This is not just a summer program, it is a path to global citizenship. The Global Youth Village (GYV) started in 1979, with a need and a dream. A group of parents dreamed of a summer program to bring together young people from around the world to live and learn alongside one another. Forty years later, 65 teens from more than 15 countries gather for dynamic workshops teaching leadership and dialogue as well as sports, arts and summer fun. Critical issues are addressed with inspiring role models and young global leaders. NOTE: Global Youth Village is hitting pause until 2023 We have made the difficult decision to cancel in-person and virtual programming in summer 2022 so we can refocus and plan for 2023 and beyond. Global Youth Village offers a 16-day international youth leadership summits for ages 15-19 in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia. For the past 40+ years, we have gathered youth leaders from across the globe for essential training. The Global Youth Village aims to scale up global, regional, and national actions to meet young people’s needs, realize their rights and tap their possibilities as agents of change. Join friends from more than 15 different countries to: * Tackle the world’s most pressing issues this summer. Learn from experts and champions in peace & conflict, human rights, and climate action. * Act and mobilize others - create working groups to develop solutions. * Become a communicator, innovator, decision maker * Develop your own youth advocacy tool kits to precipitate local community change Over the course of 16 days, your mornings will be in summit mode. This culminates in a plenary session showcasing your resolutions to drive change. Outside of the Summits, in the afternoons and evenings is when you build friendships, try new things. There’s something for everybody. You can explore culture, language, dance, arts, sports, or continue refining specific leadership skills. Evenings include cultural sharing, talents nights, "Wacky Olympics", and more. Join us this summer for an adventure that last a lifetime!