The Global Youth Parliament

                                        Artist:  Yusuf Lateef

The Global Youth Parliament is an initiative of the partnership between the Bowling Green State University’s International Democratic Educational Institute, Human Values for Transformative Action (HVTA--Toledo, Ohio) and the Centre for Community and Educational Development (Pietermaritzburg, South Africa). This initiative has emerged from our shared commitment to build networks of communication and collaboration between local youth and their counterparts abroad. It is our hope that participation in these types of activities will help groom young people to become Youth Ambassadors for Social Action. As Youth Ambassadors, teens will play an active role in promoting holistic community development as they work to build neighborhoods within which all people feel respected, valued, and safe.

Using HVTA’s signature Community HeARTbeats approach, the insights and visions of participating teens informed and guided the Global Youth Parliament Poster, drawn by local artist, Yusuf Lateef. A large replica of this Global Youth Parliament poster will be installed in the Ujima Park and Garden on 1401 Nebraska Avenue. Youth from Toledo and South Africa planted “seeds for change” in this garden and the Global Youth Parliament art piece will stand as a permanent monument heralding the shared visions of these young people.

We thank the artists who helped our participants explore their ideas through the use of creative expression:

Edgar Ramirez, Angelica Lateef, Nate Masternak, Ben Miller, Corinthia Parker, and Alecia Robinson  

We are grateful for the opportunity to work with Dr. Sharon Subreenduth (seated on the left) of Bowling Green State University--she was our link with our South African visitors.