According to data from the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), since 2009 more than half of reported hate crime in the United States is motivated by racism and Xenophobia. Other motivations reported by the ODIHR include religious discrimination and bias against Muslims specifically. It's no secret that the world is becoming increasingly more afraid of itself. Fear, if history can be any indication, seems to be one of the greatest contributors to separatism on the global scale. In the face of information like this, it's easy to see how many have become cynical about the state of the world. Despite what may appear to be insurmountable odds, one non-profit- in Texas of all places—is challenging the way we look at our fellow humans across the globe.
"The Amala Foundation unites people from all walks of life and inspires them to grow as individuals and as leaders in service to humanity"
Founded in 2001 by humanitarian activist Vanessa Stone, the Amala Foundation has been a light shining in the darkness for more than 4,500 youth worldwide, coming from over 50 different countries around the world. In 2015 I had the opportunity to spend eight months interning with the Amala Foundation, experiencing for myself the impact of the Austin-based organization. During that time, I witnessed more inspiring acts of compassion than I had in my entire life up until that point. With programs that focus on the development of leadership skills in youth, the Amala Foundation seeks to be the change in the world that many could only dream of. This summer I was invited to be a part of one of the Amala Foundation's oldest and most powerful programs: The Global Youth Peace Summit.
Every year, the Amala Foundation receives hundreds of applications from both youth and volunteers from all over the world for its Summit programs, taking place in Austin, Texas and California. For many of them who have been attending these Summits for years, this is something which they look forward to all year. After attending the Austin Summit this year as a member of the support staff, it is easy for me to see why. The 2016 Austin Summit was host to youth from 27 countries, ages 14-18, all coming together with a willingness to learn and practice vulnerability and authenticity. These words, which may seem vague to some, are at the heart of the work that the Amala Foundation does.
I arrived at the Summit on the 14th to begin set up for the week. As soon as I drove up I was immediately greeted by the faces of volunteers both familiar and new to me. Having spent several months away from the Amala community, I was astounded by how much love and attention I received from an organization that sees well over a hundred different volunteers every year. With the youth set to arrive just after around 4 p.m. the next day, there was plenty to do and a great deal of excitement.
One of the biggest tasks at the Summit each year and one that never fails to inspire is sorting through and organizing the donations that come in. This year the Austin Summit was sponsored by a number of organizations including Whole Foods Market, which graciously donated a large supply of bread to feed all the youth that attended. Other key supporters of the Summit include, but are certainly not limited to, The Shanti Foundation for Intercultural Understanding and the Burdine Johnson Foundation. Between these organizations and the 200+ individual donors who contributed to scholarship funds, the Summit was destined to be a success, and that it was.
After setup was finished, the volunteers all gathered together for the first of many "circles" that would happen throughout the week. Being an experience grounded in openness, circles are gatherings in which youth or volunteers meet together to be witnessed by their community. The Amala Foundation firmly believes that one should always stand in their truth, a mantra that I heard many times during my week at Summit. During this first circle, the volunteers were asked to think of, and share if so inspired, a willingness statement for their time at the Summit. Since everyone comes to the Summit at different places in their lives, this was a chance for everyone to level with each other about their hopes and fears. What I heard in that first circle reminded me that despite the fact that everyone comes from different places and backgrounds, the things that inspire and scare us are almost always universal. I heard shared anxiety of judgment and at the same time, I heard shared celebration of service to a community that is bigger than any one of us alone. The first circle set a tone for the week that simultaneously included love, joy, fear, and resentment. The beauty of the circle is that all these emotions are welcome and encouraged, as being witnessed for what you experience is central to the philosophy of the Amala Foundation.
The next day when the Youth arrived they were met with cheers and hugs, as excitement for the week was running high. When everyone had met with their counselors and been introduced to people in their cabins, we all met in the designated town hall area to officially open the 2016 Austin Global Youth Peace Summit. In one room sat atheists, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and people from all other manner of religious backgrounds. Youth from Iraq sat next to youth from Texas, surrounded by people from all over the world, all coming to Summit with a willingness to learn about each other. All present came with open hearts and minds, embracing the anxiety of what is unknown, prepared to learn about themselves through the eyes of another.
Each day started with something we lovingly refer to as the Sacred Morning Circle. During this time at 8:30 a.m. each morning, the youth would shake off sleep and sit together outside and share prayers, songs, poems, and meaningful quotes in their native languages. Though I don't speak Spanish, Swahili, Arabic, or admittedly anything but English, this experience will sit with me for the rest of my life. Never in my almost two decades on this earth have I seen so many people embrace what they do not understand with such an incredible curiosity and respect. Each day started this way, and the tone it set was palpable in everything that occurred during the week.
Throughout daily breakout sessions and circles about race, identity, sexuality, and all other topics imaginable, the youth and volunteers at the Global Youth Peace Summit created an environment of universal love and understanding. In a world that is rife with violence and ignorance, it brings joyful tears to my eyes to see the generation that will inherit these problems coming together to fight back using only peace as a weapon. I know the conversations started at the Summit will continue on now that it has concluded, and I have absolute faith that it will make a difference in the lives of all who have participated.
As I go back into the "real world," inspired by all that I have learned this past week, I offer humble gratitude to all the youth who have been my teachers. As someone who prides themselves in being educated, I will admit that I have been totally schooled by multiple 14-year-olds in the last seven days. In fact, I am more than proud to admit to being educated thoroughly by youth five and six years younger than me. It inspires me to realize that I have so much more to learn. To the participants of the Global Youth Peace Summit, thank you for opening my eyes to the life-changing power of showing up only as you are, and asking for nothing more or less than the same from others.
