September 2005
Version en español disponible 30 de sep.

Dear friends,

The largest ever gathering of heads of state recently concluded at the United Nations. Leaders met during the M+5 Summit to review progress made on their commitments to achieve the Millennium Development Goals agreed upon in 2000. They also celebrated the 60th Anniversary of the institution and examined ways in which to reform the United Nations. Reactions from civil society were very mixed on the impact of the meeting, although public pressure continues to mount in efforts to hold governments to account on their promises.

In 2 weeks, officials and delegates will meet for the 10-year review of the UN World Programme of Action for Youth. This landmark session represents the most significant and successful effort ever to put youth on the agenda, More than 100 youth leaders will be coming in from around the world, and minister-level forums will help to advance the agenda of developing strong national youth policies. A listing of official and side events can be found on the UN Youth Programme's web site.

Young people's voices must be heard, and we continue to push for increased participation in decision-making, but advances are already clear: this year, we will see the highest number ever of youth included on official delegations to the General Assembly. As a milestone timed with the 60th Anniversary of the United Nations, it is encouraging to see governments beginning to recognize the importance and value of having young people involved. Only an inter-generational effort will ever lead us to ending poverty.

In Peace,

Benjamin Quinto
Executive Director

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 is being 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.

HEADLINES

GYAN Hosts Reception on Youth Achieving the MDGs
With the support of the Permanent Mission of Norway to the United Nations, the People Speak / United Nations Foundation and the UN-NGO Committee on Youth, the reception featured the opening of TakingITGlobal’s traveling art exhibition “Creating Change” on the MDGs, a multi-media showcase of youth around the world leading MDG projects produced by Chat the Planet. Dr. Thoraya A. Obaid, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund, was the keynote speaker for the reception, which included other youth leaders.

GYAN Co-Sponsors Panel on Youth & Millennium Development Goals
Organized by the United Nations Population Fund, CHOICE For Youth and the Global Youth Action Network, the Panel was moderated by official youth delegate to the UN General Assembly from the Netherlands, Mr. Erik Thijs Wedershoven, and included CIVICUS World Assembly Secretary General and leader of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) Kumi Naidoo. Other panelists focused on how youth contributions and perspectives were critical in the fight to end poverty.

NYC Local Jam Unites Local Youth Movements!
The Local JAM was held last week at the Lifebridge Sanctuary in New York, following 6 months of local gatherings for organizers and activists. With support from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, sixteen participants representing youth-led organizations throughout the area alliances gathered to unite a community of change-makers and network of local youth organizers in New York City. Four collaborative project proposals emerged: “The Spot,” a community and housing center for young people under the age of 20; Young Candidates, a campaign to get young people into elected office; Alternative Education, a project to create better access to non-formal education programs; and GYAN-NYC, a campaign to involve NYC high-school students in local youth activism. Learn more about the Jam and how to participate in Local Gatherings here.

GYAN Co-Organizes Official Side Event during the United Nations' 10-Year Review of the World Programme of Action for Youth
An interactive dialogue on Youth Taking Action: Linking the Millennium Development Goals to the World Programme of Action for Youth” is being organized by the Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Peace Child International, World Federation of United Nations Association, NGO Committee on Youth and the Global Youth Action Network. The Dialogue will be held 5 October 2005 at UNHQ in conference room B, from 1:15-2:45. Learn about this and other side events by checking out the official calendar.

Join the Youth Advocacy Team in NYC!
Interested in working towards a Culture of Peace? Want to learn more about the United Nations and visit Country Missions to the UN? Apply to participate in the Youth Advocacy Team! Team training will take place October 3-4 2005 in New York, and visits to the country missions the following two weeks. If you wish to be nominated for the Youth Advocacy Team, please send a CV and a letter of motivation (approximately 500 words) to Sarah Valk by September 28.Only candidates from the NY area will now be accepted, and are responsible for their own meals and accommodations.

Imagine a Culture of Peace: Impressions of Youth
The Peace Alliance Foundation invites young people from around the world to express a concrete vision of “peace” and “a culture of peace” in a verbal or visual art form of their choice, for example, a letter, poem, essay, drama script, painting, sculpture, collage, photo journal, Flash animation, etc. Contributions will be submitted in digital form and then displayed on their website. Imagination, creativity, and collaborative projects are encouraged. For further information, including submission instructions, please visit their web site.  

