Youth gather to reflect on their path of service

The Auckland youth conference, held on 6-7 January 2024, brought together 86 enthusiastic youth from various corners of the city, and surrounding localities such as Thames-Coromandel and Whangārei. The conference was organised with the vision of fostering a strong sense of community and with the purpose of inspiring the youth to be actively involved in an ongoing and expanding movement in the cluster.

The group participating in introduction games

The idea for a cluster-wide youth conference stemmed from a shared desire among friends serving in the Auckland cluster to create a platform where youth could reflect on their path of service. A dedicated group of individuals, supported by institute coordinators and Auxiliary Board members, took charge to turn this vision into a reality. The lead-up to the conference involved meticulous planning of logistical arrangements, training facilitators, and extensive outreach to ensure maximum participation from Auckland's youth.

A traditional pōwhiri and mihi whakatau set the tone for an event filled with cultural richness and a sense of belonging. The 86 participants, representing a diverse age range, were divided into three groups: 36 youth between 15-17, 34 youth between 18-24, and 15 young people over 25, while 14 dedicated participants served as facilitators.

Much of the material for the conference drew inspiration from the 2013 youth conferences, focusing on themes such as the period of youth, early adolescence, fostering mutual support and assistance, and youth and community building. This thought-provoking material encouraged participants to reflect deeply on their roles within the community and how they could contribute to its betterment.

Group of 15-17 year olds studying the material

The conference, seen as a crucial part of an expanding youth movement in the cluster, was not an isolated event. Post-conference, two institute campaigns were launched to engage youth in the study of institute courses. Taking place at the Baháʼí Centre for Learning - Te Whare Akoranga Baháʼí in Henderson Valley, a remarkable cohort of 66 youth from across the city have been actively involved in various courses of the training institute, building their capacity to serve and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Fueled by the energy and dedication witnessed at the conference, this gathering is an inspiring example of the power of collaboration, unity, and the shared commitment of these youth to be agents of positive change in our communities.

Images and the details for this article were supplied by members of the youth conference organising committee.