Junior youth represents the age group from 12-15. They are a special group as they are somewhat in between childhood and youth when many changes are occurring within them. While society often represents this age range as a tumultuous period in one's life; the Junior Youth Empowerment Program sees in these young people altruism, a sense of justice, eagerness to learn about the world, and a desire to contribute to the construction of a better world.
The Junior Youth Empowerment Program is an educational program that enables those age groups to develop their powers of expression, capacities for moral reasoning, and an ethic of service to others. It empowers them to form a strong moral identity, channels their surging energies into contributing to the well-being of their communities and enables them to navigate through a crucial stage in their lives as well. By going through the program, they can become agents of positive change in the world.
Currently there are about 14 junior youth books that they study during those years. All of them are concerned with developing language skills and the power of expression. Some of the books also address mathematical concepts and social issues, while others seek to prepare young people to approach the investigation of physical, social and spiritual reality in a scientific manner. “Though the moral concepts in the materials in the first few books are drawn from the Bahá’í teachings, they are not religious in nature, nor do they treat subjects that are specifically Bahá’í. Many kinds of organizations, including academic institutions, will therefore find them useful for their educational programs with junior youth.” The Ruhi Institute
Some of the last books address concepts that adolescents most often struggle with, such as free will and predestination and the complex relationship between will and knowledge.
This program is offered to junior youth in small groups, usually formed in a village or neighborhood by older youth called animators, who are often in their late teens or twenties. There are also courses that the youth take to prepare them to serve as animators of such junior youth groups. The animator and participants learn from each other in a participatory mode of learning. They engage in activities such as discussion, drama, artistic expression, cooperative games, study of literature, storytelling and acts of community service.
The program is a global movement inspiring young people, parents, and community members to work together towards a better world.
All junior youth are welcome to join the groups!
We invite the youth and adults to do this vital work with us!
If you would like to learn more about starting a junior youth group or becoming an animator,
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