Voice Newsletter

January 2006 Edition

Oxfam's International Youth Parliament (OIYP) Voice Newsletter showcases the positive social change accomplished by Action Partners worldwide. Distributed to over 4500 OIYP Network members in 150 countries, Voice also features relevant news from external partners and organizations for the benefit of our readership. Also Published at www.iyp.oxfam.org/news/

Email us at: iypvoice@oxfam.org.au

Une version francaise de ce bulletin sera disponible dans 10 jours. Si vous voulez une copie veuillez nous contacter à : iypfrench@oxfam.org.au.

Una versión espanol de este boletin estara disponible dentro de diez dias. Si les gustarian recibir una copia, por favor envian un correo al redactor jefe a iypvoice@oxfam.org.au.

Focus

This month's focus is on ’18 months on – what have we learnt?’. At the beginning of 2006, action partners from across the network focus on their experiences, successes, obstacles and reflect on what they have learnt.

Next month, IYP Voice will be edited by Ruby Kenny from Papua New Guinea and will focus on the Millennium Development Goals. See Messageboard for more details on the MDG skills share she is coordinating and contact her to get involved. If you have ideas, experiences, updates or resources to share in this edition contact Ruby or write to iypvoice@oxfam.org.au.

In 2006 have begun an exciting new initiative with IYP Voice – having it guest edited by action partners. We would like to invite Action Partners to apply to guest edit editions of the newsletter, in this way making IYP Voice truly the voice of the network. Guest editing an edition of IYP Voice would involve collaborating with the volunteer editor to source Action Partner updates, generating stories on a defined theme, communicating with members of the network and co-ordinating sharing of knowledge, reflections and experiences. See below for more detail on what’s involved.

If this sounds like an exciting challenge which you would like to take on, please send an email to: iypvoice@oxfam.org.au

See February’s Voice to read more about the great work of OIYP Action Partners in the area of MDGs!

We hope you enjoy this issue.

The OIYP Voice Team

Editor: Catherine Loy

Action Partner News

If you have an update please send it to iypvoice@oxfam.org.au. .

Ahmad Al’Azzah

OIYP 2004 Action Partner, Palestine

Ahmad is working with communities in Bethlehem to support peacemaking from the grass roots. On 15 November 2005, Ahmad coordinated an event promoting peacebuilding in response to attacks on Jordanian civilians. Below is his description of the event.

Independence Day celebrations in Bethlehem this year were aimed at ‘breaking the silence’ surrounding the occupation of Palestine. Organised by Holy Land Trust (HLT) and 25 teenage volunteers from HLT’s Remember the Innocents Club as Peacebuilders teenagers, the event centered on Bethlehem’s Manger Square, and was both simple and symbolic.

From a tent in the Square covered with signs proclaiming the Palestinian right to self-determination, and calling for a peaceful settlement to the conflict, the celebrations began at 11am with a call to remember the victims in Jordan whom were killed by an explosion. A minute’s silence then honoured the martyrs and all those who suffer in Palestine under the occupation. The Palestinian National anthem was followed by a reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Three of the young people from RTI (P.B) then spoke in both Arabic and English about the role of Palestinian children in the conflict (53 per cent of Palestinians are under the age of 18), the difficulty of their daily lives, and their dream to have real independence some day, when we can celebrate in our own state. Between speeches, other teenagers performed Palestinian songs. The young people spent the rest of the day in Manger Square, interacting with Palestinians and Internationals, informing and discussing with them the impact of the Occupation promoting the peacebuilding process as one of the nonviolent struggle tools. Information flyers and booklets about the Palestinian case were available from the tent. In addition, the video To Live With Dignity, a film about daily life under Occupation, was screened in the tent, and a DJ played Palestinian music throughout the day.

At 5pm, a candle-lit procession of 50 people began in Manger Square and moved through the main street of Bethlehem. HLT was joined by the International Palestinian Youth League and other organizations such as representatives from the Palestinian Commission for Citizens’ Rights. Local and international media covered the event. Independence Day in Bethlehem ended with the Palestinian Commission for Citizens’ Rights reiterating the Palestinian right to independence, and condemning the recent attack on Jordan, where many innocent people have died. HLT thanked the Palestinians and Internationals who participated in the event and their effort in making it happen, with the hope that the event contributed towards developing the community and a prosperous future.

