Children and Youth Engagement

Before two weeks over 40 participants representing youth-led organizations, CSOs, UN, private sector and academia met for two days in New York to coordinate and harmonize their efforts to enhance child and youth participation in the formulation of the agenda that will succeed the MDGs after 2015.
The meeting – organized by the UN Millennium Campaign in collaboration with the UN Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development, the UN Non-Governmental Liaison Service, CIVICUS, GCAP and the Beyond 2015 campaign– counted with the presence of Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General for Post-2015 Development Planning.
Liana Manusajyan, a youth representative from Armenia, opened the meeting. “I am asking you to lift the barriers to children and youth participation,” she said. “Because we need your help and we offer you our help in return.”
Rajiv Joshi, Global Call to End Poverty at the opening said “Our planet stand upon a precipice and people around the world, particularly women and young people are facing growing inequality, poverty and injustice. Next month over 150 young leaders and over 800 delegates will meet at the CIVICUS Youth Assembly and World Assembly in Montreal do build a vision of the World We Want and define a new social contract for people and the planet. As World Leaders craft the Post 2015 Development Agenda, we call for a future framework that is build upon the voices of citizens around, particularly young people who are in the forefront of changing their nations and the world".

The multi-stakeholder working session was conceived to facilitate partnerships between different stakeholders, to design a children- and youth-led engagement strategy, to develop follow-up mechanisms to enhance their engagement in this process, and to mobilize resources from donors.
Speaking at the session Amina J. Mohammed, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General in Post-2015 Development Planning said “"Youth participation is fundamental for the post-2015 agenda. Their vision and energy will be needed to do the heavy lifting in its implementation.”

Read more about this meeting and the results here.

Source: EndPoverty 2015

International Conference on War-Affected Children

The Center for War Victims (CWV) invite you to "International Conference on War-Affected Children / Impact of Conflict on Women & Girls." taking place from 24th - 27th September 2012 in The United States and in Senegal, from 1st - 4th OCTOBER 2012.
Successful registered participants are entitled to meals and accommodation which will be provided during their stay in the U.S.A only. Participant Air Tickets for both venues will be sponsored by our organization and donors. Also note that the total number of participants will be limited, and registrations will be dealt On the basis of first come, first served. Registration is still open.

If you are interested in attending and for fast respond contact the conference Secretariat via email: conference_info2012@usa.com  as soon as possible.
Registration close 5th September 2012 and share the information with your colleagues.

Source: Center for War Victims

Blog Action Day - The power of We

Founded in 2007, Blog Action Day brings together bloggers from different countries, interests and languages to blog about one important global topic on the same day. Past topics have included water, climate change, poverty and food with thousands of blogs, big and small, taking part.
In 2012, Blog Action Day will be held on 15th October 2012.

The theme of the Blog Action Day 2012 is "The power of We".
They choose this theme for a couple of reasons:

• Firstly, the popularity of the the suggestions; Community, Equality, Transparency/Anti-Corruption and Freedom, in our theme poll.
• Secondly, The Power of We is a celebration of people working together to make a positive difference in the world, either for their own communities or for people they will never meet half way around he world.

So, what you can do for the Blog Action Day post?
Well, you might profile someone or a group who inspires you by the way they made a positive influence, talk about your own efforts to make change with others, or highlight a cause that is successful for using people power to make a difference.
There are hundreds of examples you could choose from such as fighting for healthier meals for kids in schools, protecting people’s rights in countries far away, stopping practices in industries that hurt the environment and communities, challenging authorities to listen and act for the people, ensuring people small-scale farmers get fair deals, the rights of women and children are  protected and many many more.
You might even want to discuss the strategies and tips of how to organise to encourage other people to make change happen on the issues they care about, or make it easier for them to join in existing groups.

As Blog Action Day get’s closer (just under seven weeks away) they will be highlighting the thoughts of their NGO partners, previous Blog Action Day participants and interesting individuals have about the theme, and ask them to provide suggestions and materials that you can use for your blogs on October 15, 2102.

The team at Blog Action Day can’t wait to see what you all blog about and they really hope that you enjoy taking part in Blog Action Day on 15th October 2012.

Register your blog to take part in Blog Action Day, so they send you updates about the day and let you know about other great blogging Blog Action Day.
And don´t forget to visit them on Facebook, too.

