YES!'s 2003 World Youth Jam

the participants:

Enei M. Begaye, 25, Black Mesa Water Coalition, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
"The Jam is a place where I can truly reconnect with who I am and with my core values. Every person at the Jam rebuilds my own passion, hope and love. Not only have I found many friends and future collaborators at World Jams, I found my greatest partner, my husband. With him, I've been able to build a life, a family, a community, a world based on the values and collective experiences I've been so fortunate to absorb and gather at the Jams."
Enei, a Dine and Tohono Oodham from the Navajo Nation, is an environmental justice and indigenous rights activist. As an organizer and spokesperson for the Black Mesa Water Coalition, she works with other inter-tribal, inter-ethnic young people to protect Mother Earth and build sustainable communities. The Black Mesa Water Coalition is dedicated to stopping the wasteful use of pristine ground-water by Peabody Coal Company for mining operations on Navajo and Hopi lands in northern Arizona, and to building sustainable communities through the promotion of renewable energy, water and energy conservation, and cultural preservation. Enei is also involved in Dine Bidziil, the Indigenous Environmental Network, and Sierra Club's environmental justice program. She has studied geological and environmental science with a focus on hydrology. Due to her August 2003 marriage to Evon Peter (youngest ever chief of the Neetsaii Gwich'in tribe), she will now be living part time in Arizona, and part time 200 miles from the nearest road in northern Alaska. Enei and Evon have founded Native Movement to help restore indigenous self-determination. She can be reached at enei_begaye@yahoo.com.

Puma Quispe Singona, 23, CUSI HUAYNA, Chinchero, Peru
"Infinite thanks for the essence of the Jam, for blessing my life so much, and for bringing wisdom, joy and medicine to the world. May YES! continue shining on young peoples' lives and may the Jams continue blooming like a flower."
Puma is founder of CUSI HUAYNA, an indigenous youth institution that empowers youth and protects traditional folklore and wisdom of the Inca Culture in Peru. Puma is an Andean Medicine Man in training, a Council Member of Indigenous and Non Indigenous Youth Alliance (INIYA) and is founder of WILLCA, a cultural and healing center for youth in Chinchero, Peru. Contact him at Pumahuan@hotmail.com.

Mayerly Sánchez Clavijo, 19, Children's Movement for Peace, Bogota, Columbia
"Thank you for the special opportunity of participating in this Jam. Sharing our diverse experiences in working for peace and justice has been an inspiration. I have more strength to continue my work in Columbia. Thank you for letting me fill my heart and my mind with the many powerful things that I can continue doing despite tremendous obstacles. Thank you also for the rest, for listening and for working for a culture of peace. Finally, thank you for knowing that the youth are not just the future, but the present."
It is no surprise that Mayerly has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 3 times. In response to the pervasive violence in her war-torn country, at the age of 12 she founded the Children's Movement for Peace in Colombia. This organization is responsible for the creation and circulation of a national youth newspaper about peace; the peace and human rights education of over 10,000 children; the participation of young people in the formation of public policy; and the government's establishment of "peace zones." In addition to pursuing a Communications and Journalism degree, she regularly coordinates conferences, organizes rallies and speaks on behalf of the peace movement both nationally and internationally.

Tenzin Tsundue 29, writer-activist for a Free Tibet, Dharmasala, India
"In my work for the freedom of Tibet, I personally undergo much struggle and violence. The Jam brought me face to face with other young social activists who have shown tremendous courage in the worst of times and who continue to work. They inspired me. I am not alone. I am recharged. Today, I am strong: with 30 other brothers and sisters who are standing with me for a better world."
Tenzin, a Tibetan exile born in India, went to Tibet in 1997 and was thrown out after a brief imprisonment. For Tenzin freeing Tibet from Chinese occupation has been the driving force in his life and work for the past decade. He is an active member of the Tibetan Youth Congress and also works as General Secretary of the Indian/Tibetan support group, Friends of Tibet (read more at www.friendsoftibet.org). Approximately 20,000 Tibetan refugees in India have benefited from motivational and educational workshops organized and conducted by this organization, which receives guidance from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Government-in-Exile and various Tibetan NGOs. A lover of nature, poetry and art, Tenzin has published two books and continues to write for the struggle.

