KidSpirit

Kidspirit continued to thrive in 2023. Its network of young editors now includes about 190 teenagers on 20 editorial boards in new york, Kentucky, Texas, australia, china, ghana, haiti, india, jordan, liberia, pakistan, paraguay, singapore, spain, taiwan, the u.k., and ukraine. Through their writing, art, video, and conversations, youth substantively engaged with the 2023 themes: violence and healing, courage, now and then, and finding meaning. This year's array of online writing, editing, and dialogue workshops provided youth around the world opportunities for connection and skill- building. In november, the annual Kidspirit global summit brought together 40 young people from 9 countries for a panel discussion, collaborative creative activities, and meaningful conversation. Young panelists were joined by two esteemed experts on the summit's theme, "wellbeing and creativity": distinguished professor of psychology, author, and happiness expert sonja lyubomirsky and award-winning graphic journalist and illustrator wendy macnaughton. Twenty-five editors were selected by their peers to receive Kidspirit awards this past year. Their artwork, articles, and poetry was featured in a print anthology, the best of Kidspirit, volume ix. Kidspirit continued to participate in the wider international community through consultative status with the united nations economic and social council (ecosoc) and formal association with the un department of global communications. The magazine is in syndication on spirituality & practice and has won seventeen awards from major educational, parenting, and spiritual organizations. Kidspirit aims to build a truly inclusive and welcoming conversation that emphasizes authenticity, personal growth, and engagement. We look forward with hope and anticipation to future dialogue and works from these incredible youth.