LJM's "Here On Earth" Spring Program 2025 Launches: Engaging Youth in Climate Action
Master Hsin Tao, the founding Abbot of the Ling Jiou Mountain (LJM) Buddhist Society, has long advocated for the principles of "Love the Earth, Love Peace." He established the Global Family for Love and Peace (GFLP), an international organization dedicated to promoting world peace. Master Hsin Tao is deeply concerned about environmental issues and actively works to cultivate environmental awareness at the grassroots level. He states, "The future of the Earth is the future of humanity."
The "Here On Earth" environmental media education program, organized by the Global Family for Love and Peace (GFLP) and co-organized by the University for Life and Peace (ULP), successfully concluded its 2024 Winter Exhibition. Students showcased their multimedia creations, including creative experimental videos, animations, and documentaries, vividly capturing their observations and reflections on climate change, and received enthusiastic responses.
Building on the momentum of creative energy, the "Here On Earth" 2025 Spring Program has officially launched on February 28th. High school and university students from the Greater New York area will embark on a three-month journey of learning and creation. In the spring of 2025, Professor Amy Cheung from the Chinese University of Hong Kong will lead community youth and experts in exploring pressing marine issues through video production and interactive design workshops. The program aims to utilize the cosmology and Chinese cultural elements found in the ancient Chinese text, the "Classic of Mountains and Seas" (《山海經》), which emphasizes the interdependence between humanity and nature, to convey diverse perspectives on climate change. This initiative seeks to reignite humanity's connection with the ocean and nature, transforming youth's anxiety and helplessness regarding the climate crisis into positive action.
Student projects will be exhibited at the Hudson River waterfront in New York, and scholarships will be granted to the top three participants.
The spring program focuses on "in-depth multimedia storytelling for climate issues," integrating environmental education with artistic expression to enable hands-on learning and explore diverse climate action possibilities. Under the guidance of expert instructors, participants will learn multimedia skills, including filmmaking, interviewing, and animation, and engage in exploratory research and design workshops to deepen their understanding of the ecological and cultural significance of water resources.
The spring program features workshops and hands-on courses, enabling participants to complete their projects within three months. These projects, which may include sculptures, animations, or environmental short films, will be exhibited at the Hudson River waterfront in New York during World Environment Day and World Water Day, showcasing the creativity and activism of the younger generation. Additionally, the top three performers will receive scholarships and opportunities to participate in future international projects, collaborating with environmental scholars and artists to contribute to a sustainable future.
Fitrat, an international high school sophomore from Bangladesh with extensive experience in print photography, mentioned at the presentation that condensing a 30-minute interview into a 3-minute summary was a significant challenge. In this program, he experienced interviewing for the first time, successfully interviewed several experts and scholars, and learned video editing software, gaining substantial knowledge. Zamaya, a city high school freshman, used images to depict the riverside of her impoverished community, her only sanctuary for quiet reflection and emotional healing.
Bella, a university student who grew up traveling the world with her teaching parents, shared that the program provided a systematic understanding of filmmaking, a valuable experience. She deeply resonates with Master Hsin Tao's philosophy of spiritual ecology, which emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of all living beings. Her work, "Singularity," uses overlapping images to explore the complex relationship between humanity, nature, and technology. She particularly enjoyed the site visits and field surveys, which reinforced her belief that environmental protection requires action, not just words.
Beyond learning: A global environmental movement
Lu Chih-Lan, Director of Education and Training at GFLP, stated, "This is not just a learning opportunity; it's an action-oriented program designed to cultivate environmental awareness among young people. We aim to equip them with new media skills while fostering a deeper understanding of climate change, empowering them to translate their insights into creative expressions and concrete actions. Witnessing the students' growth and their enthusiastic responses to environmental issues fills us with hope for the future."
Lu further emphasized that environmental issues extend beyond statistics on species extinction or scientific research on ozone depletion; they are deeply intertwined with our lifestyles. The program not only teaches filmmaking and animation skills but, more importantly, empowers participants to use these media tools to tell compelling stories that inspire people to step away from their digital comfort zones, engage with nature, and actively participate in environmental protection.
