Youth Portal for the Latin America and the Caribbean - WAY - YOUTH BULLETIN

NIGERIA : Youth leaders want N-Delta Governors, Lawmakers' Cooperation

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO : Youth invited to Business Persons Forum ; Youth Council renews calls for new election

GHANA : Youth called for pragmatic programmes

SINGAPORE : Young Business Leaders 'It Starts Today'

BOTSWANA : BNYC introduces new initiative for youths

NAMIBIA : Usakos youth venture flourishes

DOMINICA : Condom controversy

USA : First Children International Teen to speak out at the United Nations ; National Youth Council awards five student "Led Service-Learning Projects"

GREECE : Athens Youth Council celebrates 60 years

FIJI : Pacific youth select new president

UNITED KINGDOM : Scheme will see young people shadowing

TAIWAN : 90% of loans to young business owners may be guaranteed

JAMAICA : Marcus Garvey Youth Information Centre to open in St Ann

PAKISTAN : Ministry plans to target more youth from rural areas

SERBIA : Young people are the pillars of a modern, EU-oriented Serbia

GUYANA : CARICOM youth plant trees in solidarity with Haiti

MOROCCO : Morocco offers summer holiday camps for poor children

KENYA : Youth Initiative has reduced crime

MALTA : Draft of National Youth Policy update out next week

CAYMAN ISLANDS : Youth career camp sizzles

VIETNAM : New program to tap youthful zeal for nation-building

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NIGERIA

Youth leaders want N-Delta Governors, Lawmakers' Cooperation

Warri, July 27 - YOUTH leaders in the Niger-Delta have called on the governors of the region to initiate a process of interface among themselves and with lawmakers from the area to form a synergy that will properly articulate the demands of the people of the region.

They made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of a consultative meeting in Asaba, where they resolved to adopt the Niger-Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum as a strategic platform for Niger-Delta agitation.

Youth leaders who attended the meeting were the president of Ijaw Youth Council, Dr. Chris Ekiyor, president of Urhobo Youth Council, Mr. Godwin Okporoko, president of Itsekiri National Youth Council, Mr. David Tonwe, president of Isoko National Youth Movement, Mr. Zino Onaemor, president of Benin National Congress, Mr. Aiyamekhue Edokpolo, and president of Ibibio Youth Forum, Mr. Imoh Okoko.
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The forum observed that the use of military force in the region has remained counter-productive, as was evident in the response by militants in the recent Cordon and Search operation by the Joint Task Force on the Niger-Delta and urged the Federal Government to order a demilitarization of the area. It, nevertheless, welcomed the declaration of ceasefire by both the militants and the JTF and joined those calling for a return to true federalism in the country.

The youth leaders also frowned on the decision of the federal government to downgrade the Petroleum Training Institute in Effurun, near Warri, Delta state, while the Kaduna Petroleum College was upgraded.

[AllAfrica]

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TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Youth invited to Business Persons Forum

Port of Spain, July 7 - THERE'S still time for young persons interested in learning about the world of business and entrepreneurship to join the Business Persons Forum on Wednesday, July 8, 2009, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm at the SWMCOL Conference Centre, Manic Street, Saith Park, Chaguanas.

The Business Persons Forum is one of the activities during National Youth Month 2009 and focuses on the Dream of Business – allowing youth to draw on the wisdom and experience of business leaders such as Arthur Lok Jack, Fitzgerald Hinds and Gregory Aboud.

The youth participants will also interact in smaller workshop groups with representatives of the National Training Agency (NTA), the Natonal Entrepreneurship Development Company (NEDCO) and Scotiabank.

The Honourable Gary Hunt, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs will deliver the feature address at the Business Persons Forum which aims to generate increased private sector involvement in youth development at the community level.

Mrs. Margaret Farray, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs will bring greetings and Mr. Ian Haywood, the newly-elected President of the National Youth Council of Trinidad and Tobago (NYCTT) will convey the Vote of Thanks.

[MSYA]

Youth Council renews calls for new election

Port of Spain, July 15 - EXECUTIVE secretary of the Trinidad Youth Council (TYC) has renewed calls for fresh elections for a new executive of the National Youth Council (4YC).

Ravi Lutchman, of the TYC, said on Monday, the council wanted the June 29 elections declared null and void by the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, and for a new elections to be held.

Lutchman expressed concern that the TYC was taken out of the constitution of the NYC, without the consent of the group’s executives.

“This means that the TYC will not be able to take part in any of the NYCTT election and voting processes in the future,” said Lutchman.

Lutchman said the TYC was one of the organisations which pushed for the establishment of the NYC, since 1998.

“To remove us from the constitution is totally disrespectful. You can’t remove the TYC out of the NYC without consulting us,” said Lutchman.

He said the TYC will continue to call for a re-election of the NYC’s executive.