Kiera-Dawn Kolson

OIYP 2004 Action Partner, Northwest Territories Canada

I am currently working on establishing youth support programs in every community across the NWT, also I will be working with the different communities to establish culture information centers within every community. By doing this I am hopeing to eliminate suicide, substance abuse, lack of confidance within our youth, and help them to regain their self-esteem. Through the culture information centers we will be bridging the generation gaps, and our youth will be learning who they are as far as their culture goes and hopefully we will increase the amount of pple who speak their language.

Over the last year, I have sang, and spoke at the dreamcatchers aboriginal youth conference in Edmonton, where I spoke to youth on being proud of who they are and on the importance of keeping a balenced lifestyle to keep their medicine wheels in order. I sang and spoke at the earthling(s) festival in Vancouver I spoke on climate change in the north and sang songs of indiginous rights. I sang at the Knowing your spirits conference in Edmonton I was supposed to put on a workshop there too but that didnt happen due to other reasons. I attended a healing gathering in Saddle Lake which gave me an idea to work on this Denendeh Human Rights Healing Gathering which I am putting on here in Yellowknife in June of this year and all people are invited it will be a wonderful event. I spoke at the Native Womens Association of the NWT's AGM and was elected in as their youth rep on their national board, I also spoke at an elders conference on the importance of knowing who we are so that we can know where we are going, and on the importance of todays generation to re-connect with our elders because once their gone there is no coming back.

My work has evolved to incorperate more precise details and to encorperate more of the traditional knowledge with regards to the culture information centers which I will be working on establishing within the next three years.

Key successes in my work have been gaining support, partnership, interest and volunteers, all through word of mouth. Obstacles I have faced include Not just getting it done, lack of funding and making more youth aware of their options, by not giving up we will overcome these obsticles and by working with others things will work out.

The most important thing that I’ve learnt is that we have ALOT of potential that just needs to be discovered. Alot of our youth are very talented and by incuding their culture they can only grow stronger, so never give up.I honestly believe that in order to regaine the self-confidence that is needed we must start at a grass roots level and help our people re-gain their identity so that they can feel confidant to pursue anything that their heart desires.

Kenneth Msiska

OIYP Trade Justice Action Partner, Malawi

Kenneth Msiska is an OIYP Trade Justice Project Action Partner working with The Young Advocates for the Advancement of ICT-related Development. Kenneth has been involved in analysing the impact of trading rules and market changes on agricultural production in Malawi. He is a key African organiser for the World Summit on the Information Society and has also been active in work around the MDGs. In the lead-up to and during the WTO Ministerial in Hong Kong, Kenneth played a key role mobilising young people in Malawi to take action for trade justice. He organised marches, publicity stunts and hosted a demonstration called “You Spoiled Our Party”. Kenneth Msiska has developed a project site on TIG outlining his youth-led trade justice activities http://projects.takingitglobal.org/tradejusticemalawi/about

STORies OF THE MONTH

This month, in response to our theme of ’18 months on – what have you learnt’ we present a range of stories and reflections from action partners on the past 18 months. From bringing natural sciences and development together in Mexico, to setting up a resource centre in Nigeria and bringing young people, schools and referees together to take violence out of sport in Sierra Leone, these stories are reflections on the OIYP networks’ struggles and successes in work for positive change.

Diana Lopez

OIYP 2004 Action Partner, Mexico.

18 months on – what have you learnt?

My action plan consists of a participatory inventory of the biodiversity of one of the most preserved cloud forest of Mexico, wich human settlements are compound principally of indigenous people. This action plan was integrated of previous academic projects from the National University of Mexico; new information exchange agreements with different institutions like the Biology Institute, the National Polytechnic Institute, and the Technologic, Agriculture and Livestock Institute of the region; and the invaluable collaboration of several volunteers for the fieldwork. (including people from the localities).

