about YOUTH-LEADER media. services. community. reality game. copyright: Youth-LeadeR 2014 Editor: Eric Nicolas Schneider www.youth-leader.org
Official Project of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development ESD 2005-2014 UNESCO
THANK YOU to all our HeroInes and Magicians, for their stellar commitment to Earth and Life, for living their raw truth, and making this magnificient venture possible through their shining selves, uplifting friendship and colaboration. Special Thanks go to Julia and Emma Mogus of Books With no Bounds, Xiuhtezcatl and Earth Guardians, Lulu's LemonAID Warriors and Rachel Parent, without whose tremendous visual media this venture would not be possible. Epic Hi5's go to Craig and Marc Kielburger, YES!, Jane McGonigal, JKR, and Galadriel, whose gifts shine for us in dark places, when all other lights are fading. Ah贸, Shirt Wearers! Ever forward, for our beloved planet. May Spirit guide our Path. Eric, YL Captain
The HeroInes of Change Generation Rising uniting under the Banner of YL have appeared in media around the globe. Photos are used with their permission, and for the most part from their own web presences. For detailed copyright references visit our website.
CONTENTS USER GROUPS Intro THE PATH OF THE YL WARRIOR The Quest Warriors Clans Actions Credits Levels Seasons Honours YOUR COMPANIONS HeroInes Tribes Magicians EQUIPMENT & MAGIC Media Support and Status Methods and Services Webcasts Value for CVs GETTING STARTED FAQ
USER GROUPS YOUTH-LEADER offers inspirational media, interactive services, events, and groovy ideas of much benefit for young people, teachers, parents, citizens, organizations, visionary donors and investors, public libraries serving the public good and you. The specific program CHANGE GENERATION RISING serves YOUNG PEOPLE > living their true convicitons and values to the fullest > connecting to a world of solutions > surfing on a constant wave of hope and opportunity > taking action on causes they are passionate about > upgrading their school time, knowledge of the world, skills of universal value > making like-hearted friends at home and abroad > getting to know successful adults who continue being alive, true to their values, and following their hearts > discovering avantgarde professional environments > building an epic CV TEACHERS benefit from outstanding young people and their vibrant, interactive student club activities for > learning culture > school atmosphere > subject learning; YL Warriors are 'assistant teachers' > projects and extracurricular activities
Welcome Greetings, fellow warrior! I have the pleasure of making my most ecstatic annoucement ever. Change Generation Rising is going 'live', bringing all the contents, actions and services we have been pioneering over nine years on seven continents (yes, we've been to Antarctica) to the young generation, and into schools all over the planet, in fifteen languages. The best part is, that my shamelessly ambitious vision is flourishing in ways even beyond my vivid imagination. When I sketched Youth-Leader, our HeroInes were toddlers, some not even born. Today, they're sparkling stars on our skies, their lights nurturing millions of hero souls. And now, we are taking this light into the hearts and hands of millions, evoking miracles of positive change. To those of you, who have followed the trails of our heroes since the eon of time, welcome back! To those peeking in for the first time, welcome to a Bright New World! Let me sum up our tale. You know it.
The industrial Titanic is going down the waterfall, pulling apart societal and planetary life systems. The solutions exist. Even the support networks are in place. The problem is: the people don't know. Once they hear about it, they love it, and many take action, causing ripple effects in their communities!
The biggest surprise is that young people can spread these solutions best! The big breakthrough is that all these contents and activities are advocated by UNESCO, and contemporary curricula, fit for use in conventional schools, powered by student clubs! THIS IS WHAT WE ARE UP TO. Together, we can connect humanity's leading, knowledge and practical solutions for creating a global, peaceful, just, thriving and sustainable, a sacred civilization with the young generation - fueled by the science of role models, transformational gaming and in partnership with the grand innovators of our time, the Einsteins of today. Truly, an historic adventure. Before I continue - does any of this sound loonie to you? It sure does not to those already living in thriving changemaker communities... but let's make sure: Have a sip of magic potion: Zap through our Spark Pack videos, witness youth leadership in action and taste the world of awesome. The more you see, the more you'll feel that vivid future pulsing in your veins. Go for it: This knowledge cannot be undone! Once you're hooked on this spirits, turning back to the world of despair and boring means shame any time you look in the mirror. Your only real option will be to join the Quest, and live as a Hero. However, is there another option to truly become ALIVE? Who, if not you? When, if not now? Much fun on the Path!
