Dear friends,

This month, the 16th Annual International AIDS Conference gathered 26,000 activists and organizers, institutions, governments and direct service agencies from around the world. They are trying to tackle the most serious epidemic facing modern society, which is ravaging parts of the world with less discrimination every day. Young people were strongly represented there by the Toronto Youth Force, a collective that includes the Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Advocates for Youth, TakingITGlobal and others.

The voices of young people are critical in efforts to halt the spread of HIV/AIDS. 10,000,000 young people are living with HIV, and 2,200,000 new cases are added every year - representing over half of all new infections.

HIV/AIDS can be eliminated, just as small-pox was. With a concerted effort, the problem can be solved. But after 20 years, it has still failed to command the attention it needs, or the political will to slow the infection rate. Despite us having the awareness, tools, medicines, resources and capacity to halt its spread, the disease is at its highest rate ever, with 40,000,000 now infected worldwide.

Money alone is not the cure, although making medicines available to people requires subsidies. More importantly, we must halt the rate of infection, and to do that, we must educate. There are no better candidates to lead peer education and awareness campaigns than those most vulnerable and affected by AIDS: youth. They are ready to lead, as the Toronto Youth Force demonstrated at this historic convening.

When youth are seen as key stakeholders in the design of their future, and in addressing the pressing issues facing the world today, they can become a powerful force for creativity and change. Creative and innovative approaches are necessary to solve the problems facing our generation.

Knowledge is power; power is information in action. Together, we can turn the tide on AIDS.

Benjamin Quinto
Executive Director

World Bank: Youth Key in economic growth.
ABC news sep 16 2006
Developing nations can generate economic growth and reduce poverty by investing in better education, health care and job training for their record numbers of young people... More here.

GYAN Intern Holds Workshop on Migration at 3rd Annual Youth Assembly at the UN
Dustin Gerding from the GYAN North Secretariat in New York facilitated a workshop on international migration on August 17 at the 3rd annual Youth Assembly at the United Nations headquarters. The workshop focused on how the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals can lead to migration, and how migration itself can help achieve the MDGs, with special attention to the involvement of young migrants. The workshop initiated a lively discussion among the young participants touching on several pertinent issues relating to migration and the MDGs, and informed them about the many ways they could get involved in working towards achieving the MDGs in their country. The participants were invited to contribute to the upcoming E-consultation on youth and migration taking place August 21 to September 3.

New GYAN National Team in Nepal
We are delighted to introduce Sudyumna Dahal as the coordinator for the new GYAN team in Nepal. Sudyumna has a lot of experience as a youth activist and is a member of the Youth Initiative in Nepal, and is involved in global initiatives such as the Commission on Sustainable Development Youth Caucus, the Youth Employment Summit, and Oxfam International Youth Parliament. We look forward to working with Sudyumna and youth organizations in Nepal. For more information, send an email

GYAN Membership Update
The GYAN Membership Team has worked tirelessly to update our member records and to streamline the application process for new organizations. We now have a smaller, but more accurate number of active organizations dedicated to youth that are affiliated with GYAN. We will continue working hard to finalize revising our membership structure, and to provide more opportunities and resources to our members. For more information, please contact our Membership Coordinator Kartlos Adeishvili.

Stand Up Against Poverty, 15-16 October 2006
The United Nations Millennium Campaign, working in partnership with the Global Call to Action Against Poverty, will be holding a world-wide mobilization in support of the Millennium Development Goals called Stand Up Against Poverty. In the 24-hour period between 15 to 16 October, the Campaign will be asking people to physically stand up against poverty to remind governments of their promise to achieve the MDGs. The Campaign hopes to make the stand up challenge an official World Record for the greatest number of people to stand up for a given cause. To find out more please click here or contact Amil Husain - Global Youth Coordinator for the UN Millennium Campaign.

Keep the Promise: join the campaign!
The "Keep the Promise" campaign holds individuals, governments, intergovernmental organizations, religious leaders and faith organizations accountable for the commitments they have made and advocates for further efforts and resources to fight HIV and AIDS. There are direct ways you can get involved at local, national, and international levels. Make a promise - and call on governments to keep theirs. Visit the Keep the Promise website to find out more.

