It’s so important to give young people the opportunity to express themselves creatively.
One such initiative which is doing just that is Adobe Youth Voices, a programme by the Adobe Foundation which aims to empower youth from underserved communities with digital media skills so that they can comment on their world, share their ideas and take action on issues that are important to them. More specifically, the programme encourages young people to express themselves through documentary videos, photography, print media, radio diaries, animation, web communications and other media.
The Adobe Foundation recently announced the winners of the first-ever Adobe Youth Voices Aspire Awards. The only global youth competition of its kind, the Aspire Awards showcases the very best of digital media created by teens, aged 13-18, who have demonstrated outstanding creativity and skill using video, print and/or audio to convey perspectives on issues that are significant to them.
There were more than 800 submissions, with entries accepted in eight categories spanning animation, documentary, music video, narrative video, poetry/experimental video, audio, graphic design and photography.
A global panel of teen peers, youth media professionals, educators and media industry experts, including photographer Neil Bennett, spoken-word poet Sarah Kay and director Robert Kenner were responsible for judging all this fabulous work.
The lucky winners received prize packages containing Adobe software, laptops provided by Dell, HD camcorders donated by Samsung, Flip Mino HD video cameras, and a donation to their charity of choice. In addition, winners will get the opportunity to showcase their projects publicly through art galleries, Digital Arts Magazine, plus partner film festivals and exhibitions worldwide, including the Seattle International Film Festival, the Sarajevo Film Festival and many more. What an incredible opportunity!
I’ve had a look at all the winners and amongst my favourites are Fermin Martinez from Puerta Joven (Mexico City, Mexico) who snapped up a Gold Award for this great video in the Animation category and Christian Ogando from the Urban Arts Partnership (New York, United States) who won a Gold Award for his Propaganda Posters in the Photography category.
This great initiative demonstrates just how effective digital media is at helping people across the globe make their mark and speak out about the issues that are important to them.
Have you expressed yourself in a creative way using digital media? If so, get in touch!
Liz Wilkins is Senior Marketing Manager for Education at Adobe Systems UK. Her involvement with Adobe Education products has seen her work closely with a range of educational institutions, championing the use of digital media tools in the curriculum, and their integration into a number of subject areas in order to better prepare students for the future demands of the workplace. Liz works closely with teachers and administrators integrating software, curriculums, and instructional resources as well as certification options and professional development tools. Through promoting digital literacy in cross-curricular education, teaching essential career skills, and streamlining administrative processes Liz has experience working in partnership with a diverse portfolio of schools and further education institutions. 
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