A FLASH FROM THE YL SPARK PARK
The Power of Youth Leadership Are you a newbie to the 21st century? First moments are magic. Make yourself comfortable, and enjoy the bliss, clicking through the links, or scanning the qr codes. *** Were you aware that this is happening on Planet Earth? That kids, teens, humans have been doing and achieving such, for years? The Spark Pack shows you what's happening with > Youth Leadership > Solutions for a Sustainable Civilization > Weaving it into Education I usually recommend three links for a refreshing surf on the tidal wave of human evolution: www.youth-leader.org/spark www.youth-leader.org/about www.youth-leader.org/you This is our world at YL. It is very real, very beautiful, it's growing, and people across age groups, cultures and regions of the world: "This should be in all schools." So be it. Let's go! Ever Onward! Ever Upward!
We Day http://bit.ly/1p6dVkL
Craig Kielburger http://bit.ly/1p6dQ0a
Lulu, LemonAid Warriors http://bit.ly/1p6e1sq
YES! Gatherings of the finest twen youth leaders around the globe http://bit.ly/1p6eavS
ON ONE PAGE
CHANGE GENERATION RISING IS 1. a global Youth Community, 2. a youth leadership self-Learning Program 3. a Student Club curriculum 4. an epic Reality Adventure Game at the same time. Select your favourite angle of looking at it. The activities and impacts are all the same. The best fun angle is looking at it as a game. For those able to dream Griffindorian and Lothlorien style (and we are many), this holds the highest potential for unbridled creativity, joy, liberation and stepping into one's greatness. From this spot, we can embrace all the other angles - cultivating a changemaking climate. So, here's what we are DOING: YOU TAKE ACTION on supporting, spreading and replicating groundbreaking sustainabilty solutions by outstanding youth leaders and grand changemakers of our time, at home and abroad - using media, methods, meeting some of them, Eric and global Warriors live on video.
Our basic approach is to take 3 Monthly Missions on a Fundraiser, a Quest, and a Social Experiment. Extras and Surprises on top of it. You have access to a wide range of inspirational media, videos, action-kits, teaching tools exhibits, live webcast meetings, partners > for unfolding your Inner HeroIne, evoking cascading changes in your community, involving youth, citizens, organizations, you name it. We've seen it, and you'll see it happen. Completed quests, impacts and headlines made earn you credit points. You ascend levels for three completed missions, evolve precious skills, make extraordinary experiences and contacts - with rich benefits for your personal, idealist and professional paths. Starting as a Warrior, you soon co-found a Clan, set up Base Camp Headquarter at school, involve hundreds, reach out to the public, and interact a lot via internet. Life at school gains a whole different meaning. Exciting, even! A Bright New World is Happening. Dare to be great, and lead a Life of Awesome. This is for real. Are you joining?
THE GREAT QUEST OF OUR TIME We are living in special times. The Dark Age of Unsustainability is nearing its climax. Ecosystems, oceans, the atmosphere are on the edge of collapse, societies are dysintegrating, depression and violence are rising on epidemic scale. Kids are dying from eating a peanut. The old decision-makers are dissolving the very web of life on the planet. However, the Law of the Universe wants it, that at the darkest and coldest of night, arises a new dawn. This time is now. Over a century, the dream of a new age has silently budded in fantasies, tales and legends, making sleeping spirits stir in their dreams. As veils of deception fall from their noble eyes, a golden seed awakening in their hearts, young spirits start rising from she ashes, stripping their minds and bodies from rot, purifying themselves for walking the sacred soils of Lothlorien and halls of Hogwarts, upgrading themselves, learning to wield the new magic, discovering their patronus, and powerfully stepping into their true selves and divine role as planetary servers, inhabitants, stewards, and the heroes co-creating a global, peaceful, just, thiving and sustainable, a sacred civilization. Across Earth, warriors, elves, wizards and beautiful beasts are rising for the grand quest of our time: The Liberation of Paradise! For Abundance for All! This is Change Generation Rising.