IN THE NEWS...

GLOBAL

Peace Doves Fly Around the World
The Jane Goodall Institute encourages youth and people from around the world to come out and celebrate by flying peace doves in celebration of International Peace Day. Learn how to participate, build a Peace Dove to fly in your community on-line! The Doves took to the sky on September 24.

ARAB REGION

Media in the Lives of Young Arabs
One of a series of articles on Arab youth discusses the effect of mass media, Internet, and other technologies have had on the lives of Arab youth. More here.

Does the Future Hold a Shift in American-Israeli Relations?
Frank Luntz, a leading American communication professional, is behind the study to find out the attitudes toward Israel of the people who will hold key positions in the United States in a few years. Interviewing 150 students at America's most prestigious universities... More here.

EUROPE

Concern for Young Muslims in Britain
There is a growing concern in Britain over young Muslims who are being left alone to deal with the effects of the recent London bombings and ‘War on Terrorism’ in general. A Muslim youth hotline has been established to provide an outlet for young Muslims to express themselves. More here.

Young Europeans and Politics
The results of the investigation by Austrian researchers into what Europe’s youth think about politics and democracy were presented at a symposium in Brussels over the past summer. More here.

ASIA

Taiwanese Government Addresses Youth Unemployment
The importance of youth participation in politics and their contribution in society are being recognized by the government. The Executive Yuan will convene a national conference to work out long-term government policy as well as medium and short-term goals for youth development. More here.

Vietnam’s Youth Make up a Large Constituency of HIV Carriers
The report showed that over half of almost 87,000 people diagnosed with HIV in Vietnam are young people from 16-30 years old, said an official from the Ministry of Health this month. More here.

AFRICA

Youth Go to Morocco to Increase HIV/AIDS Awareness
A caravan of young people organized by the Association of Fight against AIDS (ALCS), in conjunction with the secretariat of the Youth and with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has gone to the different cities of Morocco to increase the awareness about AIDS. More here.

 

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

TakingITGlobal opens the “Creative Change” Traveling Art Exhibition
Congratulations and thanks to TakingITGlobal (TIG) who unveiled their traveling art exhibition "Creative Change." In partnership with Art for Development and the Millennium Campaign, Creative Change showcases youth artwork and expressions on the MDGs. The exhibition opened at the Reception on Youth Achieving the MDGs, hosted by the Global Youth Action Network in New York (see above). The exhibition will next be shown at United Nations Headquarters in NY during the 10-year review of the World Programme of Action for Youth. See these and other youth art pieces in the TIG Global Gallery on-line.

Chat the Planet: Youth & the MDGs
Chat the Planet produced a great video showcasing media submitted by teams of young people working to achieve the MDGs around the world. The piece was shown at the GYAN Youth & MDG Reception and featured projects from the Philippines to Uganda. You can view the presentation in Quicktime (1.7GB).

World Youth Jam
Date: April 26- May 4, 2006
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA)
Leading youth activists and organizers from throughout the world will meet at the World Youth Jam, hosted by Youth for Environmental Sanity (YES). Learn more on-line or contact by email to receive an application. See their video. 

 

EVENT SPOTLIGHT

Recently Concluded:

2nd. Youth Forum On Development: Cooperation Between Europe And Latin America
Date: September 21 - 22, 2005
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Description: The forum, organized by European Club – Youth Commission, is intended to tap into the potential young people have to offer in achieving the MDGs in Latin America by creating networks between European and Latin American youth bases organization and movements. This meeting also wants to give continuity to the First Youth Forum on Politics, which showed different ways of political participation for young people. Contact by email for more information.

International Youth Empowerment Summit
Date: September 22 - 24 2005
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
The Summit will gather youth from around world and address relevant topics in the era of globalization, including business, opportunities, technology, and entrepreneurship and personal development. Delegates are expected from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and other African Countries. There will also be guest speakers to inspire this youth empowerment event. See web site for more information or contact by email. Cost: 2,500 naira or $60.

Upcoming:

World Venture Summit 2005
Date: September 27- 28, 2005
Location: New York, USA
The summit, to be held at Madison Square Garden and organized by YoungStartup Ventures, will feature venture capital panels, networking, presentations, and much more with leading investors, companies, and promising international startups present. Open to all interested youth. Contact Rivka Benjamin or see their web site.

