FYP Code of Conduct
Our Theory of Change
We believe personal flourishing drives collective transformation. Through these commitments, we build a movement that proves youth supporting youth changes everything.
Agency
Our power begins with self-love
I. We commit to radical self-love and self-actualization.
We fiercely prioritize our mental health and well-being, making self-love and self-actualization our highest priority while supporting others in doing the same, because we know systemic change begins with personal flourishing.
Individuals with higher levels of self-acceptance and self-actualization demonstrate greater resilience, lower rates of anxiety and depression, and increased capacity for social impact (Ryff & Singer, 2008; Maslow, 1971).
Read More: "The Body Is Not an Apology" by Sonya Renee Taylor & "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs" research
II. We commit to mindful presence.
We stay radically present in our work and relationships, engage our full selves to every moment while remaining aware of our energy levels and conscious about our bodies.
Mindful presence significantly improves mental well-being, reduces stress, and enhances both personal and collective decision-making capacity (Kabat-Zinn, 2013; Brown & Ryan, 2003).
Read More: "The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook" by Kristin Neff & Christopher Germer
III. We commit to growth resilience.
We embrace challenges fiercely as opportunities for growth, viewing setbacks not as failures but as essential steps in our journey while building sustainable support systems that help us bounce back stronger.
Developing resilience and a growth mindset significantly improves mental health outcomes and increases likelihood of achieving both personal and social change goals (Dweck, 2006; Duckworth, 2016).
Read More: "Growth Mindset" by Carol Dweck & "Grit" by Angela Duckworth
Authenticity
Because being real is revolutionary
IV. We commit to enriching work and meaningful engagement.
We choose to devote our time and energy to work that genuinely enriches our lives and our communities, fearlessly saying no to what drains us to protect our capacity for meaningful impact.
Engaging in purposeful work significantly increases life satisfaction and reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety (Steger et al., 2012; Frankl, 1959).
Read More: "The Happiness Trap" by Russ Harris & "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl
V. We commit to authentic self-exploration and expression.
We strive fiercely to explore, discover, and express our genuine selves, creating spaces where youth can freely find themselves and be themselves.
Authentic self-expression and identity exploration during youth significantly improve mental health outcomes and foster psychological well-being (Ryan & Deci, 2000).
Read More: "True to Ourselves" by Cameron Anderson & "Authenticity" by Stephen Joseph
VI. We commit to boundary protection and self-advocacy.
We maintain fierce boundaries that protect our energy and space, actively advocating for our needs and empowering others to do the same.
Strong personal boundaries and effective self-advocacy skills are fundamental to preventing burnout in youth advocates and maintaining long-term mental health (Cloud & Townsend, 2017).
Read More: "Set Boundaries, Find Peace" by Nedra Glover Tawwab & "Boundaries" by Henry Cloud and John Townsend
Compassion
Because kindness transforms everything
VII. We commit to radical self-compassion.
We practice fierce kindness toward ourselves, embracing our full self including our struggles, imperfections, and the messy reality of being young changemakers in today's world.
Self-compassion is strongly correlated with reduced anxiety and depression while increasing resilience and capacity for social connection (Neff & Germer, 2017; MacBeth & Gumley, 2012).
Read More: "Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself" by Kristin Neff & "The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion" by Christopher Germer
VIII. We commit to radical compassion for others.
We extend deep understanding and care to all people, especially those who hold different views or in the case opposition. We recognize our we are all human and compassion is the key to bridge conflicts into connections and make real changes happen.
Practicing compassion for others enhances both personal well-being and community resilience while reducing burnout (Rosenberg, 2015; Klimecki et al., 2014).
Read More: "Nonviolent Communication" by Marshall Rosenberg & "The Art of Communicating" by Thich Nhat Hanh
Openness
Because growth requires curiosity
IX. We commit to critical thinking.
As Plato said, "The unexamined life is not worth living." We commit to critically examine everything we do as a community, every aspect of our work, and the actions of each team member, and we recognize that what we are creating today will have a significant impact on all youth tomorrow.
Developing critical thinking skills significantly improves youth mental health outcomes by enhancing decision-making capacity and reducing cognitive distortions associated with anxiety and depression (Paul & Elder, 2020).
Read More: "Critical Theory and Social Justice" by Iris Marion Young & "Teaching Critical Thinking" by bell hooks
X. We commit to cultural humility and inclusive practice.
FYP is made of youth leaders from various countries and cultures, and we recognize that well-being and mental health mean different things to different cultures - we don't just make space for these differences, we strive actively bring in our diverse cultural perspectives and epistemological diversity to build systems that help all people and community flourish on their own terms.
Culturally responsive approaches to mental health and well-being lead to significantly better outcomes across different communities, with research showing up to 40% higher engagement and effectiveness when interventions honor cultural perspectives (Sue & Sue, 2016).
Read More: "Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain" by Zaretta Hammond & "How To Be An Antiracist" by Ibram X. Kendi
Joy
Joy is a form of resistence*
XI. We commit to revolutionary joy, play, and purpose.
We make fierce space for play and party in our work, recognizing that joy itself is a form of resistance against systems that would rather see us burnt out and disconnected. We recognize that true joy comes from alignment with our deepest values.
Integrating play and joy into purpose-driven work significantly reduces burnout while increasing both personal well-being and movement sustainability (brown, 2019; Brown, S., 2009).
Read More: "Pleasure Activism" by adrienne maree brown & "Play" by Stuart Brown
"We practice these commitments not as rules to follow, but as pathways to liberation. Together, we prove that authenticity, agency, and compassion always triumph."