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