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The World Assembly of Youth (WAY) is the international coordinating body of national youth councils and organisations. The full members of WAY are national youth councils. WAY has 120 member organisations from all continents. In this bulletin: Ireland, Nigeria, Nepal, Cameroon, Barbados, Ghana, United Kingdom, Botswana, Sri Lanka, Namibia, USA, Uganda, Pakistan, Gambia, India, Angola, Tunisia, Singapore, Bahamas.
IN this bulletin:
IRELAND : Voting age should be lowered to 16
NIGERIA : We will keep the ball rolling, Vice President tells youth
NEPAL : Parties' youth wings demand policy, pledge peaceful ways
CAMEROON : National Youth Council election modalities elaborated
BARBADOS : Youth Policy to be established
GHANA : NYC develops strategic focus ; NYEP to be given legal backing
UNITED KINGDOM : Careers advice failing young people
BOTSWANA : BOCAIP launches new youth project ; BNYC’s youth education
campaigns pay dividends
SRI LANKA : Programme to promote youth
NAMIBIA : Credit for youth in business programme workshop
USA : Non-profit gets $26 million grant for after school programs
UGANDA : Shs30 billion to help youth start businesses
PAKISTAN : Youth cannot take benefit of ministry's programmes
GAMBIA : UTG Vice Chancellor opens Students' Week
INDIA : Northeast youth festival held
ANGOLA : Sol bank joins housing programme
TUNISIA : Arab youth call for media that reflect their interests
SINGAPORE : Distrust stops students from seeking help
BAHAMAS : Pilot program plans announced for junior local government council
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IRELAND
Voting age should be lowered to 16
Dublin, Oct. 19 - THE voting age should be reduced to 16 to force
political parties into action on issues affecting young people, according
to the National Youth Council of Ireland’s (NYCI) campaign, A New Age in
Voting.
At a meeting with youth councils from Denmark, Austria and the UK, the
NYCI said while young people in Ireland can work, pay tax, and join the
Army below the age of 18, they are excluded from the electoral process.
This leaves disparities between the rights and responsibilities of young
people, which need to be addressed.
In a number of EU countries the voting age has been reduced to 16 in local
elections, with 16-year-olds able to vote in national elections in
Austria. “There seems to be a lot of momentum . . . it’s not a case of if,
but when 16-year-olds can vote in Ireland,” said James Doorely, assistant
director of the NYCI.
[Irish Times]
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NIGERIA
We will keep the ball rolling, Vice President tells youth
Abuja, Oct. 27 - NIGERIAN youth should collaborate and sustain the effort
of government in ensuring peace and security in the country, so that they
can be prepared for the task of nation building and leadership, Nigeria's
Vice President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has said.
Mr. Jonathan made the point on Monday during the formal opening of the 2nd
Nigerian Youth Summit organised by the National Youth Council of Nigeria,
with the theme ‘Youth: Agents of Change and Development' , at the Women
Development Centre, Abuja.
"I am particularly delighted that the summit is coming just after some
youths in the Niger Delta decided to drop their arms and embrace peace,"
he said, adding that the theme of the summit was timely, as the nation
aspires to be among the 20 most developed nations by the year 2020.
The Vice President said change brings about social and economic
development and the youth are in the front row of the change process,
revealing that the Federal Executive Council has approved a number of
initiatives aimed at youth empowerment, including the revised National
Youth Policy - which is a consensus blueprint for a holistic approach to
youth development in Nigeria - and the Nigerian Youth Employment Action
Plan, aimed at poverty reduction through massive empowerment as well as
the Nigerian Youth Parliament, through which the youth can make their
input and contribution to governance.
"I assure you that the government shall not relent in its effort to keep
the ball rolling to ensure that the youth attain the highest peak for
re-branding our nation," he said, while advising the youth to resolve to
live in peace and harmony irrespective of social, ethnic and religious
differences.
Responding, the chairman of the Summit Organising Committee, Marvin
Yobana, said the National Youth Council is working to complement the
efforts of government by initiating and executing programmes that are in
consonance with Vision 20/2020, the re-branding Nigeria initiative, and
the National Youth Development Policy.
The Acting National President of the Council, Deolu George, also commended
the federal government's effort in putting to an end all forms of
militancy in the Niger Delta. He further solicited government's assistance
for the council's proposed youth village in Abuja.
[NEXT]
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NEPAL
Parties' youth wings demand policy, pledge peaceful ways
Kathmandu, Oct. 14 - THE youth wings of seven major political parties have
collectively demanded the formulation and implementation of a ´youth
policy´ during an audience with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal on
Wednesday.
The youth wings of the political parties also vowed to adopt peaceful
means in their conduct.
The youth wings handed the prime minister a ´National Youth Policy
Suggestions Report´ that they had jointly prepared during the
post-conflict period.
"We worked together under a strict code of conduct for 10 months to come
up with a uniform framework and help the government form a youth policy,"
said Ajambar Kangwang, president of the CPN-UML´s youth front, Democratic
National Youth Federation Nepal (DNYFN).
This is the first time that the youth wings of major political parties
have sat together for a common task contrary to their mutual
contradictions and violent drive against each other.
"The real motive of this project is to at least mitigate conflict among
the youth fronts," said one facilitator who sought anonymity. The
Norwegian embassy funded the project coordinated by Lead International, a
consultancy firm.
