~Photos by Claudia Ferro

On Saturday, April 16, more than 300 youth attended the 10th Annual Somerville Youth Peace Conference at the East Somerville Community School.

The conference, Back From the Future, featured original performances by Somerville teens based on their own lives, workshops, and a services fair, while also highlighting the growth of Somerville over the past decade.

Attendees shared their own experiences in interactive breakout sessions facilitated by youth.

The conference, presented by the Center for Teen Empowerment, Mayor Joseph Curtatone, Somerville Public Schools, and the City of Somerville, examined teen violence, substance abuse, social media, bullying and other issues, with a special focus on destigmatizing mental health.

Mayor Joseph Curtatone and other elected officials joined the mostly youth audience to listen to teens’ stories and ideas.