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.”
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
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.
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.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
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!"
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!"
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, August 9, 2010
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/
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