The youth fronts had organized workshops in five development regions and
52 different districts to collect suggestions on how the nation´s youth
policy should be shaped. Youth fronts involved in the project are DNYFN,
Nepali Congress-affiliated Tarun Dal, UCPN (Maoist)-affiliated Young
Communist League (YCL), Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF)-affiliated
Madhesi Youth Forum, Tarai Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP)-affiliated Tarai
MadhesYouth Front, CPN(ML)-affiliated Progressive Youth Association and
Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Mahato)-affiliated Youth Forum.
The youth fronts converging at a common forum comes as a rare phenomenon.
Over 10 months they combined their efforts for suggesting a youth policy.
They had indulged in skirmishes with the use of lethal weapons including
in the Tri-Chandra College incident in which UML´s Youth Force Valley
in-charge was alleged to have fired a gun.
"After co-working on a significant job, one would not hold the other at
gunpoint," said a consultant connected with the project. "Nothing is
possible for youth welfare unless pressure groups, political or social,
enjoy strong understanding and a spirit of coordination. "
DNYFN president Kangwang said the experience of working with peer
organizations reinforced a realization that they should remain distinct
from political parties in terms of behavior.
This is the second endeavor among the youth fronts to sensitize the state
toward formulating youth policies. A task force formed by the Ministry for
Youth and Sports earlier had prepared a similar report and submitted it to
the government seven months ago.
The National Youth Policy Suggestion Report focuses on health, education,
social welfare, economic involvement, youth participation and development,
security and justice as key points to take up in formulating a youth
policy. It offers a definition of youth as those between 16 and 40 years
of age. It suggests forming a ´National Youth Council´ to lead and oversee
implementation of youth policies.
[My Republica]
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CAMEROON
National Youth Council election modalities elaborated
Yaoundé, Oct. 20 - ALL seems set for the first election of officials of
the governing bodies of the Cameroon National Youth Council abbreviated
CNYC. Within the government communication framework, the Minister of Youth
Affairs, Adoum Garoua, yesterday in Yaounde granted a press conference
during which he elaborated the practical modalities for organising the
election of officials of the governing bodies of CNYC.
Speaking in the presence of the Minister of Communication, Issa Tchiroma
Bakary and the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Michel Zoah, the
Minister of Youth Affairs said the conditions for participation in the
election, the candidate's file and electoral fee have been set up
following recommendations made by youth organisations and other
stakeholders of the electoral process with the aim of easing certain
procedures and putting in place appropriate measures to facilitate the
holding of the maiden elections.
Youth organisations concerned by the elections are those recognised
according to the rules and regulations in force and duly enrolled in the
voter's registration record. Voters should be Cameroonian citizens of over
15 years of age or aged 35 years maximum, appointed by a youth
organisation. The text requires that each voter shall present a mandate
legalised by an administrator, police or gendarmerie authority.
According to the constitution, any youth organisation willing to present
candidates in the election must declare its candidacy at the sub-division
or divisional delegation of the Ministry of Youth Affairs with a photocopy
of a legal document of recognition, photocopy of the national identity
card of the candidate, a certificate of non-conviction of less than three
months old among other documents. With regard to electoral fee, Adoum
Garoua said candidates shall be relieved from paying any fee as it is
stipulated in Article 19 of the Electoral Code for the first elections
within the CNYC.
While throwing light on what the CNYC is all about, the Minister of Youth
Affairs said it is a national platform for youth associations and
movements with the aim of empowering Cameroonians youths through a
consultative, proactive and representative role within the national and
international institutions acting on youth issues. While noting that the
CNYC is a forum for free and responsible expression of youths'
preoccupations, Adoum Garoua stressed that the CNYC is neither for
political training nor a trade union.
[Cameroon Tribute]
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BARBADOS
Youth Policy to be established
Bridgetown, Oct. 23 - AS Government moves to develop a Youth Policy for 16
to 25 year olds, it is "keenly anticipating some practical benefits to
accrue to youth leaders" from the 2009 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
(RYLA).
Parliamentary Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office, Senator Irene
Sandiford-Garner, made this observation today, as she delivered an address
at the opening ceremony of the 2009 RYLA, under the theme "The future is
in your hands". The three-day event is being held at Kensington Oval.
Noting that Rotary International trained young people all over the world
for a life of service within the community, Senator Garner said that
through such programmes, the RYLA participants could "chart their lives
and destinies in a positive way and become role models, even at such early
ages as 16 to 25".
She added: "I trust that, over the next three days, you will interact in
an extremely close manner with your colleagues, as you expand your
knowledge of the finer points of effective public speaking, personal
leadership, developing a personal action plan and becoming a role-model."
The Parliamentary Secretary urged the attendees to absorb everything that
would be extended to them in terms of training. "I assure you, all aspects
of your programme here in Barbados will be essential to your intellectual
development in the near future, as you deepen your involvement in youth
leadership systems in your several countries," she advised.
Mrs. Sandiford-Garner also reminded the participants that during the
conference, the eyes of all Barbados, and indeed the Caribbean would be
upon them, "seeking inspiration and encouragement about the future from
you, the hope of our Caribbean world".
In addition to the local participants, there are over 50 representatives
from across the region, including Martinique and Guadeloupe. RYLA 2009 was
organised by Rotary Club of Barbados, Rotary West and Rotary South.
[Caribbean PressReleases]
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GHANA
NYC develops strategic focus
Accra, Oct. 26 - THE Board and Management of the National Youth Council
(NYC) have organised a workshop to develop a strategic direction for the
Council for the next three years.
A statement issued by the NYC on Monday said the three strategic thrusts
that emerged as the focus areas were "Development of a Sense of Direction
and Nationalism in the Youth Grounded in the National Agenda"; "Youth
Education for Employment and Entrepreneurship" ; and "Youth Health,
Sexuality and Environment" .
