This post is inspired by a story my friend, Wayne, told me about a young girl on the east coast that wanted her school to support a recycling program. She collected all the data and information needed to not only 'make the case" for why, but also the resources necessary to do it. She kept presenting her case to adults - teachers, principals, deans - and no one would take on the work. Wayne asked her why she needed an adult to accomplish the task. She had all the tools, why wait?
She went on to successfully implement recycling in her entire school district.
We hear the phrase, "Kids are our future," tossed around, and yet it is rare to include them in the basic decision making processes of how this "future" is being shaped. On the whole, children are not included in processes of governance, parks and city planning, building, growing food, or business development, and yet are expected to take responsibility for these things - and change them for the better - as adults.
She went on to successfully implement recycling in her entire school district.
We hear the phrase, "Kids are our future," tossed around, and yet it is rare to include them in the basic decision making processes of how this "future" is being shaped. On the whole, children are not included in processes of governance, parks and city planning, building, growing food, or business development, and yet are expected to take responsibility for these things - and change them for the better - as adults.
Share-It-Square 2011, Photo by Michael Cook
At the intersection of SE 9th & Sherrett in Portland, also called "Share-It-Square", the neighborhood has visioning sessions each year for what the street painting will be. Since its origin as the first intersection painting in the country in 1996, each year it has been painted with a new design based on what their neighbors feel is right for them this year. And who is in the room during the visioning sessions? Everyone. Neighbors of all ages, adults, elders, kids. Most years, the best designs come out of the kids.
In the photo above, the design of a flower in bloom, spreading its seeds around the neighborhood was an idea that came from a nine year old during one of the design charrettes. Everyone loved it and it became the theme for this year.
Involving kids in the decision-making process on a neighborhood scale not only re-inoculates adults with creative energy and bring vibrancy to design ideas, but it involves them in a culture of inclusion. Kids that live in neighborhoods were these projects take place, are surrounded by adults who are collaboratively working with each other to transform the place where they live. They're surrounded by adults who are respecting each other, listening to each other, and co-creating together. It's a level of Trust and Love to be infused into practical, daily life, one project at a time.
In the photo above, the design of a flower in bloom, spreading its seeds around the neighborhood was an idea that came from a nine year old during one of the design charrettes. Everyone loved it and it became the theme for this year.
Involving kids in the decision-making process on a neighborhood scale not only re-inoculates adults with creative energy and bring vibrancy to design ideas, but it involves them in a culture of inclusion. Kids that live in neighborhoods were these projects take place, are surrounded by adults who are collaboratively working with each other to transform the place where they live. They're surrounded by adults who are respecting each other, listening to each other, and co-creating together. It's a level of Trust and Love to be infused into practical, daily life, one project at a time.
Installing an Earthen Floor at Lost Valley Education Center 2012
Designing Playscapes, planting gardens, building houses, tending water sources, working with crystals, creating art... in a culture whose values are based on inclusivity, the line between "activities for kids" and "activities for adults" blurs. We see the most productive and least destructive societies are ones where, intergenerationally, we work together, thus creating less superfluous work, and greater meaning and fulfillment for the whole.
From big projects, to daily decisions, involving kids in the process and celebrating their contributions is vital to "the future" we so seek to better.
Kids are not our future. They are our now. Their ideas, energy, and Love are valuable now. And it is for the benefit of everyone to cultivate their feelings of worth, belonging, and personal power.
From big projects, to daily decisions, involving kids in the process and celebrating their contributions is vital to "the future" we so seek to better.
Kids are not our future. They are our now. Their ideas, energy, and Love are valuable now. And it is for the benefit of everyone to cultivate their feelings of worth, belonging, and personal power.
Sunnyside Piazza 2014, Photo by Greg Raisman
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