The ministry has since defended the June 29 elections and refuted statements by the TYC that it was not allowed to take part in the electoral process. The ministry said the TYC was just one of several entities involved in the formation of the NYC as the umbrella organisation for youth groups and was given an opportunity to be a part of the process, but could not always agree with some of the decisions taken at discussions.

In its statement, the ministry accused the TYC of not being able to accept some of the decisions taken “and has since become vocal critics of the process because the organisation (Trinidad Youth Council) was not allowed to have more than one seat around the table of the General Council of the NYC. This of course was the case of all organisations involved in the process regardless of its size.”

[Trinidad News]

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GHANA

Youth called for pragmatic programmes

Sekondi, July 21 - THE youth in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis have appealed to the government to develop a comprehensive mechanism to engage them at all levels of decision making.

The youth said since they constitute about 50 per cent of the population their skills and expertise must be tapped for the economic, political, social and infrastructure development of the nation.

These were contained in a communiqué issued by youth groups under the National Youth Council (NYC) at Sekondi over the weekend.

“Failing to harness the potentials of the youth as a positive resource can cost the nation and therefore, there is the need to invest in their total development for the benefit of society” they said.

According to the youth, their involvement today could ensure advancements for generations to come and to achieve this there was the need to synchronize the education curricula to meet the needs of the job market.

This could be done by promoting technical and vocational training for the teeming youth many of whom are presently unemployed.

They suggested that government should increase the number of training centres which provide skills development, livelihood training and enterprise programmes, particularly in rural areas to empower young people economically and bridge the rural/urban divide.

The youth urged the media to ensure positive media reportage on youth initiatives to challenge current stereotypes and value the contribution of young people in developing a fair, just and progressive nation.

The youth noted that positive peer influence could be adopted and used to improve the lot of their colleagues who are presently engaged in crime, violence, substance abuse and Internet fraud.

[GNA]

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SINGAPORE

Young Business Leaders 'It Starts Today'

Singapore, July 17 - SINGAPORE'S Young Business Leaders, an initiative under the National Youth Council, has launched a national campaign to offer support and to motivate local citizens during the recession.

The ‘It Starts Today’ campaign is a project encouraging Singaporeans to think positively and to unite together during bad times. The microsite targets entrepreneurs and corporate leaders to share their thoughts and support for businesses and individuals with tips and resources. Visitors would gain access to case studies, help packages and postings on job vacancies through the site.

A ‘Beat the Recession’ music video, featuring local celebrities, was also produced which showcases the day-to-day lives of four Singaporeans overcoming the recession positively. This is a pro-bono initiative by Shooting Gallery, Yellow Box, TNBT and Fly Entertainment.

“No matter how bad things may appear, being positive will help us open our eyes to windows of opportunities. What is most important is the fact that many Singaporeans are willing to come together and play their part to help the community. This was done with sincerity from the heart, not the pocket,” said Sebastian Tan, group managing director of Shooting Gallery.

The music video will run through outdoor media across Singapore and other online media channels such as YouTube, Facebook and Yahoo.

[Digital Media]

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BOTSWANA

BNYC introduces new initiative for youths

Gaborone, July 7 - THE latest project to emerge from various bids to empower Batswana youth is a scheme from the Botswana National Youth Council called the Youth Employment Project (YEP).

The BYNC enlists its newcomer initiative under its Youth Employment & Economic Advise Scheme.

The project, which is expected to excel after addressing areas where most youth programs have failed, is said to be fully supported by the Youth Development Network (YDN), a reputable South African-based Non-governmental Organization.

YDN is a national network of six youth development organizations operating in southern Africa.

It is said to be established as a way of exploring paths of increasing the impact of youth development programmes, sharing information and best practices amongst the member organizations.

It also secures resources to support youth development programmes and advocating for the interests of young people.

YDN is the backbone of organizations such as Junior Achievement South-Africa (JAS), Joint enrichment Project (JEP), Resource Action Group (RAG), amongst others.

The network aims to empower the youth in member countries within the Southern African Development Committee (SADC).

Botswana had just joined the network last year, and had attended the conference that was held in South Africa where a number of resolutions towards youth development were drawn.

The BNYC plans to reveal some of these resolutions to the youth starting next week Tuesday.

In Neo Morobe’s words, the YDN is currently very much involved in the newly established project. At the moment, the network is supporting them with bright ideas for the way forward while they are trying to find their ground.

Morobe is the Resource Mobilization Officer (RMO) of the BNYC.

“The arrangement is that, for now, they support us in terms of formulating ideas, when later on we have enough material knowledge to come up with a project, they have vouched to sponsor our efforts financially,” said Morobe.

Morobe revealed that a meeting for stakeholders will be held Monday next week to inform them of the resolutions that were drawn from the conference.

Stakeholders involved in youth development initiatives include all the local youth departments in different ministries, all the United Nations (UN) bodies, SADC, as well as BOCCIM.

Following that, a consultative meeting is to be held with interested youths the next day at the Gaborone Hotel.

