Global Youth Coalition Member Feature: Ally Zlatar

1. Where are you connected right now? Tell us about the work you're doing.
I am an artist and activist based in Glasgow. My main focus is looking at community safety through gender equity and climate sustainability solutions. I employ artistic voices as a catalyst for change-making by exploring the lived-in experiences of people directly affected by these issues. Art brings voices behind the numbers of those affected by road safety issues and is able to create systemic reform through creative arts.

2. How did you first get involved in road safety and how long have you been working in the road safety and sustainable mobility field?
While art activism has been my passion for years, I first got involved through an Arts Festival called  Fak'ugesi in South Africa in which I had the opportunity to explore a custom gesture-based data collection technology to explore and collect data surrounding my UK communities experiences of gender safety in the urban centers of London, Bulawayo, and Johannesburg.  I had a chance to reflect on women's struggles within city spaces and wanted to focus more on how can we create and foster safer roads and communities.

3. Can you tell us a little about your area's road safety and sustainable mobility situation?
I am currently based in Glasgow Scotland. While they are making great strides in sustainable transportation options like free bus travel for Under 22-year-olds, there is a really poor infrastructure to support safe driving conditions. In addition, alcohol-based driving issues are highly prevalent and we need more community efforts so that we are able to effectively address these pressing issues.

4. Why do you think it's important to include young people in local and global road safety efforts?
As young people, the world will soon be in our hands and honestly, we want it in a condition that will be enjoyable and safe. We need to be able to have our voices heard because we want to make changes for both our current society and for future generations to come.  

5. Why did you join the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety?
I wanted to look more at how can I bring arts in collaboration with other young changemakers addressing road safety issues, and thought this would be a very supportive environment to foster and explore these further.

6. What are your comments on the Youth Coalition? Its activities? Its opportunities?
It is amazing so far, and although it is my early stages in the Coalition, I am very eager to work together for global change.

7. Any messages for people who have not yet joined the Youth Coalition?
It is an amazing community of individuals and it is an incredibly supportive and inspiring group to be part of, so definitely join!