Voice Newsletter

March 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

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Focus

This month, OIYP Voice is looking at Intergenerational Dialogue and methods of developing intergenerational approaches to development. Many OIYP Action Partners have undertaken projects which need to be supported by an entire community. Gaining such support can be one of the most difficult aspects of a project, due to a lack of understanding of development issues across the generations and a lack of open discussion of such issues. How do you suddenly start talking about topics, such as HIV/AIDS, that have always been considered private or taboo, to people you have always been taught to respect? How do you ask members of your grandparents’ generation to support a project which involves discussion of such taboo topics?

As many of the members of the OIYP network acknowledge, though, projects which mobilise the support of every member of your community – including members of your parents’ and grandparents’ generations - are often those with the greatest chance of success. The challenge is how to gain the support of these people and actively involve them in the whole life – planning, implementation and ongoing activity – of projects.

Two Action Partners, Josh Creamer (Australia) and Sai Awn Tai (Thailand) have risen to the challenge of creating intergenerational dialogue within their communities. In our Story of the Month, read about how Aboriginal Elders in Josh’s community are becoming involved in the legal system, suggesting suitable punishments for young Aboriginal offenders. In our March Feature, Sai talks about the impact of an online forum involving intergenerational dialogue on the Shan community. Both of these Action Plans have succeeded in creating exchange between older and younger members of communities and, most importantly, both parties benefit from the experience.

Next month, OIYP Voice will be edited by Ruby Kenny, OIYP 2004 Action Partner from Papua New Guinea. Here she outlines the theme for Voice, April 2006:

The focus for next month’s edition of OIYP Voice is on the Millennium Development Goals. The eight (8) developmental goals agreed to in 2000 by 189 heads of state, promising to free men women and children from extreme poverty by 2015.

Reflecting the realities of the progress and level of achievement of each goal in our local communities, countries and globally we can only be challenged by this question “Can the MDGs be achieved by 2015?” This is a challenging question which each one of us has to ask ourselves.

We will look at what some dynamic young people are doing to make a difference in their communities by not only being beneficiaries but being implementers of the MDGs.

You too can make a difference in your community so included in the edition will be some ideas on what you can do and much more…

If you would like to submit content please send it to: iypvoice@oxfam.org.au

We hope that you enjoy reading about intergenerational exchange in this month’s edition of OIYP Voice!

The OIYP Voice Team,

Catherine Loy, Editor.

This month is the last month that Catherine will be editing Voice. Catherine has contributed her time as a volunteer for over a year to edit Voice – making sure that information is shared around the OIYP network. The network and the OIYP staff thank her for all her hard work, commitment and warmth. Thank-you Catherine!

Action Partner News

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

Mkondana Chimbalu,

OIYP 2004 Action Partner, Malawi.

The name of my organisation is Youth Empowerment in Basic Education (YEBE), situated in the city of Lilongwe, Malawi. It is a voluntary organisation whose main core of function is to promote standards of basic education in rural areas with equal enrolment of girls and to enhance participation of communities in developing the school through the provision of human resources and local materials. Since I attended the OIYP 2004, several activites took place especially at the project area ie Gome Full Primary School which is located to the west part of Lilongwe, within the distance of 25km.

It was significant when I convinced friends to join and participate on volunteer activites with a view to help the vulnerable communities on the social status. I really felt excited in front of the large community at Gome primary school during the meeting. I addressed them with a lot of confidence and straight to the points on importance of girl child education and good school environment. On top of that I asked them to consider on cultural values practised in the community that they could easily stop for the better of their children and it was also important to let the girls have a voice on their right of going to school. It was also exciting and wonderful experience considering that I was talking to elderly and respected audience in the area. The experience gained out of this meeting gave me lots of inspiration and encouragement that I could help people make a difference in their lives.

Another significant moment was when the community appreciated our small donations and the hope that they can bring development in their community only if they can dedicate themselves. This is where I got convinced that no matter how small the donation you may give to some communities, and the confidence you can plant in them, do not think it is small as you perceived but it goes a long way to their memories because of your kind gesture.

