YPWC Thank You 2010

Dear YPWCer:

Five years ago, a group of young people founded Young People We Care to promote youth-led development through building the capacity of young people in Ghana and beyond to be active change makers and to also direct engage young people in development issues such as the Millennium Development Goals, HIV/AIDS and International Migration. We have had tremendous success over the past five years including: hosting more than 60 global anti poverty campaigns, supporting young people on three occasions to have a voice at the Global Forum on Migration and Development and bringing together over 80,000 young people for inter-generational dialogues on development issues with policymakers and people who matter most in development.

Recall, that for the 2nd time we were selected for an award by the United Nations Volunteer in recognition for our innovative voluntary support in the area of youth-led development on International Volunteers Day and also as a as a Regional Lead Agency by Youth Service America. Organizations such as ours, which is supported by volunteers, funds from individuals and some amount of small grants from donor organizations rarely do well in such difficult environment.

As the holiday season approaches, we’d like to thank you for your moral support. The exciting accomplishments would not have been proudly achieved without you.

As YPWC gets stronger, we have innovative ideas on how engage young people in promoting sustainable development. However, we would not be able to realize our noble vision without your support. As the year draws to a close for a new year, please think of YPWC if you are considering supporting a youth organization that aims to create a better tomorrow through the active engagement of young people. We need your help to keep this important work alive!

We have the vision, so having your generous support can ensure that our work is done in a more structured and forward-looking manner. Here’s what your donation will provide:

• With a $5 donation you can support the travelling cost to schools where we have Development Education Clubs.
• With a $15 donation you can buy programs, posters and refreshments for community and school events.
• With a $50 donation you can sponsor an online consultation on a key issue such as poverty and MDGs and Migration.
• With a $125 donation you can sponsor a development oriented campaign such as STAND UP 2011.
• With a $500 donation you can support a Fundraising and Advocacy Training for youth.
• With a $1500 donation you can support a 4 young people to implement innovative activities on Global Youth Service Day in April 2011.
• With a $5000 donation you can support the August 2011, Road to Rio + 20 Regional event in Accra-Ghana.

Please help us move into 2011 with a guaranteed mission of educating and informing youth on key development issues; inspiring youth to take action; encouraging youth participation in global issues; identifying and building sustainable partnerships aimed at youth development; and providing young people with tools and resources for effective action. Your donation can be made easily and securely on our partner’s page (Omprakash) (full link at: https://omprakash.org/DonationForm?go=DonationForm&p=166)

If you need more information on our fundraising strategies please contact Shantell at: shantell.scott@ypwc.org or Tel: +233-3220-52537

Thank you in advance and we look forward to sharing much good news with you throughout 2011 in the spirit of co-development and solidarity.

With very best wishes,

Michael Boampong

Founder and Advisor, Young People We Care

michael@ypwc.org

Shantell L. Scott

Executive Director, Young People We Care

shantell.scott@ypwc.org

Volunteer in Ghana, West Africa

Image by zug55 The Manhyia Palace was built by the British in 1925 to receive Asantehene (ruler of the Ashanti people) Prempeh I when he returned from a quarter of a century of exile in the Seychelles to resume residence in Kumasi. It was used by the Ashanti kings until 1974. It now serves as a museum, containing a range of items relating to the Ashanti Kingdom, particularly Prempeh I (ruled 1888-1931) and Prempeh II (ruled 1931-1970).

Have you ever thought about volunteering in a developing country like Ghana? Ghana is one of the most stable nations in Africa and voted as the 2nd most peaceful nation in Africa on the Global Peace Index.

Thousands of volunteers visit Ghana every year and spend anything from a few weeks to months working in different parts of the country to help make a difference. Some volunteer projects are based in Accra, the capital, and others can be located in rural areas spanning the breadth of Ghana.

YPWC's volunteer projects are based in and around Kumasi which is in the historical Ashanti Region in the centre of the southern half of Ghana. Kumasi is an excellent and central base from which to explore the whole country too.

The beautiful Rainbow Garden Village at Lake Bosumtwi (another resort) is just an hour outside of Kumasi on public transport. Once you arrive it's hard to believe such lush and beautiful surrounds are so close to the bustling city centre.

Some of the things volunteers will do at YPWC:

• Newsletter and website marketing and regular updating;
• Proposal writing;
• Running the Book Project series;
• Youth Migration and Development projects;
• Youth MDGs Programme;
• HIV/AIDS sensitisation in schools and community groups;
• Connecting North and South Schools/Youth Groups.

Read about just a few of the opportunities available in 2010.

Check out YPWC on Idealist.org.

A diverse range of images from Kumasi

Image by zug55

Kumasi's huge central market by Hugues

YPWC: DISNEY’S FRIENDS FOR CHANGE GRANT ADDRESSING ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Where: BUNKPURUGU-YUNYOO, GHANA
25TH SEPTEMBER, 2010

Mr Jakperuk Judges Bilanmah of YPWC’s Development Education Club was one of 75 international applicants to receive a Disney’s Friends for Change Grant worth $500. The grant is administered by Youth Service America for youth-led environmental initiatives. A major project component occurs on International Coastal Cleanup Day on September 25.

Disney’s Friends for Change: Project Green is a program that encourages young people to take steps together with their friends to help the planet. The grants, administered by Youth Service America (YSA), offer youth the resources they need to bring environmental initiatives to life for their local communities, including the new Friends for Change project guide providing youth with helpful tips on contacting local media and public officials.

The Greening Ghanaian Child and Youth For Sustainable Development project engaged 100 children and youth in an environmental improvement initiative which was led by YPWC Development Education Club at Najiong No.1 Kings and Queens International School in the Bunkpurugu Yunyoo District of Northern Region in Ghana.

The project embarked on a cleanup exercise at the school, street, market, public toilets, urinal pits and capacity building workshops where young people were trained as “Green Child for Sustainable Environment Advocates”. Participants also discussed issues including, but not limited to, the MDGs, with emphasis on the MDG 7: Importance of Clean environment, Time Management. The group planted 20 mango trees on the school compound.

