1. Network News

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3. In the spotlight

4. Of Interest

5. Opportunities

6. Take Action

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Editor: Benjamin Quinto
Asst. Editor: AnnMary Beshara
Translation: Sophie Zintzen, Maria de los Angeles Mejia

In english • En español • En français

January 2006

Dear friends,

This year is already off to a tremendous start... We are excited to soon share with you many developments here in subsequent editions of the newsletter. We will also be informing you both of the new launch of our web site and the upcoming release of our 2005 Annual Report, describing the incredible growth and success we encountered in the past year.

With this message, we also invite your participation in Global Youth Service Day (GYSD), the world's largest annual celebration of young volunteers! We are currently seeking organizations to act as National Lead Agencies or local organizers; more information can be found on the www.GYSD.net web site. Sign up by completing the on-line application start planning today, and join millions of young people worldwide in community service projects next April!

We hope your year is also off to a great start!

Benjamin Quinto
Executive Director

 

 

Youth Are Building Presence Inside WTO
Like much of civil society, youth participation at the World Trade Organization doesn't have a long history. In fact, its history is only a few weeks old. But at the 6th Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong (WTO 6), more than a dozen young people from all over the world attended the meeting with official accreditation, a forum previously exclusive to government negotiators. Hundreds more protested, with demonstrations at nearby Victoria Park, while others held a youth information booth at the fair trade center nearby... GYAN representatives were present to push for greater youth participation, both i the proceedings inside, and organizing efforts outside. Read the article by Emily Freeburg, on Wiretap Website

DID YOU KNOW?

InsideVOICE Newsletter
A publication of TakingITGlobal and GYAN that features policy- and decision-making processes which welcome youth participation.

The VOICE Section of the TakingITGlobal web site has been re-launched to offer more information on how youth can get involved in policy processes, and also provides reporting on others of potential interest to young people.

 

 

Youth-Led Delegation to FT Cooperatives, Tanzania and Uganda, Summer 2006 
Attend the Convergence as a youth organizer, support these programs through sponsorship, apply to participate in the International Delegation. The journey will explore fair trade coffee cooperatives, consensus-based planning processes, community building, and ways in which faith contributes to people's commitments to social justice. Participants will be involved in the planning process starting in February and will embark on a month-long trip at the end of June. Application deadline: January 25, 2006. More here.

"Voice Your Views" on Poverty
Join young people from across Canada and around the world as they discuss issues that really matter: extreme poverty, the Millennium Development Goals and how youth can make a difference. In association with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and in recognition of International Development Week, TakingITGlobal will host Voice Your Views, an online discussion forum taking place from January 30 - February 11, 2006 at:
http://mdg.takingitglobal.org/discuss

Live Chats
Want to discuss development issues that are important to you in real time? TakingITGlobal is excited to invite all youth to our live chats on Saturday, February 4 and Saturday, February 11 at 1:00pm EST. Chat with youth and featured guest speakers with expertise in the realm of international development. Join the chat, hosted in partnership with Chat the Planet, by going to: http://mdg.takingitglobal.org/chat

 

   

IN THE NEWS:

GLOBAL

Youths Make Spirited Case at Climate Meeting 
The New York Times, 12/09/05 
On Wednesday night, as negotiations over the future of two international agreements on global warming ground on, it was time for a break. The lobbyists for coal and oil companies and the nuclear power industry fanned out to Montreal's storied restaurants and high-priced hotels. The campaigners for big environmental groups hunkered down to talk strategy. More here

PACIFIC

Government Backs Full Appointement of Youth Minister
Grenada Broadcasting Network, 01/10/06
... The Government of Grenada  has expressed its full confidence in the newly appointed Minister of Youth Emmalin Pierre [she has been GYSD coordinator for some years], for the work that she has done in developing young people in the country... More here

ARAB REGION

Interview: The Voice Of Iran's Youth
RadioFreeEurope / RadioLiberty,12/26/05 
[Arash] tells RFE/RL that young people in Iran are worried about the future.
Regarding the demands of young people, several issues needs to be taken into First of all, their demands should be taken seriously. Somebody should listen to their demands, their problems. Then there are the financial problems [unemployment]. Most of them say, "our families do not understand us.”... More here

Iran: The Younger Generation’s Tehran Blues
RadioFreeEurope / RadioLiberty, 12/26/05
... The youth have practically transformed the nationwide traditional ceremonies marking  ... events like Ashura have become a way for young people to interact... More here

Interview: The Political Culture Of Iranian Youth 
RadioFreeEurope / RadioLiberty, 12/29/2005
How have the attitudes of young people -- their aspirations, their ideals and demands -- changed in the past 25 years? And what has prompted today's youth to turn away from past ideals and the values imposed by the Islamic establishment?... More here

 

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

Youth & the New Pan-African Renaissance
Date: 7-9 April
Location: Harvard University, MA, USA
This conference will focus on rebuilding Africa for the 21st Century. Five primary areas will be covered: Image & Identity, Education, Technology, Economic Empowerment & Public Health, and Arts & Culture. The conference is being co-sponsored by the Cultural Agents Initiative at Harvard and is being organized by Sweet Mother Tour student volunteers at Harvard, UMass and Wheelock colleges. More here.

