Words by Smiley Team
If there’s one thing you should know about H&M, it’s that it doesn’t just sell clothes.
The retail store has launched a global initiative to support today’s role models: kids. Their aim is to find children making progress on social equality, sustainability, education and more – while spotlighting their efforts to make the world a happier and healthier place to live.
H&M is encouraging their customers to join these children’s causes – each which embody the “optimism, collaborative spirit and free-thinking of a true role model”.
“Age doesn’t make a role model,” says H&M, as part of the campaign. “You’re never too little to dream big and change the world. They can’t drive, vote or tweet. But they will change the planet. Or even find new ones. We’re shining a spotlight on the people making the world a better place: kids.”
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Well, there’s 11-year-old Ryan, who founded ‘Ryan’s Recycling Business’. “The future belongs to those who live in it,” he says.
When he’s not doing homework, he’s busy keeping rubbish out of the ocean where it doesn’t belong. So far, Ryan has recycled more than 1.1 million bottles and cans. Ryan took up recycling when he was just three years old, after a trip to the local recycling centre with his dad. As well as his own business, he also runs a community beach clean-up every week.
According to Ryan, “Recycling really isn’t that hard; kids, adults, anyone can do it.”
There’s also 13-year-old Catarina who is a climate activist – she says “kids born in the fire know how to put it out”. And even younger children – such as five-year-old Jewel – are taking part. Jewel says we shouldn’t “fight each other”, we should “fight together”. Wise words.
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The children and their stories will be showcased across stores, in their window displays and throughout the shops. As well as this, H&M also wants to support children around the world with a donation – so, 50% of the sales price from a new line of more sustainable t-shirts will be donated to UNICEF. The graphic tees are inspired by the role models, and express some of their wise thoughts and voices.
Pernilla Baralt, executive director at UNICEF Sweden, said: ”We are very grateful for this donation to support and empower children and young people around the world. Every child has equal rights, every child can be a role model. Children are experts on their own lives, brave and dare to dream. It is time to listen to children and make their voices count.”
Find out more about the role models campaign here. Or, support UNICEF by donating.