Source: Blog Action Day

Youth Challenge International Scholarships

Youth Challenge International (YCI), one of Canada’s leading youth development organizations, is looking to award 10 exceptional youth (18 – 35) with either a $1,700 scholarship towards participation in our 8-week volunteer placement in Tanzania or a $1,000 scholarship towards participation in our 4-week volunteer placement in Costa Rica.
Each of the 10 scholarships will be awarded to individuals with a demonstrated commitment to their communities. The scholarships are intended to provide young leaders with the opportunity to turn positive civic involvement into global action.

More information about Application Requirements can be obtained here.
To submit an application online, visit this site.

Applications and entries will be reviewed on a first-come, first-serve rolling basis.

Only applications submitted before Friday, 7th September 2012, 9:00 am EST will be considered for scholarships.

To learn more about YCI’s volunteer programs or the scholarship program please contact generalinfo@yci.org.

Source: YUNGA

Discovering Young Leaders Programme

Would you like to sharpen your leadership edge and learn from some of the smartest brains in Africa and experts in youth programming across the Commonwealth?
Then, plan to attend the 'Discovering Young Leaders Programme' (DYLP)!
This Commonwealth course is designed as a purely online interactive forum.
Participants are expected to be leaders of youth organizations, aspiring youth leaders, and heads and members of National Youth Councils and youth associations/clubs, and are between 15 and 29 years old.
Discover how you see yourself, and how others see you as a leader; analyze the connection between self-awareness and effective leadership; examine the essence of democratic institutions and principles of democratic governance; explore your thoughts and ideas on leadership at the national and community levels and sharpen your leadership edge; decide on actions you will take in becoming the best leader the world has ever seen!

Date: 17 September – 19 October 2012 
Location: Online. Basic IT skills and access to internet is mandatory for this course.
Application deadline: 03 September 2012

Here you can find the application guidelines and form.

So, I sent my application - and you?
For any questions, concerns or clarification, contact DYLP Coordinator via w.salami@commonwealth.int  or simply visit their group page on Facebook.

Source: The Commonwealth

Youth - risk of creating a lost generation?

You remember the International of Youth on 12th of August. Ahead of the International Day, and amidst an economic crisis which has affected young people the most, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for greater and more meaningful inclusion of youth into decision-making processes around the world, while also warning of a possible “lost generation” if urgent measures are not put in place.
“Today's generation of youth – the largest the world has ever known, and the vast majority of whom live in developing countries – has unprecedented potential to advance the well-being of the entire human family,” Mr. Ban said in a message on the International Youth Day.
“The global economic crisis has hit youth the hardest, and many are understandably discouraged by rising inequalities. A large number have no immediate prospects and are disenfranchised from the political, social and development processes in their countries,” he added. “Without urgent measures, we risk creating a ‘lost generation’ of squandered talent and dreams.”
“On International Youth Day, I call on Governments, the private sector, civil society and academia to open doors for young people and strengthen partnerships with youth-led organizations,” Mr. Ban said. “Youth can determine whether this era moves toward greater peril or more positive change. Let us support the young people of our world so they grow into adults who raise yet more generations of productive and powerful leaders.”
In his message, the Secretary-General also noted that youth are a “transformative force; they are creative, resourceful and enthusiastic agents of change, be it in public squares or cyberspace.”
“From their pivotal role in efforts to achieve freedom, democracy and equality, to their global mobilization in support of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), youth have energetically demonstrated yet again their capacity and desire to turn the tide of history and tackle global challenges,” Mr. Ban said. “We need to establish more and stronger mechanisms for youth participation. The time has come to integrate youth voices more meaningfully into decision-making processes at all levels.”
In the message for the Youth Day, the head of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), echoed Secretary-General Ban, calling on “all Governments, youth organizations and the international community to mobilize and to engage young people in the policy-making that affects them. This is essential for building sustainable, peaceful and prosperous societies.”
“Young people are a wellspring of ideas for innovation. They are today’s thinkers, problem-solvers and catalysts for peace. They are often the world’s strongest advocates of justice and dignity,” UNESCO’s Execitve Director, Irina Bokova, said in a news release. “But they need good jobs, quality education and access to culture for all. They need to be heard and they need to be included.”
Marking the Day at UN Headquarters in New York, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs has, over the past few days, been holding a series of six Google+ Hangouts on themes related to the priority areas of the Secretary-General’s Five-year Action Agenda and the development of a UN System Wide Action Plan on Youth. Priority areas include

• employment
• entrepreneurship 
• education, including on sexual and reproductive health
• political inclusion
• citizenship
• protection of rights.