With thanks to Mkondana for contributing to the OIYP Global Review.

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Shoma Prasad,

OIYP 2004 Action Partner, Fiji

Kajaal, Jacky and I have been through the Emerging Leaders (2004/2005) Forum training, which was a one year program by the Fiji Women's Rights Movement. After graduation, a network was formed with the two ELF groups. As International Women's Day was being celebrated the group discussed ideas of setting up a website which will provide a forum for discussion for young women on issues such as leadership, Women's Rights and other related issues. Apart from the website, there will be projects and activities organized by the group which will be implemented this year.

The group has been actively involved in voicing their concerns on gender issues such as the 'Coca Cola Babe' competition (letter published in the Fiji Sun newspaper copied below) and on issues of the Reconcilation and Unity Bill.

The group will be putting a proposal for the OIYP grants in March for possible funding opportunities.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

30th January 2006.

The Editor,

FijiSun

Dear Sir,

The media is perhaps the most powerful educational force in today's fast-moving age where advertisements sell more than just products. They sell lifestyles and dreams.

What sort of lifestyle and dream are we selling to young women and the public when the image of a young woman's silhouette, as well as the use of the word "BABE" is used? We are referring to the Press advertisement in the Fiji Sun, 17/01/06 by Coca Cola, which is the follow up to the 2005 Coca Cola HUNK campaign.

The portrayal of women in advertising is negatively influencing the view men have of women in our society and how women view themselves.

As long as the media continues to sell this concept society will perpetuate it.

In reference to the defense that no outcry was raised in response to the HUNK competition, it needs to be stated that young men are not subject to sexual harassment and other forms of sexual violence to the same extent as young women.

The 'Babe' campaign is selling wrong values, images, and concepts of success and worth, love and sexuality, popularity and normality, and that we would appreciate if Coca Cola would consider changing the images and name of the campaign.

Advertising can shape the way we think and act and negatively influence our younger generation, who no doubt will be participating in this competition without knowing its social implications.

Yours sincerely,

Shoma Prasad

Kajaal Kumar

Mamta Chand

STORy OF THE MONTH

The subjugated position in society of Australian Aborigines is the result of generations of failed government policies, which all Australians must acknowledge if the current false and damaging attitudes towards Aborigines are to be altered. Josh Creamer, OIYP 2004 Action Partner from Australia, is actively working to assert the rights of Aboriginal people and repair some of the damage done in earlier generations by providing a legal education for Aboriginal people. As part of the development of legal awareness among the Aboriginal community, Elders have begun to be involved in the process of disciplining young Aboriginal offenders.

The importance of my action plan, “Better Legal Education for Indigenous Australians”, has recently been underlined due to the fact that I am now living and working in Townsville, a city in northeastern Australia with a large Indigenous population. This year I have come face-to-face with the full extent of Indigenous issues. Previously I was advocating based on the experiences that I had being Indigenous, my work and study thus far and my own life experiences. The move to a new region with a greater Indigenous population has allowed me to live with the full extent of the issues on an everyday basis. I have lived with racist attitudes and have been able to see the effects of 220 years of failed government policies.

Only recently, the Federal Member of Parliament here in the Townsville region called for Indigenous Australians living on Palm Island near Townsville to be integrated into the Townsville community. This is an example of the racist attitude that Indigenous Australians living in this region must face every day. Integration is a step back in time to the era of the Protection Acts when Australian governments restricted Indigenous Australians to small reserves and used them as slave labour to build the economy, the practice of culture and language was outlawed and children were taken from their families and placed in abusive church mission institutions and not allowed any contact with their families. The current issues affecting Indigenous Australians today have a direct correlation to that era and now governments in this region are trying to do it again.