YL WARRIORS YL Warrior walk with the grand changemakers on the planet - right now. And with the brightest souls in their region. It is unlikely that you are the only one. Find your fellow elves, wizards, hobbits and magical friends. Now begins an awesome time, of abundance and adventure. As you take action, part of your Clan, you should never forget that YOU are at the centre of your experience. It is ultimately you who is reponsible for > your passion > your priority causes > your inner drive that motivates, propels you upwards > you, who comes up with problem solving ideas > you, who speaks to people, hands over things > your very personal experience in Social Experiments > you, who discovers your special purpose > you, who benefits from the evolving life skills Together, you will achieve tremendous things. Yet, do not be someone who just runs along. Be an active cocreator, gently expanding your limits.
Your Warrior Chronicles
> document your steps and impacts > build an epic CV, of real world value You can become a true heroIne, like the young changemakers you meet here. This has value for your entire lifetime, the next seventy years. This is for real. Dare to be Great!
CLANS YL Clans are groups of warriors - tapping into the obvious superpowers of teams: > more wo/manpower > better visibility > task sharing > more creativity > more complex endeavours > building on collective superskills for managing > fundraisers with ecstatic fun factor > dynamic, interactive exhibits, and your Base Camp > operating as a student club(!) It also adds to > longevity > official status and recognition > ability to receive tax-deductible donations and > identity > locally, at school, and > in yl facebook streams as well as > communication and > team building skills Clan Names are of course a big deal. They should be okay for the public, but worthy of Hogwarts! Your Clan Chronicles document your quests, online. See how vibrant Julia & Emma's page is. BE ON FIRE! STUDENT CLUBS are the perfect format for YL Clans! It's a fundamental aim of Clans to be in school, set up camp, uplift 100's of youth, and live change every day!
THE ACTION For YL Warriors, these special times leave only one natural option. Being their authentic self - beautiful, awesome, crazy, vulnerable and wild - they take tangible action for positive change, and courageously unleash their passion for inspiring and liberating others. For the planet! And we are rocking! We will conquer the media. Giving all that we have, and all that we are, for everything we love." YES!
Basic Missions Fired up to amplify their support base and impacts, Warriors use our various media anyway. However, in early stages, we make the use of YL Media official missions, such as > Exhibits > Video Sessions > Webcast > Basecamp / Headquarter at school We call these YL Core Missions, since they are our fundamental tools for establishing and cultivating a broad changemaking climate in our communities. Then, the Path of the Warrior revolves around 3 missions per month. Expect surprise calls, and unexpected extras. This is the end of boring.
3 Monthly Missions 1. a FUNDRAISER for a mix of YL's and your causes. Cake and cookie stands, vegan feed-ins, philanthro-parties, mini-events, presence on farmer markets, lemonaid stands... everything goes. We have support and ideas. Add some Lulu style sense of adventure by calling out 'girls vs boyz water wars'. Who will raise more funds? 2. a SOCIAL EXPERIMENT upgrading our skills as inhabitants and creators of a civilization of awesome. The hilarious part is the daily blog post about your discoveries, breakthroughs and breakdowns. Participation is optional from two to four weeks, the latter earning more credit points, experience, inner bliss and positive impacts, of course. 3. a QUEST spreading a grand sustainability solution. What kind of solutions? Big stuff! Check out YL HeroInes and Magicians in this booklet. We make it easy, by using the media, tools, methods and advice of the HeroInes themselves. Quests can run for a month, or longer. Once underway, they do not take up much time. You can pursue several quests at once, may inspire a group of youth in love with this particular cause. We categorize Quests in Levels 1-3. It depends on a variety of circumstances, which levels can be achieved in your situation. We will attune to it. As you ascend ranks, you will take on higher levels.
CREDITS How do I earn credits? Basic Credits are earned by completing missions. Extra Credits are earned by extra efforts and impacts, unexpected achievements and ripple effects. Such as, wnen > you achieve huge media coverage > get speaking requests > inspired a new clan > raised an enormous amount of money > achieved an unexpected change of legislation > tackled challenges under unfavourable conditions ... Additional Credits are earned through your own positive change projects - if documented in your Chronicles. After all, we acknowledge all your rocking action! Great changemakers are not limited to YL Actions, right?! You will > meet Warriors whose levels and credits are FAR apart! > find out that levels and credits stand for different spheres of personal experience and skills, both precious, and both indicators of your own completeness. HeroInes come in all sorts of shapes. As a YL Warrior you learn to tell, appreciate, find inspiration, learn and rise together. Mmmh, imagine us doing this for 70 years...