It said the workshop was organised after board members had visited all
regional youth centres as well as the 11 youth skills and training
institutes across the countries.
The statement said the objectives for the workshop were to work together
as a strong team to achieve the goal and objectives of the NYC and
formulate jointly the strategic focus of the NYC for the next three years
and strategise towards enhancing the relevance, presence and visibility of
the council among the youth and across the country.
The Acting National Co-ordinator of the NYC, Dr Sekou Nkrumah noted that
the NYC had not received the needed attention from stakeholders and
expressed the hope that the strategic plan would help keep the body
focused to make the necessary impact on the youth.
The Chairperson of the Board, Mrs Esther Cobbah, underscored the need for
Management and Board to work together as a team so as to help build a
sense of nationalism in the youth, which would go a long way to contribute
to their education, lifestyle and ultimately put them in a better position
to contribute to Ghana's development agenda.
The NYC has 10 regional and 81 secretariats. It has 11 Youth Skills
Training and Leadership Institutes and runs courses in agriculture,
dressmaking, electrical installation, masonry, carpentry, secretarial,
Information, Communication and Technology and leadership skills, among
other course things.
These centres train at least 750 young people every year.
[Peace fm Online]
NYEP to be given legal backing
Accra, Oct. 23 - CABINET is considering providing legal backing for the
National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP). Such legal backing will spell
out the structures, functions, responsibility and obligations, as well as
the consistent sources of funding for the sustainability of the programme.
The Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr Alex Segbefia, disclosed this when he gave
the keynote address at an orientation programme organised for the Greater
Accra District Employment Co-ordinators and metropolitan, municipal and
district chief executives in Accra yesterday.
“The government is also considering an increase in the percentage of the
Communication Service Tax (CST) devoted to the programme from 20 per cent
to a more “acceptable percentage,” while allocations to the programme from
various sources like the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) are to be
speedily disbursed to enhance the smooth operations of the programme,” he
added.
Mr Segbefia said these interventions were the result of the government’s
awareness of the huge gap between the number of youth in the country,
those that were unemployed and their expectations for opportunities in the
economy.
He advised the co-ordinators to prudently use the resources allocated for
the programme and work in order not to derail it because of the
restructuring of the programme recently.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Shai Osudoku, Mr David Tetteh-Assumeng,
asked the co-ordinators to avoid corruption and promised that Parliament
would also carry out its oversight responsibility of the processes.
Mr Joseph Osborn Djani, who represented the Acting National Co-ordinator
of the NYEP, Mr Abuga Pele, said since 2006 when the programme was
launched till date, the NYEP had engaged more than half a million youth in
various modules of the programme, such as health extension, youth in
agri-business, community protection, waste, sanitation and Information and
Communication Technology (ICT).
He said the projected number of youth to be engaged by the NYEP in 2009
was 150,000, while there was an exit plan for beneficiaries to ensure that
they effectively assimilated into mainstream employment after the
expiration of their contracts.
Despite the achievements, Mr Djani said, there were some financial
constraints on the NYEP because of delays in the release of statutory
funding sources, including the GETFund, the National Health Insurance
Scheme (NHIS), the DACF and the CST.
He said the other challenge facing the NYEP was the lack of office space
for the NYEP secretariat.
The Adentan Municipal Chief Executive, Ms Kakra Vanlare, proposed that
considering the focus of the NYEP in building the capacity of the youth
and giving them employable skills, it would be good to designate it as the
National Youth Employable Skills Training Programme.
An official of the National Youth Council (NYC), Mr Kwadwo Manu, who
represented the National Co-ordinator, Dr Sekou Nkrumah, lauded the exit
plan and other interventions that had been brought into the programme.
Messrs Robert Coleman and Fredrick Adetola, representatives of Zoomlion
and Rogam Links Communications, private companies, who have co-operated
with the NYEP secretariat to give employable skills to about 21,250 youth,
made presentations on the nature of their collaboration with the
programme.
[Graphic Ghana]
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UNITED KINGDOM
Careers advice failing young people
London, Oct. 22 - A New report from the British Youth Council (BYC) and
NCB has found that formal careers advice and guidance is failing young
people during a time of rising unemployment and record numbers of young
people not in employment, education, or training (NEET).
The report, based on the findings of an online survey with over 500 young
people aged 12-26 years old, found that more than 80% of young people
found formal careers advice services from schools, colleges and
universities to be a ‘little bit’ or ‘not at all helpful’.
The report outlines what young people say influences their decisions about
jobs and career choices, and how effective they perceive the available
sources of advice to be. One young person, on their careers advice said:
‘Absolutely useless, very little knowledge of what is out there and even
less about the practical steps needed to get there’
The survey found that young people were most influenced by their parents
(65.3%), websites (60.8%), teachers (58.2%) and friends (59.9%).
The report also asked young people what they wanted to do, unlike the
common stereotype that all young people want to become a celebrity (not
one respondent listed this ambition), the report reveals great depth and
variety in our young people’s aspirations, including a ‘professor of bone
disease’, ‘trade unionist’, and an ‘ordained minister’. Most popular
career choices were within the law, teaching and media sectors.
Rajay Naik aged 22, chair of the BYC said: ‘Young people who contributed
least to the economic situation, are those suffering most from the
recession we now find ourselves in. We must invest in developing the
potential of our younger generation if we are to sustainably grow our
economy out of recession, and part of that depends on providing
personalised career guidance.
‘There is an urgent need to engage young people in the delivery of the
structures and support systems which will hopefully provide the
opportunities and skills to put our country back on the road to prosperity
and growth. Do this and we will have rescued a generation of talent; fail,
and we will be neglecting the aspirations and potential of millions.’
