Miracle Corners of the World (MCW) announced today the arrival of 37 youth from around the world to Champlain College in Vermont for MCW’s 17th Annual Youth Leadership Retreat.The diverse group, ranging from 16-25 years of age, is composed of 25 “mentees,” eight “mentors,” and two “vision plan facilitators.” They represent 17 different countries and territories, including Armenia, Austria, Botswana, Ethiopia, India, Israel, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Norway, the Palestinian Territories, Russia, South Africa, Tanzania, United States of America and Zimbabwe. The youth participants will take part in a week-long program during which they will identify a change they would like to see in their local communities, create a plan to achieve the change, and build the skills and networks they need to meet their goals.
“Our aim is that participants enter into the retreat with a concept for change, and through the program, they will leave as empowered leaders in a modern, globalized world,” said Regina Leichner, the Youth Leadership Retreat Coordinator. She continued, “This means being familiar with the best tools out there, developing a global network, and understanding the complexity of the issues they want to address.”
The program includes skills-building workshops that focus on articulating personal goals, developing networks and learning the most cutting-edge computer applications that can make a difference in their projects.
Guest speakers include representatives from various non-profit and for-profit organizations such as UN Women, Coca-Cola, Keurig Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, DoSomething.Org, Food4Farmers, iMentor, The Dream Program and more.
The program includes ample opportunities for cultural exchange through social activities including a live musical performance by Amkoullel, an Afro-pop musician from Mali; a film screening of Wadjda, the critically acclaimed film by Saudi Arabian filmmaker Haifaa Al Mansour; excursions to downtown Burlington and cultural presentations by the retreat participants.
The retreat receives tremendous support from both the local New York and Burlington communities. Sponsors include Ben and Jerry’s, Chipotle, Costco, Dunkin’ Donuts, Hill & Bay, NYU School of Continuing Professional Studies, Stony Brook University, Seventh Generation and Trader Joes.
About MCW (Miracle Corners of the World)
MCW (Miracle Corners of the World) is a non-profit organization founded in 1999 with the vision "Local Change through Global Exchange" and the mission: to empower youth to become positive agents of change in their communities. Based in New York, with partner organizations in Africa (Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Zambia), MCW offers the following three core programs: Global Youth Development, Community Development Initiatives and Oral Healthcare, as well as Partner Programs, including Human Rights and Pediatric AIDS Treatment for Africa (PATA) projects. For more information on MCW, please visit: www.mcwglobal.org.
BURLINGTON, VT, July 10, 2014 — MCW