“We feel quite strongly about this project because although the government has been trying hard to improve issues of youth unemployment, we feel that as a country we are still lagging behind in other areas concerning the youth, that is mainly why we are also big on partnerships with other countries,” said Morobe.

[Sunday Standard]

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NAMIBIA

Usakos youth venture flourishes

Windhoek, July 27 - WITHIN the otherwise sleepy town of Usakos are young people with a fertile mind and the desire to work the paths that otherwise appear insurmountable.

Instead of subjecting themselves to alcohol abuse and other social evils, the youth of Usakos have turned to entrepreneurship, with the assistance of the National Youth Council office and the Ministry of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture.

They have a brick-making project, where about 10 volunteers churn out around 2 500 bricks of different formations a day. The bricks are sold mainly to the build together programme members.

The project started in 2007 but only gained momentum recently. It won this year’s National Youth Expo award, netting N$20 000 in prize money from the Development Bank of Namibia.

“The Usakos Youth Brick-Making Project brought together different players to contribute to the sustainability of the project. This project is practical and useful to Usakos and surrounding communities,” says David Nuyoma, the Chief Executive Officer of DBN.

In Usakos, as in many other small towns, the culmination of all youthful years hits a snag at the completion of high school and for those a little unlucky, this happens when they fail Grade 10.

However, the youth of Usakos are not giving in to despair. According to Cereline Cloete, the acting head of the youth centre in Usakos, the centre receives about 20 youths everyday. The youth centre is stocked with books on various subjects, computers and has Internet connection.

The youth centre, together with the Ministry of Youth, the NYC, and the town council, also organises various subject courses on regular basis. On Friday, it held a course on entrepreneurship that attracted a sizeable number of youths and interested people from and around Usakos.

During the course participants acquire knowledge such as how to compile business plans for their businesses.

Coordinator of Usakos Brick Making Project, Akser Mwafangeyo, says the start was not an easy one. To start production the project received a handful of bags of cement from cement maker AfriSam but there were no buyers.

“It was a struggle at the beginning. Volunteers received no allowance at first,” says Mwafangeyo, adding that the challenge was to motivate young people to continue with the project.

Now the volunteers receive an allowance and buyers are queuing up for the bricks. Mwafangeyo says at times buyers want to take delivery of the bricks [before] they are ready, putting extreme pressure on the volunteers to speed up their production.

The project impressed Nuyoma, who encouraged the Usakos community to rally behind it.

“By supporting them you encourage and inspire them as well as keep money circulating locally and reduce unemployment,” says Nuyoma.

The town council and the ministry of youth, together with the NYC, plan to introduce other income-generating projects in the town such as mushroom cultivation and aquaculture.

[New Era]

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DOMINICA

Condom controversy

Roseau, July 14 - FORMER President of the National Youth Council (NYC) Kelver Darroux is supporting calls to introduce condoms at secondary schools in Dominica.

Darroux, who is an active member of the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) in St. Joseph, said the introduction of condoms in secondary schools and college could go a long way in reducing the incidents of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) on the island.

Darroux told Dominica News Online (DNO) that while handing out condoms at secondary schools and colleges may not be imminent, policy makers should take it into consideration.

“We have to understand that it is not something that will happen soon but all stakeholders must come together and decide whether it would be in the best interest of students and how will schools respond to that. The position of parents would also need to be taken into consideration. At the end of the day people are entitled to their opinion but such a decision has to be done in the best interest of everyone," he said.

Darroux said the introduction of condoms at secondary and college levels should not be seen as a green light to have sex.

“Abstinence is still the best way to go but as we are aware our young persons are involved in sexual activities and they are exposed to STDs hence we have to take steps. I don’t like the idea that people say that distributing condoms will make it easier for young people to have sex. They are gonna have sex anyway. A man can purchase a gun, get a licence but don’t shoot anyone."

He said many times we tend to blame school systems and the government for the problems plaguing society but most problems stem from the home.

“Parents have the obligation to ensure that they do not hide anything for their children. If they try to hide thing away from their children, there are a number of other areas that they could learn that same thing, most times in the most outlandish ways," he said

“Instead of wasting times of trivial issues, stakeholders, policymakers, government, civil society must come together because the reality of the situation is that our youth get involved in sexual activities at very tender ages,” he said.

The former news anchor told DNO that he also has issues with the age of consent in Dominica.

“Why would the age of consent be at 16 when you cannot vote at 16, you cannot attain a drivers licence at 16, you cannot get married at 16, yet you are allowed to have legal sex at 16?” he said.

[Dominica News Online]

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USA

First Children International Teen to speak out at the United Nations

New York, July 28 - FROM poverty to the podium at the United Nations the road to the U.N. has been a long one for Children International Youth Program representative Karen Galindo, 18, from Honduras.

Despite growing up in dire poverty, Karen's leadership skills have landed her a slot as a speaker at the opening plenary session at the 6th annual Youth Assembly.