 

EVENT SPOTLIGHT --> Full Calendar here

SA World Food Programme: Fight Hunger - Walk the World
Date: 21 May 2006
Location: worldwide
Fight Hunger – Walk the World is seeking support for its effort to eliminate child hunger. Walk the World is an annual worldwide, 24-time-zone demonstration, in support of ending child hunger. The objectives behind the Walk are raising awareness, creating a network and pressuring key policy makers and world leaders to take concrete and efficient actions to achieve the 1st Millennium Development Goal: to halve the proportion of people who suffer from hunger by 2015. On 21 May 2006, the aim is to involve 750,000 walkers in many more locations all around the world. You can join them! Fight Hunger – Walk the World seeks to partner with youth organizations and networks engaged in global decision making activities and advocacy. For more information visit http://www.FightHunger.org or e-mail to fighthunger@fighthunger.org

World Urban Forum
Date: 19-23 June 2006
Location: Vancouver, Canada
The World Urban Forum was established by the United Nations to respond to rapid urbanization and its impact on communities, cities, economies and policies. The World Urban Forum gives non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, urban professionals, academics, governments, local authorities and national and international associations of local governments a common platform to discuss urban issues in formal and informal ways and come up with action-oriented proposals to create sustainable cities. The theme in 2006 is "Our Future: Sustainable Cities - Turning Ideas into Action". More information

14th Annual International Conference on Conflict Resolution
Date: 5-15 May 06
Location: St. Petersburg, Russia
Now more than ever -- a time that calls for new thinking, new vision, new understanding, and new ways of relating in an increasingly interdependent global community. Join over 50 presenters and hundreds of participants from across the world for another dynamic program and multicultural community experience. This multi-disciplinary/ multicultural conference has received support from Former President Clinton, Former President Yeltsin, St. Petersburg Governor Jakovlev, endorsed by over 80 leading-edge organizations and universities internationally, and part of the Hague Appeal for Peace Civil Society Calendar. Open to all. More information.

3rd Annual International Youth Conference on "The Ecology Of War And Peace"
Date: 5-15 May, 2006
Location: St. Petersburg, Russia
A parallel youth conference, held at the same time and location as the Annual International Conference on Conflict Resolution (ICR), addressing issues of negative stereotypes, prejudice, and scapegoating that lead to demonizing and dehumanizing "The Other." The theme of ecology is used as a common ground all parties can resonate with being "on the same side" of, as they delve into personal interactions to explore these dynamics and help to empower each other as the future leaders of the world. More information.

Youth Civil Participation: A Challenge for Transitional Countries in Eastern Europe
Date: 2-5 March, 2006
Location: Ceska Skalice, Czech Republic
The British Council, the Students' Forum 2000 and the Association for International Affairs are organizing a seminar about the problems and perspectives of Youth civil participation in Europe. No participant fee, they will reimburse up to 100% of your travel costs (please try to stay within these limits: Sk 50 EUR; Po, Hu 75 EUR; UKR, BL, MOL 300 EUR; EU 200 EUR).
Because of the new conditions, the application deadline was postponed to January the 25th.
For application please download and see the application form or email for more information.

 

BE CAUTIOUS - POTENTIAL SCAMS
Many scams invite people to register for a youth conference, and intend only to collect registration fees. Please beware and only pay fees when you are certain it is a legitimate event. Common schemes include events taking place in both the USA and another country.
• “Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 2006” International Conference on HIV/AIDS Awareness Programme 2006 to be held in London and America by January/February 2006
• “World Conference Against Racism and Discrimination (WCARD)” International conferences taking place in the United States (from 20th to 22nd January at North Henderson city Kentucky) and in U.A.E (Dubai, from 27th to 30th January 2006).

 

EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES

• Idealist (Action Without Borders)
• Public Services International
• Communication Initiative
• International Environment & Dev't Vacancies

OTHER FREE RESOURCES

• Everything imaginable on TakingITGlobal
• Internships, jobs and more on Idealist
• Google News listings and clippings
• TechSoup.org - discounted software
• Foundation Center
• Grant Station
• European Foundation Center
• Communications Initiative

The 2006 UNESCO Peace Prize for Education
Your organization is invited to submit nominations for the UNESCO Prize for Peace Education, which will be awarded for the 24th time in 2006. The aim of the Prize, awarded every two years starting from 2006, is to promote all forms of action designed to “construct the defenses of peace in the minds of men” by rewarding a particularly outstanding example of activity designed to alert public opinion and mobilize the conscience of humanity in the cause of peace, in conformity with UNESCO’s Constitution and the United Nations Charter. For more information, please contact Ms Clare Stark.

