Youth Development Professionals from 25 Countries Tour Groundswell Murals

In early April, a delegation of 25 youth development professionals representing three continents and 25 countries from Armenia to the West Bank, visited New York at the invitation of the United States Department of State. As part of their visit to the city the delegation took a walking tour of Groundswell murals in Brooklyn. Many of the delegation members work in communities that cross ethnic differences, including an Arab Israeli who is a co-principal at a school in Jerusalem for both Muslim and Jewish children and a Pakistani immigrant living in Denmark who organizes adult education across ethnic divides. Also present were the founder of a basketball school in Syria, the chairperson of a group working to reduce youth violence in Rwanda, and the head of a civil society organization working to promote tolerance in Turkey.

Led by Groundswell Artist Christopher Cardinale and Summer Leadership Institute youth participant Stefan Samuel, the group took in five of our large-scale murals in Park Slope/Gowanus. Groundswell Director Amy Sananman spoke about the focus of our youth development programs, and how Groundswell uses public art to actively empower young people. Upon the tours completion many of the delegates stated that they were inspired to consider starting similar programs in their own countries.

For more info on Groundswell Bus or Walking Tours or to set up a tour click here