The first obstacle was to break the paradigm according to, natural sciences are not compatible with the human development; only when the advances of science and technique, as well as our own talents and abilities would be set to the service of the most needed, we will obtain a more supportive and fair society, in order to reach a real sustainable development.

In a second place, was the barrierof the lack of material and financial resources; even though this limits the possibilities to expand the project, many of these deficiencies are replaced mainly with creativity and overall, thinking about how to use the few resources that I have in fact, instead of losting time concentrated in those that I haven’t.

Without a doubt, the materials and workshops of the IYP on fundraising and project management has been a key piece in the success of this action plan, without leaving out all the training and relationship opportunities that as an action partner I have had access. It is true that from the IYP meeting in 2004, it was necessary to adjust the deadlines to complete the work, but instead of been an impediment, it has been an opportunity to make a product of greater quality that is unique, has been displayed in a National Congress (by the ending of 2004) and has even served as a reference point to other local projects (Eg. the one that is being carry out at Hidalgo State Autonomous University).

In order to finalize, wich would be the more important advices that I could make from my work with the Mexican youth? well, I have learnt that is fundamental to encourage the two characteristics of any young people: to be deeply demanding, and to be ambitious; demanding with ourselves and ambitious without limits! in the search of being and transcend; if you can dream it, you can make it true. Young people, we are not the hope, we are a reality, because we have in our hands our destiny and the one of the society.

Mary Ekemezie

OIYP 2004 Action Partner, Nigeria

Challenges:The “Empowering Young women in Enugu Thru The Acquisition Of Computer Literacy Skills Project” today a reality took a lot of planning and preparation to metamorphose into a reality. In the course of translating from vision to reality I encountered some challenges.

Firstly, was the challenge of finding a space to house the center.

Secondly, was deciding what to buy for the center. How best to utilize the grant funds to ensure that there was enough equipment to start off with and still have some funds to ensure its smooth running was also a challenge.

The third was ensuring the sustainability of the project once the grant had been exhausted and ensuring that the aims and objectives of the project are attained.

Surmounting the challenges: Initially, I was considering housing the computer center in the NIA office, (NIA is the organization I work with and is also supporting me in this project) which was one of the ways they had promised to support my action plan. Unfortunately we lost the office space and I had to find an alternative and fast.

My Executive Director and I wrote and spoke to different faculties and officials of the University to give us a space and the Faculty of Business Administration kindly agreed to give us a space after we had explained the concept behind the action plan.

With relation to the funds, I eventually decided to use more of the funding in capital expenditure leaving a little percentage for unforeseen expenditure and that has really paid off.

The other challenge of sustaining the project has been a little of an uphill task. I am currently fundraising locally (this includes in-kind donations) to enable me buy some equipment like printers and a photocopiers which will be used to generate funds for overhead costs, repairs and remunerating volunteers.

IYP’s role: IYP has been very supportive since the inception of the project. Anna Powell suggested that I write to Taking It Global when I was having problems with the computer systems to see if they could help. They were also very helpful with regards to developing a training manual through the websites they recommended and they are supporting me with letters of support to help me with my local fundraising.

Changes since IYP 2004: The action plan has undergone some metamorphosis since IYP 2004. From partnering with cybercafés and other training centers to setting up one, increasing the training hours and periods from the initial conceptions, working with only one team member from the initial almost eight members, contemplating financial remuneration for volunteers and introduction of additional packages to meet with the realities on the ground of time re some of the changes I have had o make to the project to ensure that it is still functional and relevant to its target beneficiaries.

Successes: My action plan has had some successes. About forty young women have benefited from the project and about 10 of them have fulfilled the requisite criteria for graduating from the project which is serving as volunteer trainers.

I have been able to create a space for women and the feedback I have received have been amazingly empowering. About four of them who previously had no emails have opened one and some of them from being totally computer illiterate, have become literate. They have gained skills that are helping them both in their studies and their lives as a whole.

Hadsonsam Kargbo

OIYP 2004 Action Partner, Sierra Leone.