LEVELS You ascend levels by completing 3 Missions. Entering YL requires 3 documented Entry Missions. By this time you know, if this fits in your life. And we know that someone awesome is appearing! LEVEL 0 > ASPIRANT Now you take on 3 official missions. LEVEL 1 > YL WARRIOR Your next 3 missions, with enhanced local visibility, unstoppable, making headlines. It makes you a LEVEL 2 > LOCAL HERO Quite something, after such short time! Already, you are a local role model, possibly receiving speaking requests from schools. Yea, life starts taking off... LEVEL 3 > CLANS FOUNDER Now, you found a clan, your team of fellow warriors! You amplify your impacts. Building on your fresh recognition, you turn the exhibit space into a student-powered learning environment. Your Clan Headquarter! By now, you have joined 12 missions + reached hundreds + changed the lives of many + met heroes + set up camp at school, amazing! Now, your impacts unfold to solid levels of awesome, becoming part of daily life for many. With ease. Off to the next 3 missions. Can you imagine yourself on Warrior Level 7, or 12? Imagine yourself in a few years time. Beyond awesome!
3 Entry Missions explained Our service for you is the first community of true HeroInes, the finest of your generation, all over the planet, and a "brand" for true heroes, opening doors to a life of awesome. That feels awesome, right? So,... (1) Your priority is making positive changes, right? You will have made impacts, and had magical moments. Why care about 'membership' a month earlier or later? (2) What is the value of thousands of inactive members, wasting time, space, pretending to be YL Warriors? We are all here to have an epic time, and benefit from a world premiere community, determined to shape history, serving you as brand and family: Lothlorien, the Fellowship of the Ring, the D.A. - for real. (3) Why is documentation so valuable? Capturing vivid visual impressions, impacts and feedbacks of your actions makes all the difference! Have a look at Julia and Emma's trail on the next page. The photos are all taken from their facebook page. This kind of material serves to inspire and equip followers, journalists and donors with vibrant impressions to reach out to their communties of many thousands. Ergo: * On your entry missions, you're making a real difference, build fundamental Warrior skills, see if it fits in your busy life, and what a beautiful kind of people you'll be with.* Everything in YL, we tune to offer you the most uplifting experience, community and training environment to unfold skills of lifelong value, and living your dreams. Yo. You'll love it ;-)
SEASONS We are timing CG RISING by seasons, tuned to school years. This gives us structure, boosts the thrill of kickoffs and finals, adds a sense of sports, and showtime, which is cool, since both is true: we are making changemaking the new sport, and the most uplifting interactive reality series. Seasons also help us take time off. Still, what speaks against action during holidays? We might as well rock incredible stuff, full-time! Will you walk with our Magicians? We'll love hearing about it.
Continental Champions Seasons are great opportunities for counting coups, credits and celebrating clans and warriors. So be it. We will announce National and Continental Champions! We will also honour champions focussing on themes, such as oceans, peace, water... so - be awesome!
Honours Extra honours exist. Pssst.
Awards and Prizes We don't go hunting for sponsors or gadgets to lure some sleepy kids into YL. We focus on real changemakers, real impacts, real value. However: We are dreaming up magic Hi5s for warriors excelling on Quests, with the Magicians, such as... the "Ban Shark Finning" Quest Champion getting a Shark Dive with Ocean or Julie. Yieeaarrrr, cool stuff ! We may have such surprise prizes, just don't expect them.
HEROiNES You will be interacting with many of the finest young changemakers on the planet, achieving things unlike any teens before in human history. Still, and this is very important to be clear about, they are ordinary kids, simply putting their minds to it what matters to them. Why shouldn't you achieve the same? This is why dozens of youth leaders are uniting under YL's Banner of Light, sharing their ways and magic with their global generation, for seeing their and your solutions take root and thrive everywhere! YOU ARE TAKING ACTION WITH THEM supporting, replicating and introducing their powerful teen-led solutions, using their > media > tools > methods > action-kits > meeting 'live' in webcasts celebrating our achievements, and watching you conquer the media. Just like they do. This is a world-premiere, and it's almost too good to believe, but it's really high time we start rocking! Your biggest challenge: Putting up with being a HeroIne.