Each Hangout involves fie to six participants – ranging from United Nations experts, representatives of Member States, the private sector, academia and young people – and they are aimed at drawing attention to the issues, as well as exploring how the United Nations and civil society can partner with and for young people.

Source: UN News Center

Who do you know who is amazing?

Do you know someone interesting, kind, worthwhile, brave, crazy, amazing, selfless, or generous and who is continuing living life to the full - an "Active Ager"? You should know about the Life Story Challenge which is  now open for your entries.
Simply create a Life Story about someone you know using photos and stories you’ve collected and tell the story of their life and what they are doing now.
It’s a brilliant way to tell the world how great they are.
What’s more, you can also enter a competition if you get your story done by 16.September 2012. The best entries from each country will win a prize and the overall winner will get a trip to Brussels to receive their prize at the European Awards Ceremony.
This Challenge is part of the European Year 2012 which is designed to celebrate active ageing and relationships between people of different generations.

What is active ageing?
Active ageing means growing old in good health and as a full member of society, feeling more fulfilled in our jobs, more independent in our daily lives and more involved as citizens. As people get older, they can play a big and important part in families, in society and at work.

Source: Historypin

Girls Education Challenge

The Girls’ Education Challenge is looking for non-state organisations, including the private sector, with fresh ideas and projects which can be robustly evaluated for their potential impact on providing the world’s poorest girls a real chance to improve their future.The Innovation Window will provide £250,000 - £2m of funding for the most innovative, effective pilot projects that support marginalised girls, at both primary and secondary level, to succeed in their education.

Which are the target countries?
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burma, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

What do we mean by innovation?
This funding window will support cost effective projects that improve marginalised girls’ learning by:

• Offering new ways of applying, adapting or developing an existing initiative
• Applying a proven approach, for the first time, in a particular country or area
• Developing ideas that come from girls and involving them in project implementation
• Using different partnership models to work across sectors and improve results in particular payment by results models
• Finding sustainable solutions that lead to long-lasting change
• Demonstrating the impact of new and existing innovative models so the results can be shared.

Successful projects will have the potential to scale up and will contribute them to learning on what could work and how they can better meet the needs of many girls who are currently not benefitting from a quality education. Measuring and tracking the success and long-term viability of new projects will therefore be crucial.
You have to be fast because the deadline for the receipt of all concept notes is 29 August 2012.
To receive a concept note form and accompanying guidance, please email the Fund Manager at girlseducationchallenge@uk.pwc.com or phone the team on +44 (0)20 7213 5969.

Source: Departement of International Development (DFID)

Job Vacancy: Work as a Secretary General

Rural Youth Europe is recruiting a full-time Secretary General to start as soon as possible. The job is currently based in Helsinki, Finland but will be moved to another country dependant on the country of origin of the successful candidate. The office will be ideally located within the offices of one of our member organisations.
Rural Youth Europe is a European Non-Governmental Organisation for Rural Youth. We aim to educate and train young people and create an awareness of the issues of the countryside and to promote intercultural understanding. Our main activity is the organisation of international seminars for multipliers in rural youth work. Rural Youth Europe is the umbrella organisation for 26 organisations from 21 European countries.

Responsibilities and tasks:

• Support the elected Board
• Prepare, organise, implement and follow-up European seminars and meetings in co-operation with hosting teams
• Grant management (writing applications and reports)
• Financial management (bookkeeping and budgeting)
• Communications (editing and layout of the e-newsletter, writing articles, editing seminar reports and other publications)
• Prepare, organise and report about statutory meetings
• Responsible for day to day running of the secretariat
• Communication with member organisations, partners, etc.
• Representation of the organisation

Applicant profile:

• Experience in international youth work/NGO work
• Very good knowledge of English (both written and oral) and preferably a good knowledge of German. Other language skills are an asset.
• Able to work with MS Office (Word, Excel, Publisher), e-mail and internet
• Bookkeeping and budgeting experience
• Good communication skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Able to work independently and in international teams
• Self-driven, sense of responsibility, good organisational skills
• Team worker
• Flexibility and willingness to travel and work occasionally during weekends
• Knowledge of rural youth work and/or rural issues

You can read the full job description here.

They offer:
A challenging job with a lot of responsibility in an international environment. The contract will be for 40 hours per week or dependant on normal working hours of the country that the office is located in. There will be aprobationary period of 4 months or according to local labour laws.

