Activities, Germany, INTERNATIONAL, Youth Conference, Youth Conference 2011 - Saturday, August 20, 2011 9:42 - 0 Comments

Youth reach new heights together

From 24 – 31 July 2011 the M.A Centre, Germany, hosted the 7th European Youth Initiative “Reaching New Heights – The Power of Youth to Change the World”, a multinational youth programme that welcomed 180 youth from 20 countries from Europe and beyond.
Reaching New Heights focused on eight main challenges faced by youth in today’s society: lack of self-confidence, depression and suicide, addictions and substance abuse, erosion of culture and values, violence, poverty and unemployment, lack of perspective and meaning, family and social crises and environmental challenges. Each country group chose one specific challenge to deal with during the initiative.
For six months prior to the camp, each country group chose one specific challenge to work with. Based on scientific research, discussions, and interviews with affected youth they produced a short video clip and facts poster which was presented at the beginning of the camp.
Four ‘Powers’ were then identified to deal with these problems: the power of confidence, the power of commitment, the power of creativity and the power of community. Tackling the eight challenges through these four powers thus leads to eight corresponding goals, referred to during the camp as the ‘Youth Development Goals’: Confidence, Understanding, Health, Tolerance, Nature, Culture, Progress and Vision.
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Activities, Americas, Youth Conference, Youth Conference 2011 - Wednesday, August 31, 2011 13:26 - 0 Comments

Reaching new heights by AYUDH of USA

August 12-14, 2011 M.A. Center, Washington, DC.

Forty youth came together for the second annual AYUDH East Coast Youth Exchange for the theme ‘Reaching New Heights’. The zealous youth from across the United States and Canada gathered at the picturesque ashram to share ideas and join hands in performing selfless service. 

The participants arose early the first morning to cook and serve lunch for the Bethesda Cares shelter in Maryland. Apart from the joy of partaking in teamwork to churn out a meal within an hour, some participants remarked that it was their first time serving at a shelter, and it was a transformative experience. “It was eye-opening to see firsthand how others appreciated so dearly what many of us take for granted every day,” commented Amit Sookdeo.

In a question-and-answer session with Br. Dayamrita, teacher for meditation and mindful living, participants learned how to handle stress, especially with demanding academic curricula.
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