International Youth Media Summit

The Passion of Youth and the Power of Media –

a Better Future for All of Us

IYMS Newsletter – April 2023

A World Wide Network

Training Future Leaders

Creating Media That Inspires Change

To 0ur International Family of Supporters,

This year the International Youth Media Summit is being held in La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA.

Actually, IYMS and La Crosse, Wisconsin have many similarities. Most important of these is that

both are treasures that, once discovered, leave an indelible impression of inspiring potential.

In this issue, IYMS President Evelyn Seubert reports on her April visit to La Crosse, as we

prepare for our 18th IYMS Summit in July, 2023. You find out many new things and how you can join the world in La Crosse this summer.

We’ll also report on our youthful treasures – young people who are making a difference in their

communities and across the world.

The IYMS Family

Public events at the Summit
How to visit the 18th Summit
The Delights of La Crosse
Thanks For Open Arms in La Crosse
Hooked on Peace – UNESCO Project
Meet the Delegates – Making a Difference
Love Shades

The energy generated by your belief in our mission has kept us going for two decades. Can we continue to count on your support?

The 18th International Youth Media Summit

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

La Crosse, Wisconsin

July 24 - August 6, 2023

This summer the community of La Crosse will share in our Summit experience to an extent never before seen.

Just look at the schedule of events open to the public!

Opening Ceremony

Tuesday, July 25
Union Theatre, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Talent Show

Friday, July 28
Pump House Regional Arts Center

Screening of the Feature Film JOHN

An IYMS Films Co-production
Q&A with writer/director Babar Ali, Pakistan
Sunday, July 30
Rivoli Theatre

Screening of select SANATIONE Episodes

With storytellers from La Crosse & around the world
Thursday, August 3
Rivoli Theatre

La Crosse Queen Cruise on the Mighty Mississippi

With delegates and their community friends
Friday, August 4

Community Dinners

Delegates will enjoy home hospitality across La Crosse
Friday, August 4

Closing Ceremony and Screening of Completed Films

Saturday, August 5
Rivoli Theatre

Come to La Crosse

and Experience the Excitement

Home2 Suites by Hilton

210 Jay Street | La Crosse, WI

Click to see more here !

Have you been a long-time supporter and always wondered what really happens at the Summit?

Now’s your chance! Home2 Suites by Hilton in La Crosse is holding a block of 10 rooms for Summit friends. You can enjoy a discount of 16 to 33% - depending on your dates of stay.

Full kitchen, king bed and sofa bed – up to 4 occupants
Includes a fitness center and an indoor pool
Within walking distance of the Mississippi River, downtown dining and shopping
30-minute walk or 5-minute cab ride to UWL, Summit Headquarters
These rooms will be held for Summit visitors until June 24^th
La Crosse is a very popular tourist destination in the summer
We recommend you book ASAP
To reserve: 608.881.6666 (mention the International Youth Media Summit)
Or online: https://tinyurl.com/Home2SummitReserve

Savoring the Delights of La Crosse

IYMS President Evelyn Seubert traveled to La Crosse to meet with UWL staff, community leaders, venue hosts and Summit sponsors. She shared this first-person photo tour – with apologies to the other delights still to be discovered!

Standing under the Riverside Park Bandshell, I felt a surge of energy from the 18 white oaks trees that make up the arch. This was a labor of love for community volunteers who raised the funding and helped erect the shell – providing protection for both art and artists. (Read more here)

There is a convergence of rivers in La Crosse;

the Mississippi, the La Crosse and the Black Rivers.

And there is a convergence of cultures in the International Friendship Garden

International Sisters Cities to La Crosse were represented

The Downtown Art Walk was a feast for the eyes.

Talk about feasting! From one end of town to the other – in coffee shops, bakeries, ice-cream parlors and four-star restaurants - the food and service were divine!

For more delights, including outdoor adventures, check out "Explore La Crosse" Click Here

Thanks for Your Open Arms

Thanks to everyone in La Crosse for your hospitality and eagerness to learn more about the International Youth Media Summit and our amazing delegates.