Waste collection and disposal bins, brooms, detergents and other items were also presented to the School Head Mistress, Madam Amuquandoh Hawa, who expressed her gratitude for such need-based intervention.

The PTA Board members present were Mr. Laamong Burika (Chairman), Mr. Elijah Laari-Bugri (Member), Mr. James Chapoli Suuk (Secretary). They expressed gratitude during a community impact assessment forum for such an intervention in their community--one of a kind ever realized in their community.

Matthew Nyannube Yosah,YPWC Project Officer, said “the Greening Ghanaian Child and Youth For Sustainable Development project was a grass-roots, child-led community service intervention responsive to the current environmental needs of the community as far as filth and climate change is concerned”.

He encouraged the community to involve children in decision making and in community developmental processes so as to showcase their aspirations and concerns in order to influence change. He again pledged the commitment of Young People We Care (YPWC) in sustaining the project even as the service dates are over since it helps achieve its mission as a youth led, youth serving organization”

“Youth around the world care a great deal about the environment,” said Steve Culbertson, YSA president and CEO. Disney’s Friends for Change grants provide thousands of young people opportunities to address the issues that are the most pressing in their communities.

National Public Lands Day is on September 25. Last year, 150,000 volunteers participated in local activities to improve and enhance America’s public lands.

For more information about the Disney Friends for Change Grants, visit Disney.com/projectgreen. To learn more about Youth Service America, visit www.YSA.org.

Disney's Friends for Change: Project Green is a multiplatform initiative that helps kids help the planet. Through the program, kids can learn practical ways to help the environment, get their friends involved, track their collective impact and have the opportunity to help Disney decide how $1 million in donations to various environmental causes will be made over the course of a year. Kids can join online at www.Disney.com/projectgreen, where they'll commit to taking simple everyday actions, such as turning off the lights and switching to reusable water bottles, and find out more about why these actions matter. To date, kids have taken 1.5 million pledges that stand to prevent more than 70,000 tons of carbon emissions per year, save nearly 122 million gallons of water per month and prevent close to 200,000 pounds of trash from entering landfills every month.

Youth Service America (YSA) improves communities by increasing the number and the diversity of young people, ages 5-25, serving in substantive roles. Founded in 1986, YSA supports a global culture of engaged youth committed to a lifetime of service, learning, leadership, and achievement. The impact of YSA’s work through service and service-learning is measured in student achievement, workplace readiness, and healthy communities. For more information, visit www.YSA.org.

Young People We Care (YPWC) is a youth led and youth focused organization headquartered in Ghana. The organization is operated by young people (ages 15–30) and adult allies working on youth and development related issues worldwide. Our mission is to educate and inform youth on global issues, inspire them to take action, encourage their participation in global issues, identify and build sustainable partnerships aimed at youth development and provide young people with tools and resources for effective action. Visit us at: www.ypwc.org

CONTACT: Lily Bedrossian
818-553-7292
The Walt Disney Company
Lily.Bedrossian@disney.com

Brandon Gryde Youth Service America
202-296-2992 x 128
bgryde@ysa.org

Matthew Nyannube Yosah
Young People We Care
+233-249431332
matthew@ypwc.org

Mango tree planting image by treesftf

Stand Up, Take Action 17-19 September 2010

Many citizens across the world are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the slow progress being made towards achieving the MDGs and are taking action by petitioning and talking to their elected representatives. In 2009 more than 173 million people gathered at "Stand Up, Take Action, End Poverty Now!" events, setting a new world record for the largest mobilisation of this kind. Visit http://standagainstpoverty.org.

This year, the United Nations held the Millennium Development Goal Review Summit from 20th to 22nd September.

 YPWC's Programme's Director involved in radio phone-in in Kumasi

Meanwhile, YPWC held its own Stand Up events in the days leading up to the UN Summit. This is how it went:

DAY 1: SUTA @ SEA SCHOOL, 17TH SEPTEMBER, 2010

The first day of SUTA activity took place at Sea School at Kwadaso Community in Kumasi.

One student said, ‘We want our government to be committed in ensuring that the MDGs are well-achieved for a better life for all Ghanaians’.

The Proprietor of the School, Mr. Atta Badu, read the STAND UP PLEDGE to the hearing of
the student populace and the entire staff at the assembly ground. Both students and
teachers stooped down and STOOD UP whilst making noise for the MDGs. Students then
proceeded to the dining hall where they continued making noise for the MDGs by banging
spoons on metal plates as a way of illustrating hunger.

DAY 2: RADIO DISCUSSION @ KFm 103.7, KUMASI, 18TH SEPTEMBER, 2010

The Programmes Director of YPWC, Francis Koomson and the Development Officer, Stephen
Acheampong had a fruitful discussion live on KFm 103.7 with Nana Gyantuah, the host of
the popular ‘Entertainment Edge’ in Kumasi.

 Francis Koomson, YPWC's Programme's Director, on air in Kumasi

Discussion centered on MDGs, the need for localizing the MDGs, citizens participation and monitoring at the grassroot level, recommendations on what Government must do in order to realize the MDGs by 2015, and why SUTA 2010.

After the discussion they held a phone-In Segment during which callers requested information on MDGs, how they can participate in the annual STAND UP call, and how to be involved in ensuring they hold government accountable.

YPWC staff ensured that the message was passed on to callers during the phone in session. 


DAY 3: MAKE NOISE FOR THE MDGs AT CHURCH SERVICES,
19TH SEPTEMBER, 2010

YPWC took the SUTA activities to the Pakyi No. 2 and Ahenema Kokoben Assemblies of
the Church of Pentecost respectively.

In both locations the Presiding Elders read the pledge to the congregation after the Programmes Director had done the yeoman job of explaining the SUTA 2010 to the congregation.

Members numbering 250 and 425, respectively, stood up and made noise for the MDGs. The congregations sung and played musical instruments, vuvuzelas and whistles.
OTHER YPWC ACTIVITIES
1. Isaac Twumasi Ampofo, the Executive Director of Richbone Initiative Foundation (RBI)
in Accra, organized the STAND UP event successfully at Sarfoa Memorial School by
kicking out poverty through a football competition involving students, teachers and
staff of RBI. It drew a crowd of 250 people.