The three-month program has begun, marking a significant moment for cultivating media skills and uniting global youth in environmental action. We anticipate that these young creators from around the world will use their unique perspectives and interdisciplinary expertise to infuse environmental protection with fresh ideas and energy. When their works are showcased, we believe they will inspire diverse perspectives and expand the impact of sustainable development, contributing to a harmonious global community.
The "Here On Earth" environmental media education program, organized by the Global Family for Love and Peace (GFLP) and co-organized by the University for Life and Peace (ULP), successfully concluded its 2024 Winter Exhibition. Students showcased their multimedia creations, including creative experimental videos, animations, and documentaries, vividly capturing their observations and reflections on climate change, and received enthusiastic responses.
Building on the momentum of creative energy, the "Here On Earth" 2025 Spring Program has officially launched on February 28th. High school and university students from the Greater New York area will embark on a three-month journey of learning and creation. In the spring of 2025, Professor Amy Cheung from the Chinese University of Hong Kong will lead community youth and experts in exploring pressing marine issues through video production and interactive design workshops. The program aims to utilize the cosmology and Chinese cultural elements found in the ancient Chinese text, the "Classic of Mountains and Seas" (《山海經》), which emphasizes the interdependence between humanity and nature, to convey diverse perspectives on climate change. This initiative seeks to reignite humanity's connection with the ocean and nature, transforming youth's anxiety and helplessness regarding the climate crisis into positive action.
Student projects will be exhibited at the Hudson River waterfront in New York, and scholarships will be granted to the top three participants.
The spring program focuses on "in-depth multimedia storytelling for climate issues," integrating environmental education with artistic expression to enable hands-on learning and explore diverse climate action possibilities. Under the guidance of expert instructors, participants will learn multimedia skills, including filmmaking, interviewing, and animation, and engage in exploratory research and design workshops to deepen their understanding of the ecological and cultural significance of water resources.
The spring program features workshops and hands-on courses, enabling participants to complete their projects within three months. These projects, which may include sculptures, animations, or environmental short films, will be exhibited at the Hudson River waterfront in New York during World Environment Day and World Water Day, showcasing the creativity and activism of the younger generation. Additionally, the top three performers will receive scholarships and opportunities to participate in future international projects, collaborating with environmental scholars and artists to contribute to a sustainable future.
Fitrat, an international high school sophomore from Bangladesh with extensive experience in print photography, mentioned at the presentation that condensing a 30-minute interview into a 3-minute summary was a significant challenge. In this program, he experienced interviewing for the first time, successfully interviewed several experts and scholars, and learned video editing software, gaining substantial knowledge. Zamaya, a city high school freshman, used images to depict the riverside of her impoverished community, her only sanctuary for quiet reflection and emotional healing.
Bella, a university student who grew up traveling the world with her teaching parents, shared that the program provided a systematic understanding of filmmaking, a valuable experience. She deeply resonates with Master Hsin Tao's philosophy of spiritual ecology, which emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of all living beings. Her work, "Singularity," uses overlapping images to explore the complex relationship between humanity, nature, and technology. She particularly enjoyed the site visits and field surveys, which reinforced her belief that environmental protection requires action, not just words.
Beyond learning: A global environmental movement
Lu Chih-Lan, Director of Education and Training at GFLP, stated, "This is not just a learning opportunity; it's an action-oriented program designed to cultivate environmental awareness among young people. We aim to equip them with new media skills while fostering a deeper understanding of climate change, empowering them to translate their insights into creative expressions and concrete actions. Witnessing the students' growth and their enthusiastic responses to environmental issues fills us with hope for the future."
Lu further emphasized that environmental issues extend beyond statistics on species extinction or scientific research on ozone depletion; they are deeply intertwined with our lifestyles. The program not only teaches filmmaking and animation skills but, more importantly, empowers participants to use these media tools to tell compelling stories that inspire people to step away from their digital comfort zones, engage with nature, and actively participate in environmental protection.
The three-month program has begun, marking a significant moment for cultivating media skills and uniting global youth in environmental action. We anticipate that these young creators from around the world will use their unique perspectives and interdisciplinary expertise to infuse environmental protection with fresh ideas and energy. When their works are showcased, we believe they will inspire diverse perspectives and expand the impact of sustainable development, contributing to a harmonious global community.