Karen, a college freshman, is using her voice to show support for other vulnerable children living in poverty's shadows. She lives in a slum with her parents and three siblings. Her father, Miguel, earns $211 a month as a day laborer to support the family. Karen, a hopeful future school teacher, would like to use her speaking opportunity to teach her peers to overcome life's hurdles.

"Children International' s Youth Program is of great benefit, because through this program I have realized my potential. I have discovered the capacity I have to accomplish all my goals and dreams," said Karen.

In her presentation, Karen will represent Latin America as she details her own work supporting the theme "Be the Change: Making a Difference around the World." She will share how she helped to identify the needs of poor adolescents living in her community near the city of San Pedro Sula, and how she helped manage a $20,000 grant called the Youth Empowerment Fund that addresses those issues. Karen implemented job skills training courses which will prepare teens to support themselves as well as recruiting more teens to become members of her local Youth Council.

Ten other Children International teen leaders from Latin America, India, the Philippines, Zambia and the United States, ages 12-19, will join Karen to conduct workshops at the 6th annual Youth Assembly being held August 5-7, 2009. They will join over 700 other teens from around the world to listen to U.N. officials discuss their support for the U.N.'s goals to fight poverty. The theme of the assembly is Committing Youth Leadership to the Millennium Development Goals.

Some topics the teens will present include a school-based recycling and reforestation project, a global peer-to-peer health education program that educates and empowers young people to adopt healthy behaviors, and a program teaching leadership and civic participation. As the Vice-President of her Youth Council, Karen works with her fellow officers on community projects.

Jim Cook, Children International President and CEO said, "I am very proud of Karen. She continues to overcome the hurdles that keep many of her peers trapped in poverty. She has worked very hard, and as a result has a bright future."

To learn more about the sponsored teens attending the 6th Annual Youth Assembly, visit International Youth Day 2009. To learn more about Children International' s Youth Program, visit the 2009 Youth Report Card.

[Parenting Teens]

National Youth Council awards five student "Led Service-Learning Projects"

Washington, July 29 - FIVE students will each receive $2,000 from Youth Service America’s (YSA) Dollars for Change grant. Funded by State Farm Companies Foundation, YSA’s National Youth Council created the grant guidelines, reviewed grant applications, and made funding recommendations to YSA.

Dollars for Change applicants were asked to work with a service-learning coordinator or educator to plan and implement a semester-long service-learning project that will create a significant impact on the community and include the participation of at least 100 youth volunteers, ranging in ages 5-25.

The grant recipients will also be eligible for YSA’s prestigious Harris Wofford Youth Award. Named after the former U.S. senator who was instrumental in the creation of the Peace Corps, Wofford believed in “making service and service-learning the common expectation and common experience of every young person in America.”

Service-learning connects meaningful service to curriculum and provides students with an opportunity to apply in-school learning with community needs.

The 2009 Dollars for Change grant recipients include:

Jaclyn Mickelson, Age 17: 100 students in Dubuque, Iowa will partner with the Dubuque Rescue Mission and the Dubuque Food Pantry to deliver food. The young people will study issues around poverty in their classroom while seeing firsthand how it affects individuals in their own community. The project will culminate in a Feed the Need silent auction geared toward increasing public awareness around hunger and homelessness and raising funds for organizations addressing these issues.

Hailee Gibbons, Age 23: Through an after-school partnership between Miami University and Talawanda High School, 100 college students and 100 high school students in Oxford, OH will work together to design a literacy fair for students at local elementary schools. Taking place in November, the fair will not only promote reading to younger children but will also offer high school students an opportunity to serve their community and gain leadership skills.

Diana Flores, Age 16: The Alvin School District in Alvin, Texas will develop a tobacco prevention program in their school. In an effort to learn about current smoking habits in their school population, the students will develop and administer a survey for their peers. The resulting data will be used to create a public awareness campaign around tobacco prevention and cessation, and the survey will give the 120 student volunteers an opportunity to study the health risks associated with smoking and secondary exposure.

Taylor County 4-H: 175 youth volunteers in Medford, Wisconsin will work with the Land Conservation Department to learn about and research water conservation. Using GPS units and other technology, the students will study the water quality and surrounding environment, upload their findings to the department’s website, and share their research with public officials.

Sophie Galant, Age 17: Over 100 youth in Dallas, Texas will implement a literacy campaign to help younger children improve and increase their appreciation for reading. Older students will work with fourth graders to develop stories through writing and visual art. The resulting stories will be turned into a book and made available to the local community.

Youth Service America (YSA) improves communities by increasing the number and the diversity of young people, ages 5-25, serving in substantive roles. Founded in 1986, YSA supports a global culture of engaged children and youth committed to a lifetime of service, learning, leadership, and achievement. The impact of YSA’s work through service and service-learning is measured in student achievement, workplace readiness, and healthy communities. For more information, visit www.YSA.org.

[Happy News]

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GREECE

Athens Youth Council celebrates 60 years

Athens, July 27 - ATHENS Area Youth Council is celebrating 60 years of service to their community. They have chartered Boy Scout Troop 346 and have supported them for many years.