Fourth UNESCO Youth Forum
Date: 30 September-2 October 2005
Location: Paris, France
The Youth Forum will form an integral part of the 33rd UNESCO General Conference - the highest decision-making body of the Organization. The Youth Forum will be a unique opportunity for young people to express and exchange their ideas, make their voices heard and ensure their views are integrated into UNESCO's programs and policies online. More information by email.

DC/UN Peace Parade
Date: September 20, 2007, all day event
Location: Embassy Row, Washington D.C
Worldyouth organizes DC/UN Peace Parade, a youth leadership support event giving young activists the opportunity to network with one another. All are welcome to attend. Please RSVP by calling or emailing Douglas Calvin at +1-202-489-7892 or by e-mail. More information on their web site.

1st Philippine Campus Journalism Awards
Date: November 22, 2005
Location: Manila, Philippines
The Philippine Campus Journalism Awards is a new program being launched for "future media practitioners." Founded by Lloyd Abria Luna, NCJP Founding Chairman and CEO, this new program hopes to become the most respected and most credible award-giving body for youth media. More information on their web site.

CIVICUS (World Alliance for Citizen Participation) World Assembly 2006
Date: June 21-25, 2006
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
CIVICUS invites interested members, partners, and other civil society organizations to submit proposals for workshops, presentations, etc. to be presented at their 2006 World Assembly. Presentations can explore specific issues or initiatives related to the overall theme, “Acting Together for A Better World,”one or more of the sub-themes, and/or cross-cutting themes. Proposals are due October 30 by e-mail. More information can be found on-line.

BE CAUTIOUS: Many scams invite people to register for a youth conference, and are meant 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 Guinea-Bissau or other countries and the USA.
These may be scams:
(1) National Awareness Program on HIV/AIDS
Supposedly to be held in Washington DC and London and organized by a Ms. Sophia Loren.
(2) International Youth Health Development Organization Conference (IYHDOC)
Supposedly to be held 9-13 November 2005, in Florida, USA and Madrid, Spain.
(3) International Conference on Racism and Child Abuse - Global Youth Welfare Organization, in USA and Italy, in December 2005.

US Department of Peace is Proposed
On September 14, legislation to establish a U.S. Department of Peace was re-introduced in the House of Representatives. The primary function of a Department of Peace will be to research, articulate and facilitate non-violent solutions to domestic and international conflict. Learn more at The Peace Alliance website.

Contribute to the African Youth HIV/AIDS Handbook
Development Partnership International, ActALIVE, and the International Federation of Medical Students Associations, Standing Committee on Reproductive Health including HIV/AIDS, invite youth-led HIV/AIDS projects throughout Africa to be included in the first ever African Youth HIV/AIDS Best Practices Handbook. They would like about a 100 projects to be profiled in the handbook. Deadline for submissions is October 15. Questions or to request an application should be directed to Oluwatosin Omole.

Student Interested in Foreign Policy?
Law school students from around the country are gathering in Sante Fe, New Mexico to create a nation-wide network of students interested in law-based approaches to globalization. Former UN Ambassador and current New Mexico Governor, Bill Richardson will be a keynote speaker. A secured matching grant to provide travel funding for law (and other professional school) students is available, but there is an October 7 deadline. More information by email.

Renovating Peruvian Schools
Date: 1 Oct. 2005 - 30 Sept. 30 2006
Location: Pisaq, Cuzco
Registration deadline is 30 September 2006. Peru's Challenge is a not-for-profit organization working with volunteers to create opportunities for children living in the Andes of Peru in South America. Their job is to renovate buildings into classrooms for kids between the ages of four and ten. More information can be found on-line.

PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES -> Full Listing

Program Associate, Community Based Health Planning & Services
Population Council, Accra, Ghana
Successful applicant will participate in a program of research, writing, technical assistance and investigation on methods and tools for research on the epidemiology of adult and child health problems. Applications are sought from health specialists, training experts and scientists engaged in large-scale implementation of programs. For more info see web site.

Education Specialist
American Inst. for Research (AIR), Ecuador
Operating from offices in Ecuador, the incumbent will provide leadership in developing the technical aspects of this project. Candidates must have at least three years experience in basic education projects in developing countries and experience working with ministries of education. For more info. go on-line.

Director, Policy
Int'l HIV/AIDS Alliance, Brighton, U.K.
As a member of the senior management team, the successful applicant will participate actively in the formulation of Alliance policy and strategy. S/he will have at least five years of policy experience, preferably related to community responses/civil society. For more info. go on-line.

