About UWP
Up with People provides a six month global education program for young adults (ages 18 to 29) from around the world. Each Up with People “cast” of up to 100 participants travels together to at least two continents and often to more than six countries with diverse cultural, political, and economic conditions.
The program engages students in a dynamic experience that combines leadership and life skills development, intercultural learning, and host family living with community service and the performing arts. The Up with People curriculum brings together the theoretical study of leadership and intercultural communication with hands-on experiential learning and service. It takes advantage of cast diversity and international travel to broaden perspectives and help the young leaders of tomorrow learn how to work across cultural boundaries for positive social change.
For 40 years, Up with People was best known for using its musical performance as a vehicle to spread messages of hope and goodwill across nations. Today, Up with People has expanded the program to be relevant to 21st Century needs and interests; it emphasizes community projects with international service partners and a global education curriculum. The current show is a culmination of the cast’s stay in each tour city; it is a multi-media, intercultural celebration that uses the international languages of music and dance to educate community members about their community’s needs and inspire them to take action.
The proceeds from the show are generally given to a local charity to help it continue its service. After each show, Up with People hosts a community fair where non-profit and other charitable organizations set up informational booths to help the audience find new ways to become engaged in service in their own community.
The need for communities around the world to pull together and make positive change at both local and international levels is evident. We offer a unique solution to this need by providing an international program where participants have opportunity experience in a powerful and real way how they can be catalysts and leaders for positive change by addressing local needs and inspiring others to do the same.