Youth hold the power to shift the dynamics of the world. If we want change, we must provide leadership support for youth in making change possible. Indigenous youth in particular continue to face racism and discrimination and are marginalized in society, but when they have a sense of belonging and a strong cultural identity they become resilient, powerful individuals. They have immersed roots through their ancestral lineage, wisdom, and intelligence. They are the future leaders for their … Continue reading
Dalai Lama on peace, youth, and the Rohingya crisis – The Stream
Al Jazeera's The Stream meets the Dalai Lama and two young leaders from conflict zones to discuss peace building, youth leadership, the Rohingya crisis and more. The world's most violent conflict zones also often happen to be places with high populations of young people, according to the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). Despite the challenges of growing up in turmoil, though, many young people are striving to make a difference and several of them this month travelled to India to seek … Watch video
UNIBUS – Learning By Travelling Youth Project
"How do we connect with the world as it is, find inspiration and take an initiative which is part of telling a new story as a younger generation?" Nana woo, who participated in Findhorn's 2014 New Story Summit Youth Group, is still living her new story two and half years on. She tells us that, inspired by the summit, and as a way to tell their new story, she and a group of young people, have created a youth initiative called UNIBUS - Learning By Travelling Youth Project. Nana sent along their … Watch video
UN Security Council Adopts Historic Resolution on Youth, Peace and Security
"New York, 9 December – The United Nations Security Council today adopted an historic resolution on youth, peace and security, which for the first time in its history focuses entirely on the role of young men and women in peacebuilding and countering violent extremism. The resolution, sponsored by Jordan, represents an unprecedented acknowledgment of the urgent need to engage young peacebuilders in promoting peace and countering extremism. The resolution also positions youth and youth-led … Continue reading
A Manifesto for Children and a Better World
"All cultures, societies, and nations are shaped by the way we raise children, what we teach them about the world becomes the world they create as adults. A range of scientific disciplines have overwhelming concluded that this is true starting from the inside biologically, emotionally, and neurologically, then manifesting outward as behavior and ultimately becoming social policy. "Author and researcher Robin Grille is perhaps one of the most prominent voices curating and bringing attention to … Continue reading
Desmond Tutu: Enabled by Technology, Young People are Righting our Wrongs
"Sometimes, when we watch the evening news and consume our daily diet of stories of intense violence, extremist and anti-social behaviour, we question our abilities to stop our collective plummet into the abyss. It may be true that, on our own, we can make but a relatively modest difference, something to which we should all aspire daily. "But consider our power when we act together for common goals, when we view our diversity not as a threat but as the strength it is. The good news is that we … Continue reading
Is Nothing Something? Thich Nhat Hanh answers children’s questions
"Children have a special place in the Plum Village tradition of Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh. There are special practices, vows, and programs designed especially for children and teens, and Thich Nhat Hanh often fashions the first part of his dharma talks with them in mind. He regularly takes questions from children, and by and large adults can identify with what they ask. Children may be smaller and younger and they may have a funny way with words, but their questions reveal that they, like … Continue reading
Youth Passageways | The Need for New Rites of Initiation
"We yearn for rites of passage – to be initiated, recognized and accepted for who we are. Where these are lacking, young people often create their own – sometimes with negative consequences. Street gangs are one example, and so is experimenting with drugs. Many young people are seeking alternatives. How do we help to create positive, powerful experiences with them? "YOUTH PASSAGEWAYS is an evolving network of individuals, organizations, and communities supporting the healthy passage of today’s … Continue reading
NextGEN | Learning from the Powerful Model of the Ecovillage
"Ecovillages are urban or rural communities of people who strive to integrate a supportive social environment with a low-impact way of life. To achieve this, they integrate various aspects of ecological design, permaculture, ecological building, green production, alternative energy, community building practices, and much more. Ecovillages are living models of sustainability. They represent an effective, accessible way to combat the degradation of our social, ecological, and spiritual … Continue reading
Youth LeadeR | Five Young Activists Speak to Kosmos
"How can we make humanity’s finest sustainability solutions and role models part of daily life for our global young generation – and equip them for action? This is the question at the heart of Eric Schneider’s efforts to design media, methods and services that cultivate a youth leadership culture and changemaking climate among young people at school, globally. "Mr. Schneider facilitated interviews with five amazing young changemakers for Kosmos. We asked them about rites of passage, role … Continue reading