So you want ot know what happened on January 20th?
Well here it is.
When it comes to thinking about the future and where we are headed as a society, it is important to invite our youth to add their perspectives on the journey. After all, when planning the future, they are the ones who are going to live there.On January 20th this year, Conversations for the 21st Century hosted a Forum for teenagers from across the Northern Regions of Sydney called "Youth Views". The 30 young people took time out of their holidays (and this, on the first decent ‘beach’ day in weeks) to consider a range of issues and offer their perspectives on the kind of world they would like to create.
The issues they reported on were not the whole story by any means, and most agreed they would want to engage in this activity again. The result of their in-depth and informed conversation could be the creation of a "Report on the Future."
The Youth Focus Groups Included:
SPIRITUALITY:
How can we use our spirituality to make a positive impact our world?
EDUCATION:
How can we organise education to make it more meaningful to young people?
ENVIRONMENT:
What would people need to see or hear to believe they are dependent upon our environment and we have to look after it?
THE FUTURE OF SPORT:
What is the purpose of "sport" in our culture and how can we make sure it
lives up to our expectations?
MEDIA:
How can the media facilitate or encourage a more compassionate community?
Who does the media work for? What is its goal? How can we make sure it serves us appropriately?
Summaries of these discussions are attached to this document.
Other Speakers
In addition to the youth discussions, we were fortunate to have three inspiring speakers who told us of their stories of community action. Teri Calder of Greenpeace spoke of her work as a full time activist in Greenpeace and shared some exciting experiences as a crew member of the Rainbow Warrior.
Sue Sacker, Councillor with Manly Council and long time social and environmental activist, urged people to find something – anything - that they felt passionate about, and rather than wait just go and do what they felt needed doing. She also pointed to a range of actions that could be pursued immediately at home.
Our third speaker was Prashanth Shanmugan, a young high school graduate who created the Australian Vision 2020 organisation to address racism. Prashanth had recently been awarded the inaugural Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s "Youth Award". His main message was very simple. Australia’s biggest enemy was not racism, the environmental degradation or any of the numerous campaigns that are being played out. The biggest danger we faced came from simple apathy. This is what we needed to guard against in ourselves and our community. Don’t wait to have freedom or anything else taken away before we take action. His urging? "Do it now."
Will "Youth Views" change the course of Australia’s destiny?
Perhaps not directly, but there will be some positive outcomes from the day. The feedback from the young participants was the same feedback we get from adults and young people across all the Conversation forums.
"I found the day wonderful because I have never had the chance to think and talk about such matters before."
"It was great that I could say what was on my mind and felt that people actually listened to me."
"I didn’t know that other people thought about these things too. Now I feel that my opinions actually count for something and I feel confident to express them."
"Wow, there’s just so much to do and I never thought that I could really make a difference before."
Making a Difference
There is an old tale about all these starfish being washed up on the beach in a storm and a young boy was taking them one by one and throwing them back into the water. Asked, "What are you doing?" by a passer by he replied, "I’m rescuing these starfish." "You can’t really rescue them you know. Tossing a few back won’t make any difference."
Said the lad, throwing yet another, "Well it will sure make a difference to this one."
On January 20th 30 teenagers participated in this forum and jusdging by the feedback we got, they will certainly make a difference.
Thank You to Our Helpers
A big thank you to the number of people who made valuable contributions to the success of this event.
Key to the day was to have teenagers themselves involved in the process. Our committee of teenagers was made up of Anna Gilet, Ellie Stones, Rebecca Bangura, and Angela Hewitt. If they represent the future, then it should turn out to be a pretty worthwhile place.
Most important was making the day interesting and inviting for the teenagers. After all it was held during the holidays. Greg Meyer, who has a long history of engaging young people and adults in reflection and fun, got them going and won mighty approval from the feedback. Perhaps he was just the biggest kid in the room!
The committee activists and contributors in material ways were: Denise Stones and Annie Hinkley. They put the rubber on the road that got this thing moving. When asked what would be essential to get young people to come, our youth committee insisted. "FOOD" We especially want the acknowledge and thank Daniel Evans, of Dominoes Pizza, Condamine Street, Manly Vale. Also Bill Kocak of Michel’s Patisserie, Allambie Heights. There were NO leftovers after a generous feast from these people. Some of our earlier meetings were in the home of Yvonne Gregory and we thank her for her gracious hospitality.
Futher Information
Finally it would be remiss not to acknowledge where this all started. This event was promoted and organised under the auspices of "Conversations for the 21st Century." This is an initiative convened by Noel Winterburn which brings people together to develop new attitudes and actions needed for a more sustainable, productive and compassionate community.
Every month, as many as 200 people gather at between eight and a dozen locations around Sydney to talk about issues that concern them and where we are headed as a community. There are spaces for people to be present for each other in meaningful ways. "People truly listening to people truly speaking." And thus helping to build a true community spirit.
Information can be found on the web at http://www.conversations.com.au/c21c
Or call Noel Winterburn on (02) 9819 7914.
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"Inheritance"This is your world
This is all yours
The myriad shining butterfly wings
The storms, so rich in distant violence
The earth, forgiving
ever needful of your hand
to nurture her seedlings
Unto you I bequeath
into your hands
all that was ever created
Oh child,
hear me at the start of your life.
I love you
and I give you this.
Time comes when you will know
why I sorrow.
I exhort you to seek beauty
in all things,
The small things.
Do not forsake the inner voice
calling for purity, simplicity,
the sacred truth of innocence
Little one,
We are yesterday;
You are tomorrow.
Heed the cry of the Earth
and the songs that she sings.
Protect the beasts and the flowers
For they will not come again.
LB
ŠJune 1975
Reprinted with kind permission of the author. Kola