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Global Youth Democracy Campaign

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THE GLOBAL YOUTH DEMOCRACY CAMPAIGN - WORLD YOUTH DAY FOR DEMOCRACY - OCTOBER 18th

- REGISTER YOUR EVENT -
- Download the GYDC Guide -
While young people work year-round to promote and deepen democracy in their countries, each year on October 18th the Global Youth Democracy Campaign celebrates World Youth Day for Democracy, to highlight youth-led initiatives that:

MOBILIZE young people to participate in discussions, debates, rallies, educational campaigns, trainings, street-theater, etc. to promote democratic values and concepts!

EDUCATE youth and the larger community about the importance of human rights, transparency, civic participation and other democratic principles

RAISE AWARENESS of the positive contributions youth are making to democracy in the world and

BUILD the WYMD by getting more people involved!

The international secretariat will highlight organized activities on the GYDC website, send out information on particularly successful events, and share stories about the different activities to inspire future activities.
The WYMD exists to promote activities in the following areas:
1. Capacity-building for conflict resolution and the non-violent promotion of democracy
2. Advocacy and promotion of democratic values and human rights
3. Networking to exchange ideas and promote collaboration
4. Developing international solidarity networks, to support young people working in adverse circumstances
We invite all youth-led and youth-focused groups to contribute to this effort by planning an pro-democracy event on this day! Possible GYDC events might include:

A discussion or forum promoting the political participation of youth

Meetings between youth and local government

Opportunities for youth to speak out on democracy issues

Media outreach on the issue of human rights, press freedom, etc

Letter-writing campaigns and lobbying days

A rally, peaceful demonstration, or vigil in support of democracy activists suffering persecution

Cultural activities, such as music concerts, art exhibits, theatre etc., that promote non-violent and pro-democratic messages

Workshops and conferences to develop strategy, network, share skills, and train each other

Presentations at community meetings such as Bantaba forums, city council meetings, or gatherings of religious groups

School essay or art contests on the subjects of corruption, human rights, political participation, or other democracy issues

For more information, check out the Guide to the Global Youth Democracy Campaign.
The day is coming up fast, so we encourage participants to think realistically about what they could organize in a short time, something they would like to share with other WYMD participants, something they want to contribute to this collective effort of youth around the world working for true democracy, responsive governments, active citizenship, and human rights!

What will you do? Register here!

HIGHLIGHTED PAST ACTIVITIES

We would like to highlight the following projects organized as part of the Global Youth Democracy Campaign in past years. Though each was designed in a particular national context, they could easily be adapted to different situations at very low cost.

NAYMOTE - School Forums on Democracy, Youth and Activism
Organized by National Movement for Transparency Elections - Partners of Democratic Development (NAYMOTE-PADD) , Liberia
NAYMOTE-PADD organised a series of forums in schools with lectures and debate on democracy and youth-related issues such as human rights, freedom of press, youth leadership etc. The forums involved over 400 participants and included rallies and open question time. The vast majority of those affected by the war in Liberia are youth, NAYMOTE works to try to involve these young people in political participation, in the hope that by involving these often disaffected and excluded young people in democratic participation, there will be hope for the future.
Forum Press Release...

Consultation on Youth Perspectives on Democracy
Organized by Panorama Center (English - Arabic), Palestine
As part of their efforts to develop the Arab Youth Democracy Network, a regional network of young democracy activists, Panorama Center recently held series of workshops with diverse focus groups of youth from different locations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, to evaluate their understanding of and thoughts on democracy and gather ideas for how networks could better engage youth in the development of democracy in the country.
Questions to guide and promote discussion...

Youth in Debate - Discussions with Candidates for Public Office
Organized by Aracati - Agency of Social Mobilization (www.aracati.org.br - in Portuguese)
and the Global Youth Action Network (A Guide to Organizing a Debate (www.youthlink.org, www.tiglobal.org).
Brazil
The Youth in Debate project is a national campaign for youth participation in the 2006 Brazilian elections, based around the organization of debates between gubernatorial candidates.
Project overview... (English - Português)
Guide to organizing debates... (English - Português)

Taiwan Youth Democracy Barometer - A survey of youth perspectives on democracy
Organized by Taiwan Youth for Democracy in Asia (TYDA) (English - Chinese), Taiwan
The Taiwan Youth Democracy Barometer project will collect and examine critical questions important to youth on the current state and future course of Taiwan's democracy, and hopes to provide a qualitative assessment of public policies that the government can implement to address the youths' concerns.
Project overview...
ORGANISE AROUND AN INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN

We have highlighted a list of campaigns currently being undertaken by international groups. We welcome events and activities based around more local issues, and other international issues not highlighted here, too. We have included the following as a guide to possible campaigns and to give inspiration and ideas.

