Youth Culture and Empowerment
Culture? What is thing we call culture? Is it the same as identity? Culture and cultural difference have been at the heart of human behaviour throughout history. It is thought that reaching an understanding of the complex and dynamic nature of culture is key to achieving real acceptance of diversity and difference. But what impacts on culture? Is our understanding of it changing? How can young people ensure that their cultural diversity is valued and protected?
What does globalisation mean for cultural difference? Does it mean that we are heading towards a world were one culture dominates or, can the rapidly interconnecting world be used to create an global environment where cultural difference is celebrated and respected.
The Culture and Empowerment action area group aims to develop action partners individual strategies for promoting awareness of different cultural identities and recognition of their value. It addresses the need for people to respect the rights of other people to sustain their culture, and how this can be practically achieved both locally and globally.
Some Words from Area Group 1
We believe that young people play a significant role in addressing social issues. We firmly believe that space should be provided for self-expression among young people in all countries and cultures. We see art and cultural expression as a key medium for promoting the positive impact youth have on the world.
In our communities, we are working to develop solutions to issues such as racism and the weakening of the inter-generational bonds in Fiji; marginalisation of young people in Brazil; sexual and reproductive health issues in the Solomon Islands; disillusionment and apathy among Latvian youth; and the lack of cultural understanding and global perspectives in the United States.
By thinking and acting collectively, young people can be more involved in the policy making decisions that affect them, increasing the scope of vision in our world's governing bodies. We see this as an important step in reversing the disillusionment among young people. We seek co-operation with local municipalities, centrally-based organisations, community organisations, media, governments and international networks in the way forward for empowering young people globally.
We feel it is important to use alternative and creative channels to spread the message of hope for young people across the world. We work to raise awareness about social issues through media like websites, youth forums, peer training and workshops, and also to empower and educate young people through the expression of art and culture. In these ways we will preserve our cultures and identities and ensure that our voices are heard.
Some Words from Area Group 2
Though we come from different corners of the globe, we have all realised that young people, especially Indigenous ones, do not have the equality that they deserve. Our voices as young people are often neglected and our rights are ignored. Young people therefore hesitate to get involved in society, leaving our lives for adults to decide. We have focused on developing action plans that look at increasing young people's participation in the social and political arenas of societies. We are planning forums such as parliaments, websites, and activity centres to act as platforms for youth to express and present ourselves in a positive way. We also want youth led spaces for personal development through peer education and mentoring.
Some examples of our action plans are: to build youth centres in Australia and Lithuania; to conduct peer education and life-skills training in India, Nigeria and Australia; and to develop networks through media and the Internet in Quebec, New Zealand and the Philippines. We aim to promote youth hip hop culture in Canada and Australia; to develop creative actions for nurturing and healing change in Nepal and Australia; to empower youth in Swaziland, Jordan, Sri Lanka and New Zealand; and to advance environmental projects in Haiti.
Some Words from Area Group 3
Unlike the other Action Partners who met in groups over the eight sitting days of the Parliament, we came together in Sydney three weeks before OIYP2004. We are 28 musicians, dancers, actors and singers from six countries around the world. We worked together to create the stage performance Y - Voices and Visions of World Youth which marked the opening of the Parliament.
Our collaborative effort in Sydney is an example of one of the types of action plans that we share. We believe that social change can be achieved through the use of the performing arts. The performing arts is a medium that speaks to us all. It transcends borders and translates across cultures. Through sound and movement universal messages can be effectively and peacefully conveyed to a world-wide audience.
