UK Youth

AYUDH: UK Youth Activities

AYUDH EU Youth Exchange Retreat

Embracing Life: Living In Respect for Nature

Dates: Saturday 24 July - Sunday 1 August
Venue: Amma's French Ashram, La Ferme du Plessis, France
Deadline for registration: Sunday 15 June 2010

The AYUDH Youth Exchange is a fantastic opportunity to engage with young people across Europe coming together with an aim to make a difference to the world we live in. This year's retreat, the sixth, is co-organized by AYUDH and GreenFriends-France with the Support of the European Commission for Education and Culture.

In today’s world people live like isolated islands. While the speed of our lives has increased, our relationship to each other and nature has decreased. The planet is in a state of emergency: taking more than he needs, man has created a serious imbalance in the ecological and social framework of the planet. It is the youth that holds the potential to bring about a new spirit in society by not only caring for themselves, but also for one another and the planet. Only if we learn to embrace life in all its forms will we be able to create a bright and sustainable future.

Led by Br Shubamrita and Bri Dipamrita, this youth exchange brings together youth from all over Europe. Through talks, discussions and practical workshops the youth are invited to find comprehensive and practical answers to the challenges of our time. Also included: a visit to Chartres, party, concert, bonfire, sports and lots of fun.

For youth between 15 and 30 years of age. Participants will receive an official Youth pass certified by the European Commission. Youth from the UK will receive a partial refund of their travel cost.

AYUDH plant trees on Amma's acre

On 14 February 2010, in the true spirit of St Valentine's Day, Ayudh’s tree-planting project in Exeter celebrated the healing relationship between man and nature. The day began with morning archana after which Amma’s youth (AYUDH), cold but optimistic, were given an induction into the art of tree-planting.

Owing to the heavy snows, the uppermost layer of ground required greater attention with our shovels. The process of planting the willows, ash and oak included digging out an area large enough to cover the roots of the trees without suffocating their base; cutting the stakes by which the trees would be supported and encasing the trees in protective guards.

These trees were planted on the land either side of a footpath, affording a walk across the hill and down into pastureland beyond. The view – an amalgam of greens – was that of the undisturbed countryside, breath giving, beautiful and truly inspiring. Collectively, we managed to plant more than fifty trees, each with great care, attention and enjoyment.

In the evening there were bhajans in celebration of Maha Shivaratri, whilst our experiences with nature were further felt in camping out in a Mongolian Yurt, warmed by a temperamental wood-burner and the unceasing laughter of youth - Neela Bhurtun

Amma’s Acre Tree-planting project operates by an all-year-round fundraising effort by the youth in the form of selling tree-vouchers which covers the cost of the saplings and their care over coming year. The amount raised allowed a team of eight to plant around 50 trees over the weekend.

To support the on-going project to plant trees you may purchase Tree Vouchers for yourself or as a gift voucher. To find out more about Tree Vouchers contact Kannan on youth@amma.org.uk 7951 690 683.

Tree Vouchers - Support the Tree-Planting project

Would you like to help our Mother Earth? Want to contribute to off-setting your carbon footprint? Well, AYUDH has an answer: Tree Gift Vouchers, which can be purchased to either support the project or to be presented as a gift for any occasion. These ‘Tree Vouchers' valued at £10 each will cover the cost of planting one tree and the care over the next few years. To purchase your Tree Vouchers, or if you would like to participate in the youth weekend planting session in February, contact Kannan on info.uk@ayudh.eu or 07951 690 683.

AYUDH's first international meeting 2009

The first international meeting was held by AYUDH during the Europe tour in Milano. AYUDH members from France, Germany, UK, Austria, Italy, Spain, the US, and Australia all came together to lay the foundation for a global strategy and long-term plans for AYUDH as a unified International Youth Movement. The new emerging structure will mean the launch of more and more unifying global youth projects. AYUDH announced their first international project during Amma's European tour.

Why not sign up to the AYUDH newsletter to find out about the lastest projects and activities and keep abreast of Youth News across the globe? Register at www.ayudh.eu

AYUDH launches international Green Project: Growin'...

In October 2009, ‘AYUDHians' across the world were unified under the first global AYUDH project ‘Growin'... one seed at a time'. The project was inaugurated and blessed by Amma during this year's Munich programme (see link www.amritapuri.org/6327/09-munich/)

The project aims to encourage young people to grow their own vegetables at home regardless of whether they have gardens, balconies or just a windowsill. The project is due to launch in all active AYUDH countries in April 2010.

The Project consists of Growin' workshops where young people are given the knowledge, techniques and practical advice on growing vegetables from seeds and on keeping them alive and growing. The aim is to grow healthy organic local food, reducing our footprint on the Earth and reconnecting with Nature. For further information regarding the project or veggie growin' techniques, visit www.ayudh.eu/growin/

YOUTH IN ACTION 2009: 5th European Youth Exchange

From 19th to 26th July 2009 young people from all over Europe flocked to the M.A. Center Germany to participate in the 5th annual European Youth Exchange. “Give Peace a Chance” was the theme of the week, which for the third time was generously funded by the EU’s “Youth in Action” programme. The event was also registered as part of the “Worldwide March for Peace and Non-violence.”

To read full report visit http://www.amma-europe.org/youth-exch-07-09.html