Global Youth Coalition Member Feature: Regina Elizarrarás

1. Where are you connected right now? Tell us about the work you're doing.
I am connected with Jóvenes Salvaguarda, a civil association of young people for young people who are advocating to improve non-motorized mobility. The group calls on the government to create urban infrastructure designed for people. We are working on road education by giving different workshops and programs to young people in schools and the general public.

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?
I first got involved in road safety in 2011 through an invitation by the Panamerican Health Organization, which sought young people to be the protagonists of these changes that we need in safe mobility.

3. Can you tell us a little bit about the road safety and sustainable mobility situation in your area?
In Mexico, progress has been made in public policies to provide safe spaces for active mobility. The space has been regulated, giving more space for public transport, cycling, and walking. In our city, Guadalajara, mobility is a primary issue for the current government. It is being addressed through public investment, government actions and various programs but we still have a long way to go to truly raise the quality of the lives of our people.

4. Why do you think it's important to include young people in local and global road safety efforts?
We as young people are a determining factor in changing habits and actions around road safety, sustainable mobility, and youth involvement. This is because our enthusiasm, creativity, openness to new technologies, and innovative minds can bring about great changes to the negative habits and practices that have been done for so many years that harm us all.

5. Why did you join the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety?
We have been positioning young people in our department for 11 years, showing stakeholders and partners that we are part of the solution, not the problem. We wanted to be part of this global coalition knowing that it is a community that helps us to meet and exchange experiences and good practices with other young people.

6. What are your comments on the Coalition? Its activities? Its opportunities?
Since the 2nd World Youth Assembly in Sweden, we have been present and witnessed the evolution of the Youth Coalition as a network for youth leaders who want to make a difference in road safety. Latin America has many young people who are setting a course toward safe and sustainable mobility - they have become visible through this organization. The Global Youth Coalition has assisted us in making the change we once thought almost impossible. We believe in the importance of the opportunity to interact with other young people from all over the world, learning from their own experience.

7. Any messages for people who have not yet joined the coalition?
Any young person who is interested in making a change in their city or country is not alone, the Global Youth Coalition will help and promote their actions and projects to save lives together.