Barbara Hearn, deputy chief executive of NCB, said: ’At this time of
unprecedented youth unemployment it is essential that we understand the
factors that influence young people’s job and career choices and provide
them with useful and effective guidance.
These findings are significant in directing public investment to support
‘what works’ rather than assume the former methods of job and careers
advice are the right route for young people at present.
Future approaches to careers guidance should include measures to broaden
the knowledge of the job market among those who have an influence on young
people’s decisions, such as targeting parents and providing them with the
information to support their children’s careers choices, we also need to
move forward in partnership with private and public sector employers,
developing the provision of work-based learning.’
[NCB]
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BOTSWANA
BOCAIP launches new youth project
Gaborone, Oct. 05 - LOBATSE Botswana Christian AIDS Intervention Programme
(BOCAIP) in Lobatse has launched a project called Youth Voluntary Testing
that aims at promoting testing among young people.
Speaking at the launch, Mrs Bonolo Kelefang said the project would
mobilise and challenge youth to realise the importance of testing.
She said statistics had shown that young people were the most vulnerable
to HIV/AIDS and yet they dragged their feet in testing. She said the
project would also educate them about issues related to HIV/AIDS and also
promote behaviour change.
She said they had already launched the project in three BOCAIP centres and
results were positive.
The project was piloted in areas of Maun, Francistown and Molepolole in
2008 and young people responded positively, she added.
Mrs Kelefang said they had decided to roll it out to other places as the
war against HIV/AIDS needed collective efforts to defeat it.
She also encouraged all stakeholders to join hands and play their role in
the fight against HIV/AIDS, adding that working in isolation could not
produce enough good results.
She said statistics indicated that HIV rate had increased by 0.5 per cent
and urged all organisations to strengthen their relationship and network
to reduce the prevalence rate.
Giving an HIV/AIDS statistics among youth in Lobatse, monitoring and
evaluation officer from the district office, Ms Onalenna Molelu said high
rate prevalence and infection among young people still remained a concern.
She said the community had a big challenge to fight the virus, adding that
Lobatse as a whole had 16.3 per cent with 17.9 females and 14.4 males.
She said prevalence rates vary at 2.6 per cent, noting that males were the
most affected group.
Ms Molelu indicated that in Lobatse young people were mostly affected and
urged them to take advantage of the new project to address the situation.
A senior youth officer from Botswana National Youth Council, Mr Jonathan
Seokamo urged the youth to face up to their challenges.
He said youth were faced with many challenges such as unemployment, HIV
infection, drug abuse, teenage pregnancy and yet they were tomorrows
leaders.
He said despite government efforts to put in place various programmes and
policies towards fighting HIV spread, the prevalence rate among youth was
still worrisome.
Mr Seokamo said the new project would equip participants with a better
understanding and skills on how to have an open discussion about
sexuality, reproductive health and HIV/AIDS.
He said Makgabaneng Programme survey had indicated that having
multi-concurrent partners contributed greatly to the spread of HIV. He
said young people especially females engaged in more than one partner to
uplift their standard of living.
He hoped the new project would address the factors that drive youth to
engage in sex and the risk that people took having many partners. The
theme was Youth Arise and Shine, Make HIV Testing a Priority. O icheke.
Mr Seokamo said the theme was relevant and encouraged the youth to take a
self introspect and change their behaviour.
He said they should practice abstinence and refrain from having sex before
marriage.He thanked BOCAIP for their plea and role in the fight against
HIV/AIDS, adding that their objective was more aligned to Vision 2016
pillars of a healthy nation free from infections.
BOCAIP is a christian movement responding to HIV/AIDS in Botswana and its
aim is to contribute to Botswanas National AIDS Strategy frameworks goal
using an acceptable Christian approach.
[BOPA]
BNYC’s youth education campaigns pay dividends
Gaborone, Oct. 25 - BOTSWANA National Youth Council, the institution
responsible for youth empowerment, on Friday revealed that their
pre-election youth education campaigns have paid dividends and resulted in
an overwhelming number of youths registering to vote in this year’s
general elections.
Prior to the general elections the BNYC embarked on political empowerment
workshops targeted at the voting youth and those who intended to contest
the 2009 general elections. The youth organization also encouraged the
youth, as the leaders of tomorrow, to vote for the elections in large
numbers. Topics that were covered in the campaign included the 'art of
campaigning, resource mobilization for electioneering, developmental
approach and leadership and governance.
“Beginning this year we launched a 2009 Political Empowerment Program
under which we hosted some activities aimed at encouraging the youth to
vote in large numbers, and we are satisfied with the outcome. We also
trained some youth candidates to prepare them for elections, and the
outcome was very positive as some of them won parliamentary and council
seats” said BNYC acting Executive Director Sewedi Proper Mokgadi.
He appealed to all parliamentary and council youth representatives, who
benefited from the BNYC campaign to be the voice of youth regarding their
needs, problems, and challenges, urging them not to forget that they are
accountable to the people who voted them into office.
BNYC also congratulated the president on his inauguration and particularly
thanked him for highlighting youth matters in his inaugural speech.
Although admitting that the voting process went very slow, Mokgadi
complemented the electoral officers and contradicted the opposition
parties’ stance that the elections were not fair.
“Not many complaints were experienced and we are happy with the overall
process, and credit should be given to the Independent Electoral
Commission and other stakeholders,” he said.
