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Editors: Sophie Zintzen, Benjamin Quinto
Translation: Sophie Zintzen, Maria de los Angeles Mejia

In english • En español • En français

February 2006

Dear Friends,

Although the topic of Islam-West relations has been hot on the development agenda in recent years, the issue boiled over last month with the release of the cartoons in the Danish newspaper, and ensuing violent demonstrations in Iran, and countries as far as Nigeria and Indonesia. Global dialogue and understanding are needed more than ever before, and confronting extremism has become a top priority. Without resolving these conflicts, generations that follow ours will face a future far more challenging than we can imagine today.

It is our responsibility -- and young people posses this ability naturally -- to bridge our differences and build a common ground for progress to be achieved. So many wonderful initiatives exist to do just this, but our efforts must be much more concerted than they currently are.

GYAN is proud to partner with a number of initiatives that help to elevate the voices of Arab youth, and to incubate partnerships that connect them with their peers and support their effots globally. Our strategic partner TakingITGlobal hosts hundreds of active discussions on the topic and welcomes art submissions. They also invite articles, as does YouthOutLoud, with the intention of distributing them in mainstream print media. Our partnership with Chat the Planet, a global TV show preparing for an 8-part series connecting young people in the US with their Iraqi counterparts, has allowed GYAN to help UN Agencies and partners such as Seeds of Peace and the Gobal Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS use Chat's free video-chat forums for on-line meetings and video-conferences that support their organizing work.

Young people today and throughout history have been those most affected by - and involved in - conflicts, although our far greater strength lies in resolving our differences. The media may still tell you otherwise, but our generation's commitment to social change is engaging a scale never before seen. It is time to move from seeing young people at the forefront of conflicts, to empowering them in negotiations, mediation efforts, and collaboration. Only in better linking our efforts do our chances of solving some of humanity's pressing challenges offer a hopeful picture for those coming behind us.

Benjamin Quinto
Executive Director

 

Report Back on the MDG Youth Campaign Kit
Have you received the MDG toolkit and had a chance to use it in your MDG-related work? If so, please let us know what you thought of it by completing this survey. You can help shape future resources created by GYAN, TakingITGlobal, and the United Nations Millennium Campaign – don't miss this opportunity!

Mirror of Water: International Base Camp & Green Room
Date: 18-22 March, 2006
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
TEKIO, ORGANI-k, GYAN Mexico, IRRI Mexico, FEA, RDCDA, along with other civil society organizations, are putting together the "Mirror of Water" project, an alternative water forum in Mexico City this March. The event aims is to raise public awareness and facilitate networking, to provide a space of expresion, lobbying and celebration, the sharing of innovative practices, and to offer practical tools and knowledge for improving water management. Click here for general information or email to participate or assist.

GYAN Partners with UNDP Guyana
UNDP's Guyana Social Cohesion Programme (GSCP) works to support local project implementation to improve social cohesion, enhance human security and governance in Guyana. Intending to give disadvantaged youth a greater voice, and to deepen the Government's focus on this category of youth, the GSCP entered into a contractual agreement with the Global Youth Action Network (GYAN) to conduct training of the representatives from NGOs, National and Regional Government from 3-5 February. GYAN representatives provided a training on the monitoring of post training activities by workshop participants; the setting of criteria and selection of projects using such criteria, and the monitoring of the use of grant funds and project implementation.

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.

 

Our World Initiative: Youth towards issues of Identity and Citizenship
GYAN is pleased to collaborate with the Our World initiative on a new survey to assess the attitudes of youth in different parts of the world towards issues of identity and citizenship. The Our World Youth Survey asks how young people feel about these issues, about challenges affecting our planet, and how connected to people from other countries. The survey aims to help assess the degree to which youth today feel part of a global community and will provide information to develop better global citizenship education materials. GYAN members are encouraged to participate in this important survey. You can complete the survey online in English and other languages.

Youth OUTLOUD!
Youth OUTLOUD! has recently partnered with GYAN as a news service. Their goal is to distribute youth-generated stories to mainstream media worldwide. Launched in November by a seasoned journalist, the service has been endorsed by dozens of professional print media organizations. Youth OUTLOUD! is inviting new partner organizations to supply stories on a regular basis about the incredible work their youth members are doing. The group aims to collect 200 stories within the next few weeks. To submit stories or for more information contact Sherry Sacino, or visit www.youthoutloud.net.

TakingITGlobal launches TIGed for Schools
TIGed represents a new set of online tools to help educators bring global issues into the classroom. Teachers can create and moderate an online classroom where students can interact, collaborate, and share their work in a secure space, as well as access a database of lesson ideas and resources submitted by educators from around the world. TIGed also offers curriculum resources, and serves as a support tool and discussion space where global educators can share their challenges and successes. Please visit TIGed.org for more information ot to sign up, and pass this information on to the educators in your community! Partnership opportunities are available for educational organizations and schools. Those interested, please e-mail.

