Voice Newsletter

Focus

Welcome to the October edition of Voice. 

Over the last few months, the OIYP office has received a steadily increasing number of enquiries about the 2007 cycle of action.

 This newsletter aims to launch the 2007 cycle of action and explain what it will look like and how Action Partners from 2000 and 2004 can participate both in this cycle of action and in the OIYP network.

Action Partner News

Read about the work of Action Partners around the world.

Titus Kuman from Papua New Guinea

Titus has been awarded a small grant to start a small fish farm project from UNESCO (Youth Visioning for Island Nations).  Titus applied for the grant through the youth organization (Youth For Sustainability) he established using a small grant awarded through OIYP Round 3 grants.   Titus is looking for a video recorder to assist him in making a record of the project as it develops.  If you know of any organisations which help make technology available to young people working on development projects, or if you would like to learn more about the fish farm project, you can contact Titus at sutit007@yahoo.com.au

Latin American Youth Parliament

A number of Action Partners continue to work together to develop the Latin American Youth Parliament.  These Action Partners are communicating via msn and telephone and continue to plan the development of a parliament which will work to support youth in Latin America.  The Acton Partners involved include Mabel Toribio Hinostroza from Peru,  José Rafael Guillén Cañizares from Venezuela, Diana López Higareda from Mexico,  Martín Miguel Arias from Argentina,  Maria Ángela Prado Malca from Peru and César Rene Gómez Garcia from Mexico.  If you would like to learn about how the Latin American Youth Parliament is developing or if share experiences from your work in developing youth-led youth organisations, you can contact Mabel at mabelxxi@yahoo.com

 Martin, Jose and Cesar were all involved in the Venezuela Youth Parliament earlier this year and Martin travelled from Argentina to Venezuela with the help of funding through the OIYP Open Pool 2006 Grants Program to attend the Parliament, present workshops and learn more about Jose’s work in his community.  We hope to bring you a report on their experiences in this exchange in a future edition of Voice.

 Global Youth Action Collective – are you participating?

 Lawrence Nodua from the Solomon Islands has been selected to travel to the Netherlands to attend the Global Youth Action Network Conference in between 25 and 30 November 2006.  OIYP is assisting Lawrence to find billeting accommodation in Eindhoven in the Netherlands for that period of time.  If you are able to help Lawrence with accommodation or if you are attending the conference yourself and would like to make contact with Lawrence, please contact him at lnodua@mpnslja.gov.sb  If you are attending the conference,  let us know here at the OIYP office and we will try and put all Action Partners who are attending in touch with one another.  This could be an opportunity to make contact in person with friends from Sydney in 2004!

Janice Badui from Bouganville

Janice was awarded a small grant through Round 2 of the OIYP small grants program and recently submitted her report on her project.  It is extremely difficult to communicate with Bouganville, there is no internet contact and telephone connections are not reliable, so the OIYP office is always pleased when we hear that our postal mail has reached Janice and we receive a letter from her in the post.

Janice has been working with Osi Tanata, a group in Bouganville which works on community development work, research and advocacy work, particularly with youth in Bouganville. Janice says past conflict in Bouganville means that many young people missed out on a formal education, cannot read or write and remain traumatised by the war.   A number of small groups of young people have formed across the region to help improve the futures of other young people in their communities.

Osi Tanata conducted a 3 day workshop in March this year to bring together 21 youths in the Central Region of Bouganville to share ideas and learn form each others experiences.  These youths were all involved in small community groups working to improve the circumstances of young people in their community.   The workshops aimed to help participants identify the strengths and weaknesses in their organisations and work out how they could build on those strengths and develop the weaknesses.   Participants also worked out what their skills were, what skills they lacked, how they could sustain youth activities and create a network in the region.  Now that these issues have been identified, the next stage of the proposal is to conduct workshops which build upon the strengths of these young people in ways which will help develop the areas they feel they need to develop and to further strengthen networking opportunities within the region.  Please contact the OIYP office if you would like to learn more about Janice’s work or to share stories of your work with her and we will provide you with her direct mailing address.     

Ahmad Al’azzeh from Palestine and Guruparan Kumaravadivel from Sri Lanka

You may recall our update in the September Issue of Voice, where we wrote about the peacebuilding teleconference that was held between Guru in Sri Lanka and James Hallowell in Sierra Leone.  Guru is currently working with the Sri Lankan Youth Parliament in a situation of conflict in Sri Lanka and James has experience working in Sierra Leone during the civil war and afterwards, on peace building activities in a post-conflict society. 

Ahmad has been working on peace building activities with school children in Palestine during periods of conflict, such as the recent war with Lebanon.  A one hour teleconference was arranged between Guru and Ahmad, so that they could share stories about ways of working during conflict.  Ahmad wisely pointed out that in situations of conflict, when others are wishing to work with you, you cannot make decisions for everyone when assessing risk, but rather, help them to make a decision about whether they are willing to continue to work in what may be a dangerous environment.  Both Ahmad and Guru concluded that one of the roles of peace builders is to sow the seeds of hope in their communities, so that people continue to work towards achieving peace and ultimately achieve freedom.

 Gail Aguilar from Mexico

 Gail has been working to bring justice to mothers of murdered women in Ciudad Juarez in Mexico.  She is working with a team of lawyers to present the case to the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights

“... Finally the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights give response about the Esmeralda Herrera's case... and I think they want to make an audience in the near future.

 AND... in May we presented to the authorities sort of a claim to denounce the people in the government who were involved in Esmeralda's case... to capture them... So few weeks ago one our lawyers went to Juarez to give support to Esmeralda's mother beacuse the process to start the claim to capture this people started in the domestic courts....

 I felt little relief when I got this news... Soon we (the lawyers) will have a meeting soon to take some actions…. things are starting to move again.”

 We will keep you updated on Gail’s work as it develops.

 Pocholo Gonzales from Philippines

 In the September edition of Voice, we included a list of resources about using radio as a medium for social change. Pocholo Gonzales is experienced in using radio in the Philippines to engage with youth and enable youth voices and perspectives to be heard.  He recently updated us about his work with VOTY, the Voice of the Youth network, which is experienced in using both radio and internet technologies.

 VOTY Network is about encouraging Filipino Youth to believe in themselves and their ability to make a difference in our country. The organization creates environments where people are exposed to new thinking, a diversity of voices, and new opportunities. Driven by youth, their goal is to foster a sense of leadership, participation and social entrepreneurship through the innovative use of technology and media, creating meaningful experiences for the youth to become useful and responsible citizens of the Philippines.

 In year 2002, VOTY became an offline and online network, serving as an incubator of national partnership among youth organizations in the Philippines. Its mission is to facilitate youth participation and intergenerational partnership in national decision – making, to support collaboration among diverse youth organizations and to provide tools, resources, and recognition to positive youth actions in changing the country.

 As a national youth network in the Philippines, lead by youth, empowered by technology, VOTY brings together young people in more than 78 provinces to collaborate on concrete projects addressing national problems and creating positive change.

As a powerful force engaging youth in nation building, VOTY…

… Informs the youth about the wealth of opportunities that surrounds them.

… Inspires people to follow their dreams and make a difference.

… Involves people to activities where their voices are heard and where they can gain a sense of national, global awareness and leadership skills.

… Empowers the youth for them to translate their ideas into realities and connect them from nationwide to global communities.

 Among the breakthroughs of VOTY as a youth organization that primarily utilizes the Internet for information dissemination is its global affiliation. TakingITGlobal.org, International Youth Parliament, the British Council, UNICEF, Global Youth Action Network Inc. and Youth Service America are just a few of the international organizations VOTY has sustained partnership with in terms of advocacy.

VOTY is the first youth organization that has been connected with around a hundred countries through it’s email groups, subscriptions and website. Such connections lead to the realization of how active the youth from other parts of the world are and how their collective efforts could create major impact.

From 2003 to 2005, VOTY has become a national coordinator and partner for the celebrations of the annual Global Youth Service Day which is being observed and documented by international organizations. Most VOTY members and founders have also participated in youth events all over the world.

For our own country’s youth, VOTY maximizes the Internet as it offers influential and creative means to inform, inspire, involve and ultimately, empower. A critical component of VOTY's efforts is the use of the Internet to facilitate communication and information sharing that are once being dominated by certain international youth groups and organizations. VOTY believes that empowerment starts with awareness, and to be aware is to be informed first. Information could be worthwhile opportunities that truly inspire and involve the youth to eventually make a difference in the society. The activities of VOTY offline and in communities all over the country make the information all the more meaningful.

Through the Internet, VOTY has also been successful in creating partnership with local youth organizations and most importantly, in inspiring and reaching out to the Filipino Youth wherever they are in the archipelago from the Northern Luzon to Tawi-tawi in Mindanao. VOTY boasts of online members and active coordinators all over the country. VOTY has not only debunked the digital divide but bridged regional, cultural and religious gaps as well. VOTY continuously receives emails from young people who voices out, wanting to take part of nation building and share the organization’s pro-active vision. Also, through a massive email brigade, VOTY has never failed in gathering young volunteers and participants in worthwhile youth events and endeavors.

Even if there are more than 11.8 million Internet users in the country and the figure is expected to double in the coming years, still millions of young people in the country have not been introduced to computers.

 However, cellular phones have undeniably penetrated almost everyone from all walks of life, especially now that access is getting as cheap as it gets. Not to be left out, VOTY once again infuses youth empowerment to mobile technology. This is through the VOTY Power Groups using General Packet Radio Service. Simply by typing ENTER VOTY and sending to 2213 makes one already a cyber-member, receiving updates on youth events. Internet services even provide technically free SMS and MMS services through providers, which has been used ever so often by VOTY members to release information. But another first and innovation of VOTY is the utilization of Wireless Access Protocol (www.tagtag.com/voty) that enables the mobile phone user to access the VOTY website.

 Check out the VOTY website at http://www.voty.org to learn more about their work or Pocholo’s website at http://www.pochologonzales.com to see what other activities he has been involved in.  If you are interested in using radio to further your work, you can contact Pocholo to learn more about his work at votynet@gmail.com

 Patrick Ty Philippines

 Patrick is working on literacy projects in the Philippines and is seeking some encyclopaedias to help with his work.  If you are able to provide Patrick with any suggestions about where he may be able to locate encyclopaedias, please contact him at patrickiyp2004@yahoo.com

STORy OF THE MONTH

Pablo Chaverri from Costa Rica is deeply concerned about the impact of the Central America – United States Free Trade Agreement on Costa Rica  He writes that a national day of action will be held in Costal Rica to lobby for the elimination of CAFTA.

COSTA RICASAYS NO TO CAFTA!!!

This is an urgent note for all social organizations in Latin America and the rest of the world.

 All social movements in Costa Rica are currently ready for the definite struggle against the Central America- United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA).

On the 23rd and 24th of October, all popular movement of Costa Rica: progressive political parties, public universities, work unions, environmental, students, women and communal organizations, from all over the country will participate in a national day  of protest and struggle as well as a national strike, to demand the immediate elimination of CAFTA from congress.

 With this national day of protests and struggle we start a new stage of the national process of resistance whose final objective is to avoid the approval of this catastrophic agreement.

 As Oscar Arias has become the new president of Costa Rica, violent repressive actions from security forces, against social demonstrations have increased. These actions have even prevented people from demonstrating against CAFTA.

 This type of behaviour from the authorities has rendered into a climate of social effervescence and discomfort, in the last few days.

 The situation has even worsened due to the intentions of the new government to approve CAFTA before this December.

 Furthermore, the use of an old and rotten “anticommunist” speech (linking social movements with a pseudo conspiracy from Caracas and Havana); as well as a permanent and systematic media campaign, promoted by the most conservative wings; have created a very dangerous social polarization in Costa Rica.

 We would like to ask for solidarity and support from all organizations and progressive movements of the world and the dissemination of our struggle by all possible means and over all, to keep a vigilant eye on the situation.

If you would like to learn more about CAFTA or share stories of how you have been involved in trade lobbying in your community, you can contact Pablo at pablochaverri@yahoo.com

OCtoBER FEATURE

We are very excited to announce the launch of Oxfam International Youth Partnerships 2007-2010 Program.

We are looking for 300 more young people who are currently working with others in their communities to achieve positive change.  These 300 young people will come from all regions in the world and will join action partners from 2004 and 2000 as part of the OIYP network.  From 2007 until 2010, Oxfam will facilitate programs to build their skills and knowledge, facilitate exchange and support their action in their communities.

The 2007 cycle of action is directly informed by your feedback and the experiences of the OIYP network and program over the last two years.  We are excited to launch the program and look forward to receiving any feedback you can give us and answering any questions you might have.

What do we call the OIYP now?

As you may already know, the Oxfam International Youth Parliament has been renamed as Oxfam International Youth Partnerships.  Since 2000, the term Parliament has been used symbolically by OIYP to reflect where decisions should be made – by people in the communities.  After consultation with you, as action partners, the new name has been chosen to more accurately reflect the work of OIYP and its focus on a global partnership between young people and Oxfam to create a fairer world.  

What am I called now?

You are still called an action partner (Action Partner 2004 or Action Partner 2000).  Those selected in 2007 will be Action Partner 2007. 

What will happen in the 2007 cycle of action?

At the moment, the program for 2007 action partners is being developed.  The general structure will be:

Orientation Period (April – September 2007)

 During this time, Action Partners 2007 and Oxfam will get to know each other and be prepared for their participation in OIYP and, particularly at the week long even in Sydney in October 2007 (OIYP Kaleidoscope 2007).

 OIYP Kaleidoscope 2007 (October 2007)

 This is the new name for the event that will be held in Sydney in October 2007 when all the Action Partners and meet and spend 8 days developing their skills and making contacts to increase the effectiveness of their work in their communities when they return home.

 Why Kaleidoscope?: A kaleidoscope is a piece of equipment which you look down, like a telescope, and in which many different coloured fragments swirl around to create a beautiful, final picture. The kaleidoscope signifies the fragments that come together to form a whole, perhaps indicating a diversity of something, such as experience, or piecing together the parts of a symbolic puzzle.  It aims to represent the many different lives and experiences of action partners in the network and the energy and beauty that generated when they are brought together.

 Learning and Development Program (November 2007 – April 2009)

 This is the ongoing program of support that will be offered to 2007 Action Partners, which will include similar opportunities to those offered to the 2004 Action Partners.   The focus will be on achieving OIYP’s aims: to enable action partners to develop their perspectives, skills, knowledge and networks to make their work more effective and to support them to contribute to positive and sustainable change.  

What role can I play in the 2007 cycle of action?

Action Partners from the 2000 and 2004 cycles of action are vital resources to the new Action Partners in the 2007 cycles of action.  It is hoped that many of you will remain in touch with the network and take on roles of mentoring and support for new Action Partners coming through the network. 

What does the future hold for you?

·         Working for change: As a 2000 or 2004 action partner, you will continue to work with your communities for positive and sustainable change. 

·         Action partner sharing: The relationships you have built with other action partners will also continue – and continue to provide space to share ideas, challenge each other, ask for advice and to collaborate.  For some of you, this will happen regionally, around particular themes like gender, or through personal or local relationships.

·         New relationships with new action partners: There are opportunities for new relationships too, especially with the new generation of action partners.  The new generation will be the focus of Oxfam’s resources in the OIYP network, but to you they can be a chance to share your lessons from working in communities and skills and to hear new ideas and identify new possibilities.  2000 and 2004 action partners will have key responsibilities in the OIYP network in mentoring and sharing their experiences with the new generation.

·         A changing relationship with Oxfam: In the past, Oxfam has directly supported your work in your community and created spaces for your learning and development.  Many action partners have gained confidence, new perspectives and new skills that they have shared with their communities and continue to use in their communities in their work for change.  As a new generation of action partners joins OIYP, the role of 2000 and 2004 action partners and their relationship with Oxfam will change.  While Oxfam will be unable to provide direct funding or training for 2000 or 2004 action partners, we see them playing a key role in sharing and exchanging with each other and with the new generation.  While action partners continue their work for change in their communities, we expect that they will use relationships with action partners to continue to learn, develop and create change.

You may also like to recommend promote the 2007 cycle of action amongst their networks and in their community and encourage young people to apply to be Action Partners.

The application process is now open and will close on 31 January 2007.  People will be advised if they have been successful in April 2007 and then begin preparing to attend Kaleidoscope 2007, which will be held in Sydney in October 2007.

So keep checking the OIYP website at www.iyp.org.au when you can to see updates on how the 2007 cycle of action is developing and what opportunities there may be for 2000 and 2004 Action Partners to be involved.  For enquiries about OIYP 2007-2010 contact oiyp2007@oxfam.org.au.

Any big changes?

There will again be approximately 300 Action Partners in the 2007 cycle of action.  French will no longer be a language of the OIYP network:  all Action Partners in the 2007 cycle of action will have to be able to speak either English or Spanish. 

RESOURCES

World Development Report 2007: Development and the Next Generation

Each year the World Bank releases a major research piece on a key development issue – this time the focus is on young people.

http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTDEC/EXTRESEARCH/EXTWDRS/EXTWDR2007/0,,menuPK:1489865~pagePK:64167702~piPK:64167676~theSitePK:1489834,00.html

 Youth Datasheet 2006

The Population Reference Bureau produces this datasheet which provides a portrait of the well-being of youth (10-24 year olds) across the globe.

http://www.prb.org/Template.cfm?Section=PRB&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=13707

 

Endnote

A closing thought to inspire you this month.

 We want peace – not just words – we don’t just want to speak about peace, but we want to be planting peace so that we can harvest freedom.  So this means we have to conduct our lives in ways which promote this humanity, we have to live our lives in ways which will create this humanity. 

 Ahmad Al’azzeh, Action Partner in Palestine

 The contents of this newsletter do not reflect the views of its subscribers or Oxfam Australia.