Join the World Fit for Children Campaign
This year, governments from around the world will be meeting to evaluate their progress on poverty and development. As part of the World Fit for Children campaign, children affected by our governments' lack of action will confront them with the results of their own evaluation. Any group where children have a level of decision-making authority - from sports groups, radio projects and children's councils, to street children and working children's unions - should take part!To download the questionnaire, click here. For information about the Global Movement for Children click here.

wake up Europe!
millenniumcampaign.org sep 18 2006
Eurizons's team continues their hitchhiking tour across Europe to promote the MDGs. More here.

Vietnam youth put forward eight millennium goals
thanhnien news sep 18 2006
Some 300 excellent young leaders within the country attended the get-together along with the representatives from several international organizations More here.

An investment in youth is vital for the survival of the sector
the australian news sep 18 2006
... returned to the cultural sphere by taking the chair of Young People and the Arts Australia, an umbrella body that represents Australia's youth arts groups. ... More here.

Africa: Kenya to Host Office of African Youth Network
The Nation sep 17 2006
NairobiKenya has been chosen to be the headquarters of a newly-established network aimed at solving unemployment affecting millions of African youth... More here.

Young People will play Vital Role in Electoral Reform
SKNVibes.com aug 25 2006
... Ms. Williams disclosed that there is a budget for youth activities. ... We'll go through the villages, and actually sit and consult with young people. ... More here.

International Youth Day at UN Headquarters
UN News Centre, August 11, 2006
Young people from the far reaches of the globe gathered at United Nations Headquarters in New York to discuss measures they can take in tackling youth poverty at an event to commemorate International Youth Day, marked each year on 12 August. More here.

Advice Centers for youth opened in Kabul
Pajhwok Afghan News, August 12, 2006
The United Nations has opened two Advice Centers for youths in Kabul on the occasion of the International Youth Day. These centers will provide information, advice and guidance to young people to help them make informed decisions about issues affecting their lives. More here.

HIV and New Technologies: Are the Youth Being Ignored?
allAfrica.com, August 16, 2006
Stephen Lewis, the UN secretary-general's special envoy for AIDS in Africa, admitted that young people were marginalised during the first couple of decades of the epidemic. "It is not enough for adults to talk to young people; they need to transform the way that they work with them, to begin seeing things from their perspective, and to put them at the centre of interventions." More here.

Youth with disabilities strive to inspire and educate through UN treaty process
UN News Centre, August 18, 2006
Youth from across the world are a driving force behind talks now taking place at United Nations Headquarters in New York aimed at finalizing a treaty protecting the rights of persons with disabilities. Participants represent the new generation of young leaders hoping to make a difference through the proposed International Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities. More here.

Southern Africa: SADC Youth Leaders Call for Integration
The Herald (Harare), August 18, 2006
In a communiqué at the end of the Southern African Youths' Festival, heads of youth co-ordinating bodies called for integration and co-operation among youths in the region and implored governments and civil society to assist in the funding of youth organizations to ensure that youths can effectively address the socio-economic challenges faced by the region. More here.

Youth Voting Builds Culture of Participation, Freedom
News from Washington, July 27, 2006
A culture of democracy starts at school where young people can vote in their own organizations and on their sports teams, said Ahmed Younis, a lawyer and public advocacy specialist, in a Democracy Dialogues webchat. “It is important for young people to be heard because they offer a fresh and honest perspective on issues.” More here.

Red Cross volunteers unite for Youth Day
World Volunteer Web, August 14, 2006
Some 50 million young Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and members across the world have organized special events to mark International Youth Day and highlight the essential work of their volunteers in bringing assistance to vulnerable people and promoting humanitarian values and principles. More here.

Cameroon: Youth issues in spotlight
Cameroon Tribune, August 11, 2006
Ahead of International Youth Day, the United Nations Information Centre in Yaounde organized a ceremony during which leaders of youth associations talked about their problems and how they can contribute in the fight against poverty. More here.

:: PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

The Oxfam America's
For many, Labor Day marks the end of the summer. We shift from summer hours in the workplace, wrap up vacations, and return to school. For those of us in Oxfam America's Fast for a World Harvest community, autumn also marks the beginning of a new Fast season, and that brings a sense of renewal and hope.The Fast is Oxfam's annual drive to raise awareness, funds, and concern about world hunger and poverty.Join the Fast and turn your concern about global hunger and poverty into action! For more information, click here or send an email.