This year as part of their celebration, they had a float in the Athens Summer Homecoming Parade and requested as many Eagle Scouts as possible be present. To date, we proudly have 30 boys whom have become Eagle Scouts through their support!!!! We were able to have 12 of those young men return home to participate in this special event.

[Battle Creek Enquirer]

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FIJI

Pacific youth select new president

Suva, July 28 - TO promote active citizenship among young people is one of the aims of the Pacific Youth Council.

The council's general assembly was held at the Capricorn Apartment in Suva on Friday, with the election of the council's new board.

Replacing outgoing president Jackie Koroi is Tong-an Alaipuke Esau who vowed to strengthen the movement.

Mr Esau said the new board would also strengthen it's secretariat as the functions of the national youth councils in the Pacific.

"We have a work plan for the next three years. We will get donors to help us promote youth work in the region.

"One of our goals is to support active and potential young leaders."

The Pacific Youth Fest-ival was held in Fiji two weeks ago, where 300 youths converged at the University of the South Pacific to discuss issues affecting them.

[Fiji Times]

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UNITED KINGDOM

Scheme will see young people shadowing

London, July 16 - LOCAL councils are being invited to take part in a scheme designed to help young people learn more about what they need to know to play a part in the democratic process. The Youth of Today Local Council Shadowing programme, is to be launched in the autumn.

Councils are being invited by the British Youth Council to take part in the initiative aimed at 13 to 19 year olds who are under represented or disadvantaged. It will give them the chance to shadow their local representatives. The aim is to give the young people taking part knowledge and skills and to facilitate their involvement in the democratic process. They will also have the opportunity to tell councillors about the issues facing young people.

The Youth of Today is a consortium working together to increase the quality and range of opportunities for young people to be leaders of change in their communities. It is funded by the Department of Children, Schools and Families and the Department for Communities and Local Government. The shadowing scheme is one of a number of programmes it will launch over the next two years.

The British Youth Council said the shadowing scheme would provide the young participants with ‘a unique opportunity for young people to engage with councillors face to face and challenge some of the negative media stereotypes, which they constantly meet.’ The Council has put in place an assessment system to help councils that have expressed an interest in taking part. It covers a range of factors which it believes may grow and change as the scheme takes off.

[Public Net]

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TAIWAN

90% of loans to young business owners may be guaranteed

Taipei, July 12 - IN a bid to stimulate the lending willingness of domestic banks, unsecured loans extended by banks to young applicants to finance their business start-ups will have up to 90 percent of the credit guaranteed if the applicants are recommended by the Cabinet-level National Youth Commission (NYC), according to the Council for Economic Planning and Development (CEPD).

Affected by the global financial tsunami, banks have become conservative in their lending operations. In order to boost their lending willingness and reduce the ratio of bad loans, the government will have 90 percent of the unsecured loans for financing business start-ups by young applicants guaranteed by the Small and Medium Enterprises Credit Guarantee Fund, as long as the applications are screened and recommended by the NYC.

The higher credit guarantee measure will be enforced for one year on a trial basis, spanning from June 1, 2009 to May 30, 2010, CEPD officials said.

CEPD statistics showed that as of the end of May, a total of 31,135 applications for business start-up loans had been approved, helping to create as many as 149,000 job opportunities.

CEPD officials said that those who are aged between 20 and 45, boast working experience and meet relevant criteria can apply for low-interest loans to help set up their own business operations. The maximum amount of each such loan is set at NT$1 million, with the annual interest rate of 2.025 percent.

Applicants can file applications with the NYC, the CEPD, and such government-linked banks as Bank of Taiwan, Taiwan Business Bank and Taiwan Cooperative Bank.

[China Post]

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JAMAICA

Marcus Garvey Youth Information Centre to open in St Ann

St Ann, July 10 - JAMAICA'S National Centre for Youth Development (NCYD) and UNICEF are to set up a Marcus Garvey Information Centre at the site that once housed a skills training centre named after the national hero.

On Wednesday, the NCYD and the St Ann Parish Council signed a lease agreement for the establishment of the centre, which is expected to be opened in November. The property is owned by the parish council.

When opened, the centre will become the sixth to be opened as a result of the collaboration between the NCYD, which falls under the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, and UNICEF.

Wednesday, the ministry's parliamentary secretary, Senator Warren Newby, disclosed that there are plans to open a second centre in the parish, in Brown's Town. He also emphasised that it was of utmost importance that similar facilities be established across the country "so that youths can express themselves without fear".

"This partnership, I hope, will lead not only to the creation of the centre at the Marcus Garvey site, but three additional ones, because it is our intention to ensure that every major town in the parish is served by a youth information centre .already we are committed to opening the second such facility at Addison Park," Newby said.

Director of youth policy and programme development at the NCYD, Roberta Ellis, said the Marcus Garvey Youth Information Centre is being established at a critical time when young people need hope.

