Ignite the Fire of Wisdom Within
“Education makes us free. The world of knowledge and of the intellect is where all people can meet and converse. Education liberates people from prejudice. It frees the human heart from its violent passions.”
The curriculum at Arete Academy is comprehensive and interdisciplinary, structured to engage students with foundational source material
from influential leaders, artists, and philosophers who embody a humanistic worldview. It spans multiple disciplines—including philosophy,
science, medicine, sociology, history, athletics, law, music, art, and government—and emphasizes individuals who have undergone personal
transformation and committed their lives to the service of humanity.
The nine-month (6 months for the 2026 cohort) program brings together a global cohort of students who meet twice monthly via Zoom, with studies culminating in an immersive global tour that serves as a capstone experience. During at least half of the virtual sessions, AYA Advisors from various spheres of leadership in society participate directly, leading discussions and activities connected to the assigned readings and relevant global issues. These sessions are designed not only to enhance academic understanding but to relate meaningfully to the participants’ personal development and sense of agency in the world.
The curriculum draws from both classical sources and contemporary interpretations, selected to challenge students intellectually while
encouraging ethical reflection. Rather than presenting a static survey of great books, source materials are treated as active instruments for
inquiry, fostering critical thinking and self-examination. Students are expected to make meaningful connections between the material
and the moral, social, and environmental issues facing their generation, preparing them to meet those challenges with wisdom, compassion,
and conviction.
AYA’s inaugural 2026 program will center on a critical examination of the historical entanglements, philosophical intersections, and enduring power dynamics between the Middle East and the West. Rather than approaching this relationship through a simplistic lens of conflict and commonality, students will engage its layered complexities—exploring how religion, empire, trade, migration, and cultural memory have shaped evolving identities, narratives, and geopolitical realities.
At its core, the program also invites an inward journey: students will be challenged to reflect on their own assumptions, values, and worldviews, using the curriculum not only to analyze the world, but to better understand themselves within it. Tentative travel in the summer of 2026 includes countries such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey, Israel, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, and France—each offering a unique entry point into the civilizational dialogues that continue to shape our global story. Samplings of source material for the 2026 curriculum include the following (click on an image to learn more):
To complement the foundational texts listed above, the Arete Youth Academy curriculum also draws from a rich array of poetry, visual art, music, and film. These cultural works provide immersive, emotional, and symbolic insights into the shared values and tensions between Western and Middle Eastern civilizations. Students are encouraged to engage with these materials not simply as artistic expressions, but as reflections of deeper historical, philosophical, and humanistic currents that continue to shape our world. A sampling of some of the relevant poetry, visual art, music, and film that participants will discover in the AYA curriculum for 2026 includes the following (click on an image to learn more):
Constantine P. Cavafy
The School of Athens Raphael
Ludwig van Beethoven
Persopolis 2007 IRAN/FRANCE
Constantin P. Cavafy
The School of Athens
Raphael
Ludwig van Beethoven
Persopolis 2007 IRAN/FRANCE
Each student cohort at Arete Academy is paired with mentors who foster critical thinking and philosophical inquiry while embodying the human-centered values at the heart of our mission. AYA mentors have navigated significant hardships and challenges in their personal and professional lives, demonstrating resilience and a commitment to self-examination and personal growth. They are also lifelong learners who continue to expand their capacities as global citizens, seeking wisdom across cultures, disciplines, and generations. Equally important, they bring a deep love for cultivating excellence in young people, paired with the patience, empathy, and insight needed to support them as they navigate their own formative journeys. Their lived experience testifies to the transformative power of the human spirit to overcome adversity and continually strive to achieve one’s greatest potential.
Arete co-founders, Andrew Henderson and Darin Nellis, will serve as mentors for the first AYA 2026 cohort.
At Arete Academy, we believe that dialogue is not merely a tool for communication but a profound art—a method and means for the mutual flourishing of human beings and civilizations. Participants will engage deeply with the dialogical spirit that has animated history’s greatest thinkers—Socrates, Plato, Confucius, Aristotle, Buddha, and others. As author Majid Tehranian reminds us, dialogue is “both an end and a means to human understanding,” engaging others as different but equal, and premised on mutual respect, appreciation, and empathy. It is through dialogue, not monologue, that true education and profound human connection are achieved.
Drawing from the Socratic tradition, Arete students are invited to step beyond passive acquisition of ideas into the dynamic, open-ended
pursuit of truth. Tehranian notes that in classical Athens, “truth emerged in the process of conflict of ideas and perspectives through the
dialectic,” where no one claimed ownership of the truth but sought it together through mutual questioning. Socrates himself emphasized the importance of self-awareness in this process, famously stating, “I know that I know nothing,” highlighting the necessity of recognizing one’s own ignorance as a starting point for genuine inquiry.
Emphasizes empathy, humility, and shared exploration
Honors diversity and values each voice as equal and distinct.
Encourages quiet attentiveness and nonjudgmental awareness.
Reflects the Socratic spirit of inquiry through open-ended exchange.
