Support is needed for four incredible young Australians/New Zealanders to travel to Sweden and participate in The International Youth Initiative Program (YIP).
“YIP’s unique contribution is to strive to bring the creative energies of young people into direct contact with the needs and aspirations of local communities. Through this engagement, YIP facilitates the growth and development of both the young people and the communities in which they develop their activities.” – www.yip.se
Investing in young people with initiative, and in the future.
Seed Australia is heading up this funding for Grace James (21), NZ, Mareike Andersson (20) AUS, Paolo Apostilides (27) AUS, and Poppy Zanderigo (18) AUS, to follow their calling and pursue a new kind of education in order to develop themselves and their capacities to meet the world in all its complexities.
The International Youth Initiative program (YIP) offers the kind of inquiry, study, community, and practical experience that are essential to enable young people to take responsibility for their own development, to develop new faculties and insights with which to meet the challenges of today’s world and to find their own meaningful place within it out of freedom.
All the applicants mentioned above have demonstrated their capacity and strong wish to take hold of the content and experiences of the YIP program through their valuable and active contributions to initiatives such as the Christian Community, Moral Technologies, community art activities and much more.
Why I want to go to YIP?
My name is Grace James, I have a reverence for nature. I must first and foremost mention this because it is the central point of who I am. I am astounded to be a part of the earth, to have life flowing through me, and to be able to watch the seasons pass so beautifully. Fruit falls from trees and all kinds of nourishment crops up, then decomposes. Because of this reverence, I am a passionate gardener.
So how do nature lovers survive this man-made world? Art is what helps me survive. I have a saying that there are certain kinds of longing only music can fix and there is a certain kind of joy only dance can express. So I ride through life taking all the feelings I feel and writing, painting, dancing and singing them out. I am part of different movements bringing people back into connection with themselves, their community, and nature. Working with other passionate people to create needed change is fulfilling on so many levels. Not only do I get to make my own contribution, but I also get to learn from people who have different skills, and usually it’s also fun!
I want to learn in a community environment. When I see others grow and change, it gives me permission to grow and change. When I am with people who are learning about the things I’m learning about, we learn from each other’s ideas. When we spend time together and listen to each other, we come to know one another. It’s a gift to be known, as it is a gift to know someone.
I want to learn in an environment that values the students and teachers fully. Seeing that without one we could not have the other, I want to learn in a way that empowers me to create change in this world where I see change is needed. I think YIP will give me the tools I need to go out into the world and create a world that needs me in it.
You can donate to Grace James’ YIP journey online at: https://www.gofundme.com/288ct6bg
or
Anthroposophical Society in NZ
Account: 38-9005-0416444-01
Please be sure to provide details of your name and to whom it is directed.
If you would like to donate to Grace personally please contact her at: gracemayajames95@gmail.com
The approximate costs of attending YIP for the full 10 month program can be broken down to:
$16,600 – Course fee (and application fee) including food (weekdays only), accommodation, internship costs and materials
$2,000 – Return flights to Sweden
$2,400 – $60 p/w covering weekend food and local travel
$21,000 – Total
The applicants are currently working full time to save money, have family financial support and are applying for loans in order to raise the amount they need to participate in YIP.
What is YIP?
The International Youth Initiative Program (YIP) is primarily concerned with strengthening the capacity of young people to take an active role in fostering positive cultural, social, environmental and economic change that will benefit all sections of society and eliminating social injustice, poverty and inequality. YIP is global in scope and international in concept and sees real benefits in bringing young people together from all parts of the world to reflect on the meaning and impact of globalization. YIP pays tribute to young peoples’ potential and ability as cultural creatives within local communities and society at large.
YIP is an action-oriented venture that seeks to provide young people with opportunities to recognize their potential to work with each other and with communities to enrich their lives and the lives of all those with whom they come into contact.
YIP is rooted in an understanding and is aimed at furthering comprehensive sustainable development through a commitment to social harmony and the importance of local solutions to local problems, with the full involvement of local communities.
YIP’s unique contribution is to strive to bring the creative energies of young people into direct contact with the needs and aspirations of local communities. Through this engagement, YIP facilitates the growth and development of both the young people and the communities in which they develop their activities.