Three days...100 youth from all over the nation... acquiring advocacy skills...delivering social justice speeches...connecting with elected leaders...and so much more took place during Mikva Challenge's First National Youth Summit, held in Washington, DC. Mikva Challenge is a civic education organization that aims to develop empowered, informed, and active youth. This episode covers the youth summit and gives a glimpse into the Mikva organization. This episode contains sensitive materi...

Did you know Washington, D.C. has 3 mayors!? Yes, D.C. is led by an official Mayor, voted by citizens. But, there are also two recognized youth mayors who are elected by two separate entities. Check out this episode to hear directly from two esteemed young officials dedicated to civic engagement and politics. ___ Diya Bardwell is a recent Youth Mayor with the YMCA's D.C. Youth and Government program. YMCA Youth & Government is a nationwide civic program that prepares high school student...

Bullying is awful and it comes in so many forms. Sometimes teens even experience it online or through social media. If it happens, should you keep it to yourself or tell an adult? What if they don't listen? Do I tell a friend? What if they don't know what to do? How can therapy help? Navigating these situations can be difficult. But knowing others share your experiences can be comforting as you seek out the best advice and resources for you. Tune in to a heartfelt episode where three yo...

What could we accomplish if borders did not exist? Meet Anthony and Saundarya. They are high schoolers with a keen interest in giving back, and their dedication and commitment to service spans various local and global communities. Anthony lives in Arizona. Saundarya lives in India. They come from different cultures and countries, but they believe that borders are not obstacles, challenges, or hindrances to their work with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The borders tha...

“What are you mixed with?” This is a question often posed to multi-racial & racially ambiguous folks, requiring them to reevaluate their identities, especially if they are members of the Black community. In this episode, two multi-racial girls from the Justice is Us Project, Alayna Maragh, and Angie Mejia, evaluate the intersectionality and complications of multi-racial identity, such as identity crisis, colorism, light skin privilege, apartheid, and more. Strap in, because it’s going to ...

Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z have a lot of differences. One of the major differences is their approaches to and outlooks on mental health. How can these different age groups work together to find common ground? Tune in to hear our YVA youth hosts discuss generational differences and learn more about how they think different age cohorts can connect and gain a better understanding of each other. To watch the video of this podcast check it out here.

Global Youth Ambassadors Adina Nivukoski of Finland, and Petr Franc of the Czech Republic, report live from the United Nations Transforming Education Summit. The summit was a lively convening of international stakeholders who held a collective mission to revamp education and increase awareness of UN SDG 14. During their chat, Adina and Petr recount various dialogues from the convening and provide suggestions on the next steps forward. Adina Nivukoski is a 22-year old Finnish education ...

Each of us has a responsibility to help the world become a better place. As Global Citizens, we also need to master the Global Competencies necessary for leadership--locally and globally. No matter how broad or acute our efforts are, we should all be committed to working towards helping achieve the UN SDGs and making positive change in any way we can.

Ever been hungry, or even "hangry"? We've all been there before. But there's a big difference between missing a meal and simply not having access to healthy foods. Food deserts are prevalent in many communities around the world and food insecurity is a major concern. Today's episode on UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #2 "Zero Hunger" and unequal access to healthy food is hosted by CEP's Youth Ambassador extraordinaire Kyia, and is co-hosted by youth advocates Don, Kayla, and Zion of The...

High school students are always approached asking the number one question: "What college are you going to?" While many teens may be excited (and nervous) about entering adulthood, many don't always feel prepared for "adulting." CEP's Global Youth Ambassadors and leaders of the EMPOWER Initiative, Hanson and Jaclyn take us on a journey into their lives as Malaysian college students. During their studies, they began to recognize there was so much to learn about being prepared for student life a...

Women and girls all around the world have been the target of many atrocities throughout history, even now in the 21st Century. Global Youth Ambassadors Anvita N. and Tanvi N. report from Singapore about a terrible human rights issue that many youth, and the general public, seldom hear about---Female Genital Mutilation, also known as FGM. This topic may be sensitive for some listeners, so please be advised. If you suspect someone is in danger of undergoing FGM you can contact the NSPCC FGM ...

If you're not an adult, why should voting or helping out your community be important to you? Tune in to hear CEP's Administrative Assistant and YVA host Zoë S. chat with CEP Youth Ambassador Danae B. about the importance of being an active youth citizen! To watch the video of this podcast check it out here.

It's popular to be "woke," but are people really becoming more socially conscious, or are they just becoming more sensitive? Why does it matter? In this episode of YVA our Youth Ambassadors and co-hosts, Briana C. and Kyia P. cover thought-evoking topics such as colorism, abuse, privilege, self-identity, and so much more as they encourage listeners to be true to themselves and to practice authenticity. To watch the video of this podcast check it out here.

Have you ever wondered if it's time to let a friend go? Or maybe there's a friend group you truly value and you're amazed at how easily you all clicked. How can we tell the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships? In this episode of YVA our Youth Ambassadors and co-hosts, Briana C. and Kyia P., discuss, “green flags"-- signs that indicate you are in a positive friendship or relationship. To watch the video of this podcast check it out here.

At times, we all wake up on the wrong side of the bed in the morning, so to speak. Other times, the way we feel is so much deeper than that. Has this ever happened to you on a school or work day? Should you ever have to sacrifice your mental health for things deemed more important by society? Is there a way for academic institutions to provide better mental health supports to students in need, and for society to be more empathic to those in need of a "self care day"? This episode contains se...

So many young people experience ACES, or Adverse Childhood Experiences, at very young ages. How does exposure to traumatic experiences early on in life have a direct impact on your future self? Why is that generations of people never seem to heal from their traumas? This episode contains sensitive material and may not be appropriate for all audiences. If you or someone else are in need of help please reach out to the resources below: Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1...

On the cusp of the "Defund Police Movement" many high school students and young adults are re-envisioning the purpose of police and other law enforcement officials within academic institutions. Do police belong in schools? Is there a connection between the "School to Prison Pipeline"?

Mental Health can be a bit taboo, but let's talk about it in a safe space. What are ways mental health has shown up in your life, and the lives of your friends and family members? This episode contains sensitive material and may not be appropriate for all audiences. If you or someone else are in need of mental health help please reach out to the resources below: SAMHSA’s National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confi...

"Youth are the leaders of tomorrow!" That may sound cliche to some, but to others that statement invokes very strong responses. Are you considered a "youth"? Do you think you have the ability--or responsibility--to make a difference in your community?

What happens when young people get tangled in the web of the U.S. Justice system? Will "justice" prevail, or are they doomed--or perhaps they land somewhere in the middle? Tune in as youth discuss the Khalif Browder Netflix documentary, their perceptions of the youth justice system, and ways to change it for the better.