My World – Exploring cultures through film

Do you work with young people who have strong views? Given half a chance, would they like to change their community for the better?  If your organisation encourages young people to see their world through others’ eyes then this kind of project could suit you.

My World was a project that encouraged young people to explore, share and voice their concerns about some of the issues that matter most to them through film making.

The project involved taking 28 young participants from the UK and Denmark and bringing them together in the Lea Green Conference Centre in Matlock for seven extraordinary days. There they worked, using film, to explore ways of bringing about  much-needed social change in their communities.

It was a great opportunity for the young people to talk about themselves, the places they come from, and the particular social challenges they face – and, at the same time, for them to learn from the experiences of others.

During the week the young participants worked with politicians, the media, campaigners and creative practitioners in a series of structured team-building workships, debates and cultural visits that encouraged dialogue and built the start of their campaign.

They also worked together to present a public event at which they were able to share their ideas through film, debate and performance.

It was a special opportunity for participants to make new friends and develop new skills, as well as to extend their horizons by living and working alongside young people from very different cultures.

And as if all that were not enough, everyone ended the week with a whole range of new talents and experiences to add to their CV. If you’d like to create opportunities like these for your young people find out more about Youth in Action today.