'The World and I,' New Zealand

An article on the upcoming 'World & I' Summer Gathering, New Zealand. January 21 – 27.

 

 

The Aotearoa Summer Gathering – World & I “Meeting the World and Shaping the Future” (Te Ra School, Kapiti Coast, 21 - 27 January, 2010) is a space for youth to find their place in this world. It is held in an environment where the individual is seen in the context of community and the world. It is being shaped by a team of young people currently spread all over the world; some have never met each other; some are siblings, best friends or flatmates; some have experience from previous gatherings; some are jumping in for the first time; some are out discovering the world; some are exploring the horizons within New Zealand.

This year a diverse team is working towards shaping a space ready for the experience of young people to take hold of. It can be seen as a blank canvas. The heavy duty cotton has been dampened and now dries flat and firm, wiped clean and ready. The frame is strong, nailed true into ancient structures of wood. The paint, spanning all colours on this earth, has been chosen, mixed smooth and pure. Clean water is fresh in a bucket. A light sketch suggests a form, suggests movement and a creative play. It is ready to be worked on by a community of individuals, who together will have space to form, to suggest, to talk, to ponder, to wonder, in the motion of creating a picture.

The creation of this canvas has not appeared in isolation. It has been evolving and occurring through conversations, ideas, inspiration and a wish to meet the needs of young people in New Zealand and around the world. Practically, this team has met through planting potatoes in Raumati South, through meetings in Dornach or Järna or Paekakariki or Auckland, through many (!) thought and idea-filled emails and  through skype calls. At one stage, a skype call spanned from Switzerland, Sweden, Auckland, Paekakariki, Pukerua Bay and Christchurch. Sometimes static has been our constant companion, or we have had to redial at least ten times; other times, communication has been crystal clear. It has been a challenge, but it has been a part of the creation. Through sharing the same vision, the same goal, we have created a multi-faceted gathering. Individually, we have worked together. “Who can we invite; I’ll send the invitations; you know people who can help with a website; what funding contacts do we have; who knows farmers in the regions; what form does the local community have; who could be in touch with participants through registration?”

The sketches on the canvas suggest seeing a form where:
♣    There is a space to come together, hear and learn through mentorship of the wisdom that experience brings.
♣    Gatherings over coffee and tea can take place, which can evolve into conversations.
♣    The creation of food can be shared and enjoyed together.
♣    Themes in a peer led space can be developed through active workshops.
♣    Singing and movement can be experienced, and questions and ideas can be expanded.
♣    A chance to be active through practical work will be offered, which also gives back to our hosting environment.

It is a canvas balanced by fresh ideas and experienced wisdom and is ready for the brush strokes of activity.

If you would like more information, a registration form, have suggestions or ideas, please contact us. We would also love to hear from you if you would like to donate food or money towards the gathering, or if you know of funding opportunities. Please email us youthgathering(at)gmail.com, or check out our website www.summergathering.co.nz