* Give young people a chance, our generation may just surprise you! -- Marc Kielburger

Youth Changing the World?

Is it a Dream or Reality? My answer is Reality.

Some people may doubt it, I won’t.

Here is my vision.

Different people have different dreams. Some of them dream about getting a good education and job, while the others about travelling and enjoying the life. Either is useful.

 When I think about travelling and exploring faraway countries, I usually dream about gaining experience, learning new things, meeting people, establishing contacts that may lead to fruitful cooperation, long-term collaboration and bringing the change to the world we live in.

We assume that one person cannot change the world even if he tries very hard. He needs a strong team of dedicated people with innovative ideas and good leadership skills.

Where can we find them? The answer is very simple: just look around and … here they are – a group of 14 students and 2 adult finalists of the Youth Leadership Program with Azerbaijan.

After four-day stay in Washington DC, the group went to Arizona to take a training course at Arizona State University. The course deals with several aspects on how to become a good leader. From the very beginning the students and their teachers agreed upon the tips for their success. They made the list where “Be Positive, Prepared, Responsible, and Respectful!” are among the essential ones.

The participants discover America, explore the foundation principles of democracy, analyze them and experience what they have learned at their lessons in real life, make decisions, discuss rights and responsibilities, religion and diversity, learn the values of democracy, liberty and freedom. The students have the opportunity to deliberate on very important life issues and improve their critical thinking skills.

Besides all this, all the participants are involved in volunteering/serving at St. Vincent de Paul’s Family Evening Meal. It has been our first experience of serving a hot meal to working poor families whose children enjoyed the opportunity to take part in various activities in the Dream Center with our volunteers.

As the program is still going on I believe that our stay in the USA will be of great value as learning new things, exchanging information on the subject will benefit both our teaching and learning and help us to bring up the generation of informed and responsible citizens and future leaders for the Global World.

I am sure that the Young Leadership Program will help the Youth to achieve their aims in becoming interesting personalities that are universally interested and change the world for a better place to live in.

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”

More learning and less teaching

This is exactly what we were doing today. 

The day started with visiting the Capitol building. There was so much to see and learn that we were hurrying so that not to miss the excursion. The film that they showed us at the beginning was fantastic and the events described there gave us creeps. The moment the film ended everybody had the same question to ask: Where can we get the video? The answer disappointed us as the film was available only in the Capitol.

The sad mood was changed into funny one as soon as we met our guide who was supposed to show us the rest of the building and tell nice stories that went back to centuries. His cheerful manner and ability to interact with people made us laugh and at the same time learn more facts about American History.

As soon as we said "Good Bye" to our guide we went to the Supreme Court where we learned much about Juridical System in the US.

“”The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page”

I guess all people like reading. Some of them like telling the stories, others like writing. When somebody says that creating is not their pair of shoes, we can doubt it and do not agree. 

Today was a great day for both students and adult YLP participants. We were invited to the American Councils where we met Representatives of the US Department of State Sarah Shields , Patrick O’Brien, Desk Officer for Azerbaijan, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Megan Huber, Program Assistant, Office of Alumni Affairs.  The meeting was a success. Everybody enjoyed the conversation as no questions remained unanswered.

After the break the sessions on Storytelling by SpeakeasyDC took everyone back to their homes and made remember real life stories. The students had to tell their partners about their family traditions. The things that they heard were nice, happy and sweet.  Then they had to remember the time when they were in trouble and were able to find their way out. Stephanie told everyone her “Spanish Story” which made us laugh. It was a real workshop and the participants learned how to write their own stories   using classic stories outlines.

The peak activities of the day were visiting Karabakh foundation and the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

"Experience, travel - these are as education in themselves"

Travel broadens the mind 

The Youth Leadership Program  Arizona group that consists of 2 adult and 14 student participants is taking a training program in Washington DC. They explore American History in History Museum; they get to know who Jefferson, Lincoln, and Martin L.King were while visiting their memorials. They discover new things, experience what they learn. They broaden their minds and get ready for becoming future leaders of the country.

Good luck!

Travel doesn't mean only moving and seeing but also touching and experiencing!

Washington Adventures

Youth Leadership Program with Azerbaijan has already started.  

Arizona group  began the trip early in the morning on September, 2.

It took us almost 24 hours to reach our destination.

We are in Washington DC now. Tired, but Happy!

There is so much to do and learn, see and experience!