Communications Manager
Abt Associates Inc., Bethesda, MD, USA
This organization seeks a Communications Manager who will be responsible for ensuring that key project findings and results are disseminated. S/he must have a Masters Degree in Communications, Public Health, or other relevant field. For more info. go on-line.

Director of Teaching Tolerance
Southern Poverty Law Center, Alabama, USA
This organization seeks a dynamic individual to lead its award-winning education program, Teaching Tolerance. S/he will be responsible for creating and implementing strategic plans for the tolerance programs. For more info go on-line.

Bankie Banx Helps Youth Develop Musical Skills Project Stingray has chosen as its mission to improve self esteem, outlook, and promote communication among young people through music. They need people of all experiences and backgrounds with insight on program development, management and performing and music business. For more information, please visit their web site.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Opportunities for College Students and Recent Graduates in Nicaragua
Manna Project International connects college students and recent graduates with opportunities to apply their education, expertise, and passion for service to communities in developing countries and is looking for short-term (2-6 mo.) and long-term (12-13 mo.) volunteers. The project aims to increase the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the people they serve through initiatives in the areas of sports, literacy, health care, and the arts. For more info, please visit their web site.

International Association for Political Science Students The association has established a new Opportunity Centre - a regularly updated platform for the exchange of knowledge about political/social science opportunities (conferences, workshops, scholarships, MA-Programs, etc.). Share your information or just check out following this link.

The Young Scientists Tsunami Collaboration
This is a project funded by the United States Oceans Bureau of the US Department of State and US embassies abroad. It focuses on the science of tsunamis, including the role of science and technology in disaster relief, preparedness efforts and examinations of the effects of tsunamis on the environment. IEARN-USA is currently recruiting interested American high school science teachers to work with peers in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. The language of the project will be English. For more information visit their web site.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Youth and ICT Awards 2005
TakingITGlobal, in collaboration with the Global Knowledge Partnership and a number of youth organizations, has launched the "Youth and ICT Awards 2005"!The Youth and ICT Awards will recognize 6 young social entrepreneurs from different regions of the world who have transformed social development opportunities into a sustainable social enterprise through innovative use of ICTs. Winners will receive: USD500 cash prize & travel and accommodation to Tunisia for Phase 2 of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Tunis. More information available on-line.

PUBLISHING OPPORTUNITIES

Get Your Story in Book on Youth Activism!
Free Spirit Publishing (USA) will publish a book in 2006 highlighting young people who have made positive contributions to society. Stories of projects that have improved a community will appear with each chapter and are still being sought from the following countries only: Spain, England, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, Portugal, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Japan, China, Philippines, or Indonesia, Iceland, Greenland, Alaska. Service must have begun before age twenty. Please send name/names and age(s), city and country, a description of what you did to help others, when and where it happened to Barbara Lewis.

HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS

Recently, 2 hurricanes slammed into the gulf coast of the USA, causing devastating damage that stands to be among the costliest and worst natural disasters in the history of the United States. Find out what you can do, or how to get involved, below:

ServeNet Helps Volunteers Join the Katrina Relief Effort
To assist in volunteer recruitment for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, Youth Service America has created a special section of their website to (1) inspire action by young people and report on relief efforts they lead; (2) encourage young people to collect money and supplies; (3) connect youth to legitimate recipients; and (4) encourage volunteers to create a Profile and register up to 35 volunteer skills/interests on SERVEnet, the nation's largest volunteer database. Young people who want to help can browse a list of organizations that are mobilizing to support relief efforts on-line.

New Orleans Network Starts to Rebuild
NewOrleansNetwork.org will be a crucial part of keeping the communities in the New Orleans and Gulf Coats area stay connected, informed, resourced, and involved in re-building their lives and cities better FOR everyone.

More Hurricane Relief organizations:GuideStar

Volunteer/ Internship Placement in Ghana
Sachabu Care Foundation (Sacafound) is currently looking for full time interns and volunteers for the HIV/AIDS Prevention & Counseling Program. They are seeking personnel with knowledge about the HIV/AIDS pandemic and its prevention strategies. For more information, please visit their web site.

GLOBAL YOUTH ACTION NETWORK (c) 2005
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tel +1-212-661-6111 gyan@youthlink.org

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