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Young people at MMAD suffer emotionally and socially from traumatic childhood experiences. Expressing their pain in lyrics, finding their voice in singing and escaping the world through music and dance has helped them survive. And they do so through the 351 Camps.

With awareness comes choice and the possibility to do something about it to bring about change.

Panel: How do We Enter the World of Young People?

Here are some tips to those who work with young people to engage them and to work with them:

Be real and don’t do it unless you really want to do it.
If you are not cool, don’t try to be cool.
Three things are important to young people: belonging, authenticity, and justice.
The Internet is not a separate world for young people. Enter their world and use their technologies.
Do research, run ideas pass others and get feedback, be interesting, be playful, be “ballsy”.

In response to the modern trend of parents micromanaging their children’s lives, overpressurising them to take on more and to accomplish more, Honoré drew our attention to the need of our children for the time, space and opportunity to play, to discover and even to get bored.

http://www.carlhonore.com/

The Great Barrier Reef will be added to a list of world heritage sites in danger unless Australia can show a firm commitment addressing key threats to the reef.

You can’t always be happy but can nearly always profoundly be aware and curious. Two questions need to be asked: “Is this new or unexpected?” (is about novelty-complexity), and “Can I handle this?” (is about coping potential). Without answering yes to both, we will end up with confusion and fear. With yes to both, we will be CURIOUS.
http://www.toddkashdan.com/

A fixed mindset holds that intelligence is fixed while a growth mindset holds that intelligence can grow. The differences between mindsets manifest in various ways: those with a fixed mindset feel that effort should come naturally. Those with a growth mindset are open to hard work. Kids also show different reactions to setbacks. Those with a fixed mindset tend to hide mistakes and deficiencies, while those with a growth mindset can capitalise on mistakes and confront deficiencies.

What an incredible experience I will never forget. The main message I received in his presence was to spread affection. The way he so freely held peoples hands and touched their faces in such a loving and supportive way. It was inspiring to see. I also really enjoyed his sense of humour. It was incredible to see His Holiness laugh, giggle and joke around with others. He spoke a little about his upbringing and allowed us to understand that he came from a loving mother with a warm heart and a more serious father. He also talked about his life and some experiences no different to some of us in the audience.

Dr Tim Sharp proposes that “we don’t need “power” what we need, instead, is…

* to know what’s right (values)
* to use our strengths to develop flow to enact what’s right
* to surround ourselves with supportive and encouraging people
* and to take take care of our health and wellbeing, so we’re not sick and tired, and so we make better decisions more often…

We need to believe that who we are is okay.

Essentially we need to accept our children in their imperfect glory!

Should we talk about youth suicide? Great discussion topic. Personally I believe we should talk about it. Where does one seek help if having thoughts about taking their life? We only know if we talk about it. Reduce the stigma? We only will if we talk about it. Allow people to talk to like minded people and not feel so alone? Only possible if we talk about it.

Rachael Fisher teaches young kids to S.T.O.P. and be mindful of their surroundings, their breathing, earth, mother nature and how they feel internally. How to cope with day to day troubles and apply techniques to get through difficult times. Inspiring.

Madison Stewart - her incredible story making us question whether we should fear sharks as much as we do or should they really be fearing us? Staggering numbers of a decline in shark numbers by 100,000 in the Great Barrier Reef.

Natalie Houghton, CEO, Jane Goodall Institute Australia