Through my work I have been able to work with other professionals from different organizations who, this year, have formed a co-ordination team to monitor the services that each organization provides to the indigenous community. The aim of the team is to ensure that resources from each department are delivered to the Indigenous community more effectively. From my work this year it has become clear that the current situation for Indigenous Australians living in the Townsville region is severe. Currently 75% of inmates in the Townsville Women’s Prison are Indigenous - an extreme over-representation when Indigenous Australians only make up 2.4% of the Australian population. The Co-ordination team here in Townsville is a step in the right direction, but what may eventually be needed is a wide-reaching Indigenous Agency that has the capacity to deal with many of the issues affecting Indigenous Australians including Health, Education, Law, and Employment. There are currently numerous organizations working with Indigenous Australians, however one central agency may have a greater impact in dealing with issues because it can deal with an individual and work through all of the issues that they face, rather then having four organizations working with one individual independent of each other and not aware of what the other is achieving. Which can cause resources to be spent ineffectively.

Townsville has recently begun trialling a new Criminal Court known as the Murri Court. The Murri Court is for Indigenous Australians who are facing criminal charges in the Magistartes Court in Townsville. The Magistrate Court in Townsville is the lowest court it deals with minor offences. In the Murri Court Elders from the local community play an important role in the period before a person comes before the court for sentencing. Elders meet with the person in an attempt to identify the issues that have resulted in the offence. The Elders, due to their long-term involvement with the community, posses a deep knowledge of many of the issues facing young people. In Court the Elders advise the Magistrate on what they believe is an appropriate sentence. The Elders I spoke to stated that they were "excited about the opportunity" of having culturally appropriate sentences recognised by mainstream institutions, in particular the Criminal Justice System which has a long history of oppressing Indigenous Australians.

The Murri Court is an important step for Indigenous Australians in the Criminal Justice System. Hopefully one day Indigenous Elders will sit and advise Judges in every court in Australia in cases involving Indigneous Australians. Many Indigenous Elders have been working with young people in their local communities to bring about change for many years now. It is great that Elders are finally being recognised for their work and have the ability to share their knowledge with something as important as the Courts.

Indirectly in the last six months I have advised others of my experiences at OIYP, which I feel others recognize as adding credibility to my objectives through the networks OIYP delivers. People recognize that having developed a plan with the support of OIYP, you are dedicated to bringing about real change.

OIYP created an awareness for me about issues affecting many different people from all cultures in this world some of which are those faced by Indigenous Australians. I was able to learn from people just like me of similar age and goals and that was the best part. I have shared the experiences of OIYP with people in my community.

jcreamer_gu@yahoo.com

Feature Article

The plight of the Shan people, many of whom are in exile from their native Burma, is the focus of Sai AwnTai’s Action Plan. Through his initiative of an online forum, Shan youth and elders are beginning to communicate and exchange ideas. The forum, involving Shan people residing in seven different countries, is bringing about exchange and solidarity among Shan people across the generations. The following is an extract from a case study to be published in “Conversations and Case studies from the OIYP Network”, a publication sharing conversations between Action Partners around awareness raising and behaviour change and case studies of their work in this area. For more information see www.iyp.oxfam.org/news/publications. If you are interested in receiving this publication please email your address to iypaction@oxfam.org.au

In 2005 Sai Awn Tai created the Shan State Online Parliament (SSOP). Knowledge and experiences can be shared through the parliament and the group has become a discussion forum for Shan communities. There are now more than 120 members in the group, coming from Thailand, Australia, India, Germany, the UK, the US, Canada and Shan State. Most of the members are key stakeholders in the Shan communities. It is also not only youth but also the older people such as the Shan leaders who currently leading the Shan social and political affairs. Information about international events, opportunities, scholarship programs and funding resources is provided to members of Shan communities through the online parliament.

Due to the torture and oppression by the Burmese military regime in Burma, many people, young and old, were displaced by the regime and eventually left their homeland. Life in Burma has been very difficult to bear. For their survival, most of the young people were forced to work as a slave labour for the military regime. In addition, the military regime levies huge taxes on the people. Without income and without freedom to work, young people are forced from their homes and flee to neighbouring countries.

Because those who left Burma are illegal immigrants, minor girls are often exploited by human traffickers. Moving from place to place, they are unable to access educational facilities or resources, so lack even basic knowledge. Their handlers benefit as these young people continue to face sexual exploitation and to suffer from AIDS transmission, human rights abuses and poor health care.

