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For two years the SJA, Stedelijk Jonger Enwerk Amsterdam
(City Youth Workers of Amsterdam), has presented Talent Shows
in the One Day format. Combining the audition, workshop and
talent show into a one day event the SJA reaches out to the
youth in Amsterdam’s community of color, i.e.; people
from former Dutch colonies in Surinam, Aruba, Ghana and Nigeria.
In April Gloria Strickland, Director of the New Jersey All
Stars, and Antoine Joyce, All Stars Talent Show Network Assistant
National Producer, went to Amsterdam to meet SJA director,
Peggy Foster and her team of 22 young people. There they participated
in a conference that attracted 40 youth workers from urban
centers and small villages throughout the Netherlands. This
multiracial group, including youth program sponsors and government
representatives, came together to learn about development
and community building. It wasn’t just a presentation
with speakers. Interested participants were invited to go
through the registration, performance workshop and audition
process themselves, performing songs, poems and dancing for
the others. That “hands-on process made this wonderful
event a development cultural learning opportunity for all.”
SJA also has a Youth OnStage program whose kids put on skits
that showed them performing various activities, like telephoning
the youth to be on time for the events and interviewing experts
on development. It was a very “performatory experience!”
Knowing how successful the All Stars programs have been in
the States, Gloria was excited to see that they have just
as much impact on young people overseas. Yara, a youth volunteer
told Gloria an interesting story. At one of their auditions
Yara saw a girl who was upset and afraid to audition. Yara
encouraged her to perform and assured her that everything
would be fine. At the end of her act she received a big, “CONGRATULATIONS
YOU MADE THE SHOW!” “Knowing that everyone makes
the show, makes it possible for me to give support and encouragement
to other young people. That mean a lot to me,” Yara
commented with a big smile.
It was clear to Gloria that young people across the ocean
grab a hold of development because “the need for development
is universal.” And she was excited to participate in
this opportunity to make it possible for others to try the
All Stars approach.
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