.........Uniting the youth movement for a better world!

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October 2004

Boletin en Español Aqui

Dear friends,

Everyone is talking about them... the Millennium Development Goals. If you haven't yet, or if you've missed it in previous editions of this newsletter, check them out here. GYAN believes that young people can and should be at the forefront of efforts to achieve the MDGs. Next month, a Report on Youth and the MDGs will be released, which a team of international youth experts have helped put together over the past five months. Shortly we'll be launching National MDG Youth Campaigns with TakingITGlobal, and we hope to count on your collaboration.

We are also gearing up for Global Youth Service Day 2005! GYAN works with Youth Service America to coordinate this annual celebration, which has mobilized millions of young people in over 150 countries. Young volunteers will make their mark again April 15-17, 2005 and organizations can get involved here!

On both an exciting and sad note, a record number of official youth delegates to the United Nations General Assembly came to New York this year, who continue to build strong representation (more here). We have continued to link with these leaders, support the process of increasing the number of youth delegates to the UN, and help strengthen broader youth participation in the UN System. Following successful debates and a joint resolution, most of the delegates have unfortunately gone home by now, but they are continuing the work there, reporting back to their peers. We wish them safe travels and great success!

With best wishes,

Benjamin Quinto
Executive Director, Global Youth Action Network

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Network News

2. Get Involved

3. In the Spotlight

4. Of Interest

5. Opportunities

6. Make a Difference

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PLEASE NOTE:
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GYAN IN SPANISH
Global Youth Action Network web page in Spanish.

DONATE NOW TO GYAN
Click here to make a donation on-line and support our work!

NEED OFFICE SPACE?
We offer desks for rent to small non-profits near the United Nations. Contact us.

DID YOU KNOW?
TakingITGlobal and the Global Youth Action Network feature policy- and decision-making processes which welcome youth participation. The Voice Section of the TakingITGlobal web site offers more information on how to get involved. To stay up to date, subscribe to the VOICE Newsletter!

Watch Chat the Planet: Baghdad 2-Way
Chat the Planet, in conjunction with MTV, aired a third conversation between Iraqi and American youth. Chat the Planet is a television show and internet community that connects via satellite groups of young Americans (ages 15 to 25) with their peers around the world, for frank discussions about politics, relationships, prejudices, and life in general. You can now watch the most recent show online.

Call-Out for Essays on Globalization
GYAN France is still welcoming contributions of a wide-range of views to be included in its publication project, which will be launched in 2005, titled "Debating Globalization: Youth Perspectives on the Global Economic and Social Order." For details, visit the web page.

MTV and OneWorld AIDS Day Competition
In the spirit of World AIDS Day on 1 December 2004, MTV and OneWorld are organizing a global competition with this year's theme of "women and girls". Participants must be between 15 and 34 years of age, and submit audio or video public service announcements (PSAs) that convey the messages of MTV's HIV/AIDS awareness campaign: Staying Alive. The competition is supported by SONY which has provided prizes for the winner and runner up in each category. Deadline for submissions is 11 November 2004. Visit the website for more information.

IN THE NEWS...

AFRICA:

CIDA youth awards for Africa
A two-year $1.4 million pilot project this fall will benefit up to 250 young men and women in eight African countries. More here.

Need to Reduce Child Mortality Rates, UNICEF Warns
Children born today in lower income countries are less likely to survive past their 5th birthday than they were a few years ago. This is a severe challenge for the Millennium Development Goals that are scheduled to reduce child deaths by two-thirds by 2015. More here.


UNITED STATES

Youth Vote Has Potential to Decide US November Elections
If young voters show up at the polls Nov. 2, their votes could determine the presidential elections outcome. In 1972, just over half of all eligible 18- to 24-year-olds voted. In 2000, just over a third (37 percent) cast ballots, the report said. More here.

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT - --> Organizations Database

EVENT SPOTLIGHT - --> Full Calendar Here

International Conference on Social Science Research
Date: 11-13 November, 2004
Location: New Orleans , USA
This conference invites faculty, scientists and professionals from the social sciences to interact with other social science colleagues. The organizers are calling for papers to be submitted, chairs for the conference and attendees. For more information visit the website.