Amnesty International (Campaigns page)
Amnesty's current campaigns include:
- Stop Violence Against Women
- Control Arms
- Stop Torture
- The Death Penalty
- Poverty and Human Rights
- Human Rights Defendants
- Refugees and Migrants
- Economic Globalization and Human Rights
- International Justice
- Child Soldiers
- United Nations
Transparency International (News Room)
- Tackling Corruption - Essential in making poverty history according to Transparency International, which focuses the majority of its campaigns around corruption issues.
- Venezuela - English - Spanish - Help keep Venezuelan society free - join Transparency International's fight to keep Venezuelan society's autonomy intact. Campaign focus on the draft Law on International Cooperation, currently under discussion in Venezuela National Assembly, which raises concerns about the freedom of civil society and increasing government control

Human Rights Watch
- Pakistan: Free Kashmir - Human Rights Watch's campaign against repression of democratic freedoms and freedom of the press, and against torture by the Pakistani government.
- China: Olympic Games and Human Rights - Part of a global campaign upheld by many organisations to call on China to improve its human rights record ahead of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. This page has a toolkit for activism, as well as ideas for activities in support of this campaign.

GUIDES TO ORGANISING ACTIVITIES

Guide to the Global Youth Democracy Campaign - English
from the World Youth Movement for Democracy
Some simple guidelines for activities undertaken for the GYDC/ World Youth Day for Democracy. In pdf format, which you may download and print (168 Kb)

How to Organise an Event - English
A simple outline of basic guidelines for organizing any event, produced by CAFOD
Guide to Action - English - Español - Français -
from TakingITGlobal
This free, downloadable guide to action helps readers explore issues they care about, and suggests ways they can take action and involve others in making a positive difference.

How to Run a Workshop
from networklearning - English - Somali - Français -
A 35 pg long document explaining how to plan a workshop's content and logistics, as well as how to run the workshop. Provides checklists to help in the planning and running of workshop.

A better network: Facilitating Collaboration - English
from Global Youth Action Network - English - Español - Portugue^s -
Guide youth organizers through the process of holding dialogues on collaboration

FUNDRAISING GUIDES

Generating Local Funds - English
Argues that there are many local resources available that are often overlooked by organisations, which tend to be drawn to larger, national sources for funds. This small toolkit contains practical ideas for fundraising, as well as advice on how to make the most of local resources - not just financial, but human and material too. From TakingITGlobal
Fundraising Strategy - English - Português - Español -
adapted from the OIYP Skills Pack Fundraising Module, from Oxfam International Youth Parliament
This is an adaptation of a fundraising guide developed by the OIYP for use in their Trade Justice Project. It lays out some basic steps to raising funds for an event, specifically travel to a conference or training.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

Use our form to register your planned event. To help you plan:
1) Check out the Resource Library for guides to help you plan a workshop, a Youth Forum, a lobbying day, or other actions.
2) Share your ideas with other participants at WYMD Chat .

