UU-UNO Intergenerational Spring Seminar
With a deep passion for and commitment to international human rights, youth and adults from all over North America gather annually for our three day seminar to dig deeply into issues with global impact.
The intergenerational seminar is an opportunity to collaborate with others while learning how to be a global activist. Through workshops, peer and expert-led panel discussions, community building activities, and worship services, participants undergo a transformative process of learning, reflection, and growth as we explore some of the most challenging issues facing humanity today.
Registration for the 2019 Seminar opens December 3, 2018.
2019 Intergenerational Spring Seminar
Our 2019 Seminar will be April 11-13, in New York City. (Youth and sponsors will arrive April 10th for orientation.) Addressing the 2019 theme of Equity in Action: Gender in an Intersecting World, participants will consider both local and global engagement with issues such as:
- Understanding the reality of the non-binary nature of gender and the conditioned performance of gender within cultural context.
- Confronting internal biases, and finding opportunities for growth in mistakes.
- Working for gender equity at the intersection of dismantling systems of white supremacy, patriarchy, heteronormativity, and other forms of oppressions.
- United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5: "Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls" - and all its associated targets.
- The #MeToo movement which calls the world to believe and support survivors of sexual violence.
The content of our Seminar on gender equity will be rooted in an intersectional lens. Not familiar already with the concept of intersectionality? Watch this TED Talk by Kimberlé Crenshaw, professor of law and scholar of critical race theory:
In her 2016 TED Talk, Kimberlé Crenshaw explains the concept of intersectionality.
The Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office (UU-UNO) is excited to be partnering with the UU College of Social Justice on this event! Programming during the Intergenerational Spring Seminar is interactive, encouraging participants to reflect on how the topics addressed affect them in their lives, their spirituality, and how they are called to respond. Moving from ideas to concrete action, participants will learn tools and skills to help them with future collaboration and activism. Each person will participate in an intergenerational Collaboration Group, touching base periodically throughout the seminar to reflect on and process the issues discussed.
Now available:
- Info to help you Prepare to Come to the Spring Seminar
- Registration information (click for details about special Young Adult rates!)
- Tentative Programs & Schedule details
Youth at Spring Seminar
The UU United Nations Office's Intergenerational Spring Seminar is open to anyone age 14 and up, and typically around half of all participants are between ages 14 and 18. Youth orientation begins a day early, so for Seminar 2019 youth will arrive by 6pm on Wednesday, April 10. Safety is our top priority—all youth attending the seminar must be accompanied by an adult Sponsor (maximum 5 youth per Sponsor). Upon arriving, a thorough orientation will be provided for Youth and their Sponsors. See our 2019 FAQ sheet for Youth and Sponsors (PDF) to learn more.
Leadership Opportunities
This Intergenerational Seminar will take a broad and intersectional view of working towards gender equity – we hope that our Planning Committee will reflect the diversity of identities that exist in our world. People with disabilities, people of color, indigenous people, Hispanic/Latinx, and LGBTQ candidates are encouraged to apply.
- Spring Seminar Deans: The Seminar Staff includes one Adult Dean (one-year position) and two Youth Deans (2-year position) who serve as leaders of youth programming during the seminar and key members of the Seminar Planning Committee. All fees, including registration, travel, food, and lodging are covered by UU-UNO. Applications for Youth and Adult Dean are now closed.
- Spring Seminar Chaplains: The Seminar Staff includes two Adult Chaplains and two Youth Chaplains. Their role is to provide a listening ear to participants who need to process the spiritual or emotional impact of their experience. Must receive chaplain training prior to start of the seminar. All fees, including registration, travel, food, and lodging are covered by UU-UNO. Applications for Youth and Adult Chaplains are now closed.
- Spring Seminar Planning Committee: (Position open to youth or adults!) In the months leading up to the Spring Seminar, our Planning Committee convenes via video conference call in teams to determine and coordinate the events of the Spring Seminar. Registration fees covered by UU-UNO. Applications for the 2018 Planning Committee are now closed.
The Planning Committee consists of the following teams:- NYC Host Team: Responsible for coordinating logistics; taking the lead on communications & publicity; and arranging supplies, catering, & etc. for the Seminar.
- Worship Team: Organize worship and incorporating spiritual engagement throughout the Spring Seminar.
- Youth Programming Team: Organize activities and coordinate orientations for youth participants and their sponsors.
- Programs & Workshops Team: Coordinate activities including workshops, panel discussions, keynote speakers, and other events for seminar participants.
- Collaboration Group Leaders: (Position open to youth or adults!) Seminar participants have the opportunity to facilitate intergenerational small discussion groups called Collaboration Groups that meet periodically throughout the Seminar. All participants gather in Collaboration Groups to struggle together with the issues raised during the Seminar, process and discuss ideas, and reflect creatively on solutions. Guiding readings and prompt questions will be provided, and Collaboration Group Leaders will receive a virtual training prior to the seminar. Applications coming soon!
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Identity Group Facilitators: (Position open to youth or adults!) During the Seminar there will be time when all Seminar participants will gather in race-based affinity groups for structured conversations about race and migration. Learn about race-based identity groups. Experienced facilitators are needed to help guide these conversations - these facilitators might also be Collaboration Group Leaders. Applications coming soon!
Previous Spring Seminars
- 2018: When Crisis Calls: Advancing Just Migration for All
- 2017: Arm in Arm: Interfaith Action to Disarm Our Planet
- 2016: The Colors of Inequality: Costs and Consequences
- 2015: International Criminal Justice: From Punitive to Restorative
- 2014: Sacred Roots: Indigenous Rights, Resistance and Reclamation
- 2013: Sex, Love, and Violence: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in a Globalized World
- 2012: Beyond Borders: Breaking Barriers of Race and Immigration
- 2011: Empower Women for a Better World
- 2010: A Climate of Change
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For more information contact unitednations@uua.org.