2. Matthew Yosah, a Project Officer of YPWC for the Northern Sector of Ghana, in
collaboration with his MDGs Support Club, held a SUTA 2010 event at
University of Development Studies. Check this link:
http://www.ghananewsagency.org/s_economics/r_20523/

3. Samson Nimako, an MDGs advocate, organized a STAND UP event at Church of
Pentecost, Assin Sibinso Assembly, with a church population of 100 people. Members
openly declared their stand against poverty and made noise with the musical
instruments to that effect.

4. Abdul Hasim, an MDGs advocate, organized the STAND UP event at Bunkprungu
Senior High School in the Northern Region through a football match. 270 people
including students and the public partook in the event kicking out poverty.

What Did YPWC Learn From This?
During the activities it became clear that there was little knowledge of what the MDGs are. We identified a need to educate and inform the citizens on MDGs and more especially on global development issues.

YPWC would want to strengthen its Development Education Unit by opening more development education clubs at various first cycle and second cycle institutions in the country to train students on MDGs and how they can be involved in development issues.

YPWC would like to collaborate more closely with the media, especially the radio stations, to cover a larger spectrum of people in the MDGs education process, and also on global development issues.

What were the Challenges?

The main challenge was that the media showed little or no interest in the event and in development issues, generally. such as MDGs. They appear to be more interested in political issues than social issues, even though the MDGs are both political and social.

The public has little awareness of the MDGs indicating that better communications is needed to raise public awareness of the MDG campaign itself, and then on tangible strategies to try and meet the MDGs.

Actions Going Forward

YPWC believes that MDGs/GCAP Ghana, in collaboration with partner organisations, should take on the task of reminding Government of their pledge to realize the MDGs by 2015 through press releases, letters to Members of Parliament, planned peace protests and through any other appropriate medium.

MDGs/GCAP Ghana together with its partner organisations should seek ways of
monitoring progress at the grassroot level and encouraging citizen participation in the
realization of the MDGs.

We recommend that governments should adopt a reliable scoring model to enable them assess the trend of progress made in realizing the MDGs by 2015.

To raise awareness, YPWC will produce a Youth Community Action Guide on the MDGs to guide young people in taking more action on the MDGs at the grassroot level.

YPWC: ‘STAND UP, TAKE ACTION AND MAKE NOISE’

With funding from the United Nations Millennium Campaign, Africa Office (Kenya), on 17th September 2010, YPWC held an event to mark the International Day Against Poverty as part of activities towards making the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) reality.

The event was developed to give religious youth groups in the Pakyi community the platform to urge government and the international community to fulfill the MDGs promises they made in 2000—through football! In Africa (and Ghana is no exception) football offers youth an excellent forum to unite, have fun and show support for causes.

The objectives were to:

• Create awareness about the MDGs;
• Remind government to implement MDGs-based development strategies;
• Maintain the focus on poor and vulnerable groups, particularly children, youth, physically disabled people, and women’s groups;
• Demand increased transparency, accountability, monitoring and evaluation on MDGs related government programmes.

The event was attended by a Chief Imam, Pastors, community elders, YPWC staff and volunteers, Hon. Abieku Ahin (who stood in for Hon. Grace Addo, MP for Amansie West), Assemblyman for Pakyi No. 2, Mr Seidu Abdulai (who was representing Hon. Charles Oti Prempeh, the District chief Executive for Amasie West District). Mr Robert Hagan, former Sekondi Hassakas player, was the technical director for the day.

The main event was a game of football at Pakyi no2 Presby School Park between teams comprised of different faiths from the Pakyi area in Ghana. The competition was designed to send a symbolic message of unity from Muslims and Christian youth to Ghanaians that peace, especially among tribal and religious groups, is essential to reduce poverty and achieve the MDGs.

The five teams were named after the MDGs (with the name of the faith following):

• Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger (Ghana Apostolic church)
• Achieve Universal Primary Education (the church of Pentecost)
• Promote Gender Equality and empower Women (Presbyterian church)
• Reduce Child Mortality (Muslim Youth Team)
• Improve Maternal Health (Global Believers church)

Before kick-off, Elder Bismark Asaere, who served as Chairman for the event, addressed guests. He observed that poverty poses real challenges to raising young people in Ghana and that it denies many children quality education, health care and employment. He added that it was important that citizens hold the government accountable to its pledge to eradicate extreme poverty by 2015 and explained that the youth have an important role to play in this. He urged churches to take advantage of the day’s games to learn more about the MDGs and to also help monitor progress towards achieving them. Finally, he cautioned the players to play fair!

“Actions and Passion to Kick Out Poverty and Win the Trophy”

YPWC donated jerseys that were branded with the goals to each team who selected their MDG in a ballot just before kick-off. The first match was officially “kicked off” by Hon. Abeiko Ahin.
Four(4) churches and a team from the Muslim community played together for the trophy. Each team vowed to kick out poverty in their friendly match with their opponents.

The final winner was Ghana Apostolic Church (Eradicate extreme poverty and Hunger), beating the church of Pentecost 2-1 in the finals.

The teams and the dignitaries enjoyed refreshments after the short presentation and closing ceremony.

At the end of the day, ‘Games against Poverty’ gave participants, guests and dignitaries a chance to truly understand what the MDGs stand for and to ‘STAND UP, TAKE ACTION AND MAKE NOISE’ themselves. A total number of 3002 people raised a loud voice and made noise against poverty, many signing onto the campaign.

Read more about our activities at YPWC's main web site.

ViewChange Films and Youth Olympics

What are people doing to help end poverty, disease, hunger, conflict, inequality, and illiteracy? ViewChange Online Film Contest showcases powerful films that tell stories of progress in developing countries. Films can win $20,000. Contest closes: 3rd September.

On 23rd August, 2010, we discovered UN enables athletes to know their carbon footprint at Youth Olympics.

The Youth Olympic Games are being held in Singapore, now, and aside from the honour of competing at the highest level in international sport, young athletes will also learn about climate change.

The United Nations Environment arm will hold workshops and activities with the young athletes to educate them about climate change—and their role in it.