Central to Arete’s philosophy is the belief that dialogue is not simply about speaking; it is also about listening—deeply, attentively, and with compassion. As Arete Advisor Sarah Wider powerfully articulates, “listening is a pivotal yet often overlooked value,” essential for building a culture of peace. In her dialogue, The Art of True Relations, she writes:
“Mechanical noises surround us. It is difficult to find places of true quiet. Difficult, but necessary. This quiet is always within us in the pulse of our heartbeat, and the space of our breath, and when we ourselves begin to listen to our inner stillness, we can begin to listen, truly listen, to others.”
At Arete Academy, we encourage participants to cultivate the ability to listen without judgment, to find quiet amid the noise of modern life, and to honor the creativity and courage that echo through human history.
The culminating experience of the Arete Academy involves international educational travel aligned with the year’s central theme and contemporary global developments. These journeys span six to eight weeks and are designed to complement the academic curriculum by situating learning within real-world contexts. Participants may travel to regions such as the Middle East, ancient Greco-Roman sites, Renaissance Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, North America, or Oceania—depending on the philosophical and ethical focus of the program year.
These journeys aim to immerse students in environments rich with historical and philosophical significance, providing a tangible connection to the theories and ideas they have studied. Students will be able to see, touch, smell, taste, and hear the realities of the historical locations and contexts they have explored, engaging directly with the past and its modern interpretations. Each tour also incorporates cross-cultural exchange and conflict resolution activities, allowing students to engage meaningfully with peers from the regions they visit—sharing perspectives, participating in dialogue, and building mutual understanding.
An interactive map below outlines the proposed destinations for Arete’s inaugural global tour, scheduled to take place during the summer of 2026, between June and August. Exact travel dates will be confirmed by end of February 2026. Each location is marked with a pin and connected to the others along the projected route. Click on any destination to explore the cultural engagements, thematic learning experiences, and historical contexts participants will encounter at each stop.
In Greece, students will walk in the footsteps of the world’s first philosophers—tracing the origins of inquiry, democracy, and the examined life. Standing in the Agora, where Socrates engaged young Athenians in fearless dialogue about virtue and truth, participants will reflect on how authentic conversation remains the heartbeat of human progress. Visits to the Parthenon, the Acropolis Museum, and the ruins of Aristotle’s Lyceum will anchor discussions on the birth of reason and the moral responsibilities of free thought. Key readings will include selections from Plato’s Apology and Republic, Pericles’ Funeral Oration, and Constantine Cavafy’s timeless poem Ithaka, urging travelers to cherish the inner journey as much as the destination. Students will also explore Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, reflecting on his vision of “eudaimonia”—a flourishing life achieved through virtue and self-mastery—and its relevance to modern global citizenship.
Support the Arete Youth Academy through your donor-advised fund or by including us in your will or estate plan.
To recommend a grant through your DAF (e.g., Fidelity, Schwab, Vanguard), direct it to:
Agora Productions, Inc.
EIN: 20-8516833
Please note “Arete Youth Academy” in the designation.
To make a planned gift, you can help ensure that future generations benefit from an education grounded in peace, dialogue, and global citizenship.
We’re happy to work with you and your advisor to make the process simple and meaningful.
Contact: AreteGiving@AgoraProductions.org
Many employers match donations made to Agora Productions, Inc.—the nonprofit home of Arete Youth Academy. It’s a simple way to amplify your impact and support transformative education for emerging global leaders. Just enter your company name in the popup window to the right and follow the steps to submit your match request.
If your company or institution is interested in supporting AYA in other ways, such as partnerships, grants, visibility opportunities, co-branded materials, or speaking engagements with our founders or advisors, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact us at AreteGiving@AgoraProductions.org to explore meaningful collaboration.
We welcome donations by check, bank transfer (ACH), wire, or appreciated securities.
To donate by check:
Please make checks payable to:
Agora Productions, Inc.
Memo: Arete Youth Academy (or “Bill Taylor Scholarship Fund” if applicable)
Mail to:
Arete Youth Academy
c/o Agora Productions, Inc.
P.O. Box 452688
Los Angeles, CA 90045
To donate by bank transfer (ACH):
For larger or recurring donations, ACH is a secure and cost-effective option.
Simply select “Bank” as your payment method on our donation page and follow the step-by-step process.
To donate by stock, wire, or securities transfer:
We gladly accept gifts of appreciated assets.
Please contact us directly for transfer instructions:
AreteGiving@AgoraProductions.org
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Bill Taylor was the visionary founder of the original Arete West program, which ran from 1979 to 2017. Over the course of 40 years, he personally led students on 20 transformative journeys across the globe, inspiring hundreds of young people to pursue wisdom, leadership, and compassionate service. His encouragement helped spark the creation of the Arete Youth Academy, which carries forward his mission to empower youth through education. This scholarship fund ensures his legacy continues to shape future generations.
To designate your gift:
1. Visit our donation page.
2. Enter your donation amount and choose the “Give in honor or in memory of someone” option.
3. In the “Honoree’s Name” field, type “Bill Taylor Scholarship Fund”
Gifts to the Bill Taylor Scholarship Fund will be used to provide tuition support for one or more participants in each cohort—extending Bill’s spirit of mentorship and service to future generations.
We’ll send a personalized message to your honoree or their family, letting them know how their influence continues to empower youth through Arete.