 

   

IN THE NEWS:

N. AMERICAL

Let's send old people off to war
San Francisco Chronicle, 02/05/06
... Many Americans are becoming impatient with this sacrifice of the young people who comprise our combat forces, soldiers with their whole lives ahead of them. ... . More here

 

S. AMERICA

World Social Forum Youth Camp: Dreams awake in Caracas
Periódico 26 - Las Tunas, 01/29/06
Arriving to Caracas beginning last Sunday with tents, sleeping bags and insect repellent…, the young people are meeting as part of the VI World Social Forum…More here

What the people say about... The 2006 Budget
Stabroek News, 01/30/06
What do you have to say about this year's budget? We asked the man/woman in the street this question and these were their responses: … our youths today need to be influenced positively… More here .

Political culture must change to ensure youth development -PNCR youth leader
Stabroek News – 02/08/06
The need for the country's political culture to change is essential to the development of young people, youth leader Ronald Austin Jnr told a youth consultation last Saturday… More here

 

PACIFIC

Govt accused of abandoning young people
ABC Online, 01/29/06
The Federal Government has been accused of neglecting children and young people, after dumping the Children and Youth Affairs portfolio in this week's ministerial shuffle… More here

Grants to support young people
National Indigenous Times – 02/14/06
The Foundation for Young Australians is calling for applications for Indigenous Small Grants.
to Indigenous organisations and those that work with Indigenous young people … More here

 

 

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

National Youth Conference on Sustainable Development & the MDGs
Date: 22-25 March 2006
Location: Santa Marta, Colombia
Organized by Corporación Grupo Tayrona, GYAN-Colombia, and with the support of the Ministry of Enviornment, Housing and Land Development, the conference expects youth leaders from around the country and the world. For more information about the confernece, please visit their web site. Some grants are available for participants - those interested should contact by email with: name, organization, college/university, age and why you are interested in participating in the conference.

EVENT SPOTLIGHT --> Full Calendar here

International Symposium at the United Nations,
Date: 25-27 April, 2006
Location: New York, USA
Co-sponsored by the United Nations University - New York Office and ATHGO, this symposium will convene at the United Nations and will involve 400 young professionals, diplomats, and students from world Universities and Colleges. The three-day event will discuss the proposed UN reform and its importance for meeting the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). More information here.

International Youth Meeting: “Strengthening European Youth Strategy and Policy in Post Soviet Countries”
Date: 12-18 May 2006
Location: Baku, Azerbaijan
The conference is organized by "Bridge to the Future" Youth Union in an effort to engage youth NGO workers/leaders in the formulation and implementation of national youth policy in former society countries. The main aim of this meeting is to strengthen European Youth Strategy through youth policies in Post Soviet countries. More information and application available by email.

World Youth Forum (World Urban Forum)
Date: 16-18 June 06
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Leading up to UN-HABITAT's Third Session of the World Urban Forum, a Youth Forum will be organized to showcase best practices and projects on youth-led development. Youth-Leaders from around the world will come together to share youth-led projects and programmes and to build networks. For more info, contact the World Urban Forum & Youth or UN-HABITAT and see their web site.

2nd Nigerian Youth Leadership Summit: Youth Leadership for Better Health and Sustainable Development
Date: 4-5 July 2006
Location: Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Development Partnership International is organizing the two-day capacity building and inter-generational forum on youth leadership in health and development. It will be an opportunity to examine the state of the health sector, discuss innovative health sector initiatives, as well as those of government and other entities, to facilitate youth leadership and involvement in such efforts. Research papers in the fields of health and economics are invited for presentation during the conference. For more information, contact by email.

Connectivity 2006 From Thinking to Action
Date: 15-22 July 2006
Location: Sao Paulo, Brazil
The IDEM network and the Youthsection (Dornach) are holding the international Connectivity 2006 Conference, which expects hundreds of social changemakers, active young people and organizations.Connectivity offers lectures by people such as Julia Butterfly Hill and Nicanor Perlas, inspiring workshops where youth can gain expertise and skills, as well as an intercultural evening program, combining arts and music with a lot of fun. More here.