National Peace and Harmony Youth Camp in Delhi
Date: 26 November - 3 December 2004
Location: New Delhi , India
The Indian Committee of Youth Organizations (ICYO) invites youth ages 16-28 from all over India to apply. Camping accommodations and simple vegetarian food will be provided during the camp. Interested youth may contact with a small write-up on him/her self and a photograph, to ICYO secretariat.

Antar Bharati Children's Festival in Goa
Date: 27-31 December 2004
Location: Madgoa, Goa
Focusing on cultural integration and work-culture, Children's Festival participants ages 8-12 are invited to participate. Each group must be escorted by one adult person. For more information, please write to ICYO secretariat.

World Youth Centre
The WYF ecnourages young people between 18-30 years to apply for this community development training program. The second annual international program will unite 18 exceptional young social entrepreneurs and innovators at the University of Toronto. (24 June- 26 July) The deadline for applications is 5 November 2004. For more information please visit site.

Cambodia: 2005 Human Rights Service & learning Delegation
Date: 19 June- 24 July 2005
Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Delegates will integrate a human rights training workshop with volunteering for local NGOs on a number of issues. Interested applicants between the ages of 18-25, who possess U.S. citizenship or residency, or are studying full-time at a U.S. college or university, are invited to apply. Deadline for applications: December 3, 2004. For more information, please visit our website.

ON-LINE EVENTS:  

Online Discussion: United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)
Date: October 2004 – January 2005
WomenWatch is hosting a series of online discussions on the critical areas of concern on the Platform for Action adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women (1995) to provide input into the review and appraisal of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. To join or review the discussion, please visit the web site.  

BE CAUTIOUS: Many scams exist these days, inviting people to register for a youth conference, and are meant only to get registration fees. Please beware and only pay registration fees when you are certain it is a legitimate event (not taking place in Guinea-Bissau and the USA, a common scheme). Latest scams include:
1. Conference on War/Terrorism (USA/NASA Armes Convention Hall, California)
2. International Conference On Racism And Child Abuse (Nation Of Islam Annex Estate, Texas)

NEW PUBLICATION: Education, Conflict and Social Cohesion
Studies provided here examine the potent role of curriculum policy in reconstructing social and civic identities, and the challenges that policy makers in each of these societies have been confronted with, changing definitions of national citizenship. The book may be ordered online. For any further information on the project, please consult the website or contact: Sobhi Tawil or Johdi Woodford.

IN THE NEWS...

UNITED STATES:

Tutu praises young people in US appearance
Archbishop Desmond Tutu is still preaching the possibilities of world peace. "True peace and stability can never come from the barrel of a gun," Tutu told a crowd at the University of Rochester. More here.

ENGLAND:

Media is giving young people a 'bad press'
Media coverage of young people is "overwhelming negative  (70%)" according to a new report by Young People Now magazine. They have launched a campaign to improve the portrayal of young people. More here.

CHINA:

Chinese youth contribute over 4.5 billion hours in volunteering services. Youth volunteer in assisting more than 2.5 million elderly and handicapped people, orphans and families in difficulty, according to the Chinese Government’s official website. More here.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES

Youth Watch Award: Go to West Africa
The Pan African Film and Television Festival will send one youth video producer of African heritage to a major awards ceremony in Africa. As winner of the Youth Watch Award, his/her video will be screened and the winner will get to travel to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. To find more information and dealine on the award, go to their web site.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

6th Democracy and Diversity Graduate Summer Institute
Date: 6-22 January 2004
Location:  Cape Town, South Africa
In this intensive program, an international body of civic-minded junior scholars and activists will examine critical issues and challenges to democracy and democratization in the African region and beyond. The deadline for applications is 15 November, 2004. For more information contact Jonathan Faull.

High School Study Abroad Program
The John F. Kennedy Center in Dakar is now accepting applications for their African Studies Summer Institute 2005, which offers language programs as well as semester and year abroad programs for those who want to study in Senegal. Applicants should be between 14-18 years old. More here.

Call for NWF Fellowship Proposals
National Wildlife Federation is accepting applications for its 2005 Fellowships for undergraduate and graduate students interested in enhancing the environment. Early review is December 1, 2004. Application deadline is December 15, 2004. To learn more about the Fellowships go to their website.

