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The Transgenerational Leadership session, part of the Special Olympics Virtual Global Youth and Educators Summit 2024, left attendees inspired and empowered. The session, held in collaboration between Special Olympics and the Global Nomads Group (GNG), showcased the incredible power of youth and educators. Young Leaders In a dynamic and engaging manner, these young presenters delivered tangible, actionable content that not only provided valuable insights, but also fostered skill development among their peers and adult mentors around the world.
“Planning this show was a wonderful experience. The young designers brought so much valuable knowledge and insights into inclusion and how it intersects with disability and ageism.”
Kat McIntosh, Content Creation Lab Program Coordinator at GNG
The young designers brought a depth of understanding and commitment to the session, enriching the overall experience for all participants.
A key theme of the session was the focus on the benefits of partnering with youth-focused organizations. Such collaborations provide an excellent opportunity to scale and maximize impact. While aligning beliefs and norms across different organizations can take time and effort, incorporating social inclusion into these partnerships lifts everyone up.
“As young people engage in the process of socialization in a world filled with injustice and power imbalances, they are in a unique position to question the ways in which things are done and the mental models that adults use to explain injustice in the world to themselves,” Macintosh explained. “Their lived experiences serve as a mirror to societies, and the more they share these experiences with the generations that came before them, the more older generations can work to improve the legacy they leave behind.”
The session highlighted the importance of adults and youth working together, and promoting intergenerational learning. This collaboration allows people of all ages to share their experiences, knowledge and skills, thereby strengthening intergenerational relationships and enhancing legacy. “We hope that people will come away from the session with an understanding of why we need to address structural and attitudinal disability and age discrimination and how we can address them,” McIntosh added.
Instead of the usual focus on names, titles, and locations, youth leaders provided descriptions of the images. These accommodations ensured full participation for individuals with visual impairments, setting a new standard for reducing barriers in virtual engagement.
The young leaders’ professionalism and attention to detail was evident throughout their presentation. They approached their roles with pride and a strong sense of responsibility, carefully preparing and strategically thinking through every aspect of their contributions. This dedication was evident in their well-organized session, where presentation responsibilities were evenly distributed, exemplifying the power and effectiveness of collaborative leadership.
McIntosh noted how quickly the young people absorbed new information during the design process, as well as their ability to put that knowledge into practice. “We appreciated the way the audience recognized the diverse perspectives our young designers shared during our session,” he said.
The session was a testament to the potential and impact of youth-led initiatives. It not only highlighted the importance of inclusion and partnership, but also demonstrated how youth leaders can drive meaningful change through thoughtful and strategic engagement.
Learn more about Global Nomads Group and Content Creation LabWatch the entire session and any of the other 15 sessions from Virtual Global Youth and Teachers Summit.
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