In light of Equity for Children’s “Climate Change, Cities and Youth Engagement” event held, in partnership with The New School’s Tishman Environment and Design Center, on November 19, 2015, we are sharing an example of good practices in youth leadership building and engagement, namely, through activities involving children teaching children about environmental issues. To find out more about our November 19 event, please click here.
On Friday, November 21, 2014, Synchronicity Earth, a charitable foundation that strives to identify global priorities for conservation, to educate and to inform, along with several partners, convened over 100 young people, 12 to 18 years old and their families to the Royal Geographical Society in London to attend a conference entitled “Your Century!”. The event was a multi-workshop and knowledge based experience – and aimed to give young people the space to actively explore their relationship to the planet through encounters with environmental activists, spoken word artists, film-makers, artists and explorers – all seeking to challenge prevailing myths and nurture a more engaged way of living.
The event was made possible thanks to the participation of 19 speakers and workshop leaders, 15 partner organizations, and a facilitation team of 18 (including 9 experienced and 9 youth facilitators). Activities included meditation, drumming, singing, dancing, storytelling, and a closing circle in which young people performed theatrical spoken word pieces fearlessly.
Through a blend of discussions with global luminaries, creative breakouts, film, art and music, Your Century! looked to offer young people a unique opportunity to explore their fears, “what kind of world do we stand to inherit if we don’t change?”, and to inspire action, “what kind of shape do they want us to leave the world in? How can they ask us to get behind them?”
Read the event information note for participants, including the list of partners and participating organizations here.
Watch the event video:
