YxY Learning Festival 2023 Program

All sessions are in Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) / Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)
YxY Host Team
January 27, 2023 8:00 AM
,
80 minutes

Activist Cafés

YxY Host Team
and
and
The Cafés are 3-day learning journeys for our youth activists. Every year, we receive over 300+ applications from young people around the world, and match them with 2-3 youth Hosts and a small, globally-diverse group of selected YxY Activists, to deeply connect, learn and collaborate around our Festival's guiding questions. Additionally, we have an "Open Space" Café for youth activists who registered later to participate in a similar process.
Read More and Register
YxY Community Organizers & Host Team
January 27, 2023 2:00 PM
,
80 minutes

✨🦋✨YxY OPENING CEREMONY ✨🦋✨

YxY Community Organizers & Host Team
and
and
YouthxYouth joyfully invites you to open the 2023 Learning Festival with us. In this session, we will discuss our guiding question, set our intentions, discuss our collective agreements for coming together, and provide helpful context for each day of the Learning Festival.
Read More and Register
Vishal Talreja (Co-founder at Dream a Dream, India)
Connie K. Chung (Researcher and educator working with Catalyst 2030)
Connie K. Chung (Researcher and educator working with Catalyst 2030)
January 27, 2023 3:30 PM
,
55 minutes

Enabling Learning Environments: From Surviving to Thriving

Vishal Talreja (Co-founder at Dream a Dream, India)
and
Connie K. Chung (Researcher and educator working with Catalyst 2030)
and
In this session, we will discuss the book, When We Thrive, Our World Thrives about the graduates of Dream a Dream, a charitable trust based in India that has empowered 3 million children and young people coming from vulnerable backgrounds to overcome adversity and flourish. We will focus specifically on characteristics of enabling learning environments that can encourage thriving, from the perspective of research and practice.
Read More and Register
YxY Host Team
January 27, 2023 4:30 PM
,
80 minutes

Activist Cafés & Learning Collective

YxY Host Team
and
and
The Cafés are 3-day learning journeys for our youth activists. Every year, we receive over 300+ applications from young people around the world, and match them with 2-3 youth Hosts and a small, globally-diverse group of selected YxY Activists, to deeply connect, learn and collaborate around our Festival's guiding questions. Additionally, we have an "Open Space" Café for youth activists who registered later to participate in a similar process. NEW THIS YEAR: We are hosting a youth-led intergenerational Learning Collective to radically imagine new ways that youth-led and youth-serving organisations can support one other.
Read More and Register
Peace Education GAC
January 27, 2023 6:00 PM
,
55 minutes

YxY Global Action Circles presents: Uplifting Peace Education

Peace Education GAC
and
and
The YxY Global Action Circles are our signature 5-month peer learning journeys for intergenerational activists seeking to deepen their learning and action around a specific theme in education transformation. This Showcase session is the culminating presentation and celebration of the Global Action Circle focused on Peace Education. In addition to sharing collective insights on this theme, our activists will share their projects developed through this program.
Read More and Register
Titus Zeederberg (democratic learner, South Africa)
 Mohini Govender (unschooler & YxY Community Organizer, South Africa)
 Mohini Govender (unschooler & YxY Community Organizer, South Africa)
January 27, 2023 7:00 PM
,
50 minutes

Youth Stories of Other Ways of Learning

Titus Zeederberg (democratic learner, South Africa)
and
Mohini Govender (unschooler & YxY Community Organizer, South Africa)
and
Fiston Muganda (self-directed learner, DRC and Uganda)
In this campfire session, you’ll hear from young people who have taken ownership of their own learning in different settings, including a democratic school student, an unschooler, and a self-directed learner. These speakers will share their experiences of learning in a non-coercive and self-directed way and how it has led them to pursue their passions and enrich their lives.
Read More and Register
YxY Community Organizers
January 27, 2023 8:00 PM
,
60 minutes

What We Need to Learn to Create the World of Our Deepest Longing?

YxY Community Organizers
and
and
In this session, we will come together to reflect on the conversations and learning of the day, gather our collective takeaways and insights on the question: What do we need to learn to create the world of our deepest longing? Join us to reflect, connect, and end our first day with one another.
Read More and Register
YxY Host Team
January 28, 2023 8:00 AM
,
80 minutes

Activist Cafés

YxY Host Team
and
and
The Cafés are 3-day learning journeys for our youth activists. Every year, we receive over 300+ applications from young people around the world, and match them with 2-3 youth Hosts and a small, globally-diverse group of selected YxY Activists, to deeply connect, learn and collaborate around our Festival's guiding questions. Additionally, we have an "Open Space" Café for youth activists who registered later to participate in a similar process.
Read More and Register
Ila Gregory (YxY Community Organizer, UK)
Jade Barnett (UK)
Jade Barnett (UK)
January 28, 2023 11:00 AM
,
55 minutes

Youth Stories of Overcoming: From Surviving to Thriving

Ila Gregory (YxY Community Organizer, UK)
and
Jade Barnett (UK)
and
Nasma Aboubakary (Tanzania)
In this session, you will hear from young people who have overcome adversity and found a way to not just survive but thrive. They will share their stories of going through extreme challenges and their tips for nurturing wellbeing amidst difficult times.
Read More and Register
Roz Savage (first - and so far only - woman to row solo across the world’s “Big Three” oceans, UK)
January 28, 2023 12:00 PM
,
50 minutes

Challenging Traditional Notions of Success

Roz Savage (first - and so far only - woman to row solo across the world’s “Big Three” oceans, UK)
and
and
Traditionally, ideas of success have tended to involve fame, fortune, and the accumulation of possessions. But research shows us that measuring our success by these external metrics leads to dissatisfaction, financial worries, and mental health issues. Right now a shift is taking place, away from the self-centredness and materialism of the past, towards lives of greater creativity, purpose and contribution. For most of us, the things that will make us proud of a life well lived are healthy relationships, a sense of belonging, and the knowledge that we left the world a bit better than we found it. In this session, Roz tells the story of how her life has confirmed the truth of these findings, and offers practical pointers on how to craft a life worth living.
Read More and Register
Gbolabo Femi-Jolayemi (YxY Host & Local Hub Organizer; Nigeria)
January 28, 2023 1:00 PM
,
40 minutes

Becoming Global Citizens

Gbolabo Femi-Jolayemi (YxY Host & Local Hub Organizer; Nigeria)
and
and
In this session, we will explore the power of experiential learning programs in developing global citizenship and delve into the CIA model (Curriculum, Intentionality, Assessment) to learn how educators can use this model to empower students to take action in shaping the forces of globalization. Join us as we explore how digital technology can be leveraged to inspire individuals to take global actions.
Read More and Register
Dr Karambu Ringera (Founder and President of International Peace Initatives, Kenya)
January 28, 2023 2:00 PM
,
50 minutes

Building Peace through Care

Dr Karambu Ringera (Founder and President of International Peace Initatives, Kenya)
and
and
In this session, we listen to Dr. Karambu Ringera, the Founder and President of International Peace Initiatives (IPI) in Meru, Kenya. Dr. Ringera will share her valuable insights on how compassion and care can be used to create initiatives that promote peace and stability in communities.
Read More and Register
Relational & Inclusive Edu GAC
Climate & Nature Edu GAC
Climate & Nature Edu GAC
January 28, 2023 3:00 PM
,
80 minutes

YxY Global Action Circles presents: Uplifting Relational & Inclusive Education and Climate & Nature Education

Relational & Inclusive Edu GAC
and
Climate & Nature Edu GAC
and
The YxY Global Action Circles are our signature 5-month peer learning journeys for intergenerational activists seeking to deepen their learning and action around a specific theme in education transformation. This Showcase session is the culminating presentation and celebration of two Global Action Circles: Relational & Inclusive Education and Climate & Nature Education. In addition to sharing collective insights on these themes, our activists will share their projects developed through this program.
Read More and Register
YxY Host Team
January 28, 2023 4:30 PM
,
80 minutes

Activist Cafés & Learning Collective

YxY Host Team
and
and
The Cafés are 3-day learning journeys for our youth activists. Every year, we receive over 300+ applications from young people around the world, and match them with 2-3 youth Hosts and a small, globally-diverse group of selected YxY Activists, to deeply connect, learn and collaborate around our Festival's guiding questions. Additionally, we have an "Open Space" Café for youth activists who registered later to participate in a similar process. NEW THIS YEAR: We are hosting a youth-led intergenerational Learning Collective to radically imagine new ways that youth-led and youth-serving organisations can support one other.
Read More and Register
Sahba Aminikia (composer, educator, and founder of Flying Carpet Festival, Iran and USA)
January 28, 2023 6:00 PM
,
80 minutes