Faten A. Olwan Abu Seed, 24, Media Coordinator, Office of the Prime Minister, Ramallah, Palestine
"The YES! Jam and the angels there helped to save my spirit, taught me how to love again, inspired me and gave me faith during a week I spent in heaven. Thank you YES!, for giving me faith for yesterday, today and that better tomorrow that might yet be. Thank you for giving birth to this new hope in me, for reminding me how to dream again, how to shine again, how to keep working for a world when hopefully one day all these walls around me will break for good."
Faten has lived through two intifadas and has personally been subjected to the violence of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She was shot by a solider while performing journalism duties, microphone in hand, and witnessed the murder of her boyfriend. With a strong belief in the power of the word as a means to affect social change and a deep conviction to relay marginalized perspectives to the global arena, Faten has worked as an assistant producer for ABC News, a reporter for Nile News Satellite Channel, was an award-winning reporter for Tunis, and is currently senior correspondent for Bahrain T.V. and radio. Faten works directly with the Palestinian Prime Minister, Ahmed Qureia, as his media coordinator, and she hopes her work will contribute to the re-establishment of communication and trust between Israeli and Palestinian peoples.

Talita Castro, 19, Global Youth Action Network, Sao Paulo, Brazil
"The World Youth Leadership Jam was a space outside of the everyday world: a place without time, agendas or obligations. It's a respectful community in which people can really see different points of view and the essence of human beings. It's a place to reconnect with the world from which all of us come. Thanks, thanks and thanks for this opportunity. . . it's one everyone should have!"
Talita began working with young people in 1999, when she was a member of an environmental awareness-raising group that worked on alternative forms of development and alternative models of living. She is now director of the Brazilian division of Global Youth Action Network (online at www.takingitglobal.org). This international organization facilitates youth participation and intergenerational partnership in global decision-making by supporting collaboration among diverse youth movements and providing tools, resources, and recognition for positive youth action. Currently, she is building a Transformation Youth Movement, compiling a National Youth Guide of youth organizations, creating a National Youth Council, as well as participating in and organizing several national and international conferences.

Jennifer Ramos Awingan, 30, Cordillera Peoples Alliance Youth Commission & Asia-Pacific Indigenous Youth Network, Cordillera, Phillipines
"I cannot believe how the Jam impacted me as a human being. I have been to many youth gatherings, conferences, summits, and meetings, but this one was really different! I learned many things. I realized that, as a social worker, it is necessary to give time to reflection and self-retrospection. Furthermore, I realized that in order to achieve full healing, processing of experiences must be done collectively. I look forward to imparting the lessons I learned at the Jam to my family, organization and community."
Jen is a Kalinga, an indigenous tribe in northern Philippines. (The Kalingas and other indigenous tribes are collectively called Igorots, known in local history for their fierce resistance against Spanish colonizers.) An activist since 1990, she helped to re-establish the Progressive Igorots for Social Action. This organization's goal was raising the political consciousness of Igorots and non-Igorots on the plight and rights of indigenous peoples. In her current position as activist/ organizer with the Cordillera Peoples' Alliance Youth Center, she continues her consciousness- raising work. Jen is also a coordinator with Asia-Pacific Indigenous Youth Network, which mobilizes indigenous youth in the Asia Pacific Region for the promotion and protection of indigenous peoples rights to self-governance, ancestral land, cultural integrity, and socio-economic development consistent with their values.

