OU Research and Kids’ Art challenge Policy Makers on Sustainability

An innovative research project funded by The Open University’s (OU) Open Societal Challenges programme and Pebble Trust, called Art for Action, is set to showcase the voices of young people through art, addressing pressing sustainability issues. 

The project, which engages children from Scotland’s Highlands and Islands, Nigeria, and Kenya, empowers them to create artworks that express their perspectives on environmental challenges and share them with policy makers. 

This initiative is a collaboration between two universities - The Open University and the University of Ibadan in Nigeria - and two non-governmental organisations, Africa Alliance YMCA in Kenya and Highland One World in Scotland. By combining efforts, these institutions are facilitating opportunities for children and young people to express their views on how society should respond to climate change. 

The team believes it is essential to understand, from multi-generational perspectives, how children’s voices can lead to their empowerment and engagement in tackling climate issues. Under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (2019), children have the right not only to express their views on issues that concern them but also to be heard (Articles 12 and 13). 

This project exemplifies how academic research, community engagement, and creativity can come together to influence policy and empower young voices on global challenges.”
Kevin Shakesheff, The Open University

Educators and youth workers are supporting the children and young people through arts-based approaches, including drawing, collaging, sculpture, games-design, music, dance, and drama, to create artworks that serve as a vehicle for dialogue with policymakers. 

As part of this initiative, an exhibition, hosted at Inverness Botanic Gardens from 11- 16 March 2025, will present these powerful artworks to key decision-makers, providing an opportunity for direct engagement with the thoughts and concerns of young people. Researchers from the OU, Alison Fox and Carolyn Cooke, will also conduct data collection during the event to analyse policy makers’ reactions and responses to the children's work.

 The main aims of the project are: 

• To support young people in transforming learning about climate change into informed action through participation in artivism projects.
• To empower young people to have a voice and show leadership in response to international climate change conferences (e.g., COP 29) at a local level by creating climate action exhibitions.
• To help young people raise awareness and advocate for change on issues that matter to them with those who can make a difference locally. 

Carolyn Cooke, OU researcher and project lead, emphasised the significance of the initiative: 

“This project builds on the impactful work we have already done through the Open University in Scotland’s Mock COP programme for secondary schools, in collaboration with Highland One World. Art for Action enables young people to use creativity to communicate complex sustainability challenges. Their artwork tells a story that numbers and reports alone cannot, bringing a fresh and urgent perspective to policy discussions.” 

Kevin Shakesheff, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the Open University, highlighted the broader impact of the work: 

“The Open University is committed to research that drives positive change in society. This project exemplifies how academic research, community engagement, and creativity can come together to influence policy and empower young voices on global challenges. We are proud to support this initiative and look forward to seeing how it helps shape future sustainability policies.” 

Catriona Willis, Coordinator Highland One World Global Learning Centre, added: 

“Children and young people are understandably concerned about the climate emergency and its impact on their future. At Highland One World, we believe in nurturing a pedagogy of hope that empowers learners to believe a better world is possible, while developing key Global Citizenship skills and values to create positive change.

"Through working with Highland schools on Art for Action we were able to provide a creative and engaging platform for children and young people to have a say on climate issues that matter to them and ensure that their voices are heard.” 

The exhibition not only serves as a platform for children’s voices but also underscores the role of art in bridging gaps between young people and policy makers. By fostering dialogue through creative expression, the project hopes to inspire more inclusive and effective approaches to tackling environmental issues.

7 March 2025