advocacy work of the Greater Good Initiative. You’ll have the chance to learn about three of GGI’s youth-written, research-driven policy proposals: the Prison Reforms to Improve Menstrual Equity (PRIME) Act; the Prison Health and Equity Standards Act; and the Advisory Committee Representation Enhancement (ACRE) Act. Also featured in this edition are articles about GGI’s advocacy branch and on the Time For 9 Toolkit, our COVID-19 public health equity and accessibility campaign. Within this article, you’ll have the opportunity to look more closely at what GGI does, and how we are working to shape the next generation of public officials and policymakers.
We hope this edition can serve as a springboard for a renewed wave of youth engagement in policy. Now more than ever is there a striking need for our perspectives in a world we have traditionally been excluded from. Each of us has the potential to actualize the changes we want to see in the world -- and that starts now. Both JIPP and GGI have opportunities for youth of all ages, interests, skills, and backgrounds. If any of these articles inspired you, be sure to advocate for them in your community and connect with the Greater Good Initiative to work on other equity-focused policy works. To share your unique perspectives and commentary — from artists interested in politics to the incisive critic of policy to the avid writer and editor — find your home at the Journal of Interdisciplinary Public Policy.
Ultimately, if you take anything from this edition, we hope it’s this: you are never too young to have a voice. Your thoughts, ideas, and perspectives are impactful and needed. Together we can build better, and we hope you join us.
Maanas Sharma
Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Interdisciplinary Public Policy
Adam Ashley
Co-Founder and President, The Greater Good Initiative
Tarina Ahuja
Co-Founder and President, The Greater Good Initiative