[Sunday Standard]
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SRI LANKA
Programme to promote youth
Colombo, Oct. 07 - NATIONAL Youth Organisation of Sri Lanka has launched a
programme to increase the participation of youth as the people’s
representatives in Parliamentary, Provincial bodies and Local Government
Services. This programme is activated in consultation with the National
Youth Council and Boys Scouts Organisation of Sri Lanka.
A publicity programme was held at the Light House Hall in Matara for the
benefit of the local media persons. The participation of the young
politicians from both the UPFA and UNP at this programme was prominently
evident.
Former Provincial Council Member of Galle District - Manusha Nanayakkara,
the leader of the Matara District Team, former Provincial Council Member –
Buddhika Pathirana were unanimous in voicing their opinion that the
educated and disciplined youth of the region had no place in society.
Speaking on behalf of UPFA,Anarkali Akarsha of Galle District and UPFA
Candidate from Matara District- Kanchana Wijesekera said that steps have
already been taken on the guidance from President Mahinda Rajapaksa to
improve the position of the youth.
The religious education in village schools cannot be achieved without
Moulavi Teachers and the shortage of such teachers that was experienced in
the past has now been overcome with the funding support given by the
President.
A person like Al.Haj. A. H. M. Azwer played an important role in the
administration of the Southern Province. The first Prime Minister from the
South – Wijayananda Dahanayake did so due to the service rendered by him
as the Minister of Education.
Even the President who gained world wide respect after the victory over
LTTE is doing all what he could to bring about national peace while
working towards the rejuvenation of education.
[Lanka Times]
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NAMIBIA
Credit for youth in business programme workshop
Grootfontein, Oct. 16 - THE National Youth Council, through the Credit for
Youth in Business (CYB) recently held a program review workshop in Berg
Aukas, Grootfontein.
Youth workers from all over the 13 regions, as well as their stakeholders
attended the workshop which aimed to undertake a step-by-step review of
the internal processes of marketing, training, applications, review,
processing, approval, disbursements, monitoring as well as graduation to
the next stage of CYB loans.
The workshop further aimed at getting feedback from stakeholders on the
processes and jointly identifies success stories, obstacles and
bottlenecks in the loan application cycle. The workshop also intended to
come up with concrete recommendations on how the steps and processes in
the loan application cycle can be improved and propose changes for
adjustment while agreeing on an implementation plan for the proposed
recommendations and how to take remedial actions.
CYB is a loan guarantee program which aims at supporting youth who are
involved in business activities and lack adequate collateral. CYB
encourages youth in their entrepreneurial efforts to access loans from the
mainstream banking sector in order to expand their businesses and to
create employment opportunities to address poverty.
During the workshop the participants enjoyed presentations from Bank
Windhoek and various stakeholders. Participants also discussed and
brainstormed on the roles and responsibilities of these stakeholders
during their structural and institutional review processes. They also
developed specific recommendations to improve constraints and challenges.
Participants described the three-day workshop as long overdue, eye-opening
and crucial because they needed a platform whereby they could review the
project goals, objectives and planned activities of the CYB.
Furthermore, they needed to celebrate CYB achievements and express the
challenges they experience on regional levels as well as share best
practices from which their counterparts could benefit.
Young people between the ages 18 and 35, who are already involved in
business, graduates from the Namibian Youth Credit Schemes (NYCS), those
that completed third round NYCS loan repayments as well as graduates from
Vocational Training Centre's who want to gain from CYB should contact the
National Youth Council Windhoek office or their Regional Coordinators at
their respective Regional Youth Offices.
In addition to the loan guarantee services, CYB will provide business
management training, through assisting beneficiaries with business
planning training in order to develop a business plan for submission to
Bank Windhoek. Once a loan is approved, borrowers will receive mentoring
to ensure business success.
The National Youth Council, through the CYB programme is committed to
empowering young and prospective entrepreneurs to expand their businesses,
increase productivity and profitability, create additional employment,
build an asset base en route to becoming bankable, address and attempt to
alleviate poverty and improve living standards.
CYB is implemented by the National Youth Council in partnership with Bank
Windhoek and is financially supported by the European Union through the
National Planning Commission under the Rural Poverty Reduction Programme
and the Spanish Government.
[New Era]
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USA
Non-profit gets $26 million grant for after school programs
Los Angeles, Oct. 20 - THE Youth Policy Institute, a local nonprofit that
works with more than a dozen schools and hundreds of San Fernando Valley
students, received a $26 million grant Tuesday for after-school programs
at 21 Los Angeles schools.
The money from the California Department of Education will benefit two
Valley schools - Fenton Avenue Charter School and Pacoima Charter
Elementary - allocating more than $800,000 for intervention and enrichment
programs on the campuses.
The grant comes as the institute expands its reach into 11 other Valley
schools, including Monroe, Panorama and Sylmar high schools.
"This is a celebration of collaboration, " said state schools chief Jack
O'Connell, who presented the organization with its check on the steps of
Pacoima Charter Elementary.
The Youth Policy Institute started its work providing services to schools
in Pacoima more than 15 years ago. Since then, the nonprofit has gone from
serving four schools to more than 56 across the city.
The organization also runs two charter schools - Bert Corona Charter
School in Pacoima and Monse or Oscar Romero Charter Middle School in the
Pico-Union area - and is the largest provider of after-school programs for
charter campuses in the city.
Recent budget cuts have put pressure on nonprofits like the institute to
provide additional services.
Iris Zuniga-Corona, director of youth services for the Youth Policy
Institute, said her organization believes it has a responsibility to fill
those gaps.
"We have to step up as partners and get creative," Zuniga-Corona said.