TRIBES YL Tribes are amazing youth networks that we are friends with. Some are led by our HeroInes. Each has a special magic, and we share our tools and networks between us and their members. > Earth Guardians > LemonAID Warriors > Water Warriors > Kids Right To Know, ... You will meet them on your missions, social experiments, and webcasts. You may very well join them, or even found local chapters...
MAGICIANS You've met the youth, and they are awesome. Now meet the ones who have walked the planet a little longer. We call them Magicians, because their ways, thoughts and tricks have sparked global movements, and their wisdom teaches us the ways of a sustainable civilization. Meet some of the grand changemakers of our era! Polly Higgins, Great Britain, is advancing a global Law making Ecocide a Crime Against Peace, putting CEO's, heads of state and investors on trial and into prison for "destruction of ecosystems, eroding the well-being of their inhabitants." www.eradicatingecocide.com
John D. Liu, China, documents large-scale ecosystem restoration - like the recovery of the Loess Plateau, China's ancient cradle of civilization, which millenia of unsustainable farming practices had turned into bleak rock, stretching to the horizon. It is once again teeming with vegetation, wildlife and a prospering population. www.whatifwechange.org
Holly Kearl, USA, is leading the global campaign to Stop Street Harassment > Making our streets and public spaces safe and welcoming for girls and women once again. > Deconstruction false and twisted images of gender > Opening the path for unfolding a culture of uplifting togetherness www.stopstreetharassment.org Usha Vishwakarma, India, has started the legendary Red Brigade, training rural girls and young women in martial arts for protecting themselves against rape and harassment. They also provide education. Usha and her courageous friends are one of our Charity Partners. Why? Because big coverage in all the big media in the world have benefitted billions of readers, but not generated support for their monthly operation costs - which are high for rural India, but a joke for urban folks. We intend to change this - since we love seeing their dynamic photo series of battling and beaming girls! http://on.fb.me/1fOf4ph
Paul Watson, Neptune's Captain, is an ardent defender of the oceans and their peaceful majestic creatures against criminal poachers illegally introducing into whale sanctuaries and slaughtering thousands of animals under the eyes of passive governments. His global fleet of Sea Shepherds is putting their lives at risk in live coverage of Whale Wars against Japanese whalers - making their whaling season a complete failure. We are joining their relentless efforts for ending atrocities like the Taiji dolphin massacre, the Faroe Grind and shark finning. Julie Andersen, South Africa, is leading a thriving global flock of Shark Angels, educating an amazed humanity that the image of sharks being aggressive mon-sters is a stupid myth! This grave misunderstanding leads to the killing and finning of 100 million sharks per year, putting the entire ocean ecosystem at risk. Surprisingly, sharks are gentle, even playful creatures that need immediate help and strong protection. Earn your Shark Angel Wings with us, and, when you're ready, swim with them, like Olivia does!
http://bit.ly/1frNygs
youth-leader.org/media
MEDIA & TOOLS You have access to a wide array of media tools in different formats. Many of them for free public download, others in your warrior section, others for self-printing, or for investment by local investors in youth. You know their power of inspiration, and their worldview shifting effect en masse. Hundreds of video clips, many subtitled in 15 languages Poster sets evolving in 15 languages 44 children & youth leaders 44 grand changemakers 44 girls & women 24 peacemakers The epic cardgame, interviews, teaching tools, action kits, coffee table books, music, even a musical! fit for use > at home > in class > as exhibits at school, in public, at events... > on workshops each connected to heroines, causes, and actions These tools are on our site, will appear on facebook, and on your missions. Discover them at your own pace. = You have an abundance of quality equipment.
