A campaign powered by Healthy Cities for Adolescents – with young people, for healthier and more inclusive cities.
Why we started
Today, more than half of the world’s nearly four billion young people under the age of 30 live in urban areas.
By 2030, 60% of all city dwellers will be under 18. Young people are not just “the future.” They are today’s residents, with fresh ideas and lived experience of urban life. Yet, too often, their voices are left out.
Cities built with youth as equal partners are stronger, smarter, and more sustainable.
International Youth Day
In August 2025, adolescents across six HCA countries – Colombia, Ecuador, Ghana, Senegal, India, Vietnam – stepped in front of the camera to answer one powerful question:
If you were the leader of your city, what would you change?
The result is a youth-produced film capturing diverse voices, ideas, and visions for healthier, more inclusive urban spaces.
We need to give young people the tools and space to contribute and shape the future they want, in the cities where they live!
Urban October
Urban October brought communities together to reflect on cities. Youth voices joined local authorities and community members to share real-world ideas and solutions for urban transformation.
On World Cities Day, we unveiled the Declaration Walls – a growing collection of commitments, visions, and solutions for healthier cities.
Explore the Declaration Walls
Urban October + World Cities Day
Places That Shape Us: cities through adolescents’ eyes
For Urban October 2026, Our City. Our Say explores how adolescents experience the places around them. Through personal stories and photographs, Places That Shape Us reveals where young people feel free, connected and heard, what they would like to change, and what they want adults and decision-makers to understand.
Let us listen, connect and collaborate with each other! Intergenerational dialogue is a necessary step for collaborative action towards healthier and more inclusive cities.
Looking ahead
This campaign is not over.
The Declaration Walls is a living platform: a space where young people, educators, community leaders, and city officials will continue to contribute their voices and actions towards building healthier and more inclusive cities.
Join the movement!
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Create a similar film for your projects and encourage other partners to do the same
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Replicate the Declaration Wall for your project, bringing diverse city stakeholders to speak about and commit to building healthy and sustainable cities
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Organise a workshop to bring city stakeholders together and start conversations in your city using
#OurCityOurSay
This isn’t just about youth speaking up – it’s about cities listening to young people, responding to their issues and solutions, and growing together.