It's going to be a Love Fest!

Clara Gelatt & the Rivoli Theatre

Roz Schnick

Downtown Mainstreet & Terry Bauer

A.J. Frels & Haleigh Doyle, Explore La Crosse

Karen & Tom Houlihan

Katie Wine

Jennifer Williams

Sabina Bosshard & George Parke

Frank Cadwell

Katie Berkedal

Suzanne Young

Ashley Santolin, Mayo Clinic

Matthew Bersagel Braley, Ph.D.

Susan Fox & Lee Rasch

The Thomas Book Group

The Rotary Club of La Crosse

Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration

Shawnna Bortz & Home2

Allison Krzych & the Pump House

Chuck Hanson

Maureen and Bob Freedland

Dick Record

Greg Reichert, UWL

Becky & Jim Naugler

David Ring, Kwik Trip

Neal Zygarlicke & the La Crosse Chamber

Roger and Charlotte Grant

The Pump House Film Society

Carol Abrahamzon & MVC

Jamie Schloegel, the LAX Community Foundation

Mayor Mitch Reynolds

Caley Rucker, assistant to the Mayor

Spencer Hulsey - UWL

Havvah Holl – UWL

Katie Olan

The Cast & Crew of “Hometown Heroes”

A special thanks to Anne Drecktrah –

for the connections, the chauffeuring, the cocktails and cuisine.

You have made a Summit in La Crosse possible.

Hooked on Peace

A UNESCO Bangkok & IYMS Collaboration

IYMS, led by its Youth Committee, is joining hands with UNESCO Bangkok, the Asia Foundation and the Asia Indigenous People’s Pact to document indigenous stories of gender equality, peace-building and sustainability

in the Asia-Pacific.

Highlights:

Working with various indigenous youth groups from Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Providing Master Classes on Storytelling Techniques - including Films, Photo Stories and Digital Media.
Four IYMS Youth Committee members will mentor two groups from each of eight countries.
The indigenous youth groups will research, then learn and work with IYMS mentors on pre-production for their stories.
They will produce short documentaries and photo stories.

The Treasures of IYMS

Meet Our 2023 Delegates

Delegates are selected for the Summit based on the work they have done,

their passion for change and potential for inspiring others.

We’ll be sharing stories of delegates in each edition, starting with these four who are generating tremendous impact in their countries.

Sokhna Seye Seck

Senegal

Filmmaker/Activist

Sokhna works with the Association “Delossi”, which means “to bring back”. They take care of the mentally ill found on the streets, locating their families and returning them to their homes. She mobilizes her 5,000+ social media followers to take action.

Joel Semwezi

Uganda

Filmmaker

Joel is partnering with Voices Against Human Injustices (VAHI), which protects people against domestic violence; takes care of victims affected by violence; and protects young girls from early and forced marriages.

Cluford Dubois

Haiti

CEO & Founder

Le Quotidien News

Cluford organizes an annual competition for proposals to solutions to stop violence against women. 123 young people of both sexes participated this past year.

He also organizes conferences to involve young people in the fight for a healthy environment and produces reports on the violence perpetrated by armed gangs on the civilian population.

Stephanie Stan

United States

Global Health Fellow - Duke Global Policy Program in Geneva

Stephanie received her Master of Science in Global Health from Duke University this semester. She has been working with the Global Health Innovation Center for two years and recently attended #ihforum23. Stephanie presented her thesis research at the Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) Conference in Washington DC in April.

Love Shades

IYMS 2022 Health Movie Makes an Impact

The Health Issue group at the 2022 IYMS Summit in Sweden produced “Love Shades”, a film that has been having a worldwide impact.

“Love Shades” was selected for screening at the Mental Health Suicide Awareness Film Festival. May 13 will be the VIP event at the BUG theatre in Denver, Colorado (More).
“Love Shades” is also an official selection in the World Health Organization's Health For All Film Festival. It will appear in Category 3: Better Health and Well-Being. It was one of 90 films selected out of 780 entries (More).

Love Shades

Watch the 6-minute movie here