Come join us for an unforgettable afternoon of arts-based, youth-led civic action the Brian Friel Theatre at Queen's University Belfast! Our showcase concert will feature talented youth artivists (12 - 18 years) from eduSOIL, Diverse Youth NI, ACSONI, NI Gujarati Community and ANAKA Collective who are unleashing their I CAN superpowers and creativity to itake action on issues affecting their mental health and to inspire change in the world.

The Art For Change (AFC) summer programme at Queen’s has welcomed 40 youth (12 - 18 years) from immigrant, asylum seeking, refugee and vulnerable backgrounds to explore arts-based wellbeing strategies and lead group social action projects addressing mental health issues. It is led by Juanita Rea, Visiting Scholar at the School of Arts, English and Languages, founder of eduSOIL and Director of Design For Change NI, South Africa and Sudan. Since 2011 eduSOIL has supported 16,000 people in 12 countries and is delivering AFC in partnership with Design For Change Global and with support from Arts Council Northern Ireland and Queen's University Belfast School of Arts, English and Langauges (AEL), Performance Without Barriers research group and the Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility Directorate.

Youth are supported by Juanita Rea with artivists Nandi Jola, Rwanda Shaw; Mayte Segura; Pradnya Joshi and Takura Donald Makoni to address racism, stereotyping, culture shock, negative impact of social media on youth self-image, teenage challenges and racist bullying through music, spoken word, paintings, drama , video and multidisciplinary pieces. Youth workers Alexis Ekweume and Salwa Asharabi, guest artists Chip Bailey and Phil d'Alton join us as well AEL Professor Franziska Schroeder (founder of Performance without Barriers) Broadcast Student, Katie Grew and eduSOIL volunteer Anirudh Ashok have been part of the core team making it all happen!

There will be an exhibition in the foyer open from 14:30. Doors will be at 14:45 and the show starts promptly at 15:00.

Tickets are free and by donation. We are raising funds to enable at least 1 youth participant to share their Art For Change Project at the global Be The Change (BTC) gathering in Dubai, November 21st -24th. Last year eduSOIL showcased 3 AFC projects ( two for NI and one for Sudan) at the global gathering in Ahmedabad India where Karma Vyas represented NI in person. He was later selected to join the Design For Change Global Student Council 2024. This year we aim to have three youth at BTC and hopefully one will be selected thereafter to represent NI on the 2025 Global Student Council. You can donate at the door or donate online (link to follow)

Get ready to be amazed by powerful presentations and performances that will leave you feeling motivated and uplifted. Don't miss this opportunity to support youth artivists and be part of a meaningful event! See you there!