United Nations and The Body Shop name 9th January as 'No Say Day'

The Body Shop has partnered with the United Nations to name 9 January 2023 as ‘No Say Day’, marking the last day youth voices are represented in parliaments around the world.

Half of the world’s population is under 30, compared to 2.6% of parliamentarians globally. If this ratio were reflected in a year, youth voices would effectively go unheard after today's date - just nine days into 2023.

No Say Day hopes to demonstrate that millions of young voices are excluded from decision-making spaces at a time when the world is facing extreme systemic challenges.

The announcement is part of the Be Seen Be Heard campaign, led by The Body Shop in collaboration with the Office of the United Nations Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth. The campaign aims to help young people raise their voices and get more involved in democracy.

The campaign also comes ahead of Davos 2023, where leaders across the world will gather to discuss the world’s biggest issues.

Chris Davis, Global Sustainability and Activism Director at The Body Shop, said: “Young people are energetic, thoughtful, and positive about the future – so it’s important their voices are seen and heard in parliaments around the world. As world leaders and captains of industry gather in Davos next week, I urge them to work with young people to develop solutions to the problems we all face. Let’s make today the last No Say Day in our history.”

Jayathma Wickramanayake, the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, said: “We must dispel the myths surrounding young people, that they are irresponsible, disengaged, troublemakers, or do not have the experience to create real impact. Even in the most adverse of circumstances we have seen young people rising to the challenge and leading the way — from humanitarian crises to COVID-19 response. There is no doubt that we need young people’s innovation, drive, creativity and – more than anything – unwavering optimism that a better world is possible for everyone.”