The IFLRY seminar in Lima was themed: Youth Cooperation for Youth Participation. Young leaders from all over Europe and Latin American joined together to share and discuss ideas for encouraging greater youth civic participation. We had guest speakers, workshops, presentations of current projects, and development of future proposals. While everyone was busy sharing ideas for encouraging youth to get more involved…there was also the informal sharing of a bacteria infection…

The European participants were dropping like flies and only four people did not get sick. While I thought my non-European immune system would allow me to not ‘get voted off the island’, I was wrong. Shortly after the seminar, I fell to the same fate as many of my European friends.  A doctor informed us that it was typical for travels to get this illness but it was not too pleasant to experience.

Aside from this humorous survivor-style health occurrence, the seminar was a wonderful session. Projects and friendships were fostered.

As young leaders, it is important to look for new ways to get youth involved. Using seminars provides many leaders with an opportunity to not only share their successful practices but also to learn from others. Often the simplest friendly interaction between youth can spark the greatest of projects. Learning and listening to each other provides a wealth of information that is not recorded in journals. What participants take away from the seminar is individual but the possibilities for actions are endless.

Sarah

For individual photos from the seminar, please visit: http://picasaweb.google.com/IFLRY.Photos