"It is absolutely critical, essential, that in this time a move like this is taken .our young people at this time need hope, and I believe the establishment of a youth information centre in St Ann will give that kind of hope," Ellis said, adding that the NCYD will soon begin to put the necessary facilities in place.

The centre is expected to have, among other things, a cyber centre with over 14 computers, rap room where young people can share ideas, an area for physically-challeng ed youths and a Garvey memorial area, which will provide information on Garvey's life and work.

The Marcus Garvey Skills Training Centre was opened approximately three years ago, to provide hospitality training for young people across the parish. The centre, however, had not been fully functional.

[Jamaica Observer]

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PAKISTAN

Ministry plans to target more youth from rural areas

Islamabad, July 7 - THE Ministry of Youth Affairs (MoYA) plans to take concrete measures to target more and more youth from rural areas in the second phase of National Internship Programme (NIP) that will cater to the needs of 30,000 unemployed youth in 2009-10.

Talking to ‘The News’ on Monday, Federal Minister for Youth Affairs Shahid Hussain Bhutto said that in the past, majority of placements were given to urban youth under the programme. He said that lack of awareness and age limit were two basic reasons that kept rural youth from applying for NIP.

Keeping these two factors in mind, the minister said that the ministry plans to launch an awareness campaign in rural areas soon after kicking off the second phase. “The proposal to increase the age limit from 25 to 27 would also be discussed in the Cabinet soon,” he added.

The youth minister said that age for completing 16 years of education was different for rural and urban areas. “In rural areas, there is a gap of four to six months between shifting from primary to secondary school,’ he said adding that sometimes rural youth have a whole year wasted in the process of acquiring admission in colleges. “Therefore, increase in age limit was vital to adjust them.”

NIP is the biggest project on the portfolio of MoYA for which the government has allocated Rs3.6 billion for the fiscal year 2009-10. Launched in year 2007, the Establishment Division previously handled the project but like many other useful projects, NIP failed to enter its second phase due to bureaucratic hurdles.

On the request, Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani shifted the project to the ministry in January this year. “Despite limited capacity of the ministry, we managed to restart the project immediately and succeeded in awarding internships to 22,000 applicants in the year 2008.”

Shahid Bhutto said that the basic idea of providing internship to youth was initiated by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto through an act in the year 1972. “At that time, the private sector was asked to adjust unemployed youth as 10 per cent of their total strength,” he said. “Unfortunately, the act was repealed in 1981.”

To enhance employment opportunities for youth, the minister said that the ministry was also considering involving private sector this year again. “The idea is in initial stages and no decision has been taken yet in this regard,” he clarified and pointed out that if initiated, the involvement of private sector would be at a small level for this year.

He said that advertisement for new applications would soon appear in the major papers and aspiring candidates would be able to apply till the month of October. To ensure transparency, he said that all applications would be sent to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for verification of degrees. “The interns would be adjusted in different public sector departments as soon as their degrees are verified by HEC,” he said.

He said that for effective monitoring and implementation of NIP, the ministry would need to set up at least nine regional offices and additional staff of 70 people. “The ministry had prepared PC1 to acquire the required capacity.”

Talking about the Youth Activity Centres, he said that the centres would be developed as committed by the government in the budget speech. “These centres will be developed with nominal budget in the already available government buildings and will be run by NGOs.”

He said that all major projects under Youth Policy were in the stage of planning and paper work. “Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani had also agreed to provide seed money for Youth Fund and planning is underway to make this fund a permanent part of Youth Ministry by investing the seed money in government run projects and use the profit for youth related projects,” he said. “That way, there will be no change in the projects under Youth Fund even with the change in the government,” he said.

[The News]

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SERBIA

Young people are the pillars of a modern, EU-oriented Serbia

Belgrade, J+uly 10 - AT the opening of the International Conference of Young Leaders from the Diaspora 2009, Minister of the Diaspora Srdjan Sreckovic said that young people must be the pillars of a modern, politically influential, economically developed and EU-oriented Serbia.

At the conference, organised with the help of the Canadian and US Embassies, Sreckovic pointed out that successful young people can help improve Serbia’s image in the world, stressing that Serbia has the potential to become an economic and political leader in the Western Balkans and that educated and resolute young people can make positive changes, not only in their country but also throughout the entire region.

We must provide a favourable environment in order to prevent young people from leaving our country and to encourage young Serbs living abroad to return to their homeland, he said.

Minister of Youth and Sports Snezana Samardzic-Markovic said that Serbia’s future lies in its youth, adding that we should let young people make changes in Serbia.

Samardzic-Markovic recalled that the Ministry of Youth and Sports was established in 2007 in order to draft and implement a national youth strategy and therefore help organise young people in Serbia and encourage young Serbs who have already left their homeland to return to Serbia and build their future there.

