India Youth Jam is an annual gathering of 30 diverse young change makers from across the country for a powerful week of deep listening, sharing, self-discovery, systemic inquiry and community building. It is a transformative experience; an opportunity to engage deeply with the world and our place in it, apt for those who are working for a thriving, just and balanced way of life for all. It connects the dots of the youth activist movement. We are glad to invite you for the ‘India Youth Jam 2017’ and hope you will find it meaningful to be a part of the event. India has been home to some of the oldest cultures in the world and a long unbroken civilization of enormous depth and breadth, but in recent past, national environment has been traumatizing and challenging for many people, mostly of marginalised identities. Questions about poverty, inequity, corruption, government apathy, lack of planned governance and terrorism constitute media headlines as well as everyday conversations. As India urbanizes rapidly so are its challenges – millions strive in overcrowded areas, infrastructure is inadequate, there is a rise in sexual abuse, violence and intolerance. Simultaneously, million others experience a rural reality afflicted with unemployment, farmer suicides, ecological devastation and corporate bulldozing. Amidst such an environment, young people defying status quo by innovating new ways to transform systemic realities and by building inclusive movements, hold great promise. But amidst such an environment, how can we young people stay in – in relationships, in conversations that matter, in our bodies, hearts and souls? How can we continue to choose love over fear, hope over despair, and connection over separation? The India Youth Jam offers change-makers the platform to build community, the practices and the love-force to stay in, to weather the storms and come out on the other side – more united, whole, and equipped to go forward in friendship and solidarity.
Why ‘Jam’?
In music, a “Jam” is a creative, live gathering of talented musicians who together spontaneously create a new sound whose whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Similarly for us, a Jam is a place where young changemakers co-create ‘music’ with their passion, vision, openness and courage. They bring what they have to the space and create together with no preconceived script. It requires that all the players are present and willing to deeply listen to each other and be with each other, to weave layers of sounds, experience, knowledge and spirit together. In the realness of this connection, magic is created. To date, more than 105 Jams have been held on five continents, bringing together young leaders from more than 85+ nations. The India Youth Jam is also being organized by Jam alumni in India, and is being supported by YES!, a nonprofit organization that connects, inspires and collaborates with changemakers towards creating thriving, just and sustainable ways of life for all. To know more about YES! and previous Jams that have been held, please visit http://www.yesworld.org
If you would like to attend the Jam, please send us your basic information along with the responses to the following questions. Please submit your application latest by 27th January 2017. You can email your application to indiayouthjam@gmail.com alternatively you can also fill the application online at http://www.yesworld.org/indiajam2017/
Warmly,
Sukhmani Kohli, Chandigarh Saud Hakim, Vadodara Roy Jacob, Wayanad Arushi Mittal, Delhi Suyash Saboo, Udaipur Shruti Tharayil, Vizianagaram Contact: indiayouthjam@gmail.com or Arushi – Tel: 9004230532, Shruti- Tel. 09923041281, Suyash- Tel. 09584432882