United Nations Population Fund
UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is an international development agency that promotes the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity. UNFPA is working with a wide range of partners and with young people themselves, including the Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS, to encourage their healthy development through programmes that are participatory, rights-based, culturally sensitive and locally driven. For more information, click here.

:: EVENT SPOTLIGHT [Full Calendar]

Africa: Young People Move More Now Than Ever - New UNFPA Report ...
Date: AllAfrica.com - Washington,USA sep 6, 2006
Location: Africa
UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is issuing the first-ever youth companion to its annual The State of World Population report. Moving Young highlights the social, economic and demographic aspects of youth migration. It tells the stories of young people whose lives have been shaped by migration. Their personal experiences illustrate the challenges and opportunities that millions of young women and men encounter as they venture into new lands. For more information, click here.

Conferencia Internacional de las Americas CILA 2006
Date: oct 11- 15, 2006
Location: the Barceló Bávaro Convention Center in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
The United Nations Association of the Dominican Republic (UNA-DR), in collaboration with the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD/FUNGLODE), have joined forces in organizing the largest conference about international affairs for young people in Latin America and the Caribbean For more information, click here or send an email.

Global Symposium: 'Towards a New World Civilization'
Date: December 8-11, 2006
Location: Lucknow, India
The objective of the Global Symposium is to foster personal interaction, mutual understanding and collective action for a strong foundation of a nuclear-free, democratic, sustainable, just and peaceful New World Civilization by bringing together civil society organizations and leaders in the fields of art, education, science, religion, culture and media. Themes covered include global democracy, human rights, conflict resolution and inter-faith dialogue, and nuclear disarmament. For more information, click here or send an email.

Asian Youth Forum
Date: January 20-27, 2007
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
The Asian Youth Forum (AYF) envisions the empowerment of young people of Asia by providing opportunities to discuss significant issues in an Asian perspective and creating awareness of their own culture as well as others. This 5-day international event in Bangkok, Thailand will bring together young people from across Asia for academic seminars, intercultural workshops and social events. For more information, click here or send an email.

McGill Model UN (McMUN)
Date: January 25th-28th, 2007
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
The McGill Model United Nations Assembly (McMUN) is a simulation of real UN bodies and multilateral and national bodies that are outside the UN system. Over the last sixteen years, McMUN has become one of the premier university-level MUN conferences in North America and the world. Attracting around 1400 delegates from diverse locations, McMUN 2007 will run twenty-six committee simulations along with a conference newspaper (The Ambassador) and a cable news show (MCNN). For more information, click here or send an email.

Student conference on conservation science
Date: 27 - 29 March, 2007
Location: University of Cambridge, UK
The Student Conference on Conservation Science is hosted by the Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge and is one of the few conservation conferences aimed entirely at students. The conference provides a valuable opportunity for young conservation scientists to gain experience, learn new ideas and make contacts that will be valuable for their future careers. Delegates include students from around the world, as well as conservation practitioners from leading UK and international conservation bodies. For more information, click here or send an email.

:: 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 both in the USA and other countries.

• Youth Emancipation Summit nov 20-30, 2006 in USA/Italy The invitation to an international Youht Emancipation Summit, organized by YMCA and Centro di Musica di Gioventu, is a hoax. Any conference organized by GYAN will be listed on our website. Please do not send any money or personal information, and generally please be suspicious of conferences that promise to cover all costs except a small registration fee
• The Global Youth Action Network Organisation (GYANO) The invitation to an international conference with the topics Racism and Discrimination,Students Against Destructive Decision and Stop HIV/AIDS infection,Global Conference Against Violence and Terrorism, Political, socialeconomic problems in Africa and Asia countries, which will take place on 26th of October ,2006 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is a hoax and NOT organized by the Global Youth Action Network.
• International Conference on Racism and Discrimination in Dubai The invitation to an international conference in Dubai, allegedly organized by GYAN, is a hoax and NOT organized by the Global Youth Action Network. Any conference organized by GYAN will be listed on our website. Please do not send any money or personal information, and generally please be suspicious of conferences that promise to cover all costs except a small registration fee.
• International conference on Racism, Child Abuse and other Related Intolerance This hoax conference is scheduled to take place in California, USA from 3rd-6th of October 2006 and in London from October 9th-13th, 2006. Do not send money or personal information to this organization.