About The Youth Conference
The Adelaide Youth Conference will be based around the study of material that was created by the Baháʼí community for the 114 Youth Conferences held across the world in 2013.
This material, which is based on the teachings of Baháʼu’lláh, aims to elevate the vision of all youth, enabling them to see themselves as young people who have an opportunity to make a contribution to the progress of humanity, generate in them enthusiasm for service and assist them to reflect, to commit, to steel themselves for a life of helping others and making a positive contribution to society.
The Five Themes:
The Period of Youth
The participants are encouraged to reflect on the characteristics that distinguish their generation and on the forces that shape their lives.
We explore the concept of a twofold moral purpose: to attend to our own intellectual and spiritual growth and to contribute to the transformation of society.
We will explore together how a life of service to humanity contributes to a young person living a coherent life and will consider together the environments we interact analysing the forces that either impel us forward or have the potential to slow our personal growth.
Early Adolescence
Having thought about the features of their generation, and the role service plays in their lives, we now look at the period of early adolescence and junior youth.
We examine the characteristics that distinguish this age group, the way they are typically perceived by popular culture, how contrasting these views are from the inherent qualities of this generation, and the forces that exert their influence on young people. The material emphasises the charge which older youth have to help spiritually, morally, and intellectually empower their younger colleagues.
Also discussed are features of the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program and its effect not only on the junior youth but also on those older youth facilitating the program.
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Fostering Mutual Support
During this session we reflect on the importance of fostering an environment of mutual support and assistance among our peers. Through an imaginary dialogue between friends we explore the concept of walking together on a path of service, and reflect on the qualities and attitudes needed to advance together in service to society and to foster true friendship.
We will also explore the quality of our interactions with other youth and how we can support one another more effectively in all aspects of our lives.
Youth and Community Building
This session explores the contribution our generation can make to building vibrant communities that increasingly reflects Baháʼu’lláh’s vision for humanity.
We review the framework for action that guides the efforts of the Baháʼí community and, with the aid of a story, reflect on a number of principles central to the contributions of young people to building communities influenced by the teachings of the Baháʼí Faith. We are encouraged to describe the features of our own communities and reflect on the steps we can make to advance their material and spiritual well-being.
Contributing to the Advancement of Civilisation
This final session enables the participants to see their service to society from the perspective of contributing to the advancement of civilisation building. We review the processes of disintegration and integration that affect society, and the principles of oneness, justice, and knowledge, which are at the heart of a civilisation building. We will reflect on how we contribute to the development of a new society through education and work.