{"id":64620,"date":"2020-10-22T22:15:26","date_gmt":"2020-10-22T22:15:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/casel.dev\/?p=64620"},"modified":"2022-08-30T15:54:22","modified_gmt":"2022-08-30T20:54:22","slug":"voices-of-young-people-lead-the-way","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/casel.org\/voices-of-young-people-lead-the-way\/","title":{"rendered":"Voices of Young People Lead the Way at 2020 SEL Exchange Virtual Summit, Hosted by CASEL"},"content":{"rendered":"

CHICAGO, IL \u2013 On October 15, the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) held the 2020 SEL Exchange<\/a>, the preeminent annual event dedicated to social and emotional learning<\/a> (SEL). The impact of COVID-19 on in-person convenings provided an opportunity for innovation and creativity. In response, CASEL curated a four-hour Virtual Summit featuring the voices of young people, as well as education luminaries such as Linda Darling-Hammond, John B. King Jr., and Tim Shriver. Focused on the theme of \u201cCatalyzing Our Commitment to Youth,\u201d the SEL Exchange Virtual Summit brought together nearly 2,500 people from 22 countries to promote societal healing and transformation through SEL practices anchored in an unwavering commitment to equity.<\/p>\n

\u201cAmid the profound challenges of today, we must be more united than ever in our commitment to SEL as a way to affirm the full identities of our youth, support young people and adults in becoming change agents, and create a sense of belonging and connectedness. CASEL was thrilled to host our SEL Exchange Virtual Summit to renew that collective commitment and inspire positive change,\u201d said CASEL President & CEO Karen Niemi. \u201cThis special event brought together voices from around the world, including our young people, to help make high-quality, evidence-based social and emotional learning a reality for every community, school, and student.\u201d<\/p>\n

To continue the momentum of the Virtual Summit, CASEL also announced the \u201cTogether for SEL\u201d Pledge<\/a>, which supports a commitment to SEL and the promotion of healthy identity development, agency, and belonging for all young people within and across social categories. The \u201cTogether for SEL\u201d Pledge is already being taken around the world<\/a>. Thank you to our Presenter Sponsors: Mosaic\u2122 by ACT<\/a>\u00ae, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation<\/a>, Committee for Children<\/a>, and Rethink Ed<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Centering Youth Voices at the SEL Exchange Virtual Summit<\/h2>\n

Youth presenters spoke on the topics of identity, agency and belonging – three priorities for learning and development that CASEL has highlighted in a recently updated definition of SEL<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/h3>\n

Asalah Youssef, Photographer & Advocate for Sustainability, Well-Being, & Social Entrepreneurship<\/h3>\n

The virtual session was moderated by Asalah Youssef, 17-year-old photographer from British Columbia, Canada. Her most recent work, titled, \u201cScreenshots of Home<\/a>\u201d documents people virtually around the world in their homes during quarantine, including our other youth speakers. \u201cToo often young people remain silent, not because we lack something to say, but because we don\u2019t expect to be heard. When we are given a sense of belonging in the conversation, however, we find the courage to share our stories and begin learning from each other,\u201d said Asalah. \u201cThe theme of \u2018Catalyzing Our Commitment To Youth\u2019 has the power to break down the barriers that keep adults and young people from transforming education, together.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Rashad<\/p>\n

Rashad Evans, Eighth Grade Honors Student<\/h3>\n

Rashad is a 13-year-old eighth grade honors student from Frankfort, Illinois who spoke on the topic of Agency, which refers to the ways we use our resources and abilities to advocate for and effect change through purposeful action. Agency is connected to the social and emotional competencies of self-management and responsible decisionmaking. Rashad was excited to share his story, using the Virtual Summit to educate kids his age, as well as adults, about how racism affects his own life and those of all people of color. Rashad is committed to educating others in order to create compassion
\nand change.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I\u2019m 13, a lot of adults dismiss what I think and think I\u2019m too young. Over time I got into that mindset, until George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery were killed. That really got to me, that really made me mad. So I didn\u2019t really care what adults thought, anymore,\u201d said Rashad at the Virtual Summit, discussing his recent appearance at a Black Lives Matter Rally. \u201cOur generation has to take a stand against [racism],\u201d he said at the rally, \u201cand if we unite now we will be unstoppable.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Chiqui Diaz, High School Sophomore and Youth Activist, Beyond Differences<\/h3>\n

Chiqui is a youth activist from San Rafael, California who spoke on the topic of Belonging, which refers to the experience of acceptance, respect and inclusion within a group or community. Belonging is connected to the social and emotional competencies of social awareness and relationship skills. Chiqui has always been passionate about social justice, and since middle school, she has become very active in her community. Chiqui is a teen board member of Beyond Differences, a youth-led social justice movement working to end social isolation. Chiqui is a strong believer in the importance of social and emotional learning and the power of storytelling and empathy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think storytelling in general is so powerful because you really get to connect with whoever\u2019s story it is. That\u2019s how we build empathy and that\u2019s one of the most important things we can do. In social justice work it\u2019s so necessary to build empathy and understanding. Telling each other stories is the first step of that,\u201d said Chiqui during the Virtual Summit.<\/p>\n

She also performed an original, spoken word poem, \u201cBelonging,\u201d which included these lines: \u201c\u2018Belonging\u2019 is the counselor letting me stay tucked away in their office when it was all too much. \u2018Belonging\u2019 is the teacher who complimented my hair, letting me know that someone cares and they\u2019re there, even when I thought no one noticed. \u2018Belonging\u2019 is my newfound friends, sitting in the hallways at lunch, a chance meeting, a rag-tag bunch, where we just get to be ourselves and no one has to be afraid or contain who they are. It\u2019s an escape and we belong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Samia Zia, High School Senior, nXu Fellowship<\/h3>\n

Samia is a Pakistani-American student living in Long Island, New York who spoke on the topic of Identity, which refers to who you are, informed by how you see yourself and how others perceive you. Identity is connected to the social and emotional competencies of self-awareness and social awareness. Only 16 years of age, Samia has set numerous goals in various fields that she stays true to with the use of dedication and discipline. During the pandemic, she decided to show her friends and family what role her identity serves in her life and its effects (via Instagram). Samia aspires to inspire those around her to focus on their objectives and stay true to who they are regardless of what obstacles they encounter.<\/p>\n

At the Virtual Summit, Samia shared her personal experience around forging an authentic identity, saying, \u201cI realized that sharing my story is powerful. Maybe it will encourage other girls to share their stories. That is the way we can combat stereotypes. Stereotypes create boundaries that keep me from being me. Wearing what I want to wear and doing what I want to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

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All sessions and content from the 2020 SEL Exchange Virtual Summit have been recorded and are available for purchase. Recorded content will be accessible November 2, 2020 through December 31, 2020. Media interested in viewing the sessions and\/or conducting interviews should contact<\/strong> jlewis@casel.org.<\/p>\n

Thank You To Our Sponsors<\/h3>\n

\"A<\/p>\n