Peace Child International empowers children to take responsibility for peace, human rights and the environment through education, leadership development and direct participation in the events that shape our world community. This it does through producing publications, musicals, conferences and encouraging its affiliate youth groups to take real action throughout the world.

I. Introduction

February has been a busy month at The White House. The Stables has been host to the group from Talinn, Estonia to meet about the Alpha Omega project. Accompanying them were our partners from Turkey, who are also involved in the project but were here most importantly for the first planning meeting for the 5th World Youth Congress in Turkey 2010. We had a great time working and playing with our new partners and look forward to a great Congress and Alpha Omega project.

We were also joined one Saturday by Casper ter Kuile, the co-director of the UK Youth Climate Coalition, who gave the Peace Children a training day on 'Communicating Climate Change'. During the course of the morning he told us about this exciting film 'The Age of Stupid' and the UK Climate Change event Power Shift, which is due to take place in September.

The Age of Stupid is a 90-minute film about climate change, starring Pete Postlethwaite as a man living alone in the devastated world of 2055, looking back at archive footage from 2007 and asking: "Why didn't we stop climate change when we had the chance?"

Ecologist Magazine says: "Knocks spots off the Inconvenient Truth"

Caroline Lucas, leader of the Green Party, said: "I defy any one to come out of this and not feel that they have to make a difference."

The film will premiere in a solar-powered cinema in Leicester Square with linked screenings in many cinemas across the UK. Go see it! The Peace Child team will be there and hopes to see you too!!

For those not in the UK check the website: www.ageofstupid.net for more info.

II. Urgent- Be The Change! Deadline

The next deadline for the Be the Change! Youth-led Action Programme is coming soon! Projects can be submitted until March 31st!

However, if you want some feedback from your Desk Officer you should send your application before March 10th. Here at Peace Child we want to ensure we work with you to improve your project proposal and to support your team in the implementation of the project as much as possible.

To apply, please fill in the form and send it back to the desk officer responsible for you region:

Latin America - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Africa - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Europe - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Asia and Pacific Islands - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

You can download the forms at: www.peacechild.org/btc/startown

Please feel free to forward this opportunity to anyone who you think might be interested in submitting his or her projects!

III. Rediscover Your Heart Awards- Update

The applications for the Rediscover your Heart Awards have started coming in and it is exciting to see all the innovative projects you are coming up with. There is still time to apply so keep them coming. These awards are available to young people in the UK that have a project (or idea for a project!) that is empowering, inspiring and replicable, and which will help to improve the community and/or the lives of others.

TWENTY Rediscover Your Heart Awards of £ 1000 (British Pounds) each will be offered to the most inspiring and innovative of these projects, and will be awarded at the launch event for Fred's book, 'Rediscover Your Heart: 7 Keys for Personal and Planetary Transformation'(being published by Findhorn Press), on April 23, 2009 in central London.

Young people are especially encouraged to apply, although there is no age limit for these awards.

Fill in the application form on the website www.rediscoveryourheart.org or download the form and send it to Emma Trickey This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

IV. Last Chance to take part in the World Water Youth Forum in Istanbul!!!

Share ideas and have your voice heard! Take your part in the World Water Youth Forum!

All the way through ages, water-related problems have been one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Following a UN survey on the important issues for the 21st century water ranks second. Following this premise, it can be said that prospects for human development are endangered by an intensified global water crisis.

The 5th World Water Forum thus aims to bring more to the world than merely ideas and debate amongst water experts; it aims to bring the world to Istanbul to improve our understanding of divergent points of view and allow us to share solutions.

Taking action is manifold. Every segment of society is responsible for the effective management of water issues. Inspired by the idea that youth should be accepted as partners for development, helping to chart a united course and shaping the expectations for everyone, many students and young water professionals are vying for being representatives of water awareness. Young people that are either affiliated with NGOs or student clubs or not tied to any organization or company, have creative ideas and are ready for making a difference. Thus in order to intone a strong voice in the water issues, active participation of youth is crucial. It is crucial that YOU(TH) participate!

If you have suggestions, ideas, knowledge, products or strategies related, then don't lose the opportunity to tell the world! You are welcome to participate. Come to share the experience with a diverse worldwide community of experts and politicians.

Should you have any questions or comments regarding the upcoming WWYF, please feel free to contact us. We look forward to seeing you in Istanbul and your participation.

To find out more about registeration please visit our website: http://youth.worldwaterforum5.org

And to apply for financial support to cover accomodation, food and local transport visit:
http://paid.worldwaterforum5.org/PaidProgram.aspx

V. Trainings and guests - CASPER and YouACT

Peace Child started a new re-shaped programme for skills building and personal development for all the staff members in the Headquarters. After mapping the skills and interests of the team, we have identified a series of skills and abilities that can be developed in our team. For that, a series of capacity building and training workshops are being organised and guest trainers are joining us to share their great experience.

