Shilpa Jain's Bio

My YES! Jams
2002 World Jam
2003 World Jam
2004 World Jam
2006 LPSC Jam
2006 World Jam
2007 LPSC Jam
2008 LPSC Jam
2009 LPSC Jam
Jams Micellaneous

Org: Shikshantar / Other Worlds
Location: Udaipur / Berkeley
Website

Bio:

Shilpa is a recent transplant to Berkeley, CA. She spent the better part of the last ten years as a learning activist with Shikshantar: The Peoples’ Institute for Rethinking Education and Development, based in Udaipur, India. Shilpa has researched, written books and articles, facilitated workshops and hosted gatherings on topics ranging from globalization, creative expressions, ecology, democratic living, innovative learning and unlearning.  She had been the main coordinator of the Swapathgami (Walkouts-Walkons) Network for the last five years. She is passionate about dance and music, organic and natural farming, upcycling and zero waste living, asking good questions and being in community. All of her work seeks to uncover ways for people to free themselves from dominating, soul-crushing institutions and to live in greater alignment with their hearts and deepest values, their local communities, and with nature. Shilpa is currently working with YES! (based in Santa Cruz, CA) as coordinator of the Global Youth Leadership Collaborative and co-organizer/facilitator of the Leveraging Privilege for Social Change Jam and the Middle East Youth Leadership Jam.  She also serves as the Education and Outreach Coordinator for Other Worlds, a multi-media movement building collaborative focused on grassroots-led alternatives in economy, ecology, etc.  She is excited about growing new roots and new possibilities in the US after many years away.

"What makes the Jam special is the deep belief and faith it has in human beings, human connections and the human spirit. It trusts us to learn and grow together, in the times, space and paces we each need. It focuses on linking the personal with the systemic in meaningful ways, so we each can appreciate the whole of each other and the whole of ourselves. There is nothing else like this. The Jam rejuvenated me in mind, body and spirit."

Areas of Focus
social justice, environment, cultural bridge building, learning/unlearning, children and youth, consumption, globalization, religion/spirituality

Methods Used
direct action, cross-cultural exchange, media, technology, spiritual healing, social entrepreneurship

Regions I Work In
Asia, Middle East, North America