My experience and challenges after OIYP 2004

It has not been easy in implementing my Action plan in Post conflict Sierra Leone especially in conducting an awareness raising activity that I am at changing young people ‘ s attitude and behaviour towards a positive direction that will contribute to Peace building effort in Post conflict – Sierra Leone. My Action plan captures the theme “ Campaign Against Violence In Sport” The aim of the exercise is to work towards the eradication of the violence and Hooliganism, which have the characterized, the school system today in Sierra Leone in almost all organized sporting events. I have just completed the first phrase of the activities intended to undertake in my Action plan. In the implementation of this program. I encountered a lot of challenges, which created a learning point for the future. My challenges included the following:

Financial support – I was faced with financial constraints particularly so in seeking ways and means through which I raise fund to ensure that all program of events in the action plan are implemented to the letter. Many times I have to approached and appeal to NGO’S, business houses and Line ministries for support. All of these fall into deaf ears. However through persistence and hard work I was able to apply for the IYP small grant support where I succeeded to steal the show of receiving financial support to implement part of the programme of activities that were very much important and urgently needed by the community to effect the most needed change. The support provided by IYP, line ministry like the ministry of Education who provided support for me to conduct the exercise as well as transforming my plan into reality. Even with this support, I was not able to put all programme into effect.
The question of how to run such a big programme was a big challenge to others and me. With a strong formidable team of intellectuals, determine and hardworking the event was well organized based on the strong leadership skills I provided to the team.
How to manage our finance so that we can be able to ensure that every thing runs according to amount we already have in our coffer. The financial secretary and the treasurer carried out a tremendous job by ensuring that our programme operated within the accumulated amount of money we have in our coffer.
There was little co-operation from principals from the participating schools at the initial stage of implementation. Many principal refuse to give full backing thinking that the event will be a mentoring ground to make pupils rebel against their authorities as well a strategy to keep them away fro School. However with continue dialogue, advocacy through radio discussions, the negative perceptions was completely changed. Mid way the event, Principals of all the Schools pledge their total support to the event by allowing their pupils to participate fully in the programme in fact this time it was mandatory for all participants to attend on time.
The issues of getting other stakeholders such disabled people, Parents, Guardians, Referees and other community people pose a big challenge as some group do want to associate them selves with School children since they considered them as rude and hooligans. However through sensitization by the Radio, printing of posters and banners I was able with others to over come these obstacles. At least at the end of the day we able to get a large percentage of these people to participate in these events which they later appreciated very much.

I was to say that during these challenges IYP 2004 TEAM provided massive support for me in transforming my dream into reality. I capture a lot benefit from OIYP. These include the following:

Financial support from the award of the small grants package to make ensure I conduct some of the activities highlighted in action plan.
Training workshop provided through the Email learning process which center on project implementation, project management and project monitoring and Evaluation. My participation in this event provided lot knowledge and skills already lack to be acquired. This further equips me to make sure my program comes out well. I enjoy and benefited much from the facilitators and other partners who contributed immensely.
There was lot of experience sharing from all quarter which I also take advantage of to implement my programme.
I receive support from Action partner particular James from Peace link who serve as facilitator and resource person during the implementation process.
I also benefited from the resource materials and reference guide that was provided by the small grant support team. Today those materials are of big asset to the future of any implementation. The stuff are quiet interesting and timely concise.
The programme succeeded in changing pupil attitude from the culture of violence to the culture of tolerant and acceptability in all sporting events.
The result of the exercise saw the high rate of awareness among pupils about the need for peace among themselves. Today, violence occurrence was not witnesses during the past inter secondary sporting events.
The team capacity has been built, as we are now capable organsing workshop or any event involving young people in Sierra Leone. We now see our selves as agent of change and that we can do better if have the support is available for us.
We are able to involve community people in youth activities so that they be partners in development.

january FEATURE

Peter Otim from Uganda shares his reflections on the past 18 months while considering the role of partnerships and how we can reflect on our own character. He sends out a challenge for all of us to reflect about our own character and welcomes responses from the network.

