Indonesian Girl Receives The Diana Award 2020

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - 19-year old Kyla Christie from Indonesia has been recognized with the highest accolade a young person ages 9-25 can achieve for social action or humanitarian efforts – The Diana Award. In the memory of lady Diana, Princess of Wales, the Award is given out by the charity of the same name and has the support of both her sons, The Duke of Cambridge and The Duke of Sussex.

The Diana Award award ceremony was done in London, England on Tuesday Night (1/7), on the birthday of Princess Diana.  

“We congratulate all our new Diana Award recipients who are changemakers for their generation. We know by receiving this honour they will inspire more young people to get involved in their communities and begin their own journey as active citizens.  For over twenty years The Diana Award has valued and invested in young people encouraging them to continue to make positive change in their communities and lives of others.”, said Tessa Ojo, CEO of The Diana Award.

Kyla Christie uses her talent and passion for the performing arts to help overcome social issues within her community. At the age of 10, Kyla created ‘Sing-to-Build’, a non-profit which used her voice to generate funds for communities affected by natural disasters. Kyla raised more than $70,000 to help build an orphanage, rebuild homes, libraries, women’s centers, art centers and music centers in hard hit areas.

At 17, she launched ‘New Art Collective’, formerly Jakarta Youth for Performing Arts. She choreographs, directs and inspires young people through song, dance, and drama. Kyla has brought together over 5,000 audience members and more than 110 youth performers through over 15 shows and projects. 

Kyla also founded ‘Global Youth Leaders’ in 2018, gathering young inspirational speakers to share their expert opinions in top 10 impactful industries with younger generations in Indonesia and globally.

“I am honored to recieve this award, especially during a challenging time like this. We are going through one of the biggest impact shifts of our generation. To win this award means to lead by example. We are young, we are dedicated, and we are impactful. I am using this award to amplify my voice and speak for change through arts and entrepreneurship. This is for all strong young people everywhere: speak up and be brave. What you have to say matters. This is for all creatives everywhere: your work is impactful and use your talent for change. Be Creative. Be Courageous. Be The Change,” says Kyla after the awarding ceremony.

The reach and impact she created with New Art Collective and Sing to Build is one that is far reaching and wide. She was able to transform communities, people, and experiences within her industry. As a young person, she carries traits of bravery, creativity, and strength. Her constant drive to keep bettering society and keep providing better solutions and creative outlets for the people of the world is admirable and was noticed by The Diana Award Foundation. This is exemplified in other projects Kyla has also founded. One example is ‘Global Youth Leaders’ in 2018, gathering young inspirational speakers to share their experiences with younger generations in Indonesia and globally. Kyla has also spoken in 2 TED talks and represented Indonesia in the World Championships of Performing Arts, winning 7 awards including Champion of the World, 4 gold medals and industry awards. She has released her first EP in 2020 titled “Open Pages”. Available in all music streaming platforms. To hear her music search Kyla Christie as artist. Kyla currently goes to Babson College, no 1 entreprenuership program for 25 consecutive years and is a Weissman Scholarship Scholar where she studies with a double concentration of Fine Arts and Entrepreneurship.

Kyla Christie continues with all those initiatives and now is also a content creator, using her experiences and talents to create content on entrepreneurship, arts, and successful lifestyle.

Can’t ‘Lockdown’ Imagination and Creativity

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she is collaborate with CreativePop to give creative classes to children in Indonesia. CreativePOP teaches all creative subject such as: singing, dancing, cooking, and creative writing. Kyla herself teaches creative writing and singing. She believes that now, more than ever, the young generation needs to be taught creativity, imagination, and performing arts. Even though we are in locked down in our homes, our creativity and imagination needs to run free.

“During COVID-19, we are in need of innovative and creative solutions that can be thought up and created by young people. We are the generation that understands and fosters a clear sense of creativity in the middle of chaos. We are strong and more united than ever. It is important to grow that sense of wonder and creativity, because it will be the very thing that saves us,” said Kyla Christie.

New Art Collective's main purpose is to encourage the youth to initiate and in charge in positive change, they aim to spread important messages through their community as well. Such as in collaboration with the Saraswati Learning Center, they will be spreading awareness and inclusivity for mental health and cognitive and mobility progress different abilities such as Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and more.

The initiative raises young people’s awareness of the beauty of differences. With art,  the differences will make us stronger as a community and braver as a society.

Kyla used these platforms to advocate a number of good causes; inclusiveness, ending mental illness stigma, youth suicide prevention and domestic violence prevention, by connecting stakeholders and raising fund for underprivileged and youth communities.

What is next?  NewArt Chapters

New Art Collective continually makes changes in the community. As part of its new initiative, it has launched “New Art Chapters”. Young people all over the world can apply for a New Art License under which they are given guidelines, resources, and help to produce, direct, and create their own creative shows. These shows can range from fashion shows, musicals, plays, to live podcasts. New Art Collective is built on the passion of a generation and it wishes to help other young creatives and artpreneurs build their dreams, passions and missions through progress and innovative solutions.

Having a New Art Chapter is like having a small company that you run within your own community, by giving this chance to other youths around the world, New Art Collective is providing a safe and creative space for young people to express and also cultivate their talents.

Click this link to Apply: https://airtable.com/shr8bRdT1zASntKAQ

Global Youth Leaders

Kyla also alludes to an exciting prospect of hosting annual conferences surrounding creativity and entrepreneurship with her initiatives, Global Youth Leaders.

“I built Global Youth Leaders to be a community of young people learning from and teaching each other. I am realizing now with this award, this connection and community of young people is irreplaceable. Exciting things are to come,” said Kyla.

TEMPO.CO