Applicants are asked to send a CV and motivation letter addressing the selection criteria by 31 August 2012 to vacancy@ruralyoutheurope.com

Your application should also include your salary expectations and available starting date. The final salary and starting date will be negotiated with the Board and will be dependant on the country the Secretary General is located in.

For further information please contact the Vice-Chair, Kadri Toomingas at kadri.toomingas@ruralyoutheurope.com

What does a good job mean to you?

When we think about a good job most of us see an income that is sufficient to cover our needs, flexibility in the management of our time, health and other benefits and, very important, a job that we enjoy doing and gives us a sense of purpose. Yet, at the policy level, coming up with a definition of a “Good Job” is not easy.
The new World Development Report on Jobs defines a good job as one “which can support increases in household expenditures or job satisfaction over time, contribute to faster productivity growth at the aggregate level, or do more to foster social cohesion.” The definition thus goes beyond the individual and takes into consideration effects in the economy and society at large. An implication is that the concept of a good job is relative and will depend on social preference, country context and development priorities. An alternative view is that of the ILO and their “decent work” agenda that considers that work “is a source of personal dignity and family stability.” Good jobs have universal characteristics and require policies that enforce core labor standards, increase earnings, extend social protection and promote social dialogue. Yet a third view introduced in the forthcoming Strategy for Social Protection and Labor for the World Bank focuses on two dimensions: the stream of earnings generated by the job, and workers psychological and physical wellbeing. “Low quality jobs are those that generate low and/or volatile income streams – often not sufficient to lift individuals and their dependents out of poverty – and/or that expose them to undue risk of disease, psychological stress, or degrading lifestyles.”
Can we reach an operational consensus? Should the focus be on policies that gradually help people access jobs/occupations that increase their earnings while expanding the coverage of regulations that enforce basic standards in terms of working conditions as well as access to social insurance programs?

Questions:

• How to differentiate between a “good” or “decent” job and a “bad” job where no individual should engage?
• Creating enough stable jobs that pay high salaries and provide access to labor regulations and social insurance is an elusive task over the medium term; what are the alternatives.
• What types of policies can be used to expand the coverage of social insurance programs to the informal sector – including wage employees and the self-employed?
• What can governments do to better enforce core labor standards?
• What should be the strategy to eradicate child labor?
• What can governments do to better regulate and enforce basic standards in terms of health and safety?

A job means different things to different people, and some jobs contribute more to a nation's economic and social development than others. Wages, stability, insurance, and social protection can all make a job a "good" one. Sometimes the individual, economic, and social aspects of employment come together - but it's not always possible to bring all the good aspects of jobs together.

So how should policymakers confront these trade offs? What does a good job mean to you? We want to know what you think your country needs to do to create good jobs. 

Share your thoughts here or on Facebook.

Source: The Jobs Knowledge Platform

Investment in children must be a priority

Ahead of the one-year anniversary of South Sudan’s independence, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) called for the rights of children to be made a priority, stressing that they are vital for the young nation’s growth and stability. “The foundation of a peaceful and prosperous South Sudan can be strong only if we invest in the country's youngest citizens,” UNICEF’s Representative in South Sudan, Yasmin Ali Haque, said in news release. “They need to be everyone’s priority so that the next generation can play an active and meaningful part in building this new nation.”

South Sudan became independent from Sudan on 9 July last year, six years after the signing of a peace agreement that ended decades of warfare between the north and south. Half of its population is currently under the age of 18, yet the country has very poor social indicators, including high maternal and infant mortality, high rates of illiteracy and malnutrition, and very limited infrastructure, making it one of the riskiest places in the world for a child to be born. “The measurement of progress must be in terms of concrete results for children,” said Ms. Haque. “We need to improve children’s chances to survive beyond their fifth birthday, to have a chance to go to school and to be protected from violence and conflict.”

According to UNICEF, 70 per cent of children between six and seventeen years of age have never been to school, and the completion rate in primary schools is barely ten per cent, one of the lowest in the world. Girls, in particular, remain disadvantaged when it comes to education and are vulnerable to social practices such as early marriage and early child bearing. In addition, the multiple crises in the country have left many children without basic services, with only 13 per cent of them having access to adequate sanitation.

UNICEF, in conjunction with the Government and development partners, has worked on establishing essential water and sanitation sources, as well as education infrastructure. In five years, there has been a 40 per cent increase in access to improved sources of drinking water, and over the past year, efforts have been intensified to ensure that children in some of the more disadvantaged schools have a friendlier learning environment.