Selma Hadzic, 21, Post-Pessimists Network Reconciliation, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Selma is president of Post-Pessimists Network Reconciliation, an organization contributing to peace building and democratic processes throughout the countries of the former Yugoslavia. Among the various educational and cultural programs of the organization are an anti-racism campaign, an anti-discrimination campaign, a reconciliation project in Kosovo, and a regional competition of young writers and photographers. She plans to earn an M.A. in Human Rights in order to assist in post-war reconciliation throughout her region.

Nuttarote Wangwinyoo, 31, Kwan Muang Institute, Chiengrai, Thailand
"This Jam has proven that personal stories, shared and listened to, can help each of us gain a fuller sense of what's going on in the world. This understanding includes all possible forms of suffering and insanity, as well as alternatives and hope that inspire all of us to move on with an even stronger and clearer vision. The Jam was the first time that I experienced such a richness of diversity from which each individual is exposed to a vast spectrum of beauty, wisdom and inspiration. This was the first time I really got a sense of what being an accountable and caring world citizen really means."
In search of spiritual practice, a deeper understanding of life and ways to serve society and the earth, Nutt decided to become a Buddhist monk for one year. He then became socially engaged with rural development for indigenous people of highland communities and in 1995 joined the Spirit in Education Movement (led by the Livelihood Alternative Nobel Prize Laureate Sulak Sivaraksa). For the following 3 years, he studied at Naropa University through the Environmental Leadership program (MA). In early 2001, he co-founded Kwan Muang Institute, which promotes paradigm changes in education, health and environmental issues.

Banteilut Lyngdoh Nongbri, 25, R S Lyngdoh Training Centre, Meghalaya, India
"Because of this experience, I was able to realize my role of promoting love, peace and nonviolence in society. I kept on asking the question "Who am I?" and I realized that my greatest enemy is not someone from the outside, but it's me. I realized that to change the world, I have to change myself first. I really enjoyed the spirit of togetherness, which we all have in us. I felt as if we have known each other for many generations. Thank you very much for giving me the chance to learn from each person who attended the Jam."
Bantei, a member of the Khasi tribe, is Chairman and Director of R S Lyngdoh Training Center, an organization that works with the poor and marginalized members of the local community (particularly children and youth). The center's projects are multi-faceted: training in rural technology and construction; livestock and agricultural training; solid waste management; conservation and creation of Sacred Grove, clan forest, community forest, village forest; Save Wah Umiew (River) Campaign; and the Stop Uranium Mining Campaign. He, along with a group of young people, has also formed the Center for Advocacy and Networking. He is Chairman of this center that works to resist globalization and to advocate for pro-people government policies.

Kelly Michelle, 23, Artemisia Foundation, Florida, USA
"I didn't realize how much I needed this experience until a few days before I left for India. I was feeling like I wasn't enough for this work, like I wanted too many things, like I needed to find a "true" place from which to speak. The community we entered here spoke to those needs and to many others. It sounds like a cliché, but I never realized there were other people - amazing, talented, soulful people - who were going through similar emotions and stages on their various journeys. The Jam has touched my life in a way that no other formal gathering has ever done, and I realize more clearly the vision I will follow and the kind of life I will choose."
Kelly Michelle is the president of Artemisia Foundation (www.artemisiafoundation.org), a grant-making foundation aiming to achieve social change by supporting economic development. Artemisia's mission is to support entrepreneurial, innovative and creative projects that address the gap between the rich and the poor, between the educated and the undereducated, and between men and women. Although it is a new foundation, they have already created an Artemisia Fellows Program for young activists working on or interested in youth employment issues. Kelly has also worked with a variety of groups in the areas of education and development (most notably Camp Rising Sun, where she serves on the Long Range Planning Committee), and she is an intern at Ashoka. Her passion for social change initially stemmed from teaching English to immigrants and evolved into a commitment to development issues.

