Image: Digital Art by Change Agent Art by Olivia in response to Covid-19 social distance mandates. Olivia created “Huggables” to share a message of love with family and friends. What she missed most was hugging.
By Jessica Lani Kamál Kerr
What began in March 2020, in response to the global onset of Covid-19, has steadily progressed with beautiful and awe-inspiring influence on the personal and social relationships of youth. The 5th session of Transformative Leadership for Youth (TLY) and the 4th session of Being the Change: Cultivating Capabilities has started and it is already obvious that the eagerness to learn, the ability to see beauty all around and the genuine authentic friendships that are being forged and strengthened will serve as a steady foundation for the next five weeks of the seminars.
In this dynamic session, Youth who have spent the last year in earlier courses have graduated and are now serving as TLY facilitators, supporting new and returning Change Agents through the Transformative Leadership service-oriented model of leadership. In addition, several TLY grads are hosting Change Agent Hangouts, spaces dedicated to developing new skills and talents in diverse areas of art. Professional artists also support these spaces with the invitation to the youth to “be the change” they want to see in the world by translating their learning into art projects of their choice.
Youth face many challenges in today’s world. Over the last year, with the support of Wilmette Institute, youth from around the world have studied together, created beautiful art, initiated projects that serve community and have engaged in a framework for action that supports the betterment of relationships at all levels of life. By dedicating themselves to the practice of Transformative Leadership, its 6 elements and 18 capabilities, youth are empowered to take ownership of their personal and social development and to consciously contribute to building a just, peaceful and unified world.
The next course designed for youth aged 11 to 17 years is called “`Abdu’l-Bahá, The Light to the World.” Click the title for more information/to register a youth. Parental consent is required.