"We need to fill in those gaps and figure out where we can add resources."
[LA Daily News]
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UGANDA
Shs30 billion to help youth start businesses
Kampala, Oct. 09- THE government has set aside Shs32 billion to help the
youth start up small scale businesses across the country.
The revelation was made by Mr Zakel Kibedi Wanume, the youth MP
representing Eastern region, while officiating at a one-day development
training workshop at Ntare Sub-county headquarters in Kitagwenda County,
Kamwenge District on Wednesday.
The workshop attracted youth groups from Tooro region.
During the conference, the youth delegates attacked the government for its
policies, arguing that most of them are sidelined.
They said most government programmes, including Naads, do not favour them.
Over 200 youth delegates proposed that the government sets up conditions
that favour youth enterprises.
The meeting was organised by the National Youth Council chairperson, Mr
Abbas Agaba Mugisa. Mr Kibedi said most youth in the country do not have
jobs but the government has set up an inter-ministerial committee headed
by Ms Janet Mukwaya, to tackle the issue. The committee will help them
start their own businesses.
[The Monitor]
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PAKISTAN
Youth cannot take benefit of ministry's programmes
Islamabad, Oct. 18 - THE majority of the youth of the country cannot take
benefit of the projects designed for them in the absence of proper
awareness campaign of the programmes on the part of the Ministry of Youth
Affairs.
Creative activities could play significant role in encouraging
participation of youth in community development activities and building
their confidence of young generation, who are primarily frustrated due to
career and academic issues, identity crises, family dynamics and low self
esteem and lack of self-confidence.
Keeping in view promoting national integration and harmony among the young
generation and building their confidence level, every year the Ministry of
Youth Affairs had initiated series of national and international awards
and competitions in diverse categories.
Although all these projects were launched on national level and youngsters
of every nook and corner of the country must be well aware about these
competitions, however contrary to it youth even those belonged to urban
areas did not have any information about plans of the Ministry.
According to officials within the Ministry it is very essential to involve
young people in advocating for development issues as youth have the
potential, and it is our responsibility to provide them opportunities and
utilise their potential for development of the country.
[The Nation]
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GAMBIA
UTG Vice Chancellor opens Students' Week
Banjul, Oct. 16 - THE Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Gambia,
Professor Muhammadou Kah, yesterday, 15th October, officially opened the
Students' Week celebration 2009 at the FIFA Goal Project in New Yundum.
The theme of the Students' Week is "Youths and Social Change". The event
was organised by the University of the Gambia Students' Union for the
purpose of interaction among students and to discuss issues of concern to
young people.
In his opening statement, professor Kah said the Students' Week is an
important occasion as it will give students the opportunity to interact
and discuss issues of benefit to them.
He added that the theme is very relevant as it also has a component of
role of youth in food self-sufficiency in the Gambia. Professor Kah noted
that the University was established 10 years ago and has graduated over
750 people who are working and contributing to the development of the
country. He said students are actors in knowledge creation and should
contribute to the development of the University to reach higher heights
and become part of the world class universities.
The UTG Vice-Chancellor further said that students should be equipped with
knowledge in order to join efforts to change the community. He said
students should attain substantive consciousness and the University is for
meant that as they should be able to have the rectitude and furtiveness to
change our communities. He also stressed the need for people to return to
our family and African values to succeed.
Professor Kah said that what defines the University is research, teaching
and services and students should continue to render services to the
people.
Vice- Chancellor Kah further challenged the students to take up teaching
after completing studies at least for two years in order to help secondary
school students, as most schools are handicapped of Maths and English
teachers. He further challenged them to engage in research and to prepare
themselves before going to class.
Professor Kah dwelled on the major changes in the University as the
integration of the tertiary institutions is at a higher stage. He advised
the students to be humble to their colleagues in other tertiary
institutions.
On the Students' Week, the UTG Vice-Chancellor said students hope to
identify the challenges in the country and rededicate themselves and
contribute to changing the; that students should be creators of work and
should aim high to own their companies.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Executive Secretary of the National
Youth Council, MR. Marcel Mendy, said that the University students are
lucky to have their own University in the Gambia. He further advised the
students to be serious and acquire skills and should be able to defend
their certificates. He said that youths are the cream of the nation and
that are also responsible for the development of their country.
The president of the UTGSU, Mr. Ansumana Darboe, described the Students'
Week as a landmark event as it coincided with the 10 years anniversary of
the University. Mr. Darboe said the University is a decade old has
registered giant developments and improvements and that the students are
grateful to the architects of the University. The student union president
dwelled on the activities of the weeklong celebration which, he said,
included seminars, debates and sporting events. He said the University is
not on campus and that the union deemed it necessary to organized the week
long event for students to have the opportunity to interact and socialize
among themselves.
Others speakers included the Director of International Affairs of UTG, Mr.
Gumbo Ali Touray.
Various presentations were made by Dr. Saja Taal, Dr. Sibideh and
Professor Lansana Keita on issues such as Youth and Higher Education in
Africa, Drug Abuse and Development.
[Serrekunda]
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INDIA
Northeast youth festival held
Nagaland, Oct. 19 - A Three-day long Northeast Youth Festival was recently
held in Nagaland, which kicked off with a glittering ceremony at the
Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima.
The event themed ‘Youth and Creativity’ was aimed at the youth of the
country, especially those belonging to the northeast in order to make them
get along with different cultures.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio inaugurated the festival, which was
jointly organized by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and the Nagaland
Government.
Flying of colorful balloons, various cultural performances and traditional
Nagas indigenous sports marked the event.