To kick off the new programme, we invited Casper Ter Kuille, a Climate Activist and currently co-director the UK Youth Climate Coalition. Casper came to share his great work and to train our staff in how to communicate Climate Change in a more interactive, effective and fun way! The session happened on the 7th of Feb, but the impact is already clear. Our team has been working together to re-think our educational programme and to incorporate Casper's inspiring ideas into our new recycled approach!

The next session will be happening next week, where YouAct - European Youth Network on Sexual and Reproductive Rights will be sharing their experience on advocacy and lobbying in a training part of their "Youth Advocates in Action" programme.

VI. TURKIYE - World Youth Congress 2010!

Turkish Delegation visits the White House!

The preparations for the next World Youth Congress, that will happen in Turkiye in 2010 are up to speed! Getting closer and closer to the dates of the congress our team is working hard and against the clock to make sure Turkiye will be the most exciting congress possible.

A Turkish Delegation visited the White House last month for a intensive 4 days meeting where we agreed all the bases and procedures for the congress. Apart from the great atmosphere between the two teams - and lots of new turkish dance steps, lots of great ideias and plans came out of this meeting that was the first of a series to come.

Watch out for news at the congress website www.turkiye2010.org especially for the updates about the new participant categories, draft programme and about the opening of the application process!

VII. A Celebration of Youth-led Development - Book Launch

A Celebration of Youth-Led Development is the seminal publication that came out of the 4th World Youth Congress in Quebec. The book is now available in electronic format for all delegates and contributors.

The book aims to document the World Youth Congress Series and showcases stories of youth-led development from around the world.

"Inspiration is a word that is overused in modern cultures, but if we have done our job right then these stories, told in the voices of young people about the work they are doing for a better world, should lift and inspire you.

They should offer you hope that change is possible, and it is happening.

Armed with this knowledge and inspiration, we hope that readers will be encouraged to consider the role that young people can and should play in the future of international development." Aoife O'Grady, Editor and Dana Podmolikova, Publication Manager

If you would like to receive an electronic copy then please email Emma Trickey on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with A Celebration of Youth-Led Development in the subject box.

VIII. Post Carbon Futures - We need your help!

Our team is making great progress on the upbeat "Post-Carbon Future" book, which focuses on the solutions to climate change. So now it's your turn, we are looking for contributions in the form of artwork, photos, poems, real life stories, and anything else you can think of. General themes you should focus on are the possible effects of global warming, the different technologies available to fight climate change - e.g. solar power, wind energy, hydro power, etc. - and what the youth, communities and governments can do/are doing to fight climate change.

The deadline for contributions is 31st May, but early submission is preferred. To make a submission, or request more info, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

We are also still looking for a talented Designer/ Illustrator preferably a skilled cartoonist, if possible, with knowledge of getting books delivered to printers in time in the right format. For more details see http://www.peacechild.org/news/read/?nid=14
 
IX. DfID's White Paper
 
DfID (UK Department for International Development) is having a major re-think about its work and producing a new White Paper to look 'Beyond 2015' to the post-MDG era. They have set an amazingly rapid consultation process: just 12 weeks. DfID are persuaded that the opinions of Youth and Children are crucial to the creation of their 'new narrative for development.'

They have arranged a Special Children and Youth Consultation meeting on March 20th. (Peace Child will be represented at this meeting - so do get in touch with This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and let us know what you want our representative to say!) Or - you can contribute your thoughts on this website: www.dfid/whitepaper.gov.uk.The Consultation paper will be launched hopefully before you receive this.

The overarching theme of the consultation is poverty reduction. Other main themes are:

- Dealing with Economic and financial downturn; Building back better more inclusive, lo-carbon patterns of growth to reach the bottom billion.
- Addressing Climate Change
- Reducing the fragility of fragile states and eliminating conflict
- Stepping up the Reform of International Institutions
- Looking beyond 2015

X. Dead Aid 

Dead Aid by Dambisa Moyo is a new book that has been much talked about here in the UK since it was published earlier this month. Moyo is a young, brilliant Zambian economist - who has degrees from Harvard and Oxford Universities and has worked at the World Bank and Goldman Sachs. Her thesis is that traditional Aid does not only not work, rather it exacerbates the disease of poverty it was designed to cure. In the first part of her book, she explains why aid promotes corruption, laziness and bad governance - how it stifles economic growth and encourages recession. The second part outlines a different approach that relies on trade and investment - the path that China is taking in Africa. It is a great read - and it promotes a lot of the values that we have been pushing in relation to youth-led development. And it finally gives a straight answer to the oft-asked question: "Does Foreign Aid really work?" Her answer is a resounding NO!!

XI. News from our network: Peace Child India 

Alex Ingram has been keeping a blog about his time as an intern in Bangalore since his arrival there in January, here is an excert:

"I was unsure what to expect at the Boys Home, I've been unsure what to expect of anything new on this trip. On my first morning the interns said that we were going to do some active games and exercises with the boys as they don't have much of an opportunity to do that. After about 15/20 mins of running around the room playing various games I had temporarily run out of ideas and had about 15 boys (lots had run into the courtyard) and 4 interns standing and looking at me. I was obviously out of things to do, I managed to divert the situation (me looking like a lemon with 20 people staring at me) by teaching them the cha-cha slide and Macarena.