“Some of the activities that UNEP is coordinating during the inaugural Youth Olympics include the bicycle generator, which entails the riding of a bicycle connected to a dynamo that produces electricity. By riding the bicycle the athletes will gain a sense of how much effort is needed to produce enough electricity to run a CD player and heat a mug of water.”

“Another activity is the carbon footprint calculator—an interactive computer software enabling the athletes to calculate their personal carbon footprint and learn the exact environmental impact of their activities.”

Youth Film and Climate Change

Youth Change 180: An International Film Festival for Youth by Youth

This is a short film festival for youth to allow youth to show themselves positively impacting their community, “telling a story of leadership and social justice.”

The organizers say that they are more interested in story than cinematic craftsmanship. Entries are open to youth 18 years and younger.

We came across another interesting, youth-led article on Mon Aug 16, 2010. African Youth Raise their Voices on Climate Change edited by Esther Agbarakwe, Founder and Coordinator of The Nigeria Youth Climate Coalition.

“Already young people in Africa are recognisin that climate change will undermine efforts to eradicate poverty and achieve the Millenium Development Goals. This raises serious questions about justice and equity. The present generation of African youth will spend the next 40 years of their lives de-carbonising the environment even though they have not been the ones responsible for climate change.”

The article explained that young people in Africa are uniting to be heard under the umbrella African Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC), with a regional office in Nairobi, Kenya, and connected with The Nigerian and Ghana Youth Climate Coalition groups.

They ask, “What do the wealthiest nations that have grown rich by polluting the environment owe to the young people in regions that are hit hardest by climate change?”

This is a huge question and one we will continuously try to address at YPWC. You can read more at our site by clicking the link.

Youth Camps and Conferences

You may not know that YPWC has an online volunteer programme with the UN, called UN Online Volunteers.

Another organisation in Ghana is also part of the program. On the 11th August, 2010, Pajaf released news on the UNV site United Nations Volunteers Organizing a Youth Conference in Ghana

“Paajaf is a Ghanaian foundation that serves underprivileged children, youth and women. Youth leaders in the communities that Paajaf serves have expressed the desire to share knowledge with other youth around the world. In response, Pajaaf is working to hold an international youth conference in Ghana on the theme “youth engaging youth on the MDGs.” Online volunteers are helping Paajaf make this ambitious project happen.”

And on the 13th of August, 2010, the Asia Pacific Climate Youth Camp was announced.

The Asia Pacific climate Youth Camp to be held from Nov 3-6 2010 is designed to allow participants to understand and take action on climate change as an issue of indigenous rights and self determination. The camp will be held in Baguio City, Philippines Apply to jenawingan@yahoo.com.

If you're interested, why not email and find out how you can get involved? After all, "be the change you wish to see!"

Youth and Climate Change Worldwide

YPWC is keenly interested in youth events happening around the world. Why? Because it inspires us and helps us determine new ways we can make a difference too.

For example, on July 20th, Kenyan Climate Youth discussed how they returned to check on trees they planted at Mt Kenya one year ago at the blog Gmwaura.

It explains that, in May 2009, a group of young people under, the banner of Nature Kenya Youth Committee, set off for Mt Kenya to plant trees. They planted 8000 seedlings on Mt Kenya. The blog explains that the trees have grown and a year later youth returned to the mountain. While some trees died, most of them survived. Youth look after the trees, watering and making sure they don’t get eaten by livestock or trampled upon.

On the other side of the world G Magazine ran an article about what Australian youth are doing to battle the big issues: climate change, called Australian Youth Climate Change Super Heroes on Friday August 6, 2010.

“The Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC’s) mission is to build a generation-wide movement to solve climate change by uniting all major youth organizations and over 50,000 young Australians.” According to the article, they hope to achieve short-term influence and long-term cultural change.

According to this article, AYCC is one of Australia’s few entirely youth-run and youth-led organizations.

YPWC is also a youth-run organization with a strong focus on youth-led action for change.

International Year of Youth:Making Our Voice Heard in Our Year

The period from 12th August 2010 to 12th August 2011 has been proclaimed an International Year of Youth with the theme “Dialogue and Mutual Understanding”. The three key areas of focus under this theme include increasing (i) commitment and investment in youth; (ii) youth participation and partnerships; and (iii) inter-cultural understanding among youth. The theme after all responds to the interest of young people that they should be consulted through dialogue and also be understood to be mutual partners in development at every level.

At YPWC we are excited to hear about this proclamation as it re-echoes our passion to promote intergenerational dialogue and ensure youth participation in development issues that affect them. We embrace the theme of the International Year of Youth not just in principle but also in practice. And with our staff and volunteers, we will continue to enhance mutual understanding on youth and development issues through initiatives like the “2010 Online Youth Consultation on Migration and Development” and “Global Citizenship Education and the MDGs”.

Today, in most societies, young people are benefiting from development through globalizations and technological advancement. For instance, young people are using new media and social networks to acquire information and also make their voices heard. On the other hand, youth un- and under-employment is on the increase and have rendered many without the means to live independently while others have no other option than to migrate across boarders to search of employment and educational opportunities even when it is at the peril of their life if migration is undertaken illegally( irregular migration). With new challenges and opportunities between generations, it is essential that efforts are made to mitigate the negative effects through intergenerational dialogues to foster intergenerational solidarity.

At YPWC, we would like to know from you:
• What policies do you expect your Government to enact to promote youth development?
• What can be done to increase dialogue and mutual understanding by Government and youth?

