Since the birth of Awakening the Dreamer, there have been people actively working to connect the Symposium with younger audiences. This interest has continued to organically grow through the passion of individuals and through the intentional efforts of inspired groups. The initiative to connect this vital work with emerging generations has begun to find greater community and coherence throughout and soon we will be announcing the launch of a formal 'Awakening the Dreamer Youth Initiative,' working to support the ongoing growth of these efforts.
In the meantime, we are delighted to share some of the many stories and activities that are currently taking place amongst our community. Below are samples of the growing diverse expressions of Symposium Youth Initiative.
ATD Experimental Youth Mentoring Project, Toronto, Canada
On August 29th a dynamic team of eight Canadian facilitators brought together thirteen young leaders, ages 14-29, in an all-day Symposium and a facilitator/mentoring partnership training. Dances of Universal Peace and live flute music were innovative additions to the Symposium. The youth participated in interactive exercises and all presented inspirational elements. The mentoring relationship is enduring, as the young facilitators-in-training work to organize and host Symposiums in their local communities. Guidelines for the mentoring process of facilitators are also being developed and another Youth Mentoring training is being planned. Contact: Leslie Mezei: leslie@barberry.ca
Hope Created: Inter-generational Symposium, Rosendale, New York
An inter-generational Symposium in Rosedale, New York, with 100 participants ranging from high school students to a ninety-one year old, brought every generation to one table and ignited hope to all. The elder woman explained “I am so thankful and inspired by the energy in this room knowing that all of you be will here to keep doing this work. And I am more hopeful than ever before,” reflecting the growing youth Symposium engagement is generating more hope. Contact: Adam Rogers: sevengen88@sevengen.net
"Awakens the Dreamer" Class at Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington
‘Awakening the Dreamer’ is a core semester-long freshmen program at the Evergreen State College. The Symposium outline provides an umbrella for the class and is designed to shift thinking from that of individual persons, to that of the planet. Besides the course, a Symposium is planned for Evergreen faculty. Contact: Victor Bremson: vbremson@comcast.net
El Puente: Catalyzing the Youth Movement, Brooklyn, New York
On August 9th, Adam Rogers and Melanie Chopko tailored the Symposium into an ElPuente Academy (a Puerto Rican community organization) gathering in Brooklyn for 25 youth, ages 15-20. The Symposium worked into the gathering through its telling mission of environmental sustainability, spiritual fulfillment, and social justice. The Achuar Dream sparked their hearts and inspired the students to take further action by making their communities more sustainable. El Puente is set to do another Symposium in their inner-city youth program in early November. Contact: Adam Rogers: sevengen88@sevengen.net
Awakening the Dreamer: University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Washington
The September 20 Symposium at the University of Puget Sound, inspired several participants for the next facilitator training. Another Symposium is being set out for the whole faculty of Puget Sound in January as a kick-off to the Spring 2010 semester. Contact: Logan Sibbet: LSibbet@pugetsound.edu
Waking a Nation’s Youth; Symposium Series, Quito, Otavalo, Ibarra, Cuenca, Ecuador
On August 1st, Valentina Benavides and other Caminantes brought the Symposium to the youth at the Jardín Botánico in Quito. The Symposium was facilitated to over a dozen university biology students who work with environmental issues, along with leaders of environmental NGOs such as GeoJuvenil, and an ecological camping group. High schools students in Otavalo and Ibarra also participated in Symposiums. Some students requested facilitator training. In November, two Symposiums will be scheduled for youth educators, administrators, local government leaders and youth in Cuenca. Youth facilitators are also meeting in October to discuss ways in which they generate more Symposiums, as well as connect with other youth groups throughout Latin America. Contact: Valentina Benavides: valenboa@yahoo.com
Frostburg State University, Frostburg, Maryland
On October 11, Venturing Crew youth facilitators brought the ATD Symposium to an audience consisting of primarily students, who left committed and energized to act. The University’s Sustainability Committee is eager to make the Symposium an everlasting gathering several times a year. The United Campus Ministry is also requesting to have a Symposium facilitated. On October 24, the Venturing Crew will be facilitating another Symposium at an all-youth event. Contact: Paul Kazyak: PKAZYAK@dnr.state.md.us
Power Shift Indiana: Empowering Climate-Changers, Carmel, Indiana
On October 10, approximately 110 Indiana students came together in Carmel, Indiana to take part in the first ever Regional Power Shift. The message of the ATD Symposium contextualized the student environmental movement in a way that opened up awareness to the sea of change that is The Great Turning. Nearly 25% of the Power Shift participated in an evening Symposium, with many interested in facilitators training. Other Universities throughout Indiana called for Symposiums. In early December, Earlham College hopes to facilitate a Symposium to a cross-pollination of generations and social and economic groups. Contact: Miriam Dowd: MiriamJoyDowd@gmail.com
Engaging Youth through Deepening Their Teachers, Olympia, WA, Portland, OR, Montreal, Quebec
Mike Seymour, whose organization, Heritage Institute, trains teachers, delivered three mini-symposiums at teacher conferences this fall. On October 3, he presented at the 2nd Annual Northwest Teaching for Social Justice Conference in Olympia, WA. He also presented at the North American Association for Environmental Education in Portland, OR from October 7th – 10th. In all cases, Mike has received enthusiastic responses from educators. The final conference session will be at the International Conference for the Association of Experiential Education held in late October in Montreal, Quebec. Contact: Mike Seymour: mik@hol.edu
Youth Initiative on Facebook
Many other Symposiums are scheduled with & for youth, along with a number of creative youth expressions of the Symposium to further Awaken their communities. Please add your youth Symposium stories or plans at our Facebook fan page.