UNICEF noted that outstanding issues between Sudan and South Sudan continue to have an impact on children. Since South Sudan’s independence, the peace between the two countries has been threatened by clashes along their common border and post-independence issues, including the ownership of the Abyei area which straddles the two countries, causing the displacement of thousands of hundreds of people. The ongoing flux of refugees, the continued threat of conflict and severe food insecurity make it more pressing to address their needs, UNICEF added.

Source: UN.ORG

Leadership of young women

The empowerment of young women is key for advancing development around the world, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, adding that it is a priority for the United Nations to encourage their active participation in society.
“The lack of women’s representation – of women’s empowerment – affects individual women’s rights – and it holds back whole countries,” Mr. Ban told participants at the first World Congress of Global Partnership for Young Women and Second Global Partnership Forum in Seoul, Republic of Korea (ROK).

From farming to leading Governments and troops, women have repeatedly shown that they can excel in many areas and make positive contributions to their countries, Mr. Ban said. However, he noted that they still do not enjoy the same benefits as men, and called on Governments to support their advancement.

“Although there has been important progress, women still do not have a strong enough voice in decision-making. Women make up just a fraction of all chief executives of the world’s biggest companies. Fewer than one in ten presidents or prime ministers are women, and less than one in five parliamentarians are women,” Mr. Ban said.

“Women do more work for less pay than men. Women produce up to 80 per cent of all food in sub-Saharan Africa, but their households are poorer, so they spend more of their income on food,” he added.

 The UN chief emphasized the need to encourage initiatives that advance women’s rights, including the promotion of education, reducing maternal mortality, and combating domestic violence and rape.

 “Gender discrimination blocks progress. Equality makes it possible to achieve huge breakthroughs,” Mr. Ban said. “We are moving on all fronts to invest in women so they can reach their full potential, drive development and lead us to a better future.”

In addition, the Secretary-General underlined that the anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) would not be accomplished without addressing women’s needs and rights, and noted that this would also be the case when looking to the post-2015 development agenda.

Source: UN.ORG

Internships in European Institutions

If you always desired to work for the European Union, the best starting point, and a good way to boost your CV could be having an internship in one of the European Institutions! Check out the latest opportunities.

Internship at the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations in New York:
This is an unpaid, 3 to 6 months long, opportunity that will give participants the chance to follow the activities of different UN bodies, and to work alongside the officials of the Delegation. To take part, interns must hold an European passport, be university graduates, be fluent in English, and be computer literate.
More details are available here.

Traineeships at the European Ombudsman:
The European Ombudsman offers a limited number of 4 to 11 months long traineeships, where participants will work alongside a Legal Officer carrying out the relevant research for the Ombudsman. The level of financial support for trainees is determined on an individual basis. To take part trainees should be EU citizens, have a university degree in law, and be able to work in at least two of the official languages of the EU. More details are available here.

Traineeships at the European Commission - Administrative in-service and Translation:
The Commission organises twice a year in-service training periods lasting between 3 to 5 months long for young university graduates who wish to gain in-house professional experience as Administrators or Translators. In order to take part applicants must have a degree, have good knowledge of English, French or German and have not already completed a traineeship in another EU Institution. Depending on the Traineeship, other requirements may be necessary. This is a paid internship. More details are available here.

Traineeships at the Council of the European Union:
Each year the General Secretariat of the Council offers 80 paid traineeships lasting 5 months, in which the trainee will be attached to one or more departments of the General secretariat of the Council. To take part, interns must be nationals of one of the EU Member States, and should know at least two official EU languages. This is a paid internship. More details are available here.

Deadline for all the above applications is 31 August 2012.

Sorce: European Youth Portal (EYP)

Imagine all the water

Do you want to save water and inspire others to do the same? The Imagine All the Water website shows you how many times you’d need to do things like taking a shower, flushing the toilet or watering a plant in order to use the same amount of water used to produce products such as a pizza margherita, a T-shirt and a sheet of paper using creative animations.
However, there still are five items without animation: hamburger, beer, coffee, chocolate and shoes. Your challenge is to come up with a way of representing the amount of water needed to produce these products by making a video that explains this comparison.
The five winning entries will receive a sport action waterproof camera!

Entries can be uploaded from 10 September 2012.

More details are available here.

Raise awareness on Climate Change!