Provided with enough information and education about this situation, Sai believes that governments, NGOs and other organizations will find the political will to solve the problems of this political crisis and to empower communities to escape from conflict and poverty. Such political will would allow societies to change toward ways of sustainable development and peace.

“This group has made some changes in the Shan communities, because the young people access the useful information that helps them to realise the right thing to do for their future and they have made changes themselves. It has brought close relations between young people and older people because the elder leaders themselves have read the points of view from young people and the young perspective has been initiated in the social and political affairs. The communities have been influenced by the good knowledge that has made a lot of change in the social and political movements both in exile and inside Shan State of Burma.” Through his action plan Sai highlights the fact that international knowledge and political will are essential in bringing about social and political change.

Sai’s role is to act as moderator of the online forum. There are also eight other moderators working from different countries around the world. Discussions are often emotional as many people have very strong, conflicting ideas, particularly when discussing issues around independence. There is often a division between young people and elders. The role of moderator is challenging but is extremely important in ensuring people stay engaged and involved in the online discussions. Sai has noticed that when he leaves discussion to develop without stepping in to moderate conflict, some members will stop participating. He has found that moderating conflict and remaining balanced is important in ensuring people stay engaged in the awareness raising process.

Sai has seen change in people involved in SSOP. He has noticed that people who were previously uninterested and uninformed about issues such as human rights are now interested. But, according to Sai, one of the most important outcomes of the SSOP is the interaction between young people and elders.

resources

Online Resources focusing on Intergenerational Dialogue.

http://www.unfpa.org/adolescents/community.htm

The UNFPA webpage which looks at the mobilisation of communities in support of young people. UNFPA acknowledges that community mobilisation requires an understanding of local concerns and dynamics and emphasises that broad support from communities can be essential for young people.

http://unoy.org/contact/00.php?order=50&sub=50&subsub+0&item_id=75

The Projects Bank of UNOY’s resource centre, with project outlines relevant to youth culture and intergenerational dialogue.

http://youthaidscoalition.org

The website of the Global Coalition on HIV/AIDS (GYCA), with exciting events which involve intergenerational education strategies and activities.

News, Events and opportunities

News, upcoming events and involvement opportunities for OIYP Stakeholders.

HIV/AIDS Research on Youth Initiatives: Deadline extended until March 31

Are you doing work on HIV/AIDS? Do you still want to contribute a case study to the research on youth-led HIV/AIDS work? Now you can!

We have received many case studies but also many requests for extensions in this project. So that everyone has a chance to participate we are extending the deadline until March 31.

A group of young people from 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 understanding the contribution of youth-led work in the area of HIV/AIDS worldwide and represents a great opportunity for sharing experience, knowledge and lessons learnt among young people working in this area. 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.

Get Involved!

You can get involved by submitting a case study of your work by March 31, 2006. To receive a survey to fill out email iypaction@oxfam.org.au or download the survey from http://www.iyp.oxfam.org/news/HIVresearch.asp.

Later in the year you can be involved in a discussion of these case studies in order to share experience and learning between young people working on HIV/AIDS.

Some case studies will be selected by regional research teams of young people for interview and publication. These will be selected on the basis of best or most interesting practices as well as diversity criteria (regional spread, gender, strategy).

Projects selected for the publications will be awarded $100 USD each to further their initiatives. 10-20 projects will be selected-

Letters to Voice

Dear All,

I contact you on behalf of the "Khanci Dos" Gipsy folklore band from Hungary.

The band would like to distribute their musical treasure around the world. If you or other related organizations wish to organise a festival or tour or a special event please invite us, and we will be happy to come and play.

Further information on the band (introduction and on-line music), see:

http://www.kalyibandi.com/khancidos/khanci.html

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

Valeria Bodoczky

Manager

valeriabodoczky@hotmail.com

IYP 2000 Action Partner, Hungary.

Endnote

A closing thought to inspire you this month.

“One generation plants the trees and another gets the shade.”

- Chinese proverb.