Centering the Joy in Activism

Sahba Aminikia (composer, educator, and founder of Flying Carpet Festival, Iran and USA)
and
and
Join us at this campfire session for an inspiring discussion with Sahba Aminikia, an Iranian-American composer and founder of the Flying Carpet Festival. This innovative Festival brings together artists, musicians, dancers, and acrobats to create a multidisciplinary arts experience for children living in conflict zones. Hear from Sahba about the creation process, the impact of the festival, and how it brings together artists from around the world to provide a powerful and meaningful experience for children.
Read More and Register
YxY Community Organizers & YxY Activists
January 28, 2023 7:30 PM
,
90 minutes

🎶🎨🎤⚡️YxY Open Mic ⚡️🎤🎨🎶

YxY Community Organizers & YxY Activists
and
and
Join us at YouthxYouth's Open Mic, where our community of artists, musicians and creatives will showcase their talents and share their expressive interpretations of the day's guiding question: "Who do we need to be to create the world of our deepest longing?". This community garden event will be a safe and brave space for our community members to share our most "vulnerageous" (vulnerable-courageous) creative selves!
Read More and Register
YxY Host Team
January 29, 2023 8:00 AM
,
80 minutes

Activist Cafés

YxY Host Team
and
and
The Cafés are 3-day learning journeys for our youth activists. Every year, we receive over 300+ applications from young people around the world, and match them with 2-3 youth Hosts and a small, globally-diverse group of selected YxY Activists, to deeply connect, learn and collaborate around our Festival's guiding questions. Additionally, we have an "Open Space" Café for youth activists who registered later to participate in a similar process.
Read More and Register
Manish Jain (co-founder of Shikshantar: The Peoples’ Institute for Rethinking Education, Swaraj University and Complexity University, India)
January 29, 2023 11:00 AM
,
50 minutes

Towards "Swaraj" - Decolonizing our Lives

Manish Jain (co-founder of Shikshantar: The Peoples’ Institute for Rethinking Education, Swaraj University and Complexity University, India)
and
and
Join us in this Activist Classroom session to hear from Manish Jain, co-founder of Shikshantar: The Peoples’ Institute for Rethinking Education and Swaraj University in India, as he delves into the concept of "Swaraj" or self-rule. Manish will share his insights on the importance of decolonizing our lives and education systems in order to regenerate our diverse knowledge systems, free our cultural imaginations and expand our consciousness.
Read More and Register
Keynote by Rachel Musson (Founder of ThoughtBox Education, UK) in discussion with youth educators Victoria Ohaetuo (Nigeria), Uttanshi Agarwal (India), Shamim Shalmah (Tanzania), Charles Oyet Omoya (Uganda), Rana Mostafa (Egypt)
January 29, 2023 12:00 PM
,
80 minutes

Youth Educators Transforming Education

Keynote by Rachel Musson (Founder of ThoughtBox Education, UK) in discussion with youth educators Victoria Ohaetuo (Nigeria), Uttanshi Agarwal (India), Shamim Shalmah (Tanzania), Charles Oyet Omoya (Uganda), Rana Mostafa (Egypt)
and
and
Join us at the Campfire session for a dynamic discussion on how youth educators are working to transform education, from early childhood education to community building and climate action. Rachel Mousson, our keynote speaker and the founder of Thoughtbox Education - an internationally-acclaimed curriculum and training program accessed by educators in over 70 countries - will lead the conversation alongside youth activists and educators.
Read More and Register
Tajala Fazili (Afghanistan); Manar Elnabahin (Palestine); Ruphin Kungwa (Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda); Facilitated by Ghalia Turki (Syria and Palestine)
Ruphin Kungwa
Ruphin Kungwa
January 29, 2023 1:30 PM
,
55 minutes

