Peace, Justice and You(th) Zine
What are the youth up to? Debating laws, making friends, changing the world. Read all about it in their own words, in the PJY9 'zine.Youth imagine a better world at AID conference
Young people of ages 2 – 21 attended the youth conference, engaging in activities ranging from shram dan (volunteer work) in the forest alongside the Haw River and learning about wildlife from park ranger Lindsay Purvis, to drafting and debating laws they would like to make, to performing a skit based on the work of the AID conference keynote speaker, Saket Soni as narrated in his book, The Great Escape. They also played cricket (thanks to Anirudh Ullal for teaching and facilitating) and basketball, took part in workshops in writing (thanks to Shilpa Kamat), theatre (thanks to Khiyali Pillalamarri) and media (thanks again Shilpa!), and put on the global premiere of “Eureka Space,” a song about the Eureka Focus Villages inspired by Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space.”
As in prior years, they also found time to write and perform a skit of their own, a parody of the conference itself called “AID & Kids.” On a somber note, we remembered Muhil Kandaswamy (2021-2024), who in his brief time on earth attended all major events of AID-DC Metro chapter and was a valued member of the AID family.
Read about of all this and more in the Summer 2024 issue of the Peace Justice and You(th) Post-Despatch. Shout-out to our youth editor, first time PJY participant Radhika Marwaha, and to all who contributed to the magazine.
*Peace Justice and You(th)* is an annual conference of AID for kids. 2024 was the 9th year of the conference but the first time we’ve issued a a magazine.
Download your copy here: PJY9 Post-Despatch
Watch a 90-second recap of all 3 days and more videos below:
With great sadness we note the passing of Muhil Inba Kandaswamy, who enlivened several AID events in his brief life time. Hearts of all gathered at the 2024 conference went out to his parents, Shyamala and Santosh, and big sister Oviya. Those who’d met Muhil and also many who had not yet had the chance sincerely felt the loss and shared a solemn moment of remembrance.
To honor Muhil’s memory, volunteers of the DC Metro chapter are working with Rock Creek Conservancy to plant native trees, enhancing forest resilience and restoration in the Glover Archibold area of Rock Creek Park, just 3 miles from Muhil’s family’s home. If you would like to support this effort please visit Celebrating Muhil Inba Kandaswamy’s Life.