As you answer these questions don’t forget to organize or join an existing activity during the International Year of Youth with enthusiasm and sustain momentum over the next 12 months with your friends and colleagues. Some of the activities you can undertake include: organizing community meetings or events and inviting local Government and/or UN system officials for presentations or question & answer sessions; encouraging and supporting youth to engage in community service; organizing training seminars where youth can educate others on modern skills, such as new technologies and online tools; and participating in interactive radio programming on youth development topics. Feel free to get creative and think big!
For information on the International Year of Youth please visit: http://social.un.org/youthyear/

PRESIDENT OBAMA TO MEET WITH 120 YOUNG AFRICAN LEADERS IN WASHINGTON D.C. #AUGUST 3 – 5 2010

Statement on the President’s Forum with Young African Leaders

(THE WHITE HOUSE) – In 2010, seventeen countries across sub-Saharan Africa celebrate fifty years of independence. In honor of this important historic moment; in acknowledgement of the extraordinarily young demographic profile of the region; and as part of an effort to forge strong, forward-looking partnerships in the years ahead, President Obama will host a forum in Washington, D.C., from August 3 – 5 with approximately 120 young leaders from civil society and the private sector representing more than forty countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Together with American counterparts and U.S. government officials, the participants will share their insights on key themes of youth empowerment, good governance, and economic opportunity. President Obama will host a town hall meeting at the White House with these young leaders to discuss their vision for transforming their societies over the next fifty years.

The President’s Forum with Young African Leaders presents the U.S. government and American friends of Africa with an opportunity to deepen and broaden our understanding of the trajectories of African societies, and to reflect on how the next generation are building their communities’ and their nations’ futures – just as their predecessors did in the era of independence from colonial rule. In addition to the town hall meeting with the President, the forum will include small-group discussions on topics such as transparency and accountability, job creation and entrepreneurship, rights advocacy, and the use of technology to empower individuals and communities. African participants will have an opportunity to meet with grassroots service organizations to share experiences and strategies. To read more:www.opportunitiesforyouth.org/2010/07/29/president-obama-to-meet-with-120-young-african-leaders-in-washington-d-c-august-3-%E2%80%93-5-2010/

YPWC Newsletter - July 2010 e-News

YPWC Newsletter- July 2010 e-News is now online:
www.ypwc.org/index.php?option=com_acymailing&gtask=archive&task=view&listid=1%3Amailinglist&mailid=22%3Aypwc-newsletter-july-2010-e-news&Itemid=164

In this issue:

Editor's Desk
Many adults find it all too easy to overlook the voice of today’s youth and write it off as inexperienced and unimportant. But even the smallest voice is important and can speak out to promote peace and development. Don’t listen to those who say your opinion doesn’t matter or that you can’t make a difference. Every little bit helps, from organising an event to picking up trash from the street. It doesn’t take much!

To read the full article, please click:
www.ypwc.org/index.php?option=com_acymailing&gtask=archive&task=view&listid=1%3Amailinglist&mailid=22%3Aypwc-newsletter-july-2010-e-news&Itemid=164

What's Happening at YPWC?
As a Regional Lead Agency for the 2010 Global Youth Service Day event we were excited about the various community service projects that were undertaken by young people to show their solidarity towards promoting community development through volunteerism. We would like to express our appreciation to all the National Lead Agencies and Local Lead Agencies who supported and worked with YPWC in meeting our targets. The report is still under preparation and will be shared as soon as it is ready.

To read the full version, please click:
www.ypwc.org/index.php?option=com_acymailing&gtask=archive&task=view&listid=1%3Amailinglist&mailid=22%3Aypwc-newsletter-july-2010-e-news&Itemid=164

In the Spotlight
The full report of YPWC’s Online Youth Consultation on Migration and Development on:
http://www.ypwc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=149

and also

Upcoming Events

Publications and Resources

News/Announcements

Get Involved: Opportunities, Volunteering and Awards



The YPWC Newsletter aims to keep civil society practitioners, young people, donors and academics informed of national and global issues and trends in development that affect young people. Do you know of a friend who is working in the field of youth development? Tell them to register for a free subscription by logging on to: www.ypwc.org. If you have any suggestions on ways to improve upon the YPWC Newsletter, or any feedback on our issues, please let us know. Please address all your comments to us at newsletter@ypwc.org

Read the full report of YPWC’s Online Youth Consultation on Migration and Development

International migration has become a “hot topic” in recent years, with multiple international conferences and numerous civil society groups dedicated to making migration more secure, reasonable, and development-friendly.

Despite all this attention, however, youth migration remains poorly understood. One UNFPA (2006) report laments that “little is known of the full diversity and complexity of young people’s international migration... Young people remain largely invisible in research, public debates and policy about international migration.”

The 2009 Online Youth Consultation on Migration and Development sought to collect youth perspectives on these issues through a method that youth increasingly use to communicate and organize: the internet. With contributions received from four continents the report highlights that: 1) Young migrants contribute economically, socially and culturally to home and host countries; 2) Youth remain engaged with home countries through ICTs; 3) Circular migration is difficult for young people. It goes further to provide key recommendations from Youth for promoting youth-sensitive migration policies.

To read the full report please visit:

http://www.ypwc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=149

Worldwide Youth Voices

This week our theme is Youth Voices and we’re focusing on two interesting events.

Posted on May 20, 2010, are notes from Global Voices Citizen Media Summit.

Global Voices posted notes from a session in which youth exchanged ideas about digital media from the Global Voices Citizen Media Summit 2010. Participants in this discussion hailed from Hungary, Pakistan, Malawi, India, the USA, and Spain, to name a few of the countries.

Overall, the discussion focused on youth engagement in digital media, how to include youth in mainstream media, and some of the pros and cons of digital media for youth, including more freedom of expression versus online bullying and related issues.

One of the participants, Issa Villareal, explained that she engages with several youth groups and has been teaching “digital online tools” free of charge for the past three years. She’s also involved in holding “rap” workshops for youth to encourage young people to read more and learn about verse.

Marietta from Hungary explained that she’s been working with NGOs who are “struggling with communicating with young people. Even if they [the NGO] have a Facebook or Twitter account, it [communication] doesn’t work. This suggests that, even though youth are actively engaged on Facebook and Twitter, attempting to communicate with youth through those platforms is not a short-cut to effective communicating strategies with youth. Adult-managed NGOs still need to find alternative solutions to communicate with young people.

Emily made an observation that young people may not have political rights and asked the question, “Having a voice in the media is important. Is there a space for teens to say what they want to say?”