“This festival is a boon for young folks because they get to understand,
intermingle, share each others cultures and even the cuisines because we
have exhibition stalls for the food as well. This is a nice way to getting
to understand each other and building nation building,” said G. Chishi,
Project Director.
About 1300 youngsters from all over the country participated in the
festival.Besides exchanging ideas and building their social network, the
event also gave those youngsters an opportunity to interact and find out
more about different cultures.
“It’s good, according to my opinion this is a very good plan by the
government because this will bring the people of northeast together.
Because we North east as a family, from this program we can bring unity
among us,” said Ningu Salie, a visitor from Nagaland
Panjal, a participant from Chattisgarh, said that it gave them a wonderful
opportunity to unearth different cultures.”We are making lots of new
friends, our social circle have increased. We are getting opportunities to
sing, dance, debate, to study different cultures, different diversities.
We are getting a chance to get aware about different cultures of our
country. We are also getting a chance to know local people from Nagaland,”
Panjal said.
Besides events like rock band contest, one act play, folk dance and folk
music classical dance competitions, an exhibition showcasing arts and
crafts from various parts of the country was also displayed during the
event, which was well appreciated by all.
[Thaindian News]
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ANGOLA
Sol bank joins housing programme
Luanda, Oct. 13 - THE CEO of Sol Bank, Coutinho Nobre Miguel, announced
for the coming days the signing of a partnership agreement between his
institution and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, aiming at facilitating
the access of houses for Angolan young people.
Speaking to Angop this Tuesday, the banker said that technical issues for
this effect are being solved, adding that it was found the appropriate
format that will enable the commitment of both institutions in the project
dubbed “Angola Youth”.
According to him, it is only missing the signing of this accord which
means that all aspects that constitute direct norms were already analysed
and technically handled.
“Angola Youth” Project is a programme of the Angolan government in
partnership with banking institutions, aimed at enabling youths between 18
and 35 years old to get their own houses.
According to Coutinho Nobre Miguel, in this partnership the Ministry of
the Youth and Sports is the entity that grants the guarantees and Bank Sol
funds the real estate companies.
The banker said that the housing credit is a medium and long terms loans
that require a set of guarantees such as the existence of legal land
ownership rights, land registration, among others.
[Angola Press]
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TUNISIA
Arab youth call for media that reflect their interests
Tunis, Oct. 09 - YOUNG people from all over the Maghreb and the wider Arab
world met in Tunis on Monday for a three-day seminar on moulding the media
to match the aspirations of Arab youth.
Delegates from Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria,
Qatar, Egypt, Yemen, Palestine and Sudan drafted a number of
recommendations at the event, which took place under the auspices of the
Ministry of Youth, Sports and Physical Education in collaboration with the
Arab League.
"The topics discussed were important and motivated us to exchange
expertise with participants from various countries, and discuss with them
means of developing youth-oriented information in the Arab world,
especially with the appearance of other media that can threaten youth,"
said Karima Weslati, a member of the Tunisian media, who took part in the
event.
An Arab League representative, Heni Mostafa, fleshed out some of the
participants' concerns about Information Age pitfalls of which young
people should be wary.
"Satellite channels are a real threat," he said. "Arab youth should be
aware of that. The sky is open. Some channels are sub-standard and offer
no meaningful content. Others are important and offer quality content."
The participants came up with a number of recommendations for the media
and Arab youth, calling for the creation of a clearer definition of
interactive media and young people, while also urging the media to
streamline its content dedicated to Arab youth. They also called on all
parties to refrain from using youth in negative activities, and endorsed
the establishment of a new information strategy.
The seminar tackled three themes: keeping the media in tune with young
Arabs' causes, developing information channels for Arab youth, and
examining information oriented toward Arab youth in an age of cultural
globalisation.
"Each Arab community is … capable of raising the abilities of young people
so that they can adapt to new information and thereby be spared problems
such as terrorism and extremism," said Mohammed Moutaoua, a participant
from Jordan.
Participants in a workshop devoted to developing information channels for
Arab youth suggested involving young people in making the content that
targets them, as well as promoting dialogue among youth.
In a workshop on Arab youth, the media and cultural globalisation,
participants called for educating young people on democracy, and for
enhancing the presence of women in the media world.
In the seminar's opening session, Tunisian Minister of Youth, Sports and
Physical Education Samir Abidi said that all Arab states should stand firm
in the face of the challenges presented by new developments in the media
and find efficient means of dealing with them.
Abidi stressed the role of information in keeping abreast of the quick
changes witnessed by Arab youth in the field of information technology,
and urged the media to present a clearer picture of young people's
aspirations related to employment, education and health.
Last year, Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali suggested that 2010
be designated an international year for youth. He proposed to reconvene in
2010 and invited the United Nations and other international organisations
to hold an international youth conference in Tunis like the one held in
November 2008.
[Magharebia]
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SINGAPORE
Distrust stops students from seeking help
Singapore, Oct. 15 - ON Monday, a Primary 5 boy revealed to a school
counsellor that he had not only picked up smoking, but also sniffed glue
on two occasions.
"I felt I needed to tell the authorities, especially (regarding) the glue
sniffing," said the counsellor, who spoke to MediaCorp on condition of
anonymity.
The boy however protested this, saying he had offered the information in
confidence. "This becomes tricky," said the retired teacher, who took up
her role as school counsellor after 40 years of teaching. "Because of
confidentiality, I could not divulge."
Worries about privacy weigh on the minds of students who appear to have
little confidence in school counselling, according to a study conducted on
578 students from six secondary schools.