President of the International Conference of Young Leaders from the Diaspora Tijana Arnautovic said that the purpose of establishing the event, attended by around 600 young people from all over the world, is to help create global economic and cultural networks within the Diaspora.

The motto of the conference, which is bringing together 600 successful young people from 19 countries, is “Bridges we build today create the leaders of tomorrow”.

During the two-day conference young people from home and abroad will discuss various current issues, such as politics, economics and culture, as well as exchanging experiences and ideas and making contacts for future cooperation.

[Emportal]

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GUYANA

CARICOM youth plant trees in solidarity with Haiti

Georgetown, July 14 - YOUNG people representing 18 Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries, on Sunday, participated in a symbolic tree-planting exercise in Haiti, as part of a four-day Caribbean Youth Exchange programme, which started on Thursday 9 July, 2009.

The Programme was funded by the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development (AECID) with support from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Civic Action, Haiti.

Approximately 57 trees were planted at the Sports Development Centre at Croix de Bouquet, on what is now named the CARICOM Pathway, as a symbol of solidarity with Haiti.

Of the 57 trees planted, twenty represented the 15 Member States and five, the Associate Members which comprise the Caribbean Community, while one represented CARICOM.

Commenting on its significance, CARICOM Assistant Secretary-General Dr Edward Greene, who witnessed the exercise, remarked that it was an indication of the spirit and goodwill of the rest of the Community towards Haiti.

“As the trees begin to blossom and flower, so too should the spirit of hope blossom for Haiti, as the country prepares to participate in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, (CSME),” he said.

As a precursory step towards full participation in the CSME, Haiti is expected to participate in trade in goods with other Member States by January 1, 2010.

Dr Greene added that the planting of trees also signaled Haiti’s commitment to the battle against Climate Change by highlighting the importance of trees and vegetation to the survival of the environment.

Dr Hilary Brown, CARICOM Secretariat’s Programme Manager for Culture and Community Development also underscored the importance of the exercise, noting that literally it augured very well for the environment in the wake of serious deforestation in Haiti and therefore a symbol of regeneration and rebirth both for the environment and for Haiti as that country continued to asserts its place full within the Caribbean Community.

“It speaks to the goodwill of the Community towards Haiti,” she added.

The Youth Exchange was organized by the CARICOM Secretariat under the theme Youth – Making the Caribbean and brought together young people from 12 Member States and five Associate Members to promote Caribbean cultural identity; heighten awareness of issues relating to regional integration and to sensitise participants to the research findings of the CARICOM Commission on Youth Development.

Over the four days, the youth delegates participated in a variety of activities which included information sharing; a Caribbean culture night; community interventions and business sessions.

[Caribbean Net News]

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MOROCCO

Morocco offers summer holiday camps for poor children

Rabat, July 12 - MORE than 100,000 Moroccan children and young people will enjoy the summer holidays, thanks to a government programme for low-income families. For the past seven years, "Holidays for All" has ensured that some of the nation's poorest children aren't left out. This year's activities run from July 1st through August 21st.

According to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, some 200,000 young people benefit from the programme when week-end and school holiday activities throughout the year are included.

Organisers introduced a number of new features this year to make the events more enjoyable. The number of venues grew from 37 to 43, and the food allowance increased from 15 to 20 dirhams per person.

The co-ordinating committee also recruited 10,600 supervisors this year - in addition to 500 others employed by the youth ministry - to boost safety for the young campers.

The aim of the programme, according to the organisers, is to build on previous successes and correct mistakes, in particular at holiday camps where there have been problems with the quality of infrastructure or teaching materials. The ministry also intends to ensure that summer camps benefit from social progress in terms of new information and communication technology.

This year the ministry dropped establishments that lack adequate facilities, including youth clubs, women's hostels and non-boarding schools. The emphasis was placed on centres that can accommodate holidaymakers.

The government seeks to create activities that balance fun with learning, which is why this year's theme is "Holiday Camps: Centres for Education and Fun". The aim is to teach children values such as civic awareness, solidarity, tolerance, and respect for diversity and pluralism.

Disadvantaged families eagerly wait for summer each year, so that they can give their children an enjoyable holiday in a supervised environment.

The programme will also welcome 1,120 youth of Moroccans working abroad, as part of a joint effort with the Hassan II Foundation for Moroccans Residing Overseas at the Moulay Rachid youth complex in Bouznika. The pupils chosen to participate in the programme are those who have done best at school.

[Magharebia]

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KENYA

Youth Initiative has reduced crime

Nairobi, July 22 - THE Sh15 billion youth initiative programme has helped reduce crime in Kenya, a Cabinet minister has said.

Internal Security minister George Saitoti said the Kazi Kwa Vijana programme that was launched by President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga in March was doing well. "It has engaged the youth in productive work," Prof Saitoti, said.

Addressing the passing out parade at Administration Police Training College in Embakasi on Tuesday, Prof Saitoti said it had also helped youth inculcate positive work ethic. The minister applauded the youth for supporting the initiative adding that the government was developing more ways to provide employment for them.

