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.

APPLY NOW: Join our 2018 Seminar Staff! Now accepting applications for Youth Dean (due Aug 2), Adult Dean (due Aug 2), and Youth and Adult Chaplains (due Aug 28)! Or apply to join the Planning Committee (due Aug 28).

2018 Intergenerational Spring Seminar

Our 2018 Seminar, on the topic of refugees and the global migration crisis, will be April 5-7, 2018 in New York City. (Youth and sponsors will arrive April 4th for orientation.) Together, we will consider global engagement with issues such as:

• What can we as individual people of faith do about the global migration crisis?
• How does society work within seemingly legal frameworks to criminalize aspects of a person's identity? (such as their religion, their race, their immigration status, their country of origin, their sexual orientation, etc.)
• How are faith and migration interconnected in today's political climate and across history?

Programming will be 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.

The seminar will also include programming designed specifically for ministers who are interested in incorporating a global perspective into their congregational ministry.

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 2018 youth will arrive by 6pm on Wednesday, April 4. 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 FAQ sheet for Youth and Sponsors to learn more.

Leadership Opportunities

Spring Seminar Deans Now seeking one Adult Dean (one-year position) and one Youth Dean (2-year position) Leaders of youth programming during the seminar and key members of Seminar Planning Committee. All fees, including registration, travel, food, and lodging are covered by UU-UNO. Applications for Youth Dean and for Adult Dean are due August 2, 2017.

Spring Seminar Chaplains: Now seeking two Adult Chaplains and two Youth Chaplains. 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 Chaplains and Adult Chaplains are due August 28, 2017.

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 due August 28, 2017.

    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.
• Workshop Team: Coordinate activities including workshops, panel discussions, keynote speakers, and other events for seminar participants.

Spirit Committee/Right Relationship Team: (Position open to youth or adults!) A group of youth and adults who work with the chaplain team to ensure that the Spring Seminar covenant is upheld, to resolve conflict should it arise, and to make sure that participants are living into our values of inclusivity and respect. Registration fee discount available. Application coming soon!

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. Guiding readings and prompt questions will be provided, and Collaboration Group Leaders will receive a virtual training prior to the seminar. Registration fee discount available. Application coming soon!