World Youth Movement for Democracy

World Youth Movement for Democracy

October '06 Newsletter

WYMD News

World