Plans are also afoot to reduce bars and drinking dens countrywide, further improve police to population ratio and improve the force's housing, vehicles and communication, he said.

The ambitious Kazi Kwa Vijana programme was intended to create 300,000 jobs for the youth within six months through the setting up of projects in all constituencies.

Some 50,000 jobs were to be created under the water and irrigation projects, 100,000 jobs under forestry and 105,000 under the Ministry of Youth Affairs. Others were Roads (50,000) and 15,000 jobs in urban garbage collection and waste management projects.

The PM's office is monitoring the programme which many say has helped change lives in urban and rural areas. In Kilifi, a total of 720 youths were engaged in various activities which included bush clearing, ditch cleaning, and culvert cleaning.
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In Mumboni, a new district curved out of Kyuso in Eastern Province, Sh1 million was allocated for Mbarani Earth Dam. The dam was originally started in 1956 and subsequently revived in 1997 but never completed. The dam will have a capacity of 15,000 cubic metres when completed and is estimated to serve 2,500 people and 800 livestock for about three months. Each youth under the programme in Mumboni is paid Sh260 per day.

In Mwingi District, Sh1 million was allocated to excavate and reinforce the Kisovo Earth Dam while in Makueni Sh1 million was allocated for Changoli Earth dam. In Kyuso and Mwingi districts, 25 hectares of tree planting has been covered with a total of 14,000 seedlings planted.

On Madaraka Day, President Kibaki announced that Sh3.4 billion had been disbursed to various ministries under the Kazi Kwa Vijana programme to create jobs for the youth and an additional Sh6.6 billion will be allocated in the next financial year.

[Daily Nation]

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MALTA

Draft of National Youth Policy update out next week

Valletta, July 26 - A Draft of an updated national youth policy is expected to be published this week, Youth Parliamentary Secretary Clyde Puli said.

He said that all those interested will be able to make their suggestions before the policy is finalised. The draft will be available at www.education. gov.mt .

Mr Puli was speaking during a Maltese and English youth exchange between organised by the Youth Catholic Action Group of Mosta.

The aim of the policy is to assist young Maltese people in their personal and social development.

The final document would help the government draw up policies which would reflect young people’s aspirations.

[Times of Malta]

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CAYMAN ISLANDS

Youth career camp sizzles

George Town, July 19 - THE Youth Services Unit’s, Sizzling Summer Series Career Camp is a hot item with youngsters this summer.

Over 120 youngsters are participating in a series of camps catering to teens aged 12–18 exploring career options and participating in a number of hands–on classes to gain work experience.

The Prep for Life camp is teaching 12–14 year olds to explore career options and further develop life skills. The older teens are engaging in learning skills needed for workforce entry.

On Tuesday, over 60 youngsters participated in a dining etiquette class at the George Hicks campus hall.

The class was hosted by Virginia Madison from Government’s Protocol Office at the invitation of camp director Leasa Charlton.

Ms. Madison took the teens through a series of proper table manners such as correct ways of using table cutlery, how to be comfortable at the dining table and how to sit properly.

The group of teens found it enjoyable choosing the right cutlery at the guidance of Ms. Madison while they dined on a three–course meal served by youth officers.

Understanding table etiquette and how to be comfortable when they sit down to eat gives youngsters confidence about themselves, said Ms Madison.

Throughout the week, camp youngsters also got the opportunity to hear from a number of young entrepreneurs who had worked hard to build successful businesses.

Business owners such as Vibe FM’s Kenny Rankin, Security Firm’s Dwayne Seymour and Funky Tangs, Sport N Zone, Nicco Construction and One Three Four Five Collection representatives shared their experiences with youngsters.

The Work for Life Camp offers a basic introductory course in auto mechanics Young people explore the range of jobs in that field, are introduced to basic equipment and learn through simulations and video presentations the functioning parts of an engine.

The Food for Life Camp involves youngsters receiving hands–on experience in cooking culinary dishes from around the world.

During outings the groups also visiting places like Hollywood Theatres, the Black Pearl Skate Park, and industrial sites.

The camps came about as a result from youths interviewed for the 2000 National Youth Policy which called for places of safety where youths could engage in youthful activities, interact with others and work out their world views.

Youth Services officers supervise attending youths who have to follow camp rules or be dismissed if camp rules are broken.

[Cay Compass]

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VIETNAM

New program to tap youthful zeal for nation-building

Hanoi, July 23- THE Vietnam Youth Federation’s Central Committee launched a program in Hanoi to evoke and harness the pride and trust of the youth in building and defending the country.

Titled “When the fatherland is in need,” the program will be carried out periodically and on a long-term basis nationwide through several social activities, said Nguyen Phuoc Loc, standing vice-chairman of the committee.

From now until December, the program will focus on donating books and organizing exchanges between authors and the youth, popularizing science and technology and providing Internet access for the youth, and other volunteer work.

[ThanhnienNews]