At the heart of the DTC is a simple, bold idea: to identify, train, sustain, and connect the next generation of emerging young leaders struggling for social justice and reconciliation around the world and right here in Indiana. In 2014, the Desmond Tutu Center received a gift from the Herbert Simon Family Foundation, allowing the Center to launch its Youth Fellows Initiative, an empowerment progra
m for young emerging leaders from Central Indiana and South Africa. The Youth Fellows Initiative is designed to support youth who want to change and challenge existing norms that prevent their community from achieving equality. In collaboration with Indianapolis-based Peace Learning Center, two cohorts consisting of South African and Indianapolis youth, ages 16-21, will be selected based on their passion for social justice and desire to implement a project that will uplift their community. In July 2016, the first cohort of Youth Fellows selected from Central Indiana traveled to South Africa on an educational tour led by the Desmond Tutu Center. On this study trip, the Youth Fellows experienced the country and struggles of the Apartheid, and sought out key South African lessons for social justice work and community development. Upon their return, the Youth Fellows will be applying what they have learned by implementing a social justice project in Central Indiana. During the span of 2017-2018, the second cohort of Youth Fellows selected from South Africa will travel to Central Indiana on a study trip led by DTC Executive Director, Allan Boesak, close colleague and friend of Desmond Tutu. On this study trip, Youth Fellows will be paired with an organization related to their social justice focus area and learn key lessons for social work and community development. Upon their return, the Youth Fellows will apply what they have learned by implementing a social justice project in South Africa that will uplift their community. The two-week study trip will take place during the month of July 2017 with expenses including passport fees, airfare, accommodations, and meals covered by the Desmond Tutu Center. A project symposium will be held in South Africa in July 2018. Throughout the program, the Desmond Tutu Center and the Peace Learning Center will hold public events with the Hoosier and South African cohorts, so that a wide variety of Hoosiers—a religiously, culturally, racially, and generationally diverse group—could learn more about the remarkable young people and their vision for a more peaceful world.