Victor from Malawi explained the platforms of choice in Malwai in which youth want to express themselves are: “In Malawi, being on Facebook is the “in” thing and everyone wants to be there. For others radio is the “in” thing and they don’t want moderated radio, they want to have free reign. Both groups want space of their own.” He also mentioned a project engaging youth in the mainstream media in South Africa: Grocot’s Mirror. “Young people send SMS to the newspaper, contribute to the story and get published in the process.” He mentioned that young people are involved in editing these, too.

And a couple of weeks ago in Austin, Texas, USA, youths aged between 15 and 25 performed their hearts out in a show that included hip hop, poetry and writers from The Cipher hip hop project, Texas Youth Word Collective, and Rhythm Writerz.

The youth, who would normally be labeled by mainstream commentators as “disadvantaged,” “at-risk” or “hopeless,” use words and performance to carve their own unique identity and create opportunities for a brighter future which were showcased at the Austin performance space to let the youth express themselves and give the public an opportunity to experience youth-oriented community development.

In their report on the event, The Austin Times quotes one young female performer as saying, “I am…a poet, a person who takes responsibility, a daughter, a son…my own person, an artist…”

“The Cipher is an award winning group of young leaders who are on a mission to build community and engage hip hop artists to strengthen the East Austin community,” in Austin, Texas, USA. Their website explains that the platform for creative expression and performing in public provided by involvement in The Cipher “creates a group of confident and engaged young people.” After their involvement in the group, youth leave the group with enhanced confidence, self-esteem, better academic performance and more hope for the future.

Texas Youth Word Collective conducts “city-wide poetry slams and open mics for youth to compete and communicate on issues important to them.”

An open mic refers to an “open microphone.” In other words, a microphone which is “open” to the public to come up and perform with. “Open mic” nights are common events in cafes, bars and pubs where singers, musicians, writers can perform.

Young People Speak Out

From now on, once a week we'll be doing a round-up of what's going on in youth action around the world since this is directly connected with what we do at YPWC. Here's our first post.

The YPMN blog wrote about the upcoming Afghan Youth Voices Festival which will be held in the coming weeks in Afghanistan. The festival will give young people a voice through various media including radio, television, internet, blogging, and so on.

Here is an excerpt:

“Welcome to the Afghan Youth Voices Festival, the first youth media festival in Afghanistan. The Festival will provide an opportunity for the country’s youth to express their ideas and dreams about their future through the media.

The festival will empower the next generation of leaders to discover the power of their creativity and learn to express their voices through different mediums including radio, television, the internet, blogging, photography, posters, art and music. If you are a young person (aged 15 to 24) you will have access to training, grants and there's a competition with special prizes. So we invite you to expresses your big idea.”

The blog Political Flirt just published an article about youth empowerment in the Niger Delta entitled Political Process Urban Youth Development in Niger Delta 41. The post discussed the number of young people not enrolled to vote in Nigeria, putting the figure at around 20 million young people (or just less than the entire population of Ghana)! It also mentioned that many of those youth do not have birth certificate. The point of the article is to raise awareness about the disempowered youth. The latter part of the article raises strategies that could be employed to overcome the youth problems in Nigeria. Here is an excerpt:

“20 million youth aged 18 and above have no Identity cards automatically eliminating them from the voting process.
A significant number of them have no birth certificates therefore they do not exist.
Majority (34.3%) of the youth who have votes are apathetic to the whole process. They feel their voting would not make a different.

For the youth that vote, majority (32 million) vote for the wrong reasons such as: electing leaders from their ethnic groups even though they do not merit, electing those who have dished out the most money, peer pressure and often pressure from one’s family to vote for particular leader as a block.”

On the other side of the world, the Australian Youth Climate Coalition
have been busy writing letters to their elected officials, including the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Kevin Rudd, about climate change concerns affecting their environment.
In their most recent blog post, they profiled a year 10 (4th year of high school) student named Jarrah Gosbell about his decision to join the coalition and how he's taking action. Here's an excerpt:

“In year 10 at school, Jarrah hasn’t had any local climate action groups to be involved with. Instead, he’s just had the never-ending view of coal ships coming in to Australia’s largest coal port, Newcastle, to load up and head off to China. The sight of those ships, and the knowledge that the amazing Great Barrier Reef is deteriorating as a direct result of our huge fossil fuel consumption, was too much for Jarrah to take.

Jarrah found the AYCC through online searches and also the advert we ran on Channel 10 calling on world leaders to take action. But before he found the AYCC he was already taking action. In 2008, Jarrah embarked on an ambitious campaign to write hundreds of letters to politicians with his views on how inadequate their climate decision were. He said he got started with some auto-generated ones, but took the idea and ran with it.”

Meanwhile in India, the Indian Youth Climate Network held a conference in March this year to try to find solutions to the rapid climate change taking place in their beautiful Kashmir region:

“The Kashmir valley, often known as Paradise on Earth, is famous for its beautiful mountainous landscape; in recent years though, Kashmir's environment is undergoing rapid change and pollution. These changes are happening due to various reasons such as deforestation andmelting glaciers combined with depleting snow cover. These lead to shrinking water supply and shrinking water bodies and wetlands, soil degradation, etc.”

And during June the Philippine Youth Climate Movement will actively participate in Philippine Environment Month during which a range of activities to heighten environmental awareness and find solutions to evnironmental problems are planned across the country.

Here is an excerpt about the Philippine Youth Climate Movement:

“WHAT is PhilYCM?
Philippine Youth Climate Movement is an environmental youth network that unites and mobilizes Filipino youth towards environmental activism and responsiveness.Our goal is to mobilize youth all over the Philippines to take action on Climate Change.


VISION
We envision a country where Filipino Youth is in the forefront of nation-building to take action on Climate Change.We work in close cooperation with the global youth climate movement to empower Filipino youth and take their voices into decision making platforms.”

Finally, in January 2010 the blog Conversations for a Better World published a post about a UN report that collected the voices of 1700 children living in conflict. Here's an excerpt from the post describing the report:

“Will You Listen, the companion to a United Nations report on the impact of armed conflict on children, is a compilation of the views of over 1,700 children and young people in more than 92 countries. Their thoughts, beliefs, and ideas were collected through focus group discussions and questionnaires and reflect what young people living in humanitarian crises have experienced.”

