Open Source Arts  with support from  SAIL are delivering a pioneering leadership training for young adults aged 16-18  who wish to grow their capacity to become inspiring leaders in climate action. 

The programme will teach skills in leadership through emergence, relationship building, conversation practice, facilitation, deep listening and emotional empathy across difference. 

Young adults will be coached towards realising their leadership in a peer-supported programme, which will be a combination of experiential learning, some theory teaching, peer to peer mentoring, and coaching from experts and leaders. 

Redressing representation

As well as developing leadership skills, the programme will also develop skills in lobbying, critical thinking and public speaking so they can grow as the future generation of climate activists. 

To redress the current lack of representation of voices from communities of culture in the climate action sector, recruitment will be prioritised heavily for young people who identify as minority ethnic. 

Training for leadership

Additionally, through the Carbon Literacy Project, the young leaders will be trained as facilitators of the Manchester Metropolitan University “Carbon Literacy” training programme.  They will become facilitators who can train their school colleagues as well as delivering Carbon Literacy training for organisations in Leeds.

The young leaders will also take part in partnerships and placements, receiving opportunities in industry, helping to guide the sustainability policies and procedures of large organisations in the city. 

Philip Marken of Open Source Arts said: "Through this, the young leaders will gain an understanding that climate activism is a credible, action focussed, researched informed, mainstream stance.  Our young leaders will come to realise through experience, that they are trusted and have the skills, agency, knowledge and authenticity to lead us into a more sustainable future"

Appeal for support

Open Source Arts is appealing for organisations and businesses to support this learning experience with offers of resources, sponsorship and offers of in-kind support (placements, work experience etc.).  Contact Open Source Arts directly on Info@opensourcearts.co.uk.

Apply for the programme

The deadline for applications from young people 16-18 is 30 September 2020. Please contact info@opensourcearts.co.uk for more details. 

Image: Pixabay