Greetings from Uganda. My name is otim peter from a small district in northern Uganda called Lira. Uganda some time referred to as the ‘pearl of Africa’ is in East Africa. Unfortunately despite it’s beautiful sceneries, rich cultural heritage and the warm hospitality of its about 27 million population yet there is rampant suffering to the population especially in northern Uganda where 1.6 million people live in IDPs camp now for 20 years.

It’s amazing having this opportunity to share with you more transforming power I have experienced about my project. Before IYP2004, I had just completed my college course in late 2003.preparing to attend IYP2004 was marred by a number of challenges. After IYP 2004 I came back to rejoined my family in IDP camp. It was so challenging, how do I begin?

Criticism from all over (it’s always a common belief locally that when one go overseas he is always given some facilitation and going to developed countries would implied being better than others physically, materially etc.) Eventually life becomes very miserable for me as others assume me to be proud for going abroad, while majority just decided to sideline me despite my relentless effort to explain to them all about IYP. Then came September the small grant application and followed by online project management workshop where I dedicated all my effort to nurture it to completion.

With news of my nomination to benefit from the grant programme I knew God has responded to my prayer request. I went on to, identify and select the project participants’ with the consultation with the implementing partner organization and church pastor. However it seems most of the board members didn’t treat it seriously the issue of project I had proposed to implement with them. And there follows delay with the grant money transfer for approximately 3 months all this time I was in full contact with the project administrator and luckily he had advised earlier that a separate account be open for this project.

When the grant money was transferred we held a meetings with the proposed project team, and we came out with a resolution with how the core activity should be implemented and re budgeting to fill in the missing gap. We then bought training material and others that we needed from Kampala while those that could be made locally were done so. But on reaching I was call upon by the chairman board and he summon me to produce those things and handover the balance of money we embezzle from their organization. While still explaining to him what was happening I saw a police man came and put a hand cap on my arms and I was told to produce all those properties we had bought for the projects and all of them were impounded by the police including screen table and printing table which was being made at the nearby workshop. Friday was the day when the incident happen in the police the had accused me and the team of forgery, embezzlement and I was detained till Monday while that week end it was reported in the local F.M radio news .the all situation was very embarrassing.

When all document concerning the project were taken to the police on Monday they decided to set me free and they advise me to sue them. But eventually we settle the case out of court, without any fine or compensation. Although we got additional expenses for paying the police, transporting those properties, etc later they resolved to cancelled the partnership agreement, while other team members and participants were discourage by the aggression exhibited in addition as a result of police advise they were embarrassed. We decided to let the situation to calm down as we look for other partners and resources to help us get started. We started our core training in mid June; we always meet participants on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday.

How do I strive amidst this controversy? They are older than us and we need their blessing how do we rebuild their negative attitude toward what we do, how do we rebuild the confident of the rest of the community toward our project and activities?

We have managed to get back the project on course by remaining focused, relentlessly working toward the goal, building good relationship with people in similar field. This could give us some insight to reflect on .as young evolving leaders, you might have faced difficult people and situation resulting in to conflict.

This extract is part of my learning got from my experience of the same.

Often the most common sources of conflict and difficulties with people are as follows

a) Personality and relationship clashes

b) Unspoken and unmet expectation

c) Insecurity and identity issue

d) Unresolved conflict from past wound

e) Independent attitudes and inflexible perspectives

Note: it is possible for a leader to sabotage him; he might win an argument, but ultimately loses more than he gains. Also remember conflict is normal it is going to happen because we are different, conflict is neutral it is neither destructive nor constructive in itself. Conflict is natural, it is universal you are not alone in your humanity.

HERE IS WAYS OF HANDLING CONFLICT IN A HEALTHY MANNER:

a) Understand the difference between constructive& destructive criticisms

b) Look beyond the criticism and see the critic. What’s behind their criticisms?

c) Recognized people get criticise. Even Jesus was criticize!

d) Keep physically and spiritually in shape. Stay strong for such attack

e) Don’t just see the critic, see the crowd. Don’t let one person bring you down

f) Wait for time to demonstrate what is right

g) Concentrate on your mission. Change your mistake not your mission

I am sure it has been quite challenging learning different experiences, from each of us, how each of us went on to turn the action plan we developed while in Sydney in diverse project and in multicultural & geographical locations. Am reminded of the topic our facilitator Ethan Gelber (education action area 1) handle about the risk and obstacles and the workshop on net working and partnership building by Nick Moraitis of Taking it global.