YPWC holds 3 Day Programme for Global Youth Service Day

Mr. Matthew Nyannube Yosah, YPWC’s MDGs Co-ordinator, led a 3 day programme in Bunkpurugu in Northern Region, Ghana, for Global Youth Service Day between the 23rd and 25th of April, 2010. The programme was held both at Jilig Junior High and Bunkpurugu Central Assemblies of God Church and focused on tree nursing and planting and skills training workshops. Programme participants included 150 volunteers from YPWC Development Education Club at Jilig Junior High School together with Bunkpurugu MDGs Club members. In addition, interested individuals from Bunkpurugu community including teachers, pastors and members of the Forestry Commission also participated and assisted in the programme.

The aim of the tree planting project was to help “green” the dry northern community, to provide shade in years to come, and to help reduce erosion and desertification. YPWC’s MDGs club also believes it will help to combat climate change and encourages other communities around Ghana to take similar initiatives to green their environment. The programme taught students to take responsibility for their work, promoted leadership and team work, and respect for the local environment. The volunteers will nurse the trees until the rainy season begins around early June whereby the seedlings will be transplanted and nursed by the students and volunteers.
The one-day training workshop was led by experienced community leaders including teachers and government officials from the Forestry Commission. The workshop topics covered environmental sustainability, girl child education, tree nursing and transplanting, and the MDGs themselves, particularly Goal 7, Environmental Sustainability.


CONTACT: Mr. Matthew Nyannube Yosah
Young People We Care
+233249431332
matthew@ypwc.org

Position Opening- Development Officer

YPWC is looking for a responsible and motivated volunteer/intern to assist with fundraising and strategic planning for the organization. This internship is for up to one year.

The YPWC office is run by about 6-15 young people from all around the world. The interns and volunteers live and work together in a communal atmosphere. The successful applicants for development officer position should look forward to living in a diverse environment. Willingness to work as part of a team and adaptability are prerequisites. This position is voluntary and unpaid however YPWC will provide accommodation and food. A strong sense of responsibility is also required.

For more information about the work of YPWC please look at:
http://www.ypwc.org/index.php?option=com_acymailing>ask=archive&task=view&listid=1%3Amailinglist&mailid=18%3Aposition-development-officer-re-advertised&Itemid=164


If interested please send your CV and covering letter to vip@ypwc.org

YPWC Local and International Volunteer Programme

Do you want to help educate young people on development issues, inspire and assist them to take action, help design programmes that empower youth and advise youth on how to implement action projects successfully? Young People We Care (YPWC) –a youth-led and youth-focused organization based in Ghana and with satellite offices in USA, Canada and the UK needs motivated young volunteers/interns who are interested in youth and development issues.

Successfully recruited volunteers will either fill vacancies or support officers in working on a variety of areas and programmes including:

* Youth migration and developments
* Youth MDGs Programme
* HIV/AIDS
* Connecting North and South schools/Youth Groups
* Website marketing
* Proposal writing
* Book Project series


For further details:
http://www.ypwc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=148

Happy Earth Day!

http://www.youtube.com/earthdaynetwork#p/a/u/1/rb8cV7y8fxg

Today is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, a day funded by the u.s. Senator Gaylord Nelson to inspire appreciation and awareness for environmental causes. Every year, more than 500 million people in 164 countries participate in Earth Day festivities!

While great progress has been made for the last 40 years, climate change brings new challenges. To address these threats, we must fundamentally change the way we innovate, produce and consume. Change can be as little as turning off the lights when you leave a room, riding your bike instead of taking the bus, or planting trees.

Don’t forget to visit Earth Day Network’s website and add your “act of green” among others!
http://www.earthday.org


For a little ecolo-fun: young rapper Lil Peppi with his most widely recognized song on climate change:

YPWC Newsletter

YPWC Newsletter - April 2010 is online. Please click on the following link to access:

http://www.ypwc.org/index.php?option=com_acymailing&gtask=archive&task=view&listid=1%3Amailinglist&mailid=14%3Aypwc-newsletter-april-2010-e-news&Itemid=164

Press Release:YOUNG PEOPLE WE CARE SELECTED AS REGIONAL LEAD AGENCY FOR

YOUNG PEOPLE WE CARE SELECTED AS REGIONAL LEAD AGENCY FOR
2010 GLOBAL YOUTH SERVICE DAY

KUMASI, GHANA – 25th February 2010 – Young People We Care (YPWC) together with its affiliates and other interested organizations will mobilize more than 15,000 children and youth to participate in the 22nd Annual Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) from Friday, April 23 through to Sunday, April 25, 2010, across West and Central Africa.

GYSD is an annual campaign that celebrates and mobilizes the millions of children and youth who improve their communities each day of the year through service and service-learning. Established in 1988, GYSD is the largest service event in the world and is now celebrated in over 100 countries. During GYSD children and youth address the world’s most critical issues in partnership with families, schools, community and faith-based organizations, businesses, and governments.

“The fact that millions of young people are offering their voluntary service for their communities and the world at large means a lot in helping to change the world and sends a powerful message of hope and healing around the globe,” said YWPC executive director, Sally Appiagyei-Frimpong.

Young volunteers will address important community needs through service and service-learning projects addressing climate change, education, literacy, poverty, human rights, and many other issues.

“Global Youth Service Day is a wonderful opportunity for young people to contribute to community development and re-echo the importance of youth-led development in making our world a better place to live,” said Mr. Alexis Dery Danikuu, board chairman of YPWC.

As a Regional Lead Agency, YPWC received a grant to coordinate regional GYSD projects to promote the idea that children and youth are assets and can be valuable resources in their communities. Following some preparatory planning with our affiliates, National Lead Agencies and Local Organizers, on the 1st of April 2010 YPWC will launch the GYSD. During the 22 days of activism and activities that will culminate in the GYSD, YPWC will organize street parades in Accra, Kumasi and Tamale, a forum on the MDGs and youth volunteerism, TV and radio discussions, as well as urban clean-up exercises. We will also call on a number of important figures including the Ministers of Youth and Sports, the Mayor of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, the Mayor of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly and the Mayor of the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly. These events are geared towards creating awareness of the GYSD and inspiring young people and other interested citizens to create events and volunteer in their communities from April 23-25, and are expected to bring together all relevant stakeholders in the areas of child and youth development and volunteerism. YPWC will motivate and support its regional partners to do the same with the limited resources they might be able to mobilize in their respective countries.