Do you want to raise awareness on Climate Change? The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has launched a contest with the aim to highlight the benefits of the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
The contest is open to any individual or groups, professional or amateur, and it comprehends three categories:

• Photo Contest 2012 on the theme “CDM Changing Lives”. Photos should consist of striking images that showcase CDM projects or their related benefits.
• Video Contest 2012 completing the sentence “People should know about this CDM project because...” Videos could be animated shorts or mini-documentaries.
• Podcast Contest 2012 answering the question “How has my community/city/country benefited from the CDM?” The podcast could be a chat show, an interview or a mini documentary.

Photos, videos and podcast will be judged on originality, technical excellence, artistic merit, and their persuasiveness in telling the story of the CDM.
The winning works will be displayed in a dedicated booth at the UNFCCC Climate Change Conference in Doha in December 2012.

Submission deadline: 20 September 2012

Here you get more information.

        

Youth Opportunities Initiative (YOI)

Young people have been hit especially hard by the economic crisis. A rising number are facing unemployment in Europe, making them feel frustrated, fearful and hopeless. In response, the European Commission introduced the Youth Opportunities Initiative (YOI) – a set of measures aimed at increasing young people's employability. YOI is part of the Youth on the Move initiative and promotes EU programmes and resources such as Leonardo da Vinci, European Voluntary Service, Erasmus, Erasmus for Entrepeneurs and EURES, that are geared towards developing young people's skills, qualifications and training. This new YOI animated clip highlights the main programmes available for young people. The initiative includes the Youth Guarantee Scheme - €4 million investment that aims to ensure young people are in a job, training or further education within four months of leaving school. The Commission is also urging Member States to make better use of the European Social Fund which still has €30 billion of funding uncommitted to projects. The acquisition of practical skills, additional qualifications and participation in vocational training is key in raising young people's confidence and employability, thereby opening up their working future.

Source: European Youth Portal

The Role of the Youth in the Urban Future

As an integral part of the Sixth Session of the World Urban Forum, UN-HABITAT will host the World Urban Youth Assembly on 2 September 2012 in Naples, Italy (Programme).  The Assembly provides youth with the opportunity to discuss and deliberate on issues important to them, so that they are able to make relevant contributions at the substantive dialogues at the main Forum.

In line with the theme for the Sixth Session of the World Urban Forum, 'The Urban Future', the substantive objectives of the World Urban Youth Assembly will be to analyze how the future of youth in urbanization is perceived, who benefits from the urbanization process, who is being left out, and what innovative approaches there are to remedy such exclusions.

The Assembly is not only informative but also maintains its status as the premier urban youth platform for deliberating on urban youth issues.

If you are interested to read more about this topic and event click here.

Ready, steady, go! - Fight against physical inactivity

"READY, STEADY, GO!" is a Italian project by ISCA member UISP which is fighting against the physical inactivity of children. It calls for the need to push children and youngsters to be more active.
Did you know that children and youngsters spend their free time in closed spaces (60%), eat in front of the tv (39%) and their indifference towards sports activities is increasing (38% compared to the 26% of 2011). The challenge of breaking this wave of physical inactivity has been taken on by the three year Italian project Pronti, Partenza, Via!. Promoted by Save the Children and Kraft Foods Foundation and realised in cooperation with UISP, the project is based on interventions of healthy life style and correct nutrition promotion in ten Italian cities.

Read more about here.

SWELL: Youth training for health and wellness

SWELL is a project that aims to activate an international network to spread the idea of health and well-being through sport.
Between 18-25th of August, 22 young people will gather in France to learn more about health and wellness in sport for all, in a non formal setting. The training “SWELL: YOUTH TRAINING FOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS” is organized by ISCA and UFOLEP and will focus on healthy behavior and physical activity from three different perspectives:

• the relevance of physical activity for physical health as well as mental and social well-being
• Human Rights perspective
• Preventive perspective.

Active volunteers, youth leaders and youth workers from 8 different countries will gather in Xonrupt-Longemer, France to activate an international network that can spread the idea of Health and Well-being through sport as a right and act as multipliers at local level.

You can get more information here.

Incredible Green Contest

The Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy (TAISE) and Acer Foundation have come together to create the Incredible Green Contest. The Incredible Green Contest is an opportunity for students worldwide regardless of gender or age to explore your innovative side by solving environmental issues with the direct or indirect use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT). As global climate change and environmental adaptation continue, it is essential to create sustainable solutions that embrace energy savings, carbon reduction, ecological conservation, and other crucial environmental issues. Most importantly, we must increase awareness and understanding among the general public on the importance of caring for a green environment.

