The Vision for the Leadership Team
AS DEMONSTRATED IN our past and current research projects. it is paramount to the center’s work that youth from diverse cultures and backgrounds play an integral part in shaping our work. The Youth Leadership Team (YLT) was designed as a means for youth from around the world to influence the projects in which the CSD undertakes and the way in which our research is structured and delivered to other young people.
Currently, about 30 youth (ages 12-25) are on the Youth Leadership Team. In their application materials we asked interested young people to reflect on their own spiritual journey and to provide the selection committee with reasons why being a part of the Team was important to them. After reviewing the essays in which youth wrote, it became clear that youth worldwide have a passion for examining the notion of spiritual development in more depth, and that there exists a need from youth to have others their age in which they can connect with around this issue. We have provided some quotations from the selection materials that illustrate this passion and commitment of youth around the issue of spiritual development.
“I am interested in learning more about spiritual development in youth
and spirituality. I enjoy working with and learning from young people.
I am really excited about facilitating this group and I am happy
that all of you are on the team….I’d like to know more
about the spiritual life of young people around the world.”
(Female, 23, Ukraine)
“I come from a family of believers with a strong background
in philosophy, my grandparents being teachers of philosophy.
Growing up, I was exposed regularly to new ideas, thoughts, and
concepts regarding various spiritual and religious topics
and I soon developed a keen interest in them, often taking
part in discussions and debates with my family members. I believe….
that spiritual development of children, youth and adults is
necessary for their all-round development and especially
leadership qualities.”
(Male, 19, India)
“My dad’s side of the family is Jewish and I connect with the traditions
very strongly. I have been involved in Buddhism, meditation, and yoga
since a young age as well. Because I have always been brought up around
spirituality and religion, I find it interesting. I also wish more
young people had a spiritual identity or at least were introduced
to the concept of spirituality at a younger age.”
Female, 17, United States)
“I decided to join the Youth Leadership Team because I am interested
in finding out more about and getting more involved in youth spirituality.
I also love meeting and getting to know people and volunteering for good causes.”
(Female, 17, Australia)
RESEARCH PARTNERS WORKING with the Center for Spiritual Development on the Inventory of Youth Spiritual Development from Australia, Cameroon, Canada, England, India, the Ukraine, the United States, and Wales nominated youth to be on the YLT. The first task carried out by the Youth Leadership Team was to help in the pre-testing of the above-mentioned survey, which is currently being administered to more than 8,000 young people world-wide. Youth from the YLT will be assisting the Center in the future with such things as Website development (especially in the creation of a portal for youth), the online library, trainings, and conference sessions.
If you are interested in joining the Youth Leadership Team or wish to nominate youth for the team, please contact Angela Hackel.
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