GFLP’s Youth Media Program Selected for NYC's "Youth Action 50": International Recognition for LJM’s Empowerment Initiatives
"Climate! Film! Action!"—a youth environmental media education program driven by the Ling Jiou Mountain Buddhist Society's (LJM) Global Family of Love and Peace (GFLP)—has stood out among over 200 non-profit organizations to be selected for the New York City government's "Youth Action 50 (YA50)." As one of the city's 50 key public action organizations for empowerment, GFLP has achieved international acclaim for its youth cultivation efforts. This recognition injects new global momentum into the dialogue between the new generation and society regarding environmental symbiosis, symbolizing the seamless integration of Grand Master Hsin Tao’s "Spiritual Ecology" philosophy into international public action platforms.
For years, LJM’s GFLP has been deeply committed to youth education and environmental action. Guided by the core philosophy of "Spiritual Ecology" advocated by founder Grand Master Hsin Tao, the initiative emphasizes that all things are fundamental and that humanity and nature form an Interdependent Community of Life. Through education and practical action, the program guides the youth to embody the spirit of "Diversified Symbiosis and Mutual Co-existence," cultivating a profound responsibility for the world and helping them realize the deep-seated connections within this universal community.
Over the past four years, "Climate! Film! Action!" has been dedicated to utilizing imagery and storytelling as powerful mediums to convey environmental protection concepts through diverse creative forms. The program has successfully cultivated young people's capacities for public expression and social engagement. Selection for New York City's "Youth Action 50" marks a significant milestone, paving the way for broader, long-term opportunities in youth education, social participation, and global connectivity.
YA50 Empowers Youth to Speak Out: Leveraging NYC Municipal Resources to Launch Environmental Action Platforms
"Youth Action 50" (YA50) is an NGO empowerment program initiated by the New York City government, centered on Service Learning. Through hands-on public service, the program guides organizations and youth to develop holistic public action capabilities—from observing community needs and analyzing problems to proposing actionable solutions. The program framework provides both vertical and horizontal empowerment support. Vertically, expert advisors serve as mentors to facilitate strategic thinking and strengthen problem-solving skills. Horizontally, it fosters cross-disciplinary experience sharing and resource integration through organizational exchanges and professional workshops, creating a diverse support network for learning and collaboration.
From February to May this year, the New York City government is organizing a series of exchange and empowerment activities for the "Youth Action 50" cohort, helping organizations deepen their strategic vision and expand social connections through hands-on participation. In addition to fostering experience sharing through community action workshops and inter-organizational dialogues, the "Youth Service Expo" in March will convene youth from across New York City. Through on-site demonstrations and interactive sessions, high school students and young adults will gain firsthand insight into the public action and service initiatives of the selected organizations, inspiring them to commit to public service.
The Annual Summit, scheduled for May, will serve as a pivotal platform for each project to present its milestone achievements. As "Youth Action 50" members showcase their progress, they will receive expert feedback and mentorship to further refine their public service initiatives. Crucially, the social issues identified and the innovative ideas proposed by these young participants will have the opportunity to enter a broader arena of public discourse. These contributions may even be integrated into public policy considerations, opening up an expansive stage for the youth to manifest their potential in climate action and creative media.
The Power of Being Heard: Boosting Youth Confidence in Public Affairs
Lu Chih-lan, Director of Education and Training at GFLP, stated that selection for YA50 is more than just an affirmation; it provides a vital platform where youth voices can be heard by both the public sector and society. The key to empowerment, she noted, lies in helping the younger generation recognize the intrinsic value of their perspectives and actions, thereby building the confidence and momentum to stay engaged in public issues. "They may be young and may not yet possess comprehensive professional expertise, but every generation has its own unique channels for participation. When young people feel empowered, vocal, and truly seen, they develop the genuine motivation to remain committed to their cause."
Lu further noted, "Sometimes we strive for a cause we deeply believe in, but without understanding, acceptance, and systematic support, our energy can be quickly depleted." She believes that in an era of rapid technological evolution, where access to skills and knowledge is more available than ever, the real challenge lies in creative communication. The foundation for sustainable public action, she suggests, is the ability to transform inner reflections and compassion into a language that resonates with the community, fostering a deeper sense of empathy and a stronger connection with society.
From Knowledge to Practice: Diverse Training and Experiential Workshops
The LJM GFLP "Climate! Film! Action!" program utilizes imagery and storytelling as creative mediums to convey environmental values, guiding youth to start by observing their daily lives and environments to cultivate public expression and social engagement skills. Beyond technical training in photography, interviewing, editing, and animation, the curriculum features the monthly "Under the Moon: Urban Ecologies" themed exchanges. By inviting professionals from environmental education, activism, and the arts to share their expertise, these sessions help participants realize the profound connections between humanity, nature, and community, effectively extending environmental education from theoretical learning to active practice.