Rajendra Mulmi, 25, Youth Initiative, Kathmandu, Nepal
"This week has been a journey to self-discovery, uncovering inner thoughts and feelings. This Jam was about bringing that change in myself so I can continue to make a difference in the world."
Rajendra started youth advocacy during his early college days in 1995 when he was trained as an HIV/AIDS peer educator. During this time he was actively involved in raising awareness and counseling about HIV/AIDS. He also participated in a volunteer program that connected him with overseas volunteers working in remote villages of Nepal, promoting environmental education, appropriate rural technologies and improving sanitation in the communities, which especially benefited women and children. In 2000, he became assistant coordinator of Students Partnership Worldwide (SPW), an international youth focused development organization in Nepal. During his three-year term with SPW, Rajendra continued his involvement in many youth activities and networks, such as: the Youth Workshop, with which he worked as Coordinator for Asia; The International Youth Parliament, as a facilitator; coordinator of the Asian Youth Assembly (held in Manali, India in June 2001); and also co-coordinated and attended the Youth Employment Summit (held in Egypt in September 2002). He is currently on the Board of Directors for the International Young Professionals Foundation. His experiences inspired him to start a youth-led and run organization, Youth Initiative, which aims to inform and empower youth to become involved in their own personal development and the development of their communities.

Nyoko Grace Muvangua, 23, Namibian-United World College (UWC) Selection Committee & the International African Students Association, Massachusetts, USA
"I left India with so much energy and determination to take my work further, and to be more in service for my people. The Jam also allowed me to meet and share with other youth who have selflessly dedicated their very existence to serving humanity. But, above all, what touched me is the genuine love and compassion that we all had for one another. We were global strangers who virtually fell in love the moment we met. At first that whole notion did not make much sense to me, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that what we all have in common is what enabled such a deep love. We all love to serve humanity."
A native of Namibia, Nyoko has dedicated her life to the service of Africa and its people. As Fundraising Coordinator for the Namibian-UWC Selection Committee, she develops fundraising initiatives that enable selected Namibians to attend the United World Colleges. The United World College movement (www.uwc.org) empowers youth to become responsible citizens, politically and environmentally aware, and committed to the ideals of peace and justice, understanding and cooperation, and the implementation of these ideals through action and personal example. Nyoko also serves on the steering committee of the International African Students Association (www.iasaonline.org). IASA strives to create a medium through which African young adults can network and collaborate on projects based on the common desire to reshape the future of Africa. Among projects that IASA has worked on are the Mozambique Relief Fund, the Scholarship Initiative, and the Africa Internship/Fellowship Program (initiated in response to the problem of the African brain-drain). Also a college student and activist on campus, Nyoko has received several honors and awards.

Emily Boyd, 20, MatMice, NSW, Australia
"The Jam has been an absolutely amazing experience. I never imagined that I would form such powerful connections with a group of 30 young people from around the world. The Jam provided an environment to not only learn from and share with others, but also to really grow as an individual. I will be forever thankful to YES! for this inspiring experience."
Emily, a self-taught computer programmer, is dedicated to helping children embrace technology and become digitally literate. Consequently, she co-founded MatMice.com. This website, which provides free homepages to kids, has been used by more than 350,000 children in 150 countries. The unique site empowers children to easily express themselves on the web and to communicate across countries and cultures. In addition to her leadership roles and technical responsibilities with MatMice.com, she is a spokesperson for the Red Cross Youth Challenge in Australia, is a part-time web-developer for Scholastic (children's publisher), will be a judge for the Youth Leadership Awards of the Ethnic Communities Council of NSW, and has been named as a Children's Champion for Nexus (a new children/adolescent mental health unit at a local hospital). She has received several awards, including NSW Young Australian of the Year 2003 and the Centenary Medal of Australia.