The next day at the home was even less organised, however the other interns and Veena (who runs the boys home projects) seemed happy that just playing with the boys and giving them some positive attention is enough, and I think I agree. In the afternoon I played football with the boys for a good hour and a half in the heat. I think that must be one of the few times in my life that I've played football without a P.E. teacher shouting in my ear. In fact, I was pretty good....although I was playing against kids as young 6 or 7. The time flew by and I really enjoyed it, its great how football transcends language and age, you can just play together.

I should explain a little more about the boys home. There are long term boys and short term boys. The long term boys go to school during the day and we don't work with them, it's the short term ones we deal with. The boys are there for a variety of reasons, I think mostly because they are found on the street or have been sent to work at too young an age. People in Bangalore can call a number and report children and they will be picked up and taken here. If a parent/guardian wants to bring their child home they have to go through a court and social workers are involved at all stages making sure that the child is going to a steady and safe home. I have heard talk of some unfair rulings but have to be optimistic and have faith that the rulings were with the best intentions of the child in mind. Some of the boys may have just been in the wrong place at the wrong time and ended up being picked up. ..for more of Alex's adventures you can read his Blog.
 
XII. Opportunities

The Age of Stupid

Is the new four-year epic from McLibel director Franny Armstrong. Oscar-nominated Pete Postlethwaite stars as a man living alone in the devastated world of 2055, looking at old footage from 2008 and asking: "Why didn't we stop climate change when we had the chance?"

Roll out the green carpet... welcome to THE PEOPLE'S PREMIERE. Your average run-of-the-mill movie premiere is a glitzy, exclusive, affair - only the stars are allowed in.

But The Age of Stupid is not your average run-of-the-mill film. It was financed by hundreds of different groups and individuals using a cunning crowd-funding model, and in many ways, we all star in it: we're the self-destructive anti-heroes who are emitting all the greenhouse gases.

So the world's first INclusive launch - entirely eco -friendly -the People's Premiere will take place in London on the 15th March 2009. There will also be simultaneous launches at 64 different cinemas across the UK. For everyone outside the UK have a look at their website www.ageofstupid.net.

Nonviolence: A (Practical) Tool for Change

3rd - 5th July 2009 - UK

Nonviolence is a concept activists often talk and think about when working for peace, but what does nonviolence mean in practical terms and how can it be applied to our campaigning and lives?

This residential weekend event is for 18 to 30 (ish) year olds who are interested, active and/ or engaged in peace and conflict issues and who want to explore nonviolence and its uses. It offers the opportunity for those new to the subject, or old-time campaigners, to learn new skills, practice applying them, and discuss nonviolence as a tool for social change. With expert speakers and skills training, the event provides an opportunity to join a community of like-minded individuals from across the UK.

The training weekend is being held at the Guy Chester Centre, North London and is subsidised to allow as many people to attend as possible. A limited number of travel bursaries and subsidised places are available. Places are £45 (British Pounds) if booked before 1st June 2009 (£55 (British Pounds) after). The weekend is run by Fellowship of Reconciliation, England (www.for.org.uk).

For more details and up to date information on speakers, please contact Martha Beale by email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ), telephone (01865 250 781) or visit the FoR website at www.for.org.uk/tw2009.

Friends of the Earth International: Photography Competition

Friends of the Earth International is calling on all amateur photographers to enter its fourth annual photo competition. The theme is "Biodiversity Lost, Biodiversity Preserved" and the best shots will be featured I materials which will be launched in conjunction with the 2010 UN International Year of Biodiversity. Fancy your chances?

The categories for entries are:

- Biodiversity lost, for example: logging; mining; large-scale fishing; climate change; desertification; plantations (including agrofuels, large-scale agriculture and GM crops); commercialization of biodiversity and biopiracy; urban and rural development and transport projects; etc.

-Biodiversity preserved For example: native species and ecosystems; small-scale, local, organic agriculture; community and indigenous forest and biodiversity management; cultural identity; seed-saving; green spaces like parks and gardens; etc.

The competition is open to everyone, and they particularly encourage young people, women, and people living in the developing world to enter.

The deadline for entries is 1 April 2009, but are receiving photos as soon as possible!

Find out more: http://www.foei.org/en/get-involved/photo

Invent Your World

Invent Your World is an international campaign sponsored by the Lemelson Foundation and Ashoka GenV to support young inventors in creating social change. Youth wishing to use new or adapted technology to address global challenges are encouraged to launch a "social venture" and implement their invention. Ashoka GenV will provide mentorship and seed funding to 50 new ventures. In addition, Lemelson and Ashoka will choose the best teams and offer additional support, including a visit to MIT to take part in a global roundtable discussion and $20,000 in scholarships.

Visit www.inventyourworld.org to learn more and enter an invention idea before March 15th 2009!

VIII. Contact Us!

Peace Child International Headquarters

The White House
46 High Street
Buntingford, Herts
SG9 9AH, UK

Telephone: +44 (0) 1763 274459
Fax: +44 (0) 1763 274460
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
 
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