DIPLOMACY WEEK

At the heart of Luminari's mission is creating a "ripple effect" of change. I Want to be an Ambassador! encourages program participants to perpetuate our goal of "ripple effect" by using what they learn to impact their communities and fellow students. They are inspired to effectively illuminate the lives of others and motivate new discoveries and accomplishments. After the conclusion of the camp, they will create activities in their own style and at their own pace. For instance, some students from the camp have chosen to introduce Diplomacy Week, at our suggestion, to their schools and colleagues.

If you are interested in introducing Diplomacy Week to your school or community, we encourage you to first participate in this year's I Want to be an Ambassador! camp. Learn more and sign-up HERE!

Diplomacy Week Suggestions:

Find a unique way to teach fellow students the definition of "diplomacy" – and to let them know diplomacy can be applied to solve problems of all sizes! Diplomacy isn't just for international Ambassadors!

Encourage an understanding of diplomacy through the arts. Hold a poster competition inviting students to create their visions of "diplomacy" and display the entries in school hallways.

Write a brief "fascinating fact" to include in the morning announcements throughout Diplomacy Week. Facts can expand students' views about world cultures, current events, or just be eye-opening statistics that may motivate youth to take action to help solve a world problem.

Work with your school's newspaper editor to write an article about Diplomacy Week, and the many ways young people can make a difference in the community by using diplomatic behavior.

With the help of your school's guidance counselor or English Department, initiate a campaign encouraging students to write letters to the editor of the school newspaper, or to a community newspaper, with suggestions for ways to include youth in community problem-solving efforts.

Sponsor a "Lunch-and-Learn session". You could discuss table etiquette with classmates; teach your classmates how to eat with chopsticks; or, challenge students to be paired at random and spend the lunchtime conversing with students with whom they might not normally associate. (And you could even charge a small fee to attend, and send the proceeds of the event to a charity you vote on.)

Approach your school's music department about working with you to create a special session exploring the musical styles of different cultures. You may even want to invite an expert who can speak about the ethnic roots of many popular American music styles. (Charge a small fee to attend, and send the proceeds of the event to a charity you vote on.)

Share your new knowledge of Media Literacy and Online Safety by writing an article for your school newspaper encouraging critical analysis skills and important online safety practices.

Organize a group exercise in your English class, a communications class, or a public speaking class, replicating the one we did in camp with the goofy gag-gifts! Students can contribute gag gifts, and everyone practices their vocabulary and presentation skills reacting to their gifts.

Work with your school's Technology/Computer Lab department to sponsor activities centered on internet-based activities. Visit the US State Dept. Youth Ambassador site. Or, plan a Virtual World Tour. Throughout Diplomacy Week, students can come together daily to visit various sites and explore the geography, political, and social situations of a different country every day. Follow the Virtual World Tour with a roundtable discussion about the country's culture, contributions, and challenges that could be addressed through diplomacy efforts.

Assemble a Student Task Force to identify situations at school that can be resolved through diplomatic tactics we learned at camp, such as negotiating, active listening, and role-playing. With the help of your school counselor, approach the groups involved in the conflicts and invite them to be part of a problem-solving session.

REMEMBER: These are only suggestions. We invite you use your own creativity, think out of the box and come up with your own exciting ways to inspire the students at your school!

Share your plans and story with us on Facebook or by email. And check us out on Twitter!

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