Youth Conferences around the world:

Youth Conference in San Diego Calif.

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Large contingents of youth attended the conference from the City Heights and Linda Vista neighbourhoods in San Diego. A 15-year-old from Linda Vista shared, “We’re all excited to be here, we’re energetic, and we have so many people from our community here so we’re all happy.” She added, “We’re all youth and we have this concept in our heads: a concept of hope and of serving through the Word of God. We tried to understand what the conferences were going to be about and we took time to prepare in advance.”

http://news.bahai.org/community-news.../sandiego.html __________________
 
Youth Conferences in New delhi

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New Delhi Youth Conference
India | 4-6 October 2013

On the grounds of the “Lotus of Bahapur”, the continental House of Worship in India, 400 young people from Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan joined 1,500 of their peers in New Delhi—making a total of 1,900 youth— who participated in a youth conference from 4 to 6 October to consider how their generation could lend further impetus to a process of community building that has been steadily gaining momentum over the past ten years.

In New Delhi, the community has been fully immersed in a process of collective transformation at the heart of which are conversations with friends and neighbours revolving around the study of the Word of God, cultivating a thirst for understanding, and a desire to serve humanity. In the neighbourhoods surrounding the Temple, individuals, communities, and institutions are collaborating by the hundreds to translate the vision of Bahá‘u’lláh into a reality for the city’s approximately 22 million inhabitants. At the forefront of this systematic effort is an expanding number of youth who are devoting themselves to nurturing the spiritual and intellectual development of children and young adolescents. This was clearly evident in the profound discussions, enhanced by practical experience and reflection, that took place during the conference. One participant who had been teaching a class to develop spiritual qualities in children for the past year said, “To bring about transformation in society, it is important that we educate the younger generation, both materially and spiritually.” This youth went on to describe how, since teaching spiritual principles in her classes, she had seen the children develop much more caring behaviour with one another— speaking to each other with love and kindness and being more inclusive when playing, so none were made to feel left out.

New Delhi, India Youth Conference - Bahá'í World News Service
 
Youth Conference in Daidanaw Myanmar

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Daidanaw, a village in the district of Kungyangon, Myanmar, stretches a few kilometres on either side of a main road that runs through numerous other similar villages. Around the turn of the twentieth century, the entire village, attracted to Bahá’u’lláh’s vision for a world founded on justice and unity, embraced His Teachings and began applying them in their lives. ‘Abdu’l- Bahá, living in Haifa at the time, was so happy to hear the news of the people of Daidanaw recognizing the universal truth in Bahá’u’lláh’s Writings that He described it as “His village”. Some 100 years later, over 500 youth gathered in “His village” from 4 to 6 October, inspired by the same Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh and sharing a desire to further advance their efforts in contributing to the betterment of the world.

Daidanaw, Myanmar Youth Conference - Bahá'í World News Service
 
Youth Conference in Brasilia

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After months of preparation, the expectations of the organizers of the youth conference in Brasília were pleasantly exceeded when nearly 800 youth from the Central-West, North, Northeast and Southeast regions of Brazil arrived at the venue, a conference centre surrounded by lush greenery.
The spirit of collaboration that characterized preparations for the conference was demonstrated by one group from a neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro. Some of their youth were not able to afford the cost of travel, but others in the community helped to raise money by selling crafted purses, organizing movie screenings, and celebrating Festa Junina, a Brazilian folk festival.


Brasília, Brazil Youth Conference - Bahá'í World News Service
 
Youth Conference in Chad

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The central African country of Chad is a rich tapestry of diversity. From arid deserts in the north to lush tropical lowlands in the south, where nearly 50 inches of rain falls between May and October, it is also home to a wide variety of cultures and peoples speaking nearly 100 languages and dialects. This diversity was beautifully displayed from 2 to 4 August, when 1,200 youth from across the country gathered in Sarh to discuss how to walk together in a common path of service.


In choosing the location for the conference, the organizing committee faced several challenges, not the least of which was when, several weeks before the gathering was to be held, the original estimate of 500 participants dramatically expanded to over 1,000. But with characteristic determination, the organizers adapted, making the necessary arrangements.


Sarh, Chad Youth Conference - Bahá'í World News Service
 
Youth Conference in Lucknow, India

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Uttar Pradesh—known as the heartland of Hindi—is the most populated state in India. It was there, from 11 to 13 October, that nearly 2,000 young people from over 200 localities came together for the youth conference in Lucknow, India. The energy of so many young souls gathering to consult on themes related to the period of youth, the importance of spiritual education, and contributing to the advancement of civilization was profoundly moving.


Even with such large numbers, it was possible to create an atmosphere in which all felt supported by one another to participate. Every session started on time, with a spirit of cooperation and joy among volunteers and participants. Over the course of three days, in workshop groups sometimes numbering 80, youth shared ideas and exchanged insights with one another, each listening respectfully to the contributions of their peers.

Lucknow, India Youth Conference - Bahá'í World News Service
 
Youth Conference in Port Dickson, Malaysia

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The youth conference in Port Dickson got off to a high-spirited start as participants assembled early in the morning in the auditorium of a conference hotel on the south-west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. This small scenic coastal town, normally a tropical and tranquil holiday destination, was host to 1,150 like-minded youth, gathered to explore the ways in which they can contribute their talents and energies to efforts that are conducive to the progress of their communities.
The main hall was unable to cope with the overflow of participants and many were led to a space nearby, well equipped with chairs and a live video feed.



