COMMON GROUND SUMMIT: Festival Of Hope 2027
Date: April 9th - 11th, 2027
Location: Le Jardin Academy 917 Kalanianaole Hwy, Kailua, Hawaii 96734
The Festival of Hope brings young people together to think boldly, speak openly and take collective action on global challenges, turning complexity into positivity and hope.Since September 2022, the IB has hosted events worldwide and supported schools in numerous countries to create spaces for youth voices, dialogue and collaboration.Through partnerships and initiatives like the Global Youth Action Fund, the Festival of Hope continues to elevate, connect and invest in young people as part of the IB’s broader youth strategy.
We invite all attending schools and students to bring with them a project or initiative that they have been working on that brings hope for a brighter future. Everyone will have the chance to present on their respective project during the summit.
Past Summit Highlights
Here are some photos from past Common Ground Summits!
CGS 2023, Keynote speakers present ways to build sustainable communities
Opening ceremony dinner, yum!
CGS 2024, Sunrise at camp
Details and Itinerary
THE BASICS
Who: Any high school students who register!
When: April 9th-11th, 2027
Where: Le Jardin Academy 917 Kalanianaole Hwy, Kailua, Hawaii 96734
ITINERARY OVERVIEW
Friday, April 9th
4:30 - 5:30 pm Check-in and Registration
5:30 - 6:00 pm Opening Ceremony
6:30 pm Keynote Speaker
6:30 - 8:30 pm Dinner and a Movie
Movie: How To Live on Earth
8:30 - 9:15 pm Movie Discussion
10:30 pm Bedtime
Saturday, April 10th
8:00 am Wake-up + Breakfast
9:00 am Leave for Worksites
9:30 - 12:00 pm Workday at Kahanaiki and Palalupe
12:00 - 1:00 pm Lunch at sites
1:30 pm Return to Campus
1:30 - 2:30 pm Free time
2:30 - 4:15 pm Hope Projects Forum
4:15 - 8:30 pm Dinner and Music
8:30 - 9:30 pm Capture the Flag
9:30 pm Campfire (and S’mores!)
Sunday, April 11th
8:00 am Wake-up
8:15 am Cleanup (break down tents, put away food, etc.)
9:15 - 10:15 am Brunch & Hope Reflections
10:15 - 11:15 am Appreciations and Goodbyes
What is the Common Ground Summit?
Every year, the Wild Kids Stewardship Council hosts a student-led conference centered around global issues, activism, and community stewardship. For one weekend, we camp under the stars on Le Jardin Academy’s campus, contribute to community work projects, play epic games, enjoy music and food, and co-create new frameworks of understanding.
The Common Ground Summit was first launched in 2016 from a vision for multi-age collaboration that begins with our common ground, the planet. At the time, we were a little fed up with the typical youth conference. The whole “You are the future leaders!” message felt empty. In our experience, we often need the guidance of adult change-makers and kupuna (elders) in order to make an impact. Instead of a spotlight on “youth,” we wanted an opportunity for authentic collaboration between diverse, intergenerational communities.
When we reconnect with our most ancient roots, those that began and end in the ground itself, we can generate new templates for healthy, sustainable communities and develop innovative solutions to our collective problems.
Three core tenets drive each Common Ground Summit:
Environmental and Social issues are inextricably connected in a nested system of influence.
Multi-age collaboration is essential.
Shared work and play are the foundation for open exchange and effective collaboration.
Past Common Ground Summit Themes
