IYMS is an annual two-week event that brings together young people from different cultures to create media projects aimed at inspiring their own generation to take action and responsibility for the future. By confronting and examining global problems, and exploring solutions together, they are bound in a shared purpose. Working toward a common goal and being accountable for a concrete creative pro
duct within a limited time period provides the perfect "stew" for collaboration. Conflicts arise and must get resolved. Barriers of misunderstanding and ignorance are broken down, friendships emerge, creativity flows and films are produced. In the process, youth create a model for a peaceful yet dynamic, cooperative world community. Over the last ten years, more than 600 young delegates and their adult advisors representing 50 countries have participated in the IYMS. At each Summit, the delegates explore the power and impact of media to transform attitudes, behaviors and lives. They then apply their new awareness to the making of films about social issues that matter most to them. At the first Summit the delegates identified the most urgent global issues as follows: violence, discrimination, poverty, the environment, health, women’s rights and youth empowerment. The final products of each Summit include seven short films, each focused on finding a solution to one of these issues, and seven workshop guides, tools to accompany the films to stimulate dialogue and action in community settings around the world. The Summit experience enables youth to think globally while stressing the urgency of acting locally. When delegates return to their home countries, they screen the short films in their classrooms, clubs, or community centers and lead workshops to raise awareness. Over 10,000 people view these movies every year. Between summits, IYMS global members work together online and in-person to continue the mission of IYMS.
