Youth and Young Adults 2008 Business Resolution

WHEREAS the Unitarian Universalist Association Bylaws state that our Association promotes “the full participation of persons in all of its and their activities and in the full range of human endeavor without regard to . . . age”;

WHEREAS statement 12, “Support, integrate, and retain youth and young adults to keep our congregations vibrant and growing,” in the Open Space Technology Process at the 2007 General Assembly 2007 received the largest number of votes, 773 (representing 12.4 percent of the votes cast);

WHEREAS the future of our denomination benefits from the full participation of youth and young adults to enliven, grow and sustain our Unitarian Universalist movement, Principles and ideals, including the use of the democratic process within our congregations and society at large;

WHEREAS youth and young adult empowerment is an attitudinal, structural and cultural process whereby young people gain the ability, authority and agency to make decisions and implement change in their own lives and in the lives of other people to create intergenerational equity; and

WHEREAS unique opportunities at the congregation, district and association level for youth and young adult self-direction create synergy for a larger youth and young adult identity and promote communication and connections between local youth and young adults across the Association;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The 2008 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association urges the Unitarian Universalist Association, its congregations and district structures to

  • invite ministerial support to youth and young adults through inclusive worship and intentional presence;
  • invest financial support in youth and young adult leadership bodies and programs when viable;
  • provide support for youth and young adult staff and volunteers to receive suitable training and resources, including self-directed anti-racism and anti-oppression trainings; and
  • attend to the needs of youth and young adult constituents with marginalized identities by providing resources and opportunities within the congregation and at the district and Association levels.