youth

Kid Warrior Paris: A Generation’s Call to Action

10 January 2016 Leave a Comment

"Change is coming. We are rising with the oceans. "Xiuhtezcatl Martinez is not your average teenager. As Youth Director of the non-profit Earth Guardians, Xiuhtezcatl (pronounced shoe-tez-cat) is leading an army of teens in over 50 countries to demand sustainable policy from our world leaders. Through his work on the front lines of the climate change movement, he is assembling a teen army to the save the planet. "Check out his adventure in Paris during the United Nations Conference of Parties … Watch video

UN Security Council Adopts Historic Resolution on Youth, Peace and Security

9 December 2015 Leave a Comment

"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

4 October 2015 Leave a Comment

"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

Youth Sue Obama Administration For Allowing Climate Change, Violating Constitutional Rights

14 August 2015 Leave a Comment

"Twenty-one young people from around the country filed a lawsuit against the Obama administration on Tuesday accusing the federal government of violating their rights by contributing to climate change through the promotion of fossil fuels. "The plaintiffs, who range in age from 8 to 19, filed their complaint in U.S. District Court in Oregon. "What we are providing is an opportunity for them to participate in the civic democratic process and go to the branch of government that can most protect … Continue reading

Midwifing a New Story | Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee

13 August 2015 2 Comments

"I belong to the generation whose spiritual story was about bringing spiritual traditions and their LVLpractices from the East to Europe and America. These practices, such as meditation or mindfulness, have now taken root in the West, and the traditions, for example Buddhism, Sufism, Yoga and others have opened doors for many, many people, giving us access to rich and meaningful inner experiences. And we have also begun to reclaim the wisdom of our indigenous traditions. "But there is now a … Continue reading

Youth Passageways | The Need for New Rites of Initiation

20 July 2015 Leave a Comment

"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

Earth Guardians | Xiuhtezcatl Martinez on education

19 July 2015 Leave a Comment

"A 15-year-old indigenous change agent, environmental activist, public speaker, eco hip-hop artist, and the Youth Director of Earth Guardians– Xiuhtezcatl is a powerful voice on the front lines of the youth-led climate movement. In 2013 Xiuhtezcatl received the “Youth Change Maker of the Year” award from President Obama. He has spoken on three occasions at the United Nations, recently daring a group of world leaders to do something real about climate change. He shares his thoughts with … Continue reading

NextGEN | Learning from the Powerful Model of the Ecovillage

18 July 2015 Leave a Comment

"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

16 July 2015 Leave a Comment

"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