SF Youth Commission passes motion in wake of Cal Academy dissolving youth program

"One of my big fears was that this situation was just going to get pushed under the rug and people would forget about it," said Jason Fong, chair of the San Francisco Youth Commission, regarding concerns over the museum's actions against the youth climate group. Fong expressed the need for accountability, emphasizing the importance of youth voices in addressing social issues.

The California Academy of Sciences stated about the Youth Action for the Planet program, "Since its inception, the program was designed as a time-constrained pilot project, funded through a specific grant, and concluded upon the completion of its contractual obligations." This response raises questions about the transparency and intentions behind the program's abrupt dissolution.

Aleks Liou, the former staff coordinator, mentioned, "The pilot program was established in October 2023 to empower youth in environmental advocacy. This initiative gave young people crucial leadership opportunities. Despite being celebrated earlier in the year, the change in direction has left participants disheartened and confused about the academy's commitment to youth involvement."

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