International Youth Forum (IYF)
Just as a young sapling knows that its task is to reach for the sky, young people need not settle for less. Offering young people an education for life that encourages spiritual principles and moral values, helps build and strengthen the capacity of youth to participate as key actors now and in the future.
The world needs to hear the voices of young people. An essential part of this is dialogue across the generations, and at the heart of this dialogue is the concept of spiritual growth as the basis of empowerment.
The youth of the Brahma Kumaris through the International Youth Forum have chosen to respond to the call of the time and ‘create’ their future. United by the shared belief, ‘When I change, the world changes’, the IYF explores personal empowerment through creative spiritual research into human consciousness and its effect on creating a peaceful atmosphere for social change.
Annual IYF retreats provide a natural learning environment in which BK youth (aged 16-25) from different parts of the world are encouraged to take up leadership roles and plan international youth activities for the forthcoming year. Its objectives are:
- Spiritual development
- Enhancing social skills and creative talents
- Spiritual intergenerational dialogue
- Service of humanity
Regular activities, organised across the globe by youth for youth, are specifically aimed at developing and nurturing spiritual values which empower youth to face social and developmental challenges.
Participation of BK youth in major national and international youth events, as well as working with young people of various faith communities, ensures that the Brahma Kumaris University remains very much aware of the problems affecting youth in different countries.
Below is a partial list of such activities by country:
- Australia - outreach to youth with substance abuse and local peace projects funded by the Ashfield Municipal Council; Sydney, Sept 2005
- Brazil – presented a 3 hour Youth Creating Peace workshop at the World Social Forum; Porto Alegre, January 2005
- Burundi – 1500 youth participated in Heroes of Peace, Values and Conflict Resolution workshops convened by BK youth under the auspices of an Italian Catholic Church; 2005.
- Canada – conducted a Youth Creating a Vision of Their Better World workshop at the YMCO Calgary Youth Summit; 2003
- Germany – cooperated with youth from religious and interfaith groups to produce Trust in a Changing World, an intergenerational dialogue/interview with a spiritual leader, a politician and a scientist; Berlin, 2004
- India - annual International Youth Forums, Mt Abu; national ‘Youth Awareness’ campaigns
- Kenya - One-day Forum on Regional Peace and Conflict in Sudan; Nairobi, January 2003; Seminar on leadership, communication and team building for 50 youth community leaders in Kiberia slums; July 2005
- Mauritius – In collaboration with the Port Louis Municipal Council, ran Project YES: Youth, Empowerment and Sustenance, launched by President Anerood Jugnauth; November 2003
- Singapore – organized Health Matters for young health professionals; April, 2005
- South Africa – a Young Women of Spirit retreat for young women (aged 18-30) from all backgrounds to explore personal empowerment and self esteem; July 2005
- Spain - offered a You Can Change the World workshop and a ‘Quiet Room’ at the 3rd World Youth Festival: Let’s Build the World; Barcelona, August 2004
- Sri Lanka – participated in the 1st National Youth Parliament; 2005
- Thailand – produced a Culture of Peace event, in collaboration with Rajabhat Kampangphet University and The Culture Council; November 2004
- Trinidad & Tobago – launched The Power of Choice, a country-wide series of public lectures on the effects of positive choice; 2005
- UAE – participated in the annual Youth Festival: Rhythm of Life; Dubai, 2003
- UK – participated in the 3rd World Youth Congress: Young People Working for a Sustainable World Community; Stirling, Scotland, 2005. Also, working with national youth organisations on a Young Leaders Programme – The Stoneleigh Group and annual retreats for young faith leaders, Oxford
- USA - participated in KTLA Kids Day; Los Angeles, USA, 2004
- Vietnam – held Self Managing Leadership for Youth: Be Your Own Hero; Hanoi, 2004
For further information – please contact the BK International Youth Forum office at iyf@bkwsu.org.