Please am humble by my experienced as reflected in the story to advise my fellow colleague who wish to enter in to partnership to observe the following in the choice since partners are very important as they add value to the work we do and helps us gain new ideas and perspective, help us find additional resources, gain legitimacy etc. it’s important to understand the level of commitment of the prospective partners. It’s critical to engage with current, past and future potential partners in a manner that is respectful, transparent and collaborative in nature in an effort to foster healthy relationships.

Your styles, tone, language, ideas, response and overall communications should reflect the organization and the project. It is also important to be able to distinguish between providing a personal honest opinion, a professional opinion and an organizational opinion when communicating with partner organizations especially about collaborations and you should realize that you are not obliged to simply provide any things a partner may ask as charity responsibility.

Note: Ideal partnerships are ones that offer a great deal of value for you and the partner organization. The value for you might means strengthening existing programmes through additional resources, promotional activities, opportunities that offer enriched experiences or deeper engagement for your membership or it might mean new activities that help achieve your goal that you couldn’t (wouldn’t want to) do alone.

At least I have realize that leadership is not an event but a process in which we are part of, we are to live it, learn it, and pass it on to others.

Quote: individualism wins trophies while teamwork wins championships it’s worth noting that while teamwork can be quite challenging yet it carry a long with it the enriched value for success and inspirations we need.

An evaluation for a developing manager is character. Strong character enable young social change leader to posses integrity, to earn trust, to gain respect, to experience consistency and communicate credibility. This entire harness competency: Once character has been developed to include compassion for others, it takes courage to implement change. Having courage means facing fears and taking a stand. It means acting brave when we don’t really feel brave. How well do you exhibit courage? Have you ever stopped to evaluate your level of competency? What abilities do you bring to the table? Take a moment and evaluate yourself.

a) I would like to start a new project even when it’s scary 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

b) I don’t mind being the first to take risk 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

c) When ideas arise, I want to take action not talk 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

d) My ideas often turns into plan 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

e) I can figure out how to finish a job I start 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

f) Iam good at solving a problem 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Give your self-mark as I look forward to receiving your comments.

On the question “18 month what have you achieved?”

The following are significant achievement I have made toward achieving my action plan

Access to training: So far I have undergone through 2 projects management training and a number of IYP online workshops such as online evaluation discussion, festival of ideas, e.tc

OIYP has so far funded two initial projects, which has turn out to be a benchmark for turning out the action plan developed into reality and also provide an important element for linking my action plan to other local community based initiatives as well as other humanitarian actors present in northern Uganda I think that for myself, the constant learning and challenge from the work and ideas of the network is a large part of what I value from being part of this community and this has further deepen my understanding about complex issues ranging from issues affecting my communities to ways of curving them in addition to the encouragement and deep inspiration I believe every one who happen to join this family of IYP must have experience

Thanks

Otim peter

OIYP Action partner Uganda.

Uganda young Christian community development agency

P.O Box 289 Lira Uganda -E.Africa.

Tel: mob+256-71-281743

E-mail: ugyccda@yahoo.co.uk

E-mail: peotim@yahoo.com

resources

Online Learning Resources

http://www.theoryofchange.org/

ActKnowledge, an action research organisation has created an interactive online resource of tools for creating, sharing and using Theories of Change. A Theory of Change is a tool to design and evaluate social change initiatives. By creating a blueprint of the building blocks required to achieve a social change initiative’s long-term goal, for example to improve a community’s literacy levels, a Theory of Change offers a clear plan to achieve results identifying the preconditions, pathways and interventions necessary for success. The website contains an overview of Theory of Change and its origins, information about Theory of Change trainings and technical assistance and links to additional materials.

http://www.yp3.org/index.html

Activist Learning Online is a web-based resource centre set up by The Freechild Project. The website is designed for activists and educators who aim to” foster learning through just, powerful, and meaningful action”. It contains information on Activist Learning, a list of resources and links to education-focused websites and relevant organisations.

