I'm 17 | Kate Simonds | TEDxBoise

Your creativity. But before this happens, students do not recognize the logistics or limitations, they do not know the meaning of fear. Let's take a moment to consider for children in kindergarten, whether we can harness this exciting energy before it disappears and nurture and enhance it throughout their education. Think about the creative ideas that could come from them. Perhaps even more than that, it can move the government forward. Once students realize that their voices are valued, they will feel compelled to participate. They will feel responsible for where the policies will lead. Progress is being made in all areas with greater efficiency and effectiveness.

I am not suggesting that the legal voting age be extended to five. But I think we should encourage 18-year-olds to vote, rather than discouraging them, which happens too often. Ask us about social insurance, environmental destruction, talk to us about anything. Make us feel that we have value because we work. It is a fact that not everyone will be able to understand these policies at the same time. Just because we don't understand politics doesn't mean we're just teenagers. Likewise, it doesn't mean you understand them because you're an adult. When you tell us that our vote doesn't matter and that we're not ready yet, you lose too.

The number of people who vote is decreasing year after year, and this is a fact. The loss of votes is a loss of democracy, in ironic terms. If you're young, 17 or 15, 16, 13, you still matter. Even if you can't legally vote and haven't gone to college yet, you're still important to society. Well, if any of you fall asleep or anything else happens or find me completely unimportant, get up and listen to me now. Students, for years we have been respectfully demanding the voice of students. We held a meeting with board representatives and protested against standardized testing, but that was not enough.

Take a look at our situation. We need to stop asking and start demanding. More than student councils, boards of directors, clubs and parliamentary representatives. We deserve more than our parents trusting us to fix and adjust their iPad. (Laughs) Our thoughts matter. But unfortunately, this will not be the case unless there is cooperation. Elders, I ask you to work with us. Give us respect and hold us accountable. I am not asking for your blind faith and trust, but I am asking you to leave space to demonstrate it. You make me take responsibility for my education. I can endure environmental destruction, national debt, unjust policies, social inequality and the list goes on.

We have to take responsibility for making any progress and I promise you it will happen. My age is 17. I didn't win the Nobel Peace Prize, I didn't find a solution to the problem of equality, I didn't eliminate the problem of poverty, I didn't do any of these wonderful things I mentioned a moment ago. But the difference is that I know I can do it. Teenagers need to believe in their ideas and express them, while adults need to listen to them. Thank you all. (applause)