Hi!
It’s hard to believe another year has come and (almost) gone. It’s been a year full of new experiences and travels to all parts of the world.
One of the best parts of my work is that I get to explore new and innovative ways of outreach to youth. One of my most popular school-based workshops is my Leadership through Action program, where I use well-known historical photographs, photographs of famous people and video clips to lead discussions around leadership, and what it is to be a leader. I then equip the students with disposable cameras and have them explore their own images of leadership at their school and surrounding community. The results are always remarkable – the discussions raise provocative questions around what is leadership and who are leaders (is Oprah a leader? How about Donald Trump? Does a moment of defiance – the tank man of Tiananmen Square make a leader? How about if you are doing your job – are the firefighters of 9/11 leaders?) .
The pictures taken of examples of leadership through the eyes of students constantly amaze - always resulting in an inspiring gallery of photos to post in the school. This type of workshop is called Photovoice and uses participatory methodology to empower students to create their own visions of leadership. As photographer Caroline Wang has said: “Photovoice is a method that enables people to define for themselves and others what is worth remembering and what needs to be changed.”
Although this type of outreach has been used for a while already in community settings, the idea of photovoice – particularly to teach leadership – is a largely new concept in schools. It gives students power over their own development and requires them to take ownership over their own participation (or lack thereof) in leadership activities. And just as importantly it's a lot of fun - it's one of the best tools of
engagement I've come across in my years as a youth worker.
This month’s newsletter touches on all my favourite topics, and as always I’m interested in your feedback and comments.
Happy Holidays!
Michelle
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As an employer, if you have recently started to feel that the new grads you are hiring are dictating their terms of employment to you, rather than the other way around, you probably aren’t alone. Hiring and retaining Generation Y in today’s marketplace has become an art form all on its own. If employers wish to establish a constructive and profitable working environment with this group, they must understand who the group is, and what it is that the group needs. Generation Y, also known as the millennium generation was born between 1978 and 2000. They are the largest generation to enter the workforce since the baby boomers who are now set to retire. Within a few short years Generation Y will make up the largest segment of the working population.This generation grew up watching their parents work more and more and many, as children were left to create their own forms of entertainment. They also grew up in a global world surrounded by ever-changing technologies. They have been told throughout their childhoods that they can be anything they want and have seen a move away from discipline as a form of parenting toward a more positive form of behaviour reinforcement. |
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Established in 2004, the Global Call To Action Against Poverty (GCAP) is a growing movement that spans throughout the globe and addresses concerns and seeks solutions to the growing number of impoverished individuals around the world. GCAP works on both international and regional levels and takes on the issues of poverty, inequality, climate change and injustice while working to find sustainable solutions to these problems. They now have over 100 countries with active local coalitions. GCAP consists of community groups, social activists, trade unions, women’s organizations, political and religious groups as well as individuals, all of whom are determined to educate and help bring assistance to those in need. As a group, GCAP proposes solutions and lobbies government agencies to take action on the war against poverty. Whether change needs to come through financial aid, debt cancellation, trade justice, just governance or implementation of basic human rights, GCAP fights to improve the living situation of those who require it most. Those of you who would like to become involved with this organization can go to www.whiteband.org. They will be happy to hear from you or your organization regardless of whether you only have time to spread the word about this noble cause to your friends and family or can assist with event organization or fundraising activities. |
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Born the daughter of a Tamil activist turned militant, Mathangi (Maya) Arulpragasam is known to her music fans as M.I.A. This rising young star was raised in both her native homeland of Sri Lanka as well as London, England. In London after forced to leave Sri Lanka due to the civil war, young Maya’s affinity for art flourished and she went on to attend London’s Central Saint Martins College of Art where she studied fine art, film and video. Her public showings resulted in numerous nominations for prestigious art awards as well as a book of her work being published. Her desire to create new and vivid art was not limited to paintings however and Maya soon recorded a demo tape that consisted of songs that she had composed herself. Her musical style does not fit into any one genre. It has been said to consist of a little of everything including dancehall, hip hop, drum & bass, electroclash, mash up, and even Brazilian baile funk. Her lyrics aren’t mainstream either. The fact that she blends radical and anti-establishment views with such passion have combined to make her a somewhat controversial figure. M.I.A.’s second album Kala was released in August 2007 and is already garnering plenty of attention from critics. |
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As part of the Youth Engagement Strategy, Community Recreation Services, in partnership with HeartWood Centre for Community Youth Development, has compiled a "tool kit" or hands-on resource filled with lots of tools, concepts, ideas, suggestions for action, strategies for innovation and tips/reminders to help adults engage young people. Visit http://www.halifax.ca/recreation/YouthEngagementToolKit.html to download the tool kit. |