Kenya Hosts Next Youth Employment Summit
Date: 13-16 September 2006
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Join young people from all over the world in Kenya for the 3rd international Youth Employment Summit, which will focus on identifying markets and building capacity for youth to serve those markets. The Summit is part of a global campaign focused on addressing the need and challenge for growing numbers of young people to find sustainable livelihoods. Visit the website to register, or 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.
• National Conference Against Racism Discrimination and Safety (NCARDS), Dubai on 13 to 17 February 2006
•  Global Youth Conference, organized by Global Youth Welfare, Sacramento, USA and Liguria ,  Italy , 22-25 March 2006, and 28-31 March 2006
•  World Conference Against Racism and Discrimination, Washington D.C , USA and Dubai , United Arab Emirates , 6-10 March 2006.
•  International Conference on Racism and Child Abuse, organized by Global Youth Empowerment Organization (G.Y.E.O), in United States of America (21st---24th March 2006 ) and The Netherlands (28th---31st March 2006)
•  4th International NGO/CBO Summit: "The 21st Century &The Environmental Issues" organized by the Overseas Development Foundation (ODF) in New York (U.S.A), 23-27 March 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

World Youth Data Sheet Released
The Population Reference Bureau has recently released the 2006 World Youth Data Sheet, now available online as PDF file [20 pp.]. The datasheet, which provides a comprehensive portrait of the well-being of youth (people ages 10-24) across the globe, shows that many are at great risk for health problems ranging from sexually transmitted infections to complications from smoking. Just a minority of young people can correctly identify two ways to avoid getting HIV/AIDS, and adolescents are less likely than young adults worldwide to use contraceptives-including only 4 percent of women ages 15-19 in Burkina Faso and 14 percent in Vietnam. 

   

IN THE NEWS:

EUROPE

Young people and civil society in Bulgaria
Sofia Echo, 02/06/06
In December, the Youth Programme of the Bulgarian Gender Research Foundation completed research on young people's involvement in civil society and in political life in Bulgaria. More here

Study on young people
Malta Independent on Sunday - St. Julians , Malta
... Buttigieg, is a unique study of the situation of young people as seen by the young people themselves. The book is the Euro-Mediterranean Youth Platform's. More here

 

 

PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES -> Full Listing

CIVICUS: Manager for CSW Program
The Civil Society Watch program (CSW) aims to mobilize in response to events that threaten civil rights to collectively express, associate and organise throughout the world. CSW is now launching a mobilization and advocacy campaign around civil society rights and responsibilities. A Program Manager is sought, who will further develop and implement this high-profile policy and advocacy program. An advanced degree in an appropriate discipline (law, political science or development studies, etc), as well as a proven track record in managing complex operating programs in the human rights policy and advocacy field, are required. Deadline: 24 February . Send CV and cover letter via email.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES -> Complete Listing

CALL FOR ENTRIES: Alcan Prize for Sustainability
The Alcan Prize for Sustainability 2006, in association with the International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF), is now open for entries. Any not-for-profit, civil society or non-governmental organization based anywhere in the world can enter for the annual US$1 million Prize for their contributions to addressing and progressing economic, environmental and/or social sustainability. For entry details and requirements please visit the website. Alcan Grants will be awarded to four finalists for a suitably qualified member of staff to attend the University of Cambridge Program for Industry in England and earn a Post Graduate Certificate in Cross Sector Partnership (www.cpi.cam.ac.uk/pccp). Deadline for entries: 31 March 2006. For more details, contact the Alcaln prize Team.

$1000 Grants to Young People for Hurricane Relief Service Projects
In conjunction with National and Global Youth Service Day, April 21-23, 2006, Youth Service America, America's Promise, and Katrina's Kids are offering seventeen $1000 grants to young people(ages 5-25), to implement sustainable relief projects supporting the hurricane relief efforts in the Gulf Region. Projects will be launched on National and Global Youth Service Day, and must be youth created and led. Applications will be accepted through March 3, 2006 . To apply,
please visit their web site and download an application. For more information about the Katrina's Kids Community Service Grants, contact by e-mail.

Be the Change! Programme: Small Grants for Youth-led Projects
Peace Child International has created the “Be the Change!” Programme (BTC!) to support young people to get involved in local community action and development projects. Peace Child encourages young people to BE THE CHANGE they want to see in their communities and created a small scale grant programme for youth-led projects. If you are below 25 years old and have a project that concentrates on the development of your community at a local level, take a deep look in the requirements for the grant programme and submit your proposal to Peace Child International. Please contact them for more information: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America, United Kingdom.

Youth Activist Projects Supported: Southern Poverty Law Center: Mix It Up Grants Program
The Mix It Up Grants Program of the Southern Poverty Law Center funds youth-directed activist projects that focus on identifying, crossing and challenging social boundaries in schools and communities. Preference is given to applications that clearly show: youth leadership, collaborative efforts across social boundaries. and continuing efforts to identify, cross or challenge social boundaries. Applicants should be creative as the program is open to new ideas. Applications may be submitted at any time. Visit the website listed above for more information.

 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Teacher for the Travel to Teach In Uganda Project
Travel to Teach is a program by Good Samaritan Nursery and Primary School together with partner Schools in Uganda East Africa. It provides volunteers with teaching opportunities in areas such as English, Math, Carpentry, Sports, IT teaching, and Environment. The teacher will gain insight about what it is like to live and work in another country like Uganda in East Africa. Visit the website or email them.

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.