The study, supported by the National Youth Council through its Youth
Research Fund, was published in the latest edition of its publication
YouthSCOPE.
The students completed written surveys, and subsequent 15-minute
presentations to try to boost their confidence in the counselling process
failed.
Among the responses from students: "Counsellors are helping the school to
dig out information" and information is passed onto teachers. One female
student even remarked five times that "all this talk about confidentiality
is all lies".
"This poses a difficult problem for the school counsellors. Simply selling
the idea of counselling and promising confidentiality is not going to be
the answer," said lead researcher Ms Elizabeth Lau Xinyin.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) introduced in 2005 full-time school
counsellors; previously, teachers took on this task on top of their
classroom duties. An MOE spokesperson told MediaCorp that the deployment
of one full-time counsellor per school was completed last year, with some
schools having more depending on need.
"As such, it is too early to measure the effectiveness of the scheme.
However, schools have indicated that they find their school counsellors a
valuable support to teachers and students, in working with parents and
connecting with the appropriate community resources to meet the needs of
the students," she said.
'They think you're a mental case' But from the students' point of view,
there is a stigma attached.
A 15-year-old sought help after falling out with her friends but was
ridiculed after being seen entering the counselling room. "They think you
are a mental case and start passing rumours around," she said.
Lum Yi Shang, 16, who is appearing for her O-level exams this year, relies
on family and friends for support. Asked if she would ever approach school
counsellors, she said: "I don't even know them."
One avenue that more youths are turning to, however, are helplines.
The Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) hotline received almost twice the number
of calls last year than a year ago. Relationship, social and psychological
problems were the top three concerns for those aged between 10 and 19.
"Callers have control as they can end calls anytime. They don't have to
reveal their identities and feel more secure talking to a stranger," said
SOS deputy director Tan Yoke Yin.
The Singapore Children's Society, which runs the Tinkle Friend Helpline
for primary school children, received 4,662 calls last year, the most in
four years.
Boredom and school-related issues such as exam stress, poor performance
and too much homework, are common complaints.
While students may perceive school counselling negatively, school
counsellors say more are nonetheless stepping forward to seek help. And
their problems are more complicated - not just friendship or peer issues,
like in the past, but also relationship issues with teachers and family.
MOE says it will monitor the progress of the school counsellor scheme and
make improvements where needed.
And while the counsellors do their best to win students' trust, it is
clear that specific conditions do warrant that confidentiality rules be
broken - such as where there is a serious threat to harm someone, or
serious thoughts about suicide or inflicting self-hurt.
For the 10-year-old smoker and his school counsellor, they have devised a
plan that just may work - the boy will first cut down on his cigarettes,
then kick the habit and stay clear of glue-sniffing. "If he continues to
endanger his health, I will tell (on him)," said the counsellor.
[Channel News Asia]
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BAHAMAS
Pilot program plans announced for junior local government council
Nassau, Oct. 14 - MINISTER of State for Lands and Local Government Byran
Woodside yesterday revealed the government's plan to launch a pilot Local
Government Junior Council (LGJC) program throughout The Bahamas come
January 2010.
During the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture's Local Government forum
held at Worker's House yesterday, in celebration of National Youth Month,
Woodside said discussions are underway for the next few months to put the
plan for the program into action.
Addressing high school students on the island, Woodside said he views
youth involvement in local government as a critical avenue where youth are
engaged and their investment, influence and commitment as leaders of the
future are assured.
He explained that the LGJC program will be a network of Bahamian youth
performing a civic duty of service through youth representation in the
affairs of local government.
The program, he said, will provide youth with empowerment skills, dynamic
leadership development and well rounded role models who will foster youth
advocacy and opportunities for future careers and participation in local
government.
"The LGJC program will widely be recognized for fostering youth
participation in the local government agencies at the national and local
levels," Woodside said.
He added that the vision of the program is to establish a respected but
self sufficient resource for all youth in the community to have a voice on
youth issues and local government affairs, through their junior
councillors.
The success of the program, he noted, will depend largely on a shared
commitment between the people of the community and the Depart-ment of
Local Government.
"It is the program's philosophy and the values which lead to a youth-based
program that is to be operated with transparency and sincerity for the
development of our nation's youth," he said. "We believe in the dignity
and self-worth of each and every youth and that they have an innate
potential to become agents for positive change."
The program, he stressed, cannot change youth as youth must make their own
changes. However, Woodside said the program is anticipated to facilitate
and support the leadership process through providing a normalized peer
environment that is both positive and engaging.
Woodside revealed that the program will be available to high school
students in non-examiniation grades — grades 10 and 11 — and participants
must have a history of demonstrating good moral and ethical character, be
approved by a parent or guardian to become involved, not have a history of
substance abuse within the past year and be elected by their peers in mock
local government elections.
He said details of how the program will be administered and presented will
emanate from discussions with the Ministries of Education, Youth Sports
and Culture as well as the local government administrators and councils.
The program will also offer theory classes that focus on topics of
Bahamian civics.
"This program will introduce a new generation of leaders to the workings
of government and the nature of the public office is a primary motivation
of adults who implement this model," Woodside said.
"Youth can become highly visible in these roles and have opportunities to
discuss issues and relate to public decision-makers and provide new
perspectives and information that would better inform decision making."
Woodside encouraged all of the forum attendees to participate in the
upcoming program, as the future of The Bahamas relies on them to ensure
that the country maintains its global position as a democratic nation that
comprises of citizens who are civically minded and in-volved in national
and local governance.
[Freeport News Reporter]
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THIS news bulletin is a service of the World Assembly of Youth (WAY).
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