Youth Educator Forum - August 2, 2009
Location
3rd Floor of the Robbins Health Learning Centre at Grant MacEwan College (on the corner of 109 Street and 104 Avenue) - Google Map, Parking Information
Overview
Every two years, youth from around the world are invited to participate in the Global Youth Assembly (GYA), which focuses on bringing youth between the ages of 16-28 together from diverse geographical and personal backgrounds. The goal is to build bridges between different cultures, countries, issues, organizations, and generations to create a sustainable youth campaign aimed at advancing peace and human rights.
As the GYA comes to a close and youth return to their own communities fully motivated to move forward with the projects that they have created during the Assembly, youth educators, teachers and youth program coordinators will wonder how they can provide support and guidance to these youth along the way. The Youth Educator Forum will take place the day after the close of the GYA and will offer youth educators the opportunity to connect with one another while learning about the organizations and resources available to both educators and youth with regards to youth activism. Partners such as 4REAL will highlight their 4REAL School program, which connects the 4REAL programs, as seen on National Geographic, with a wide range of curricula. TakingItGlobal will teach educators how youth can stay connected with other youth whether they are in the same city or across the globe, while DreamNow will ensure that educators know the steps necessary to take a great idea and bring it to life.
The main goal of the Youth Educator Forum is to answer the often unanswered question “what now?” that lingers after an event such as the GYA. To help with their projects, the youth will be armed with tools, networks and even mentors at the GYA, however, they will inevitably look to the educators in their lives for guidance as they carry out their projects. The Youth Educator Forum will offer educators the tools needed to create a meaningful, hands-on educational experience, whether that be in a formal or informal setting. This one day event will also give educators the opportunity to meet representatives from organizations that work locally and internationally and learn how these organizations can support both youth and youth educators in their endeavors to create change in their communities.
Ultimately, this Forum will enable educators to support youth in becoming active local and global citizens. Participation in the Youth Educator Forum will aid teachers in teaching specific objectives, such as the Alberta Program of Studies’ curricula on globalization and citizenship; both teachers and other youth educators will be introduced to new and innovative resources and tools. Discussions will also take place to explore potential ways that organizations and educators can work collaboratively to support our youth and create a larger Ignite Change NOW! movement.