The Inside Africa project
The Inside Africa project is built around a lively website that consists of a video blog (diary), written columns, book reviews, a forum and a place for people to find info on voluntary work in Africa. Tim Metz of the Netherlands will shine a new light on this continent, often portrayed negatively, focusing on positive stories. The columns will also be written by Tim and these give a more in-depth view into his thoughts behind the videos and discuss matters that cannot be captured on video. The book review section is intended to inspire people who want to learn more about Africa and the challenges it's facing on a more political and global level. The voluntary work section will help people who are looking to do something themselves in or for Africa and point them in the right direction. More information

 

   

IN THE NEWS:

EUROPE

Pretending that youth apathy doesn't exist 
Spiked , 01/05/06 
... A reluctance to face up to the extent of young people's disengagement from politics leads to a claim that other forms of youth activity are 'about' politics... More here

Youth participation: Real Participation
Young People Now , 01/11/06
...Abi Carter, youth participation co-ordinator at Carnegie Young People Initiative, believes participation is firmly on the agenda of many organisations... More here

AFRICA

Sudan's Southern Youth Anxious to Rebuild
Voice of America , 01/09/06 
The task of rebuilding the south will not be easy, but the nation's youth are especially anxious to begin the process.... It may seem unimportant to some, but for these young people it is proof that  they are Sudanese citizens... More here


Grooving in the Diaspora: Soulfège Revives a Movement for Pan-African Renaissance 
AllAfrica.com, 01/06/06
... Not the voice of the pundits, experts, PhDs but the voice of the youth. And we've got some of the most articulate young people in the world writing in this book that we're going to be publishing and releasing at the conference... More here

Doomed if we do not invest in youth 
Kenya Times, 01/11/06 
... In the world when women were oppressed they took up affirmative action maybe we the real young people in Kenya need to do just that...  Talking about elections who knows who conducts elections for youth parliament I guess this years K.C.P.E produced some very eligible candidates... More here

 

PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES -> Full Listing

Unicef India Internship Programme 
UNICEF India Country Office invites applications for a full-time India Internship programme from 12 June to 18 August 2006. The internship offers an opportunity for analysis, research and documentation (written as well as film) of field level interventions for children in India across a variety of areas: child development, child protection, health, nutrition, primary education, and water and sanitation. The assignment will involve a combination of desk- work and field work at the district or village level. Interested and eligible students should download application. Completed applications should be sent to indiahr@unicef.org  no later than December 15, 2005. Please write "UNICEF India Internship Application" in the subject of your email.

IFOR Field Officer 
The Field Officer for the International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) will be responsible for the coordination of the work of the network, including allocating visits, ensuring adequate reports and other necessary documentation, arranging for reimbursement of expenses and payment. The primary task will be to ensure that all IFOR members applying for change of status are visited before May 2006 and that all new applicant organizations are visited before October 2006. A fluency in French and English are required as well as an ability to work collaboratively with diverse team, an experience with grassroots organizing and movement building, a strong leadership and organizational skills... This is one year position and application are welcome as soon as possible. For more information.

VYLI Project Director 
The Vieques Youth Leadership Initiative (VYLI) is conducting a national search for a unique Project Director.  This position could lead to the VYLI Co-Executive Director. VYLI prepares young and emerging leaders to help build a new Vieques. Projects educate, empower and challenge young Viequenses to make their dreams come true. VYLI is a demonstration project of the Stone Soup Leadership institute. The Project Director will oversee the development of current and new projects, work with Vieques youth in keeping true to their dreams. S/He must be fully bilingual (Spanish-English) and know Vieques history and social structure. For more information, or to send a resume, please contact by email.

 

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

The International Human Rights Training Program (IHRTP), June 11 - June 30 2006
Montreal, Canada
The International Human Rights Training Program (IHRTP) is at the heart of Equitas' activities. Now in its 27th year, this annual three-week education event brings together over 120 participants from approximately 60 countries. It provides a unique opportunity for human rights workers and educators to deepen their understanding of human rights and of the essential role of human rights education in effecting social change. The IHRTP aims at enabling participating organizations to undertake more effective human rights education activities. For further information about Equitas and its activities, please visit their website or email them. 

 

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES -> Complete Listing

Safar’s (Arab Youth Mobility Fund) Travel Grants
Safar (Arab Youth Mobility Fund) now provides young people ages 15-35 with the opportunity to travel and visit youth led-initiatives all over the Arab world, learn from them, attend conferences, workshops, forums that young people have always been interested in but could never join because of the expensive travel costs. More information.

Short-Term Travel Grants 
STG provides fellowships for up to eight weeks to US postdoctoral scholars and holders of other  professional terminal graduate degrees for independent or collaborative research projects in Europe and Eurasia. Both online application and paper application materials may be found on the STG Website  or requested from IREX. Application Deadline: February 1, 2006. For more information on this program, visit the website or contact IREX via email or by telephone at +1-202-628-8188.

Francophone and African Youth Network on Climate change 
As a result of discussions held between African and francophone youth delegates attending the UN Conference on climate change in Montreal, it has been decided to establish a francophone and African youth network on climate change. This initiative will ensure African youth understanding of challenges around climate issues and guarantee their active participation in coming COPs. Individuals and youth organizations and youth-oriented groups that feel the interest of joining this network are kindly requested to do so. For more information, please send them an email.