Youth Service America President and CEO Steve Culbertson commented that: “The diverse agencies participating in Global Youth Service Day all have the common goal of providing children and youth with opportunities to serve their communities. These organizations are committed to addressing local, national, and global needs and demonstrating that young people can be part of that change.”

GYSD is coordinated by Youth Service America. For more information about local events or to get involved, as a National Lead Agency, Local Organizer, Volunteer or Sponsor of events please contact Young People We Care at Phone: +233-244-212953; Email: gysd@ypwc.org or visit www.ypwc.org.

To learn more about the GYSD projects occurring around the world, to register your own GYSD project, or to find project planning resources, visit www.GYSD.org.

Youth Service America (YSA) improves communities by increasing the number of and diversity among young people, ages 5-25, serving in substantive roles. Founded in 1986, YSA supports a global culture of engaged youth committed to a lifetime of service, learning, leadership, and achievement. The impact of YSA’s work through service and service-learning is measured in student achievement, workplace readiness, and healthy communities.

Young People We Care (YPWC) is a youth led and youth focused organization headquartered in Ghana with satellite offices in the UK and Canada. The organization is operated by young people (ages 15–30) and adult allies working on youth and development related issues worldwide. Our mission is to educate and inform youth on global issues, inspire them to take action, encourage their participation in global issues, identify and build sustainable partnerships aimed at youth development and provide young people with tools and resources for effective action. Our vision is to provide a ‘youthful voice’ that seeks to address the numerous challenges facing young people by effectively using young resourceful minds to influence the course of global policy formulation and development in a consistent and harmonized manner.

UN Online Volunteering Award 2009 for Young People We Care Team

Recipients of Award:Chelsea Wyatt, Daniela Georgieva, Haddy Sarr, Kwame van Eijndhoven, Laurene Graziani, Stella Mihailova, Tizeta Getaneh, Wei Wang

A team of eight online volunteers helped Ghana’s youth-led NGO Young People We Care (YPWC), to develop a strategic proposal to address youth migration issues and involve youth in international dialogue and decision-making.

Each member of the online volunteering team worked on a different aspect of the proposal such as problem statement, objectives, activities, sustainability and partnerships. A team coordinator, appointed by the volunteers, facilitated their collaboration.

YPWC was able to use the proposal to attract funding and technical support from several organizations. The UNICEF initiative, Voices of Youth, supported a four-week online consultation on migration and development, which was one of the activities conceived by the online volunteers. The consultation engaged youth from across the world and led to the first youth statement to be presented at the Global Forum on Migration and Development in Manila.

Some of the online volunteers involved in the development of the programme have extended their support to the implementation of its various projects and activities, writing the background paper for one of the themes discussed during the consultation, for example, or acting as mentors and advisors.

“The different ideas that the members of this intercultural team brought to the programme led to an outstanding proposal that has served as a stepping stone for YPWC, helping the organization work in a sustainable way in addressing issues of youth migration,” says Michael Boampong, the organization’s founder.

Laurene Graziani, France: "As a postgraduate in international and human rights law, I was very interested to work on the specific issue of children and immigration. I wrote the part of the proposal related to the legal aspects of migration. Later on, I moderated the third week of the online consultation, which dealt with solutions to reducing illegal migration. In the team, we kept in touch quite often, and shared any difficulty that we were facing or any suggestion that we needed to make. I think it had a real impact on youth in Ghana and helped to strengthen the potential of YPWC."

Tizeta Getaneh, Ethiopia: "I have chosen YPWC to volunteer online because their need was something I was interested in, and I had experience in working with youth. The task was to help YPWC prepare the project planning on the issue of youth migration, adding my ideas from Ethiopia’s youth perspective."

Source:UN Online Volunteering

UN proclaims International Year of Youth in 2010

18 December 2009 – In an effort to harness the energy, imagination and initiative of the world’s youth in overcoming the challenges facing humankind, from enhancing peace to boosting economic development, the United Nations today proclaimed an International Year of Youth starting on 12 August 2010.

“The International Year is about advancing the full and effective participation of youth in all aspects of society,” UN Focal Point on Youth Nicola Shepherd said. “We encourage all sectors of society to work in partnership with youth and youth organizations to better understand their needs and concerns and to recognize the contributions that they can make to society.”

In its resolution proclaiming the Year, the General Assembly called on governments, civil society, individuals and communities worldwide to support activities at local and international levels to mark the event.

Under the theme ‘Dialogue and Mutual Understanding,’ the Year aims to encourage dialogue and understanding across generations and promote the ideals of peace, respect for human rights and freedoms, and solidarity. Read rest of this news piece here.

Clinton Global Initiative University:New deadline for CGI U 2010

Due to overwhelming demand, we have extended the application deadline for the third Annual Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U), to February 22, 2010. This year’s meeting will take place at the University of Miami, Florida from April 16 – 18, 2010. Visit our website to apply to attend.

The 2010 meeting – hosted jointly by President Clinton and the University of Miami – will focus on how students like you can take practical action to solve global challenges in education, environment & climate change, peace & human rights, poverty alleviation, and public health. Attending the CGI U Annual Meeting is free. Travel assistance is available for those who qualify.

European Youth Foundation Grants

Introduction

The European Youth Foundation (EYF)is a fund established in 1972 by the Council of Europe to provide financial support for European youth activities. It has an annual budget of approximately 3 million Euros. Since 1972, more than 300 000 young people, aged between 15 and 30 and mostly from member states, have benefited directly from EYF-supported activities. In 2007 the EYF supported some 300 projects involving more than 15 000 young people.

The EYF thus provides financial support to the following types of activity undertaken by non-governmental youth organisations or networks or by other non-governmental structures involved in areas of youth work relevant to the Council of Europe’s youth policies and work (Read rest of article here)