Furthermore, the program emphasizes experiential learning: participants recently attended the "Pollution Solution" workshop at the Hudson River Park Environmental Education Center New York University and co-designed the "Nature in the City" environmental media course in collaboration with New York University (NYU). Through on-site observations and interviews, the program guides students to critically reflect on environmental, social, and ecological issues across diverse contexts, fostering their capabilities for self-directed learning and proactive public participation.
For years, LJM’s GFLP has been deeply committed to youth education and environmental action. Guided by the core philosophy of "Spiritual Ecology" advocated by founder Grand Master Hsin Tao, the initiative emphasizes that all things are fundamental and that humanity and nature form an Interdependent Community of Life. Through education and practical action, the program guides the youth to embody the spirit of "Diversified Symbiosis and Mutual Co-existence," cultivating a profound responsibility for the world and helping them realize the deep-seated connections within this universal community.
Over the past four years, "Climate! Film! Action!" has been dedicated to utilizing imagery and storytelling as powerful mediums to convey environmental protection concepts through diverse creative forms. The program has successfully cultivated young people's capacities for public expression and social engagement. Selection for New York City's "Youth Action 50" marks a significant milestone, paving the way for broader, long-term opportunities in youth education, social participation, and global connectivity.
YA50 Empowers Youth to Speak Out: Leveraging NYC Municipal Resources to Launch Environmental Action Platforms
"Youth Action 50" (YA50) is an NGO empowerment program initiated by the New York City government, centered on Service Learning. Through hands-on public service, the program guides organizations and youth to develop holistic public action capabilities—from observing community needs and analyzing problems to proposing actionable solutions. The program framework provides both vertical and horizontal empowerment support. Vertically, expert advisors serve as mentors to facilitate strategic thinking and strengthen problem-solving skills. Horizontally, it fosters cross-disciplinary experience sharing and resource integration through organizational exchanges and professional workshops, creating a diverse support network for learning and collaboration.
From February to May this year, the New York City government is organizing a series of exchange and empowerment activities for the "Youth Action 50" cohort, helping organizations deepen their strategic vision and expand social connections through hands-on participation. In addition to fostering experience sharing through community action workshops and inter-organizational dialogues, the "Youth Service Expo" in March will convene youth from across New York City. Through on-site demonstrations and interactive sessions, high school students and young adults will gain firsthand insight into the public action and service initiatives of the selected organizations, inspiring them to commit to public service.
The Annual Summit, scheduled for May, will serve as a pivotal platform for each project to present its milestone achievements. As "Youth Action 50" members showcase their progress, they will receive expert feedback and mentorship to further refine their public service initiatives. Crucially, the social issues identified and the innovative ideas proposed by these young participants will have the opportunity to enter a broader arena of public discourse. These contributions may even be integrated into public policy considerations, opening up an expansive stage for the youth to manifest their potential in climate action and creative media.
The Power of Being Heard: Boosting Youth Confidence in Public Affairs
Lu Chih-lan, Director of Education and Training at GFLP, stated that selection for YA50 is more than just an affirmation; it provides a vital platform where youth voices can be heard by both the public sector and society. The key to empowerment, she noted, lies in helping the younger generation recognize the intrinsic value of their perspectives and actions, thereby building the confidence and momentum to stay engaged in public issues. "They may be young and may not yet possess comprehensive professional expertise, but every generation has its own unique channels for participation. When young people feel empowered, vocal, and truly seen, they develop the genuine motivation to remain committed to their cause."
Lu further noted, "Sometimes we strive for a cause we deeply believe in, but without understanding, acceptance, and systematic support, our energy can be quickly depleted." She believes that in an era of rapid technological evolution, where access to skills and knowledge is more available than ever, the real challenge lies in creative communication. The foundation for sustainable public action, she suggests, is the ability to transform inner reflections and compassion into a language that resonates with the community, fostering a deeper sense of empathy and a stronger connection with society.
From Knowledge to Practice: Diverse Training and Experiential Workshops
The LJM GFLP "Climate! Film! Action!" program utilizes imagery and storytelling as creative mediums to convey environmental values, guiding youth to start by observing their daily lives and environments to cultivate public expression and social engagement skills. Beyond technical training in photography, interviewing, editing, and animation, the curriculum features the monthly "Under the Moon: Urban Ecologies" themed exchanges. By inviting professionals from environmental education, activism, and the arts to share their expertise, these sessions help participants realize the profound connections between humanity, nature, and community, effectively extending environmental education from theoretical learning to active practice.
Furthermore, the program emphasizes experiential learning: participants recently attended the "Pollution Solution" workshop at the Hudson River Park Environmental Education Center New York University and co-designed the "Nature in the City" environmental media course in collaboration with New York University (NYU). Through on-site observations and interviews, the program guides students to critically reflect on environmental, social, and ecological issues across diverse contexts, fostering their capabilities for self-directed learning and proactive public participation.