THE GLOBAL YOUTH DEMOCRACY CAMPAIGN - WORLD YOUTH DAY FOR DEMOCRACY - OCTOBER 18th
- REGISTER YOUR EVENT - - Download the GYDC Guide - While young people work year-round to promote and deepen democracy in their countries, each year on October 18th the Global Youth Democracy Campaign celebrates World Youth Day for Democracy, to highlight youth-led initiatives that:
	MOBILIZE young people to participate in discussions, debates, rallies, educational campaigns, trainings, street-theater, etc. to promote democratic values and concepts! EDUCATE youth and the larger community about the importance of human rights, transparency, civic participation and other democratic principles RAISE AWARENESS of the positive contributions youth are making to democracy in the world and BUILD the WYMD by getting more people involved!
The international secretariat will highlight organized activities on the GYDC website, send out information on particularly successful events, and share stories about the different activities to inspire future activities. The WYMD exists to promote activities in the following areas: 1. Capacity-building for conflict resolution and the non-violent promotion of democracy 2. Advocacy and promotion of democratic values and human rights 3. Networking to exchange ideas and promote collaboration 4. Developing international solidarity networks, to support young people working in adverse circumstances We invite all youth-led and youth-focused groups to contribute to this effort by planning an pro-democracy event on this day! Possible GYDC events might include:
A discussion or forum promoting the political participation of youth Meetings between youth and local government Opportunities for youth to speak out on democracy issues Media outreach on the issue of human rights, press freedom, etc Letter-writing campaigns and lobbying days A rally, peaceful demonstration, or vigil in support of democracy activists suffering persecution Cultural activities, such as music concerts, art exhibits, theatre etc., that promote non-violent and pro-democratic messages Workshops and conferences to develop strategy, network, share skills, and train each other Presentations at community meetings such as Bantaba forums, city council meetings, or gatherings of religious groups School essay or art contests on the subjects of corruption, human rights, political participation, or other democracy issues
For more information, check out the Guide to the Global Youth Democracy Campaign. The day is coming up fast, so we encourage participants to think realistically about what they could organize in a short time, something they would like to share with other WYMD participants, something they want to contribute to this collective effort of youth around the world working for true democracy, responsive governments, active citizenship, and human rights! What will you do? Register here!
HIGHLIGHTED PAST ACTIVITIES
We would like to highlight the following projects organized as part of the Global Youth Democracy Campaign in past years. Though each was designed in a particular national context, they could easily be adapted to different situations at very low cost. NAYMOTE - School Forums on Democracy, Youth and Activism Organized by National Movement for Transparency Elections - Partners of Democratic Development (NAYMOTE-PADD) , Liberia NAYMOTE-PADD organised a series of forums in schools with lectures and debate on democracy and youth-related issues such as human rights, freedom of press, youth leadership etc. The forums involved over 400 participants and included rallies and open question time. The vast majority of those affected by the war in Liberia are youth, NAYMOTE works to try to involve these young people in political participation, in the hope that by involving these often disaffected and excluded young people in democratic participation, there will be hope for the future. Forum Press Release... Consultation on Youth Perspectives on Democracy Organized by Panorama Center (English - Arabic), Palestine As part of their efforts to develop the Arab Youth Democracy Network, a regional network of young democracy activists, Panorama Center recently held series of workshops with diverse focus groups of youth from different locations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, to evaluate their understanding of and thoughts on democracy and gather ideas for how networks could better engage youth in the development of democracy in the country. Questions to guide and promote discussion... Youth in Debate - Discussions with Candidates for Public Office Organized by Aracati - Agency of Social Mobilization (www.aracati.org.br - in Portuguese) and the Global Youth Action Network (A Guide to Organizing a Debate (www.youthlink.org, www.tiglobal.org). Brazil The Youth in Debate project is a national campaign for youth participation in the 2006 Brazilian elections, based around the organization of debates between gubernatorial candidates. Project overview... (English - Português) Guide to organizing debates... (English - Português) Taiwan Youth Democracy Barometer - A survey of youth perspectives on democracy Organized by Taiwan Youth for Democracy in Asia (TYDA) (English - Chinese), Taiwan The Taiwan Youth Democracy Barometer project will collect and examine critical questions important to youth on the current state and future course of Taiwan's democracy, and hopes to provide a qualitative assessment of public policies that the government can implement to address the youths' concerns. Project overview...
ORGANISE AROUND AN INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN
We have highlighted a list of campaigns currently being undertaken by international groups. We welcome events and activities based around more local issues, and other international issues not highlighted here, too. We have included the following as a guide to possible campaigns and to give inspiration and ideas. Amnesty International (Campaigns page) Amnesty's current campaigns include: - Stop Violence Against Women - Control Arms - Stop Torture - The Death Penalty - Poverty and Human Rights - Human Rights Defendants - Refugees and Migrants - Economic Globalization and Human Rights - International Justice - Child Soldiers - United Nations Transparency International (News Room) - Tackling Corruption - Essential in making poverty history according to Transparency International, which focuses the majority of its campaigns around corruption issues. - Venezuela - English - Spanish - Help keep Venezuelan society free - join Transparency International's fight to keep Venezuelan society's autonomy intact. Campaign focus on the draft Law on International Cooperation, currently under discussion in Venezuela National Assembly, which raises concerns about the freedom of civil society and increasing government control Human Rights Watch - Pakistan: Free Kashmir - Human Rights Watch's campaign against repression of democratic freedoms and freedom of the press, and against torture by the Pakistani government. - China: Olympic Games and Human Rights - Part of a global campaign upheld by many organisations to call on China to improve its human rights record ahead of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. This page has a toolkit for activism, as well as ideas for activities in support of this campaign.
GUIDES TO ORGANISING ACTIVITIES
Guide to the Global Youth Democracy Campaign - English from the World Youth Movement for Democracy Some simple guidelines for activities undertaken for the GYDC/ World Youth Day for Democracy. In pdf format, which you may download and print (168 Kb) How to Organise an Event - English A simple outline of basic guidelines for organizing any event, produced by CAFOD Guide to Action - English - Español - Français - from TakingITGlobal This free, downloadable guide to action helps readers explore issues they care about, and suggests ways they can take action and involve others in making a positive difference. How to Run a Workshop from networklearning - English - Somali - Français - A 35 pg long document explaining how to plan a workshop's content and logistics, as well as how to run the workshop. Provides checklists to help in the planning and running of workshop. A better network: Facilitating Collaboration - English from Global Youth Action Network - English - Español - Portugue^s - Guide youth organizers through the process of holding dialogues on collaboration
FUNDRAISING GUIDES
Generating Local Funds - English Argues that there are many local resources available that are often overlooked by organisations, which tend to be drawn to larger, national sources for funds. This small toolkit contains practical ideas for fundraising, as well as advice on how to make the most of local resources - not just financial, but human and material too. From TakingITGlobal Fundraising Strategy - English - Português - Español - adapted from the OIYP Skills Pack Fundraising Module, from Oxfam International Youth Parliament This is an adaptation of a fundraising guide developed by the OIYP for use in their Trade Justice Project. It lays out some basic steps to raising funds for an event, specifically travel to a conference or training.
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
Use our form to register your planned event. To help you plan: 1) Check out the Resource Library for guides to help you plan a workshop, a Youth Forum, a lobbying day, or other actions. 2) Share your ideas with other participants at WYMD Chat .