Parallel Session 4.5
Tuesday 21 November – 11.30 – 13.00
Coming from Both Sides of the Track
Simeon Smith – Founding member of MaSamba Samba School
This presentation begins with a brief description of Masamba’s history, with a particular focus on our work in a primary school in a heavily disadvantaged area ofinner-city Dublin. Through a long tenure with this school, Masamba has become part of the school community, while at the same time operating independently as a performance group in the wider community. By straddling education, public performance, and public policy, Masamba has been able to offer children from this school opportunities to perform at local events and international conferences. These performances combine fun, an opportunity to show off skills learned, building a sense of civic responsibility.
Sound-based participatory methods: Empowering Young People in Urban Placemaking Projects
Line Dalile – PhD candidate at the department of Educational Sciences at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel
This presentation explores the transformative potential of sound art as a means ofengaging young people as active agents in urban place-making processes. Place-making involves actively shaping and reimagining public spaces to reflect the needs and aspirations of the community. In urban environments, where young people often feel disconnected or excluded, participatory urban methodologies using sound art offer a unique approach in promoting inclusive urban development and establishing points of connectedness between young people and the historical and cultural dimensions of the city. Drawing upon a multidisciplinary literature framework as well as case studies, this presentation will focus on the practical application of sound-based participatory methods and how they were utilized in urban-placemaking initiatives, and the outcome and impact experienced by young people and their communities.
Healing from tragedy: a toolkit for and by young people
Maddie Frank – Development and Operations Coordinator at Growing Up Boulder
Growing Up Boulder’s “Healing From Tragedy ” is a groundbreaking project that harnesses young people’s creativity to facilitate healing in the aftermath of a devastating mass shooting in Boulder, Colorado, USA. Through a series of workshops, Growing Up Boulder provided safe space for teens to express emotions, process experiences, and contribute unique perspectives on rebuilding a stronger community. The teens then created a “Healing Day of Remembrance” for the community, and a subsequent toolkit to help peers, children, and all ages heal from the tragedy. The toolkit is now an adopted resource within schools.Testimonials from youth and community members demonstrate their healing and sense of agency engendered by the project. In conclusion, Growing Up Boulder’s “Healing” project stands as a remarkable example of how young people’s creativity can play a pivotal role in healing communities.