Rana Bilal Ahmad, 23, Youth Alliance for Human Rights, Punjab, Pakistan
"Physically, I was born 23 years ago. But socially, I was born during the past week that I spent with such incredible young activists from all over the world. Meeting and sharing with like-minded people was a wonderful experience. I came to this Jam alone, but I am taking them with me as I go home."
Rana is Chairman of Youth Alliance For Human Rights (YAFHR), one of the biggest youth organizations in Pakistan. Currently, his 3 primary projects include the Juvenile Prisoners Education Program (for which he received a 2002 YouthActionNet award), Youth Career Counseling Campaign (attempting to curb youth unemployment) and Inform the Youth (an HIV/AIDS awareness program). From the platform of YAFHR, he works with numerous other youth organizations and networks locally, nationally, regionally and internationally. He is on the board of Pakistan National Youth Council (an umbrella organization of Pakistani youth NGOs) and NGO-associate member with the International Council of National Youth Policy's Pakistani chapter. He serves as the Country Coordinator for Youth Employment Summit Campaign, which works to reduce youth unemployment, and, as a Peace Pal Coordinator, promotes children's peace education. He is one of the founding members of TakingItGlobal in Pakistan and participates in the International Youth Charter Coalition. Rana recently completed a Masters program in Political Science and Theory and earned a National Youth Leader award in 1998.

Panna Lal Patel, 28, Shikshantar, Rajasthan, India
"In today's world, youth are scattered all over the globe doing different things. The JAM is a chance for us to come together, to share our problems, feelings and experiences. We get energy and inspiration by being together, and we are able to become an inspiration for other youth. I found more energy to go more fully in depth into work, with more heart and more commitment."
Panna Lal Patel, a life-time resident of Udaipur, is a learning activist with Shikshantar Andolan (www.swaraj.org/shikshantar). Shikshantar seeks to radically transform education and questions the premise of development: its systems and institutions. Panna Lal works to uncover the hidden wisdom, the soulful relationships, and the deep understanding embedded in the local language of Mewari. To date, he has helped publish 3 books (covering people's stories and local tradition work) and 14 newsletters in Mewari. These publications have been shared with nearly 2,000 families in 120 villages, as well as with other communities working to regenerate their local languages. Panna Lal also enjoys organic farming and animal husbandry, practices which he actively supports in his local communities.

Emily Felicity Tuhi-Ao Bailey, 26, Harakeke & Wellington Peace and Environment Center, Wellington, New Zealand
"I now know that I am not alone in my feelings about peace, justice and equality. I am not alone in my commitment to dedicate my life to building a better future. I have also been introduced to and shared stories with an amazing group of people that accepted me for who I am, even when I find it difficult to accept myself. Thank you so much for this opportunity. I look fondly into the future and working together for a better world."
Emily Bailey is an ecology and geography graduate of Wellington, New Zealand. A member of the Maori tribe, she has been working with and managing the Wellington Rainforest Action Group and local activists' Wellington Peace and Environment Center since 1999. She helped initiate and organize a variety of projects: a 'Reclaim the Streets' demonstration, inner-city community gardens, anti-roading demonstrations, anti-logging campaigns, an anti-genetic engineering march and peace demonstrations. Emily recently founded Harakeke, a direct action eco-collective campaigning on wide environmental issues. She is also working on a major documentary film that encompasses the explanation of global natural processes, social and ecological problems and their underlying causes, and, most importantly, current global ideas and projects that can solve these problems.