Register now until October 31, 2012 individually, or get some friends together and compete as a group of up to five members. You can also ask as many as three mentors to help you brainstorm your innovate green idea. The grand prize is an impressive $60,000 USD!
There are also many other prizes and awards for runners-up.

For more information visit the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy (TAISE) and read the attachment.
If you have some questions you can write an email to tina@taise.org.tw

You can become a Youth Delegate!

Participation in decision-making is one of the key priority areas of the United Nations agenda on youth. One form of youth participation at the United Nations is through the inclusion of youth delegates in a country's official delegation to the United Nations General Assembly and various functional Commissions of the Economic and Social Council.The youth delegate programme is coordinated by the Focal Point on Youth at the global level, but it is the responsibility of the Member States to establish a youth delegate programme at the national level, and to decide who will represent the young people of their country. The roles of a youth representative varies from country to country, but normally includes providing input to their delegation on issues related to youth and participate in their delegation’s general work through attending meetings and informal negotiations.
Youth delegates can participate in several intergovernmental meetings at the United Nations. Most official youth delegates participate in the General Assembly, but some also attend functional Commissions of the Economic and Social Council.
You want to know more about this and how you can get involved? Read here or download the Delegate-Guide.

Do you know your Human Rights?

Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2001 by Dr. Mary Shuttleworth, an educator born and raised in apartheid South Africa, where she witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of discrimination and the lack of basic human rights.
The purpose of YHRI is to teach youth about human rights, specifically the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and inspire them to become advocates for tolerance and peace. YHRI has now grown into a global movement, including hundreds of groups, clubs and chapters around the world.
Youth for Human Rights International teaches human rights education both in the classroom and in nontraditional educational settings. They aim to reach people from diverse backgrounds, with materials which often appeal across generations. By teaching human rights through all means - from conferences and workshops to hip-hop and dancing - this message has spread around the world.
You can get involved, too:

• Petition your government!
• Link it!
• Become a member or sponsor!

And don´t forget the 9th annual Youth for Human Rights International Human Rights Summit 2012 from 7th to 9th September in Brussels, which follows the proud tradition of bringing youth from around the world together to share, encourage and inspire global peace and tolerance.

Plural + Youth Media Festival

The call for entries for PLURAL+ 2012 has closed and the winners of this year’s competition will be publicly announced at the PLURAL+ 2012 Awards Ceremony on December 6, 2012, at the Paley Center for Media in New York.
Recognizing youth as powerful agents of social change in a world often characterized by intolerance, cultural and religious divisions, PLURAL+ supports youth in addressing the key challenges of their communities related to migration, diversity and social inclusion.
Also, all of us are excited for the winners of this year.
Till this time you can watch the 2011 PLURAL+ Winning videos.

Youth Forum on Green Economy in Nepal

The Small Earth Nepal (SEN) in collaboration with the Consortium for Capacity Building (CCB) at the University of Colorado at Boulder and the Asia Pacific Mountain Network (APMN) of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), and with a funding support of the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) under the CAPaBLE Program, is organizing the ‘Asia Pacific Graduates' Youth Forum on Green Economy’ in Kathmandu, Nepal from 25-29 September, 2012.

The forum will attract 40 youth from the wider Asia-Pacific region, who are engaged in sustainability issues. The five-day long program will contain capacity building and knowledge exchange sessions, leadership exercises and excursions to nearby environmental projects. The forum is also supported by the Government of Nepal, the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC), US Agency for International Development/Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA), the Small Earth Australia (SEA), and the Centre for Hydrology at the University of Saskatchewan.

Who can apply?                                                                    
Applications from Youth aged 18-30 with an academic or a professional degree in the related fields from the Asia-Pacific region are eligible. Those who have already shown their leadership in green economy sectors are strongly encouraged to apply.

Sponsorship
Limited funding (round trip fare and local expenses) is available for deserving candidates from the Asia Pacific region. Funding details will be available upon request.

Selection
The names of selected participants will be updated on the blog and Facebook pages. The selected participants will also be communicated via email.                              

How to Apply?
Please click here for the application form.

Deadline:
17 August 2012

For more information and regular update visit the website www.gradyouth.wordpress.com or visit them on Facebook.

For any additional queries, you can write to gradyouth@gmail.com.

