Youth Purpose Summits are active, hands-on youth workshops organized by World Leadership School and hosted by a particular school. Each YPS welcomes emerging high school student leaders from different schools to come together to explore and share their perspectives and contribute to a dialogue about how to make a difference in the world. Youth Purpose Summits are often run simultaneous to a Global Gathering, so that teacher and students can learn in separate spaces and then come together to share ideas and inspiration. The name for our youth events changed to Youth Purpose Summit from Youth Action Accelerator in the spring of 2020.
School this year has been stressful for me. After this morning, I feel like I have a path to follow that I am excited about. Thank you!”
-Student, Youth Action Accelerator 2018
The first Youth Action Accelerator was held in New York City in May, 2018 and subsequent events have been held in Baltimore, MD, and Dallas, TX. To learn more watch these student-made videos:
SAMPLE AGENDA
Community Sharing (30 minutes)
In this session, students from a diverse range of schools share their perspectives and views on their role in the world. Sometimes we have a youth panel to set up themes for the day.
Intro to Purpose (30 minutes)
We learn what purpose is and how it helps us learn deeper and better manage stress. We will also learn how rapid changes in our world are sparking schools to explore greater purpose in learning.
Calling Cards (30 minutes)
This interactive exercise helps us explore our natural gifts.
Golden Thread ( 1 hour)
This storytelling activity allows us to explore our lives, while our listening partner helps us see patterns.
Lunch
Purpose Mapping ( 1 hour)
After crafting a purpose statement, we are ready to commit to daily practices, make some goals, and recruit a personal “sounding board” to help us stay on track.
Share Out
We close with a chance to share our dreams and goals, sometimes with a larger group of teachers. We will also be inspired by exciting new trends in learning to help students explore the two critical questions of purpose: “Who am I?” And “How do I connect to the world?"
In this session, students from a diverse range of schools share their perspectives and views on their role in the world. Sometimes we have a youth panel to set up themes for the day.
Intro to Purpose (30 minutes)
We learn what purpose is and how it helps us learn deeper and better manage stress. We will also learn how rapid changes in our world are sparking schools to explore greater purpose in learning.
Calling Cards (30 minutes)
This interactive exercise helps us explore our natural gifts.
Golden Thread ( 1 hour)
This storytelling activity allows us to explore our lives, while our listening partner helps us see patterns.
Lunch
Purpose Mapping ( 1 hour)
After crafting a purpose statement, we are ready to commit to daily practices, make some goals, and recruit a personal “sounding board” to help us stay on track.
Share Out
We close with a chance to share our dreams and goals, sometimes with a larger group of teachers. We will also be inspired by exciting new trends in learning to help students explore the two critical questions of purpose: “Who am I?” And “How do I connect to the world?"
DETAILS
- Youth Action Accelerators are open to high schools students from a diverse range of schools
- Each student must apply online here and will be notified of acceptance within 7-10 days
- A small reading, along with videos, will be sent out in advance of the session to help students prepare
- The event is free and funded with sponsor support