While they waited with anticipation for the programme to start, a video of the youth conferences that have been taking place around the world was shown, and the participants applauded and cheered at photos of friends from the conference in Bidor that had taken place the week before. The opening ceremony took off with youth entering the hall performing a traditional stick dance accompanied by a style of music that fused a diversity of genres. The conference theme song named "Belia Boleh" ("Youth Can") followed, and there was a devotional period with prayers and songs in English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil.

Port Dickson, Malaysia Youth Conference - Bahá'í World News Service
 
Youth Conference in Istanbul:

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Those gathered reflected deeply on concepts such as the contribution youth can make to the advancement of society and the unique characteristics and capabilities of those younger in age. For many, it was the first time they were given the space to participate in a focused discussion about the way in which their actions could make a profound difference in a world of turmoil and injustice. It signified a turning point in their perception of society and their role in it, as they enhanced their understanding of how seemingly simple activities, carried out in a spirit of selfless service, can contribute to a larger process of transformation.

“I think this conference is precious because we have gathered to share our ideas and understanding,” said one participant. He added, “Here we have a chance to hear what others think and to reflect on our great purpose in life.” The participants were inspired by a new awareness of the unique capacities of youth – contrasting with the all too common notion of it being a troubled period of life or, at best, a time of waiting for future responsibilities. One youth shared “I feel more confident now because I see that I am not alone on this path. I see that there are many other young people like me, who have the same sense of purpose in life.”

Istanbul, Turkey Youth Conference - Bahá'í World News Service
 
Youth Conference in Cartagena, Columbia

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October 5th-7th

Participants had been preparing for months to attend the conference in Cartagena, the last of the gatherings in the Americas. Some youth visited friends and studied the 8 February 2013 message of the Universal House of Justice and, in doing so, reflected on the role of young people in contributing to the advancement of civilization. Others raised funds to attend the conference by making and selling lunches and Colombian sweets in their community. Youth from Capuré, in the Amazon region of eastern Venezuela, travelled down the Orinoco River by boat, followed by a 17-hour bus trip to the city of Barquisimeto in central-west Venezuela before continuing on to Cartagena. Their entire trip took three days.

Cartagena de Indias, Colombia Youth Conference - Bahá'í World News Service
 
Youth Conference in Kuching, Sarawak

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September 14 - 16



Along the banks of the Sarawak River, on the western part of the island of Borneo, lies the city of Kuching, capital of the state of Sarawak. It was there, from 14 to 16 September, that 650 youth, inspired by Bahá’u’lláh’s vision for a world founded on justice and unity, gathered to consult on the ways in which they can contribute to the development of their communities.


Participants wearing beautiful traditional attire formally ushered Continental Counsellors Lori McLaughlin Noguchi and Ircham Hadi Sujadmiko—representatives of the Universal House of Justice—into the main hall of the conference venue. After a moving devotional programme, and a welcome to all the conference participants by region, the song Belia Harapan Dunia (Youth, Hope of the World), which was composed especially for the gathering, was shared:


“Youth are the hope of the world
Building our communities
Fulfilling God’s wish…
Let’s all come together
To nurture the young”

Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia Youth Conference - Bahá'í World News Service
 
Youth Conference in Macao

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In East Asia, over 430 youth from China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Macau, and Taiwan gathered in Macau where they spent three days reflecting on their part in this world-embracing endeavour. In a region so blessed with richness of culture, the gathering was indeed unique and vibrant. On meeting their peers from other countries, the Japanese group was distributing origami doves that they explained to be “symbols of peace from Japan”. The gathering, cosponsored by the Secretariat for Social Affairs & Culture in Macau, the Macau Foundation and the School of the Nations, provided the opportunity for these young people to reflect on ways they could help improve their communities and in turn assist in bringing about a more peaceful world.

Macau, Macau Youth Conference - Bahá'í World News Service
 
Youth Conference in Bolivia

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“I sense a great spirit of service here,” said one participant from La Guardia, a small town just outside the large urban centre of Santa Cruz. “We are anxious to advance our understanding and increase our motivation,” he added, “so that we can return home and serve our communities in a more systematic way.” They had come from nearly all the regions of Bolivia—Beni, Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz, Oruro, Potosí, Santa Cruz, and Tarija—and over half were from the Quechua and Aymara indigenous communities of the high Andean plateaus and valleys.

Cochabamba, Bolivia Youth Conference - Bahá'í World News Service
 
Youth Conference in Vientiane Laos

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From 25 to 27 October, close to 200 young people gathered in Vientiane, Laos, to consult on the ways in which their generation could contribute to the well-being of their villages and neighbourhoods. Such a gathering was a new experience for the country, and in attendance were several government officials, including young officials who participated in a some of the workshop sessions.


A number of themes were explored in these workshops including the importance of education, both material and spiritual, in a community’s development. One participant said that in his village, many of the children are unable to attend school, and after discussing the role of youth in assisting those younger than themselves, he shared his plan to offer classes for these children that would address their academic and spiritual needs. . “It is so special to be discussing education in light of developing spiritual qualities,” said one young person. “Most of the time at school or work we focus on intellectual development.”


Vientiane, Laos Youth Conference - Bahá'í World News Service
 
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