Global Solidarity: Supporting Young People Affected by Conflict

Tajala Fazili (Afghanistan); Manar Elnabahin (Palestine); Ruphin Kungwa (Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda); Facilitated by Ghalia Turki (Syria and Palestine)
and
Ruphin Kungwa
and
Manar Elnabahin
In this session on Global Youth Solidarity, we come together to listen to the stories of young people whose lives and education have been affected by conflict. They will share their experiences and perspectives on the challenges they and their peers face. As a community, we will reflect on how we can support and stand in solidarity with them and their communities. This session will provide an opportunity for us to explore ways to build global youth solidarity and take action to create a more inclusive and equitable world for all young people.
Read More and Register
Greta Rossi (co-founder of Receipes for Wellbeing and ChangemakerxChange)
January 29, 2023 2:30 PM
,
25 minutes

What Causes Burnout and How to Avoid it

Greta Rossi (co-founder of Receipes for Wellbeing and ChangemakerxChange)
and
and
Imagine a traffic conductor in your mind. This person is directing the traffic of your mind, allowing certain things to enter your conscious thoughts, and denying others. When there is minimal stress and/or stimulation, this person’s job is a breeze, and your thoughts feel light, allowing you to feel positive and in control. However, when things get overwhelming and stressful, there is only so much this one person can do before traffic gets into a jam or crashes occur. This sense of “crashing” can be related to the feeling of burnout. Burnout doesn’t just “happen”, and is not cured after a good sleep or even a week off. The root causes are multi-faceted and complex. Do you know the causes of your burnout? Join this short session to map the causes of burnout and access resources to address them.
Read More and Register
Supporting Youth Educators GAC
Youth Mental Health GAC
Youth Mental Health GAC
January 29, 2023 3:00 PM
,
80 minutes

YxY Global Action Circles presents: Uplifiting Youth Educators, Youth Mental Health & Funding Education

Supporting Youth Educators GAC
and
Youth Mental Health GAC
and
Funding & Fundraising in Edu GAC
The YxY Global Action Circles are our signature 5-month peer learning journeys for intergenerational activists seeking to deepen their learning and action around a specific theme in education transformation. This Showcase session is the culminating presentation and celebration of three Global Action Circles: Supporting Youth Educators, Youth Mental Health, and Funding & Fundraising in Education. In addition to sharing collective insights on these themes, our activists will share their projects developed through this program.
Read More and Register
YxY Host Team
January 29, 2023 4:30 PM
,
80 minutes

Activist Cafés & Learning Collective

YxY Host Team
and
and
The Cafés are 3-day learning journeys for our youth activists. Every year, we receive over 300+ applications from young people around the world, and match them with 2-3 youth Hosts and a small, globally-diverse group of selected YxY Activists, to deeply connect, learn and collaborate around our Festival's guiding questions. Additionally, we have an "Open Space" Café for youth activists who registered later to participate in a similar process. NEW THIS YEAR: We are hosting a youth-led intergenerational Learning Collective to radically imagine new ways that youth-led and youth-serving organisations can support one other.
Read More and Register
YxY Community Organizers
Inez Aponte
Inez Aponte
January 29, 2023 6:00 PM
,
80 minutes

Co-Creating YouthxYouth

YxY Community Organizers
and
Inez Aponte
and
Join us for a special session on co-creating YouthxYouth. We'll be joined by Inez Aponte, co-founder of the Crazy Beautiful Wisdom podcast, a partner of YouthxYouth where our community of young activists get to interview experts and learn from their experiences. During this session, we'll reflect on the future we want to co-create for YouthxYouth and beyond. Our YxY Community organizer team will hold a space to co-design our peer-learning community with YxY Activists and to discuss how we might partner with YxY Allies.
Read More and Register
YxY Community Organizers & YxY Hosts
January 29, 2023 7:30 PM
,
90 minutes

✨🦋✨ YxY CLOSING CEREMONY ✨🦋✨

YxY Community Organizers & YxY Hosts
and
and
Join us for the Closing Ceremony of our 2023 Learning Festival, where we will bring together the insights and stories shared throughout our 3 days of inquiry around the guiding question: “What do we need to learn, be, and do to create the world of our deepest longing?”. Our YxY Café Hosts will share their takeaways and insights from the deep-dialogue sessions. We will also celebrate our team of YxY Hosts who have dedicated 11 months to learning to be community weavers and facilitators of transformational spaces.
Read More and Register
January 29, 2023 9:00 PM
,
60 minutes

DANCE PARTY!

and
and
After the ceremony, we invite everyone to join us for one last DANCE & hangout in the YxY Community Garden to celebrate our journey together!
Read More and Register