Letters to Voice

Dear IYP VOICE!

Greetings!

Here's the candid and casual report of Voice of the Youth Network and UNV's Kabataan Night 2 held December 6, Quezon City Philippines.I hope this makes it in the IYP OXFAM website. [Ed: It is on Poncholo’s action partner page – see http://iyp.oxfam.org/partners/eastasia/pocholo_gonzales.asp. To update your page please email iypaction@oxfam.org.au]

By the way, VOTY has also been engaged in a campus tour with Gift Foundation and other organizations where we are campaigning and sort of introducing the MDGs to students. It started a couple of months ago and would end in April 2006 after completing 10 universities.

This report was prepared by VOTY'S Media Director Emsie Reyes

Thank you very much and Happy holidays!

POCHOLO GONZALES

IYP ActionPartner - Philippines

VOICE OF THE YOUTH NETWORK

www.voty.org

News, Events and opportunities

News, upcoming events and involvement opportunities for OIYP Stakeholders.

MDG Skills Share – Facilitated by Ruby Kenny (OIYP action partner)

8 goals, agreed to in September 2000 by the member states of the United Nations, to halve poverty by the year 2015, to increase the effort in the fight against poverty, illiteracy, hunger, lack of education, gender inequality, child and maternal mortality, disease and environmental degradation. Many NGO’s argue that the MDG’s are not ambitious enough, yet at the current rate, these goals will not even be achieved by the year 2050.

As young people working toward positive and lasting change in our communities, we often feel the need to become aware of the Millennium Development Goals. We all have experiences which relate back to the aims of the MDG’s on a daily basis.

By becoming aware of what is being done in your region or country, you can link your work to others and join the global network of individuals, groups and organisations working to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

In February 2006, an online skills share will be held on the OIYP forum to discuss what the MDG’s are; how they came about; what is being done in your country to meet them and the role of your government & local organisations. The skills share will also focus on what more can be done to meet these targets and what action you can take to make this change.

What is an online skills share?

Over 4 weeks in February, action partners from around the world will have an opportunity to discuss and learn about the MDG’s. This discussion will take place on the OIYP Forum (online discussion board), facilitated and co facilitated by Ruby Kenny (IYP2004 action partner from PNG) and Shasheen Jayaweera (IYP 2004 action partner from Australia).

The grants team hopes that you are having a wonderful start to 2006!

The new Grants Program for 2006 will be launched in the 1^st week of February. A separate Fact Sheet will be sent to all Action Partners by email and by post next week with further information.

Congratulations to Jerry Lynch (Peru), Kennedy (Solomon Islands) and Natalie Roberts/Orlando Vargas (South Africa/ Chile) for receiving grants as part of the Round 3 of the Grants Program.

Awareness raising and behaviour change strategies

The final draft of this research is being reviewed by action partners. If you would like to read the draft, make changes, suggestions and comments please email May – maymd@oxfam.org.auto be sent a copy.

HIV/AIDS Research

Oxfam International Youth Parliament and the Global Youth Coalition on HIV-AIDS* are currently conducting a research on youth driven initiatives in the area of HIV-AIDS. this youth-led research aims at making light of the contribution of young activists’ work in the area of HIV AIDS worldwide and represents a great opportunity for sharing experience, knowledge and lessons learnt among them. It will result in an advocacy document with evidence around the contribution that youth-led projects and programs make to be shared at the 2006 International AIDS Conference in Toronto, as part of the Toronto Youth Force process. It may also result in recommendations to be presented to parties attending Toronto.

You can be involved in a number of ways over the next 8 months – you can be interviewed and have the chance to speak to other action partners about your work, you can interview other action partners and take place in online sharing around case studies of our work.

Register: For more information or to register please email iypaction@oxfam.org.au! You will receive more information and a range of options for involvement.

Endnote

A closing thought to inspire you this month.

I think that for myself, the constant learning and challenge from the work and ideas of the network is a large part of what I value from being part of this community and this has further deepen my understanding about complex issues ranging from issues affecting my communities to ways of curving them

Peter Otim, Uganda