October 27th 2012 saw the very first Conexão CampusY: A digital communication and youth-led event held in association with FNAC in the heart of Sao Paulo’s bustling Praça Dos Omaguás. Its purpose was to build an empowering space for the young people of Sao Paulo by using an array of multimedia and strategies that were intelligent, entertaining and engaging: 10 unforgettable hours of music and inspiration that were totally free and with people all ready to interact, learn and share experiences. It connected with 10 other countries worldwide; YMCA Sao Paulo certainly provided a day to remember!
The event was the brainchild of Volunteer and Programme Coordinator Diego Luis Noronha who created the project while living in the United States between 2010 and 2012. It began with 2 and a half hours of speeches with 20 minutes allocated for each speaker and time for questions directly after. The speeches were streamed live on the Internet so that people could participate in real time via the Net and ask their questions without having to be in the building. Free Wi-Fi was provided out on the street and in the square opposite.
Non-stop music followed the speeches with 9 live bands and a DJ playing a mixture of Funky, Brazilian, Rap, Pop and Rock – ensuring there was something for everyone. Over 120 staff from Sao Paulo YMCA attended and a staggering 450 people passed through over the 10 hours.
The Main Stage was the heart of the event plus there were 9 stands set up with young people presenting projects that they entitled ‘Challenge 12’. Sao Paulo youth had been invited to choose 2 topics from ‘Challenge 21’ and develop them into projects to be presented on the stands. Much preparation and thought had gone into the delivery and display of the projects and all participants were greatly received.
Marcio Nery -Youth Programmes Director, emphasised the role of young people in the event from start to finish saying that the participants ‘really took charge of the day’s events, were entrusted with planning and delivering the activities and were fully supported every step of the way’.
Paulo Emilio a local volunteer and activities developer reiterated the success of the event saying ‘everything we hoped to achieve was achieved…and more’. Sao Paulo is investing in their young people and empowering them to think about their own importance while increasing their responsibilities. This event promoted strategic thinking and communicated through the youth of Sao Paulo a new way of impacting and feeding energy not just to the local community but also to the rest of the world.