WHAT
ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF YOUTH JAMS?WHY DO WE CALL THEM JAMS?
WHAT ARE YOUTH JAMS?
WHO ARE YOUTH JAMS FOR?
HOW MAY YOUTH JAMS HAVE WE HELD?
ARE THERE ANY "RULES" AT THE JAM?
I CAN'T COME FOR THE WHOLE EVENT, CAN I COME FOR PART OF IT?
SOME OF THE QUESTIONS MANY JAM PARTICIPANTS CARRY THROUGH LIFE
What
Are The Objectives Of Youth Jams?
At
Youth Jams, we want all participants to have the opportunity to:
BUILD COMMUNITY
1)
Share life experiences and stories
2) Get and give support (including ideas, advice, skills, massage, attention,
feedback, tools, resources, and strategies)
3) Relate to each other in a way that reflects the world we want to create
4) Create a space for deep vulnerability to be held in a context of profound
love and wisdom
NETWORK
5)
Connect and build bridges of solidarity with other team members working for
a world of human rights, social justice, peace, and environmental sanity --
a world that works for everyone
6) Network for expanded organizational effectiveness
7) Clarify the common ground that we can build on (in a way that allows people
to speak their unique truth as well as creating space to build consensus towards
a shared vision)
SHARE CULTURES
8)
Respectfully share diverse forms of spirituality
9) Express from our cultures and appreciate one another’s cultures
RENEW
10)
Reflect and gain perspective on our activism and lives
11) Rest and relax
12) Celebrate and have fun
ENVISION
13)
Explore, share and clarify our visions, unique and common, for a better world
and the movements that will create this world
14) Be intentional about developing new models, theories, and possibilities
for our world that are based on our diverse experiences and knowledge
Why Do We Call them Jams?
When musicians
get together and play unprepared music, they create songs that have never
been heard before, and in North America this is called a “Jam”. When top musicians
do this, it often results in some of the most memorable music of our collective
history. But that's not the end goal. When musicians get together to "Jam”,
they get to share their unique skills and knowledge, as well as learn from
the other musicians. They get to hear and experience other styles of music,
expand their horizons and make something unique. They get to have fun, build
community, and combine their collective talent, inspiration and skills to
create something far greater than the sum of its parts. This fertile ground
of diversity, trust and joy sprouts some of the richest seeds in history.
Youth Jams are week long, annual gatherings (national and global) of 30 young dynamic activists and leaders who are currently at the forefront of working for a sane, just and peaceful world. The Jams provide participant with the opportunity to build community, network, share cultures, renew themselves and envision the world they want.
Who Are Youth Jams For? What’s your selection criteria?
Young social entrepreneurs ages 15-30 with a passionate lifelong commitment to creating positive change and a track record or effective action. They are youth who want to share support & build connections with colleagues already on the path to a saner future. They understand the power and importance of bridge building. (click here for examples of past participants)
How Many Youth Jams Have We Held?
We held our first Youth Jam, called the World Youth Leadership Camp, in 1996. It brought together young activists from 20 nations for a week in the Santa Cruz mountains of California, USA. The response was outstanding, and media coverage included all of the major networks in the USA. The event was the subject of a 23 minute feature documentary, Connect, that aired on MTV as their Earth Day special in 1997. Starting in 1999, we have been holding World Youth Jams in California, USA, every summer. In 2001 we held our first Youth Jam USA. For a description of currently scheduled Youth Jams, click here.
Are There Any “Rules” At The Jam?
The strong sense of magic and community that makes Youth Jams so moving would not be possible without making, and keeping, our agreements with each other. To make the events work for all participants (and to keep us out of jail and keep YES! in business), we need to create a safe environment. There are several agreements which are crucial to this sense of safety, and which also protect YES! from a legal standpoint. These include:
1)
DRUGS: No alcohol or illegal drugs may be brought to Youth Jams or
used at any time during the event by any participant or staff member.2) LAWS: During the Jam, all local, national and international laws must be honored by the Jam participants.
3) SEX AND AFFECTION: Events like the Jams tend to create a great deal of honesty and intimacy, and sometimes people want to express their connection affectionately. We seek to create a context where participants feel safe and respected for whatever level of affection feels most appropriate to them (sometimes including shoulder massages, hugging, cuddling in a non sexual way) and boundaries can be clearly honored. Within this context, we ask people not to engage in any sexual activity during the Jam that could take attention and energy away from full participation in their or others experience. Please note that it is also against the law for an adult to have sex with a minor (under 18) in the USA.
4) SAFETY: No one may cause harm to themselves or others. We do not condone or allow any behavior that in any way jeopardizes the health, safety, comfort or well-being of any other participants or the event.
When these agreements and rules are clearly understood and appreciated, the result is a fabulous event where participants will feel a powerful sense of safety, and grow tremendously. YES! reserves the right to send anyone who breaks these agreements home at their own expense.
What Are The Objectives Of Youth Jams?
At Youth Jams, we want all participants to have the opportunity to:
BUILD COMMUNITY
1) Share life experiences and stories
2) Get and give support (including ideas, advice, skills, massage, attention, feedback, tools, resources, and strategies)
3) Relate to each other in a way that reflects the world we want to create
4) Create a space for deep vulnerability to be held in a context of profound love and wisdom
NETWORK
5) Connect and build bridges of solidarity with other team members working for a world of human rights, social justice, peace, and environmental sanity -- a world that works for everyone
6) Network for expanded organizational effectiveness
7) Clarify the common ground that we can build on (in a way that allows people to speak their unique truth as well as creating space to build consensus towards a shared vision)
SHARE CULTURES
8) Respectfully share diverse forms of spirituality
9) Express from our cultures and appreciate one another’s cultures
RENEW
10) Reflect and gain perspective on our activism and lives
11) Rest and relax
12) Celebrate and have fun
ENVISION
13) Explore, share and clarify our visions, unique and common, for a better world and the movements that will create this world
14) Be intentional about developing new models, theories, and possibilities for our world that are based on our diverse experiences and knowledge
I Can’t Come for the Whole Event, Can I Come for Part of It?
We require that participants come for all seven days. However, if you still want to get a taste of the event and meet some of the people involved . . . you can come to our party at the end! On the last day of each Youth Jam, we host a Community Day (CD). The CD is an afternoon event that brings together Youth Jam participants with community activists, philanthropists, policymakers, non-profit organization officers, media, and public officials for a time of celebration and networking. The CD will start off with a 1-hour presentation from the Jam participants in which they will use stories, songs, spoken word, dance, skits, ritual and/or speaking from the heart to share their message, work, solidarity and purpose, and to convey inspiration and a call to action. This will be followed by an open time for networking, dancing, refreshments and connection-building as the adult leaders in attendance connect with the youth leaders at the Jam. The intention of this time will be to celebrate, while having the opportunity to build friendships and perhaps partnerships. All the guests of this event (as well as participants) will get a copy of the Jam Report which has the brief bios and photos of all the participants to help people meet each other, and to aid in post-event follow up. To learn more, click here.