Champion of Change

Soon after graduating from college, Ana Moraga moved from her home in the U.S. to Guatemala City to help women sex workers recover their dignity and self-esteem through literacy and vocational training. Seven years later, this courageous women’s rights advocate and International Youth Foundation (IYF) Fellow has been honored by President Obama's Administration as a “Champion of Change.”
In 2007, Ms. Moraga was selected by IYF as one of its Global YouthActionNet® Fellows in 2007 for her role in founding MuJER - Mujeres por la Justicia, Educación y el Reconocimiento (Women for Justice Education and Awareness). Its mission: to develop spaces of empowerment for women to become socially and politically active through programs that range from literacy and vocational training to violence prevention.
Since its founding, MuJER has created a multifaceted support system for over 500 women sex workers throughout Guatemala.
“We recognize that these women are agents of social change, not just beneficiaries,” said Ms. Moraga, who emigrated with her family to the U.S. from Guatemala as a teenager.
Ms. Moraga is one of nearly 600 youth leaders in 57 countries to have received specialized training, networking, funding, and advocacy opportunities through YouthActionNet® since its founding in 2001.
The Champions of Change program was created as part of President Obama’s Winning the Future Initiative, which recognizes groups of Champions – ranging from educators to entrepreneurs to community leaders – for the work they are doing to serve and strengthen their communities.

International Children´s Painting Competition

The International Children’s Painting Competition on the Environment is organized annually by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Japan-based Foundation for Global Peace and Environment (FGPE),  Bayer and the Nikon Corporation joined as organizers in 2005 and 2006 respectively. It has been held since 1991 and has received over 3 million entries from children in over 100 countries.

The theme of the 22nd  painting competition will be " Water". The participants will have until 29th  February, 2013 to submit their entries.  

Sub themes of the competition are: Water:

• Where does it  come from? 
• Water : Source  of  life

The Competition is open to children between the ages of 6 and 14 to illustrate their own personal view of the
environment – their wishes, hopes and fears.

You can have a look at the previous competitions or at the brochure.

Also, if you need more information you can send an email to children.youth@unep.org

Show off your photographic skills!

Show off your photography skills this summer by sending your shots of EU regional funding in action.
The photographs must be of projects receiving support from the European regional development fund (ERDF) or the cohesion fund. The images must show the project sign – look for a board displaying the EU flag and funding information.
The funds help the EU’s less developed regions modernise and respond to the challenges of a globalised world economy. Funding is used to develop the skills of local workforces, encourage entrepreneurship, improve infrastructure and protect the environment, for example.
You can enter the competition either as someone working for an organisation receiving EU regional funding, or as a member of the public – there are two separate categories. You will need to join Facebook to enter if you do not already belong to the social networking site.
To start, find a project – in your home region or further afield.
In the autumn, two winners will be selected in each category, one by the public through an online voting form (voting begins on 27 August and ends on 7 September).
A jury will pick the other winners. Photos will be judged on aesthetics, creativity and relevance to EU regional policy.
Each winner will receive €1 000 to spend on digital camera equipment and a trip for two to Brussels during the European Week of Regions and Cities (8-11 October).
Also, take photos of EU-funded projects in your region for a chance to win camera equipment worth 1000 € plus a trip for two to Brussels.
Whether you’re at home or abroad, keep your eye out for projects and have your camera at the ready.
The deadline for entries is the end of August!

AP-Google Journalism & Technology Scholarship

Six students received the AP-Google Journalism & Technology Scholarship.
Last summer, there was announced a joint scholarship program for aspiring journalists with the Associated Press, administered by the Online News Association. Congratulations to the six students who will each be receiving $20,000 to pursue degrees that lie at the intersection of journalism, computer science and new media:

• Emily Eggleston, 24, graduate student at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, studying journalism and geography
• Reginald James, 30, undergraduate student at the University of California, Berkeley, studying political science and African American studies
• Katie Zhu, 20, undergraduate at Northwestern University, studying computer science and journalism
• Rebecca Rolfe, 25, graduate student at the Georgia Institute of Technology, studying digital media
• Kevin Schaul, 20, undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota, studying journalism and computer science
• John Osborn, 29, graduate student at the University of California, Berkeley, studying journalism

These students have big plans that range from producing hyperlocal data-driven stories, to developing open-source apps that allow for democratic news gathering and greater collaboration, to data visualization for current events and entertainment, to producing political news games and teaching journalists how to code. 

We hope these scholarship winners, and their future projects, inspire the broader journalism community to keep rethinking how to report and share stories through new technologies.

For all undergraduate and graduate students already brainstorming ideas for next year, read more about the application process and eligibility on the scholarship program’s website.