SUPPORT & STATUS On top of media, email, and live meetings, we support you with > info brochures > letters for teachers > letters for philanthropic clubs > tips for media work and documentation Further helpful aspects and methods include UNESCO Status. Our status as Official Project of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development 2005-2014 is a seal of quality and trust. Multimedia Exhibits establish solid presence at school, involving people and opening a conversation on "What changes would you like to see?" Turning the Exhibit into a long-term dynamic SPACE for student-powered learning and project development Your Clan Camp, hangout and place-to-be for awesome youth. Its value for upgrading learning culture, and for teachers can strengthen your presence and reputation. 'Our New Highly Gifted' is how we define active youth, to nurture recognition and facilitate support by schools not used to integrate changemakers in learning culture. Teachers like the idea! 'About YL' explains it in detail. Official Charity Status is obtainable by registering with Ecoclubes, one of the YL Tribes. This gives you respect, structure and ability to accept tax-exempt donations. YL Clans can do pretty neat things with all this...
METHODS & SERVICES You are not alone! You have lots of support. We have rich info media, and are available by email, have online video meetings (Clans Huddles), plan to meet for real, Warrior Jams and Clans Gatherings. For every Mission, Quest, or Social Experiment > the videos give you a realistic impression > our action tips are straightforward > action-kits have useful materials > interviews provide really deep, detailed insights Many of the awesome things we do are simple, really. They are typical things that we do as student clubs, or youth chapters of organizations. You can do them. After checking the media, you'll feel 70+% ready. After a web video meeting, you'll feel 80+% ready. There always remains an 'open' rest to figure out by yourself. That's the local adaptation part. Hero stuff, part of your challenge, growth, and - your achievement. No one can take this from you!
Webcasts on United Nations Days We organize public webcasts, with a special focus on UN Theme days, like Water, Girls, Oceans, Indigenous People. They are excellent opportunities for organizing exhibits, speaking at school, taking a lesson off, but also for connecting with citizens, organizations, and media.
DOCUMENTATION Use your cell phones and good cameras for shots IN ACTION and SHINING. Be wild, feel good, just rock. pay attention to good lighting, good framing. Fill your page with all the steps of action, hands in the dirt, interaction with people, celebration, and those waterfights! Your Warrior Chronicles also make an amazing CV!
VALUE FOR CVs You don't seriously believe that the kind of young people you see in this publication worry about 'getting a job', do you? Imagine passionately engaging in interdisplinary, intersectorial project development, media work and teamwork over years at school. Your horizons, memories and skills will make you ... like a new level of species. Instead of entering conventional careers for a pay check, kissing up to a boss, our heroInes are shaping their own biographies. Many will be lifelong changemakers, making a living on doing what matters, following their heart, in liberty, Great Spirit providing what they need to fulfill their divine mission. Yep, true Lothlorien style.
GETTING STARTED GET YOUR STARTER PACK & OFF YOU GO! It includes > basic infos. by now, you know most of it > mission task sheets, select your favourite cause > links for online interaction and media downloads > hotline for burning questions As for any Level, give it a month. Have Super FUN! Deliver your 3 Entry Missions Official Warrior Registration happens on our website. Official Clan Registration happens on our website. Registration, onging activities and documentation naturally require photos of real people (YOU!) in action.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS What about my Identity, Public and Social Media? Sticking your neck out as a changemaker makes you visible. You can use first / nicknames on your Clans facebook page. Your location naturally becomes visible through your actions. That's simply part of this life. Does it cost anything? There are no membership costs. Activities involve printing posters and stuff, though. Be creative. A mix of pocket money, fundraisers, parents, support from school, donors and investors in youth leadership balances back expenses and generates resources! It's the full hero program. Is this in any way politically affiliated? No. In the words of Positive News Principles: Politics are too dirty business to qualify as positive news. The politics of today have zero part in a holistic, sustainable civilization. Is this religious, spiritual? Not in a boring or misunderstood sense. In a sense of the sacred,of Lothlorien and Patronus style - yes! In the sense of genuine practices of the ancient warrior, unfolding one's finest virtues - oh yes, very much so! What about ethics, values? Our Ethos & the YL Warrior Pledge are congruent with universal values and United Nations Charters. YL Warriors live by them, and cleanse themselves from anger and inherited, fabricated ideas of difference harmful to the harmonious, peaceful, thriving coexistence on Earth. We reserve the right to deny or cancel membership at any time, without further explanation.
More Questions? Check FAQ online and talk to us.