SIGN UP FOR CHANNEL G NEWS
Email Newsletter icon, E-mail Newsletter icon, Email List icon, E-mail List icon
YES : Youth for Environmental Sanity
Project Goal
$105,300.00

Description of the problem:


Young people are capable of initiating profound changes in our world, yet too many young leaders are burning out, as they fuel their work from an orientation of anger and fear, rather than from vision, love and positive action.  Working against the problem instead of for the possibility, they see enemies everywhere, and perpetuate the cycle of trying to solve the problem on the same level on which it was created.  Also, many young organizers seek their nourishment in fleeting external victories, and struggle to find true sustainability in their work.  Youth are waking up around the world and demanding change, yet there is a serious lack of community and collaboration between groups, compromising the potential for an effective unified response.  The next generation of social change and environmental leaders needs support if they are to respond powerfully to our pressing global challenges. 

Description of the project/solution:


Thirty outstanding young leaders from 20 nations will gather in Cusco, Peru in June 2008.  Jam participants are founders or leaders of organizations or movements that are working for a thriving, just and sustainable future.  Some Jam alumni have won the Reebok Human Rights Award, the Goldman Environmental Prize, or been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.  Others may not be well-known, but are steadily transforming mountains of fear and violence into hope and empowerment.  By working with what we believe are among the Mahatma Gandhi’s, Nelson Mandella’s, and Aung San Suu Kyi’s of the next generation, our work is sending out vast ripples and building synergy between people, organizations and movements. 

Thirty outstanding young leaders from 20 nations will gather in Arizona in April, 2006.  The program will incorporate facilitated dialogue, sharing circles, inspiring guest presentations by world-renowned social change leaders, dance, live music, artistic expression, organized networking, games, participant-led workshops, an outdoor adventure, and free time for participants to enjoy each other and the beautiful environment surrounding them.

The World Youth Jam embraces a holistic view of social change, believing with Gandhi that: “We must be the change we seek in the world.”  We believe that the personal and the public are connected, and as such, this event synthesizes the exploration of our personal lives and journeys with our collective work for a better world. It provides a space for participants to examine not only their work and commitments, but their beliefs, values, emotions, and modes of analysis — all in a community of trust that allows important insights and perspective to be gained.

Participants will gain support to help them successfully carry on and expand their work.  They will leave motivated, inspired, and empowered with cutting edge skills to effectively use technology, marketing tools, and strategic alliances in the movement for positive change.  They will put on more successful events, run more streamlined organizations, be more confident and capable in relating to the media and the general public, and be more connected to their ultimate vision.  They will be less likely to get caught up in futile battles, and more likely to see partnership potentials they might have missed before.  They will be more charismatic and articulate about their message, more organized in their lives, and they will leave charged with excitement and commitment for the work ahead.  For many of these outstanding young leaders, the World Youth Leadership Jam will be a defining moment in their lives. 

Amount that Channel G seeks to raise in order to help the organization achieve its goals:


  Channel G seeks to raise $105,300 to provide 30 full scholarships to the World Jam, including travel from all over the world.