PUBLISHING OPPORTUNITIES

Scholarship Writing Contest: BID America
BID America's magazine (published Inter-American Development Bank) invites university level students ages 18-30 who reside in countries that are borrowers of BID to participate in this contest. Each participant must write an original article describing a policy initiative that is affecting development in their country. Deadline for article submission: 15 December 2005. For more information, see website.

Women and Development Essays: Youth Prep for Beijing +10
In preparation for the tenth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the World Youth Alliance invites you to submit essays on the topic of women and development. The deadline is 31 December, 2004. Submit essays typed, along with resume, date of birth, and email address to the World Youth Alliance at: 847-A Second Avenue, #502 New York, NY 10034, or email.

Regional Essay Contest
The theme of this year's contest will be “New Reproductive Technologies.” The contest is geared towards Latin American and Caribbean Spanish speaking professionals and students that hope to participate in individual or collective groups. Essays should be unedited and original works. The deadline is: 31 January 2005 (postmarked deadline). Click here for more information or email.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Prize for Best Social Invention
The Kellogg Foundation and the United Nations Economic Commission of Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL) are currently accepting nominations for their annual award. Deadline: 12 November 2004. Check out website for more information.

Scholarship to Attend the 6th Lesbian Meeting of Feminists of Latin American and the Caribbean: “Lesbians building our History”
24- 28 November, Location: Mexico City
Organizers call for all Latin American and Caribbean Feminist Lesbians to apply for a scholarship. Go to “Solicitud de Becas” to find more information on scholarships.

Forum for the Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS)
The Third World Academy of Sciences is offering financial funding for research projects. For more information, visit the web site or contact by email.

Leadership for a Changing World: Call for Nominations
Seventeen outstanding social justice leaders will receive awards of $100,000 to advance their work, plus $15,000 for learning activities that will support their efforts. Deadline for nominations is 7 January 2005. More information available here. Specific questions can be submitted via email.

Postgraduates Fellowships from OAS/PRA countries
This fellowship is open to applicants living in a country that is a member of the Organization of American States. The Deadline: 29 January 2005. For more information visit their website (in Spanish).

ALBAN Scholarship Program- European Union
The forum is open for the 2005-2006 academic year. Mail Deadline: 9 December 2004. Electronic Deadline: 22 December 2004. Information and application are available on the this website or www.programalban.org For more information, write by email, or here.

DisneyHand Minnie Grant for Global Youth Service Day 2005
Disney and Youth Service America offers grants to groups, schools, and organizations that engage children and youth ages 5-14  in community service projects for Global Youth Service Day 2005. For more information, click here.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Seeking Sales, Marketing, and Public Relations Professionals
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Description: Professional will be responsible for reporting directly to the executive director, and will be required to be present at weekly meetings and quarterly board meetings when requested. Attachments are accepted as a PDF or a Microsoft Word file. For more information, please contact David Fugate.

SOS Children’s Village (CISOS) Seeks Executive Director
CISOS is currently seeking a Director that would oversee the areas of development and fundraising in Costa Rica Abroad. For more information you may contact Jan Kozak, Director of Development or to send cover letter and resume to by e-mail or fax: +506-282-1540

EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES

·         Idealist (Action Without Borders) www.idealist.org

·         Public Services International: www.world-psi.org

·         Communication Initiative: www.comminit.org

·         Vacancies in Int'l Environment and Development: www.devnetjobs.org

OTHER RESOURCES (FREE!)

·         Internships and jobs listing on Idealist

·         Internships and more listed on TakingITGlobal

·         Google News listings and clippings

·         TechSoup.org - discounted software for non-profits

FUNDING RESOURCES:

·         Foundation Center

·         European Foundation Center

·         Communications Initiative

ACTION ALERTS!

Become a Global Youth Service Day Organizer
Are you ready to join the largest annual celebration of young volunteers? Join organizations in over 125 countries April 15-17, 2004, by organizing service projects in your community. Get started here!

TakingITGlobal - Guide to Action & More
Connect easily with resources and opportunities for action, from petitions and list-servers, to project planning tools and program models. A wealth of information is just a few clicks away!

KEY LINKS

ABOUT GYAN: www.youthlink.org
WEB COMMUNITY: www.takingitglobal.org (in partnership with TakingITGlobal)
ORGANIZATION DIRECTORY: www.takingitglobal.org/opps/orgdir.html
EVENT CALENDAR: www.takingitglobal.org/opps/event.html

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