STORy OF THE MONTH 

NEWS FROM THE SELECTION PANELS

Lamin Camara, an Action Partner from the Gambia tells about his participation in the selection process

The selection process of OIYP 2007 has comprehensively involved existing Action Partners from previous cycles of action through the regional panels. This new role is an occasion for them to carry on with their learning process that started a few years ago, but also to share the experience they already have already gained and pass it on to the next generation.

 OIYP 2007 took a unique turn around, as action partners from 2000 and 2004 were involved in the process of selecting applicants for the 2007 Kaleidoscope.

 Having been an action partner, I was really excited and felt privileged for being selected as a member of the Regional selection Panel for the Africa Region. The panel comprised of six individuals with diverse backgrounds and experience. Two of us, Chukwumuanya from Nigeria and my humble self from the Gambia are action partners from 2004 and 2000, respectively.

 The task of selecting the next generation of action partners was not an easy one as we all had to review applications of high quality from young people of varying experience with a great desire to contribute towards making the world a better place for all.

 For me, likewise I guess for all my colleagues, it was a unique learning opportunity and experience sharing. There was so much wealth and enthusiasm in all the applications and having to work with various professionals was an opportunity not to be missed.

 After having listened to my colleagues during the regional Selection Panel phone meeting held on March 16, 2007, I can safely say that the future is bright not only for OIYP but for a world craving for peace, tolerance, justice and peaceful co-existence. OIYP Kaleidoscope 2007 will undoubtedly bring together the cream of young people not only from the Africa Region, but the world over. Together with their sisters and brothers from 2000 and 2004, they will form a formidable force for change.

 I want to thank the OIYP Secretariat for giving me this opportunity of a lifetime. I cherished the beautiful moments, the learning and sharing and the experiences gained from all my colleagues during the process. Due to human frailties, we might not have recommended the best but I hope that with the help of the instruction manual prepared by OIYP and our sound and independent judgement, we have done our best to identify the most appropriate partners for the 2007-2010 cycle.

 “It takes only a few thoughtful, committed citizens to change the world…” With a strong believe in the words of Margaret Mead, I want to conclude by reminding us all that change might be a marathon and not a sprint. Let us believe.

 Lamin Camara

The Gambia

OIYP Action Partner 2000

 

POSTCARD FROM THE PACIFIC REGIONAL PANEL

Georgia Noy– Pacific Program Co-ordinator

 Georgia Noytook part in the Pacific regional panel, held in Vanuatu. She explains how they carefully identified applicants who are emerging agents of positive change by involving former OIYP participants whose insight and ownership of the selection process allowed a more thorough choice. She explains how the selection team also benefited a lot from their energy and professionalism.

Greetings,

 I have just returned from Vanuatu where I met with young people from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu involved in Oxfam International’s Youth Partnerships program (OIYP). This program brings together young leaders from around the world to share their ideas, energies and aspirations for bringing about positive change in their own communities.

 In most Pacific countries high fertility rates mean that young people make up a large proportion of the population. In Vanuatu for example, almost 70 per cent of the population is under 25. As a result, young people are facing ever more difficult problems. For instance, a lack of employment opportunities in the Pacific region means there are increasing numbers of long-term unemployed young people, with associated problems such as drug use, transactional sex, crime and civil unrest.

 The OIYP program aims to harness the energies of young people to solve problems like this, by supporting them to implement their ideas and exert social influence and political pressure. This year Oxfam Australia involved former participants from the OIYP program in selecting our action partners for 2007. Their insight and ownership of the selection process meant that it was more thorough and relevant to young Pacific people – and that it was also fun and full of energy!

 In fact, one of the highlights of my visit was witnessing the professionalism and energy of the young leaders from the OIYP program.  It is clear that they are all committed to their pacific ‘brothers and sisters’ and to providing them with opportunities to allow them to become positive change agents as well. To be surrounded by these confident and dynamic individuals, with big smiles and raucous laughter, is a refreshing reminder that young people are vital part of the fight to end poverty, and ensuring that our work is relevant and appropriate to their rights and their lives.

GeorgiaNoy

Pacific Program Coordinator 

APRIL FEATUREs

DIVERSITY IS THE KEY: AN OVERVIEW OF THE ACTION PARTNERS

 By Hanna Brechignac OIYP Intern

 The new Action Partners have been selected and this new generation is characterized by a wide variety of participants. Their areas of interest are diverse, and so is their background, their age, their education, etc. But they all share one thing: the common feeling that they can make a tomorrow better world.

 

The International Youth Partnership programme 2007-2010 has been launched after a period of selection of the new Action Partners. The final decision was taken by regional panels, composed of people who know about the region and the issues the applicants are confronted to. Consequently, it is believed that the selection has allowed to choose the strongest profiles. An effort has also been made in the composition of the final group of Action Partners to achieve the widest range of countries of origin, education levels, interests and actions and to manage gender parity.

 To have a better idea of who has been selected, the first thing to point out is that as of now, 300 applicants have been selected. An interesting figure to present is the indigenous participation: 115 participants consider themselves as part of that category. Regionally speaking, the highest number of Action Partners can be found in Africa: 65, Asia has provided 59 of them, the Pacific 54, Latin America 45, Northern countries (Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand) 35 and the Middle East 34.

 But to draw a more precise picture of these new Action Partners, the issue of their interests and past and present actions has to be raised. As underlined earlier, their areas of interest are very different and detailing them all would be too long. However, some themes are shared amongst them all and give a good overview of their concerns. Education and skills improvement is the first theme that can be pointed out as a major issue for these young people. Then, access to essential services such as water, electricity and sanitation is an important concern to many of them and their communities. Economic justice and health promotion (including HIV/AIDS prevention) represent other focuses among the Action Partners. Some others are working to address different problems such as reducing the gender gap, improving the life of indigenous people, and everyday life in rural communities, giving a voice to minorities (be they ethnic or based on sexual preference) and addressing sexual exploitation, immigration problems, discrimination and racism. Other participants try to promote human rights, workers’ rights and environmental issues such as sustainable energies. And a final common theme would be peace building and help in conflict-affected areas.

 The areas of interest are very different and interestingly are all related to major issues that the global community is currently facing and trying to address. It is believed that the OIYP Action Partners will play a significant role in this process.