Registration for the 2011 Global Youth Forum (GYF) opened last week! We’re looking forward to welcoming friends from near and far to Kansas City, Missouri, home of PTPI’s World Headquarters.
Will you join us, or encourage the students in your life to sign up? The early-bird deadline (with discounted rate) is May 31, 2011. Full and partial-tuition scholarships for the Global Youth Forum are available. Applicants should submit their applications no later than July 5, 2011.
If you’re unsure about what to expect, read about Madalyn Grimm’s experience – she attended the GYF for the first time last year, after participating in a People to People Student Ambassador travel program:
Madalyn (center) and fellow GYF delegates presenting their public service announcement on global health issues
When signing up for the 2010 GYF, I already knew I was in for something good. People to People is a fantastic organization and has already given me fantastic experiences and friendships that will likely last a life time.
I didn’t know much about the GYF when I registered. I knew it would probably be a great experience and I’d make a few friends. I walked into the hotel where the GYF was being held, and another student came up and made instant friends with me. We explored the hotel, she introduced me to friends she had met at previous GYF’s, and I felt right at home and part of the group within a matter of hours.
I didn’t think my whole world view could change in four days, or that I could make best friends with someone in that short time… but I was happily proven otherwise. The GYF is something you have to experience for yourself to understand fully.
What I loved most was that there was no judgement. I am often the subject of ridicule or dirty looks when I express my opinions or talk about the causes I’m into, but at the GYF, everyone around me was all ears when I opened my mouth. And even when people disagreed, they still enjoyed taking part in a conversation. And thats another thing – there was a constant flow of conversation! Thats something I love.
We were encouraged frequently to express our opinions and thoughts. The leaders didn’t encourage us to be smart and independent – but instead let us know that we already are, and that our opinions, insight, and actions are valuable. I left the GYF feeling great about myself because of that. My self esteem has never been higher. And not only did they make me feel like I could make a difference, during the GYF we all got out there and actually did make a difference. The humanitarian project we worked on was incredible. I left feeling like we had really accomplished something and it made me want to accomplish even more.
Its my dream to live my life as an activist. Many of the things I dream about doing seemed hard to achieve, but the GYF showed me that not only can I achieve them, I can achieve them right now. Making a difference in the world is not something that has to wait till adulthood. As far as my future goes, I feel that much of what I learned at the GYF will get me to where I want to be in the world. And not only did I learn some amazing lessons and come to new understandings, but I made some irreplaceable friends. The GYF is truly a priceless experience.
-Madalyn Grimm
You can contribute to the development of empowered, global-thinking future leaders by financially supporting the Global Youth Forum. Your donation will allow more students to attend this important conference. Your donation is an investment in the future. Donate today at www.ptpi.org. Please note that your donation is for the GYF.
To learn more about People to People International, visit www.ptpi.org