Catherine Anne Rexford, 25, Alaska Native Education Program, Future Alaska Native Educator Network, & I–uit Circumpolar Youth Conference, Alaska, USA.
"This experience humanized the stories I'd previously heard only through the news. I now recognize that the world and the people working to make our communities healthy and sustainable are not so distant. The Jammers have truly inspired me. Their determination, passion, strength and struggles have and will continue to impact my work as an indigenous activist. It has been a fantastic environment in which to grow and open a new scope of reality in my work and my life."
An Iñupiaq from Northern Alaska, Cathy's activism in writing, speaking and organizing all focus on the principles of Indigenous education, languages and self-determination. Through the Alaska Native Education Program, she is part of an eight-village project that is committed to building a strong foundation of cultural identity, pride and esteem for Iñupiaq youth. As founder and facilitator of the Future Alaska Native Educator Network, Cathy is busy supporting Native Alaskan educators and college students, and advocating for the self-determination of Alaska Native children's education. She is also a Council Member of the Iñuit Circumpolar Youth Conference, an arm of the Iñuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC). The ICC works on Iñuit unity, rights, and interests; safeguarding the Arctic environment; and seeking full and active partnership in the political, economic, and social development of circumpolar regions. Finally, she is a member of United Iñuit Youth of Alaska, a statewide organization dedicated to the well being of Alaskan Iñuit communities.

Akinbo Oluwaseyifumni Kikelomo, 28, Writer, COPPED, Lagos, Nigeria
"I have always believed there are more bad people in this world than good people. There is no doubt that the Jam provides an opportunity to meet SOME REALLY GOOD PEOPLE. And when I meet such people, I hold on tight. Humanity revolves around the Jam. It makes me realize that I should forge on to pull others up everywhere I go. My eternal thanks goes to everyone who made it possible for me to attend the Jam."
Seyi, a Yoruba of western Nigeria, is a member of the Nigerian Committee for the Protection of People's Dignity, abbreviated before translation as COPPED. This organization focuses in political awareness and leadership, particularly among Nigerian youth. In addition to being coordinator of the organization's quarterly youth camps, Seyi contributes to seminars on the evolving democracy in Nigeria; media, law and advocacy education; computer training programs, and is editor of most of the group's publications. Currently active with Musical Society of Nigeria, Nigeria Conservation Foundation, Pencircle Unilag, Association of Nigerian Authors, and International Society of Poets, she hopes to eventually create an organization working for Nigerian children's rights. Seyi was nominated as world amateur champion by the international society of poets.

Sharon Rosenberg, 29, Israel Palestine Center for Research and Information, Jerusalem, Israel
"For me, the Jam was a healing process. I will carry the smiles, the laughter, the songs and the music through the challenging times that will inevitably come. Each person in the Jam touched my soul in the most profound ways imaginable."
Sharon's extensive background in activism stems from her teenage years. Initially concerned with a variety of issues internal to Israel, she became dedicated to Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking following the assassination of Prime Minster Yitzak Rabin. Currently Sharon is Assistant to the Directors and Manager of Peacemaking Projects for Israel Palestine Center for Research and Information (www.ipcri.org). Founded in 1988, this non-profit is a cooperative Israeli/Palestinian public policy think-tank. Organizational goals focus on public policy development aiming to advance peace and create sustainable mechanisms for ongoing cooperation between the two states and within the region as a whole. She is also undergoing group facilitation training, specializing in Palestinian-Israeli encounters, through the Neve Shalom Peace School, and volunteering with Beselem, a human rights monitoring project in the West Bank and Gaza.

Amir Farmanesh, 24, Iran Center for Future Research & United Nations Environment Program/Regional Office for Asia and Pacific, Tehran, Iran
"The Jam gave me a light which I will use to try to enlighten others."
Amir, who describes his country as being in a dangerous and hard process of democratization, is working hard to promote peace and sustainable development both nationally and internationally. Within Iran, he was a mayoral advisor in Tehran, project manager of Parliament of Iran Research Center, on the National NGOs and Youth Committee of Iran Trade Bank, a founding member of Iran Civil Societies House, a founding member of Iranian Youth NGOs Network, national co-coordinator for Youth Employment Summit, and president and founding member of Iran Center for Future Research. Internationally, he has done a variety of work, particularly with the United Nations Environment Program (and is an ex-member of UNEP Youth Advisory Council). Also he was selected as a member of Global Youth Advisory Committee (for Conference of NGOs in Consultative Status with United Nations). Presently, he is spending six months with the United Nations Environment Program/Regional Office for Asia and Pacific (UNEP/ROAP) based in Bangkok, Thailand.

Basel Abusaid, 27, Euro-Mediterranean Youth University, Paris, France
Basel was born and raised in Palestine. His long history of working for peace and justice includes coordinating and directing several youth movements and organizations in the Middle East and Europe. Currently, he is Youth Coordinator of the Immigration Actions Network - ATMF, and International Coordinator for RAJ - Leo Lagrange (a French popular education movement, in cooperation with a large European and Southern network). Basel is also responsible for the preparation of the Euro-Mediterranean Youth University, a project aspiring to create an intercultural space for young people and youth NGOs. It proposes to have training courses, workshops and seminars focusing on Euro-Mediterranean youth cooperation, common youth policies (socially, economically, politically) and building partnerships regionally and sub-regionally.

Fabrice Devaed, 23, Ajom Diaspora, Paris, France
"The World Youth Leadership Jam 2003 in India was an experience that I wish everyone could have. I believe that no school in the world could teach what I have learned at this Jam."
This French Afro-Caribbean has been a longtime activist for the student movement throughout the French West Indies. At the age of 16, he was elected to represent and defend the rights of Guadeloupe and Martinique's students at French Guiana Academy. From that moment on, he played an instrumental role in the eventual reformation of high schools within the French territories. A graduate in International Studies and Political Science, he worked for a congresswoman in Washington DC, worked with the United Nations, and currently works for a congressman in France. He is president of Ajom Diaspora, which promotes Afro-Caribbean culture on an international level.

Tiana Lins, 25, Aracati, Sao Paulo, Brazil
"What could help someone working in an environment of oppression, greed, and violence? What could help in moments of weakness? What could prevent the loss of hope and love? The Jam was an opportunity to raise these questions and to build a strong link between people of different initiatives and different cultures. It is a link that allowed each participant to realize the beauty of life."
Tiana was born in Salvador Brazil, where she started working in the social field in the CISV - Children International Summer Village - as local Director at age 15. She is co-founder of Aracati, which helps people develop through a group process of social mobilization. In this process people are invited to discover their inner beauty and power to change by interacting with one another and discovering, together, what they can do for their community. One of the projects developed by Aracati is Gincana da Cidadania that helps young people to observe their surroundings and bring about some change in partnership with their school and community. This process is coordinated with media outreach, other initiatives from the local society and government.

the facilitators:

Shilpa Jain, 26, Shikshantar, Rajasthan, India
Shilpa is a learning activist with Shikshantar: The Peoples' Institute for Rethinking Education and Development, based in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. Shilpa has conducted research, written books and articles, and facilitated workshops on topics ranging from globalization, life expressions, ecology, democratic living, gender, innovative learning, walkouts and unlearning. She loves learning with/from children and youth, and has extensive experience doing so around self-esteem, creativity, collaboration, identity and conflict resolution. Her other interests include pottery, dance and organic farming. Shilpa is also on the advisory board of the Multiworld Network, a recently launched effort to decolonize knowledge and recover diverse ways of making meaning.

Coumba Toure, 30, Institute for Popular Education, Bamako, Mali
Coumba is coordinator of the Youth Leadership Program at the Institute for Popular Education in Mali and an activist for women's empowerment. She has facilitated hundreds of educational workshops and speaks regularly at college campuses and conferences internationally. She also collaborates with 21st Century Youth Leadership Movement to organize exchanges between African-American youth from the southern United States and African youth from throughout West Africa. Coumba is an educator and member of the pedagogique team at Popular Education in Mali, where she coordinates the international exchange program. She also organizes women's groups. Coumba has developed and facilitated hundreds of educational programs for social change with children, youth, and adult on a wide range of subjects, such as: peace and conflict resolution; HIV/AIDS; Africa and the African Diaspora; globalization, etc. She is a storyteller and a writer.

Ocean Robbins, 29, Youth for Environmental Sanity (YES!), California, USA
Ocean founded YES! at 16, and has served in a leadership role with YES! for 12 years. He is co-author of Choices for Our Future, has spoken in person to 200,000 high school students, and has facilitated 32 week-long camps for young activists from 45 countries. He has served as a board member for Friends of the Earth, The Tide Turning Coalition, and EarthSave International. He was honored in E Magazine's Kid Hero's Hall of Fame, and was recently selected by Utne Reader as one of 30 Young Visionaries.

Evon Peter, 27, Native Movement, Alaska, USA
Evon is the youngest ever chief of the Neetsaii Gwich'in tribe of Arctic Village, a remote village in northern Alaska accessible only by small plane. His primary responsibility, which is the well-being of his tribe, entails recovery from the impacts of colonization and bridging relationships with the contemporary global community. Revitalization and sustainability of language, culture, ecology and world-view are fundamental to this effort. Evon is a well-recognized advocate of indigenous peoples' rights and responsibilities, and is active as a speaker and facilitator within the Alaskan, national and international communities. He and his wife, Enei, have recently founded Native Movement, a support network and organizing point for indigenous people.

 

on-site assistant staff:

Jamie Schweser, 30, Active Element Foundation, New Orleans, Lousiana, USA
Jamie is the coordinator of the Peace Through Justice Donor Circle, a national group of young people with wealth who work together to learn about and fund grassroots social change activism. Jamie also founded Cheddar for Change, a cross-class funding collaborative in New Orleans. When he's not working on philanthropy, he tutors kids, sells his self-published books on the street, and works with prison-abolition activists across the South.

Kavitha Rao, 28, Common Fire & Camp Rising Sun, New York, USA
After spending two years traveling to and writing about countries often overlooked in US textbooks, Kavitha compiled her writings on culture, critical issues and grassroots movements into an educational website (www.worldtrek.org). She then co-founded Common Fire, a non-profit dedicated to the training, inspiration and rejuvenation of young change-makers from around the world. Her commitment to youth leadership is furthered through her participation in Camp Rising Sun, an organization aspiring to develop sensitive and responsible leadership skills in youth. She also works extensively with Fellowship of Reconciliation, an interfaith organization that seeks to replace violence, war, racism, and economic injustice with nonviolence, peace, and justice.

 

2003 world jam guest presenters include:

Dr. Vandana Shiva
Dr. Shiva is founder of Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology (http://www.vshiva.net/) and many other organizations. She is a renowned author of 13 internationally best-selling books and a visionary leader of the movements for food security, local self-determination, the health of people and the planet, and women's rights. Dr. Shiva was selected by Asia Week magazine as one of the five most powerful people in Asia.

Samdhong Rinpoche
A scholar, statesman, and deeply spiritual monk, Venerable Samdhong Rinpoche believes in Mahatma Gandhi's satyagraha, or non-violent freedom struggle, as a necessary means to obtain a resolution to the Tibet issue. He is Chairman of the Tibetan Cabinet-in-Exile, contributor to the Constitution for a Future Tibet, member of several organizations including: the Board of the Indian Council for Philosophical Research, the Asiatic Society of Calcutta, The Krishnamurti Foundation in India, the World Peace Council, Central Institute for Buddhist Studies, Nav Nalanda Mahavihara, University Grant Commission of India and the Association of Indian Universities.

H.H. Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji Maharaj
Swami Chidanandji Maharaj is President of Parmarth Niketan Ashram (www.parmarth.com), one of the largest Ashrams in India. Also the founder/chairman of India Heritage Research Foundation (an international non-profit humanitarian organization), he has been awarded Hindu of the Year, the Mahatma Gandhi Humanitarian Award, and International Man of the Year. His dynamism and selflessness are the driving force behind innumerable schools, hospitals, ecology programs and youth/education services. He is the inspiration behind numerous temples around the world.