Youth Voices Rising: Mohammad Tabrizian on Why the Next Generation Needs the Mic Now

 

Drawing from his years of work with students across the UAE and UK, public speaker and youth mentor Mohammad Tabrizian shares why amplifying young voices isn't just important—it's urgent. In a time of global shifts, Gen Z has something vital to say, and we must be ready to listen.

In every school auditorium I’ve spoken in—from Sharjah to Birmingham—I’ve seen a familiar spark in the eyes of young people. It’s not just curiosity. It’s something more powerful: readiness.

I’m Mohammad Tabrizian, a public speaker, writer, and founder of Eloquence Academy. Over the past decade, I’ve worked closely with youth—whether through the UAE’s Ministry of Youth Affairs, university lecture halls, or grassroots storytelling events. And if there's one message I carry from every encounter, it’s this: young people don’t need to be told when to speak—they need to be given space to.

The New Generation of Storytellers

Generation Z isn’t waiting for permission. They’re documenting, organizing, and creating in real-time. But what they often lack isn’t content—it’s confidence. That’s where we, as mentors, educators, and leaders, must step in. Not to give them a voice—they already have one—but to remind them it deserves to be heard.

At Eloquence Academy, I’ve seen how a single workshop can shift a teenager from fearful to fearless. It’s not magic—it’s mentorship. And more importantly, it’s about creating safe, non-judgmental platforms where young people can speak from the heart.

Speaking Is a Form of Leadership

We’ve traditionally taught leadership as something tied to titles, strategy, or seniority. But in today’s world, leadership begins with expression. The ability to articulate a vision, advocate for change, and speak truth to power—these are the qualities the next generation must embrace, and be encouraged to develop.

During my work with the “Voices of Tomorrow” summit, I’ve watched students from vastly different backgrounds—Emirati, British, Syrian, Iranian—come together to share poems, speeches, and stories. What united them wasn’t age or nationality. It was a deep, urgent need to be seen.

From the Classroom to the World Stage

Public speaking isn’t just about performance. It’s about presence. When young people learn how to speak with intention, they carry that confidence into every part of their lives: interviews, relationships, activism, art.

Here’s what I tell every young speaker I meet:

• Your story matters—even if no one has heard it yet.

• Silence can be powerful, but fear-driven silence is a cage. Break it.

• The world is noisy, but authenticity always cuts through.

Final Thoughts

Empowering youth voices isn’t a trend—it’s a responsibility. We are not just shaping better speakers; we’re cultivating future diplomats, educators, artists, and changemakers. And in a time when global narratives are being rewritten, we need their perspectives more than ever.

So hand them the mic. Sit in the audience. And prepare to be inspired—because the next chapter belongs to them.

And trust me, it’s going to be worth listening to.

• How Mohammad Tabrizian is Redefining Public Speaking Across Borders

• Writing with Purpose: A Guide for Aspiring Authors in the UAE & UK – Insights from Mohammad Tabrizian