Here are a few initial observations and highlights from the first two youth gatherings:
- More than half of the participants attended last year’s conference.
- Participants in some groups studied the materials in multiple languages.
- Discussion was dynamic and lively. Some concepts are now understood more deeply than at last year’s conference.
- The groups felt they did not need to address every question in the study materials because they understand that they will be coming back to these concepts again and again in conversation. The facilitators know that the goal is an advance in understanding rather than completion of every section.
- Participants integrated and immediately made new friends quickly with those of all ages, races, backgrounds, and religious affiliation.
- Participants watched parts of Frontiers of Learning and To Serve Humanity. People shared reflections afterward. Last year’s large group reflections on Frontiers of Learning were often conceptual and general. This year all of the youth’s reflections related their own service to what they saw in the clips. One person shared “Last time I saw this video I thought it was totally unrealistic to start a Junior Youth Group in one week, but now I have been a part of a project that started a Junior Youth Group in my neighborhood in one week so I know it is possible.”
- Language about service to humanity and the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh was coherent and unified. The youth seem much more comfortable talking about the transforming influence of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings on their life. This language has been spearheaded by those that are not Baha’is or who have recently become Baha’is. A few highlights from these friends:
- “The teachings of Baha’u’llah have helped me become more comfortable with myself and confident.”
- “I remember when I first met X and heard about the Baha’i Faith – I didn’t know what they were talking about, but now I can see it is so good and it has helped me serve and if everyone can just join us in what we are doing we can transform the community”
- “I heard about the Baha’i Faith in Africa, but didn’t know anything about it. It wasn’t until I moved to the US and I heard X is a Baha’i. Now that I have heard about the Baha’i Faith it is helping me to scale higher and higher heights of service.”
- “Reading these materials has helped me to understand that I need to care for those younger than me and that I can share the word of God with all my neighbors.”
- “When I heard about the Baha’i Faith it transformed my life. I see those around me and every minute they are not sleeping, just trying to serve. I am trying to learn from the Baha’is around me – not just what they say but to see how they are constantly serving and helping others. I have also learned that to teach and start something in your neighborhood you need courage. And also you need accompaniment.”
- Participants have gained much experience in the training institute and in the plan in the last year. The majority of conversations among the returning participants were grounded in examples of service they have had in the field. Activities throughout the past year helped to raise up a cohort of youth who are advancing in service and training. One youth became a Baha’i after last year’s conference became engaged in core activities and neighborhood service, and brought a group of his friends to the gathering near Baltimore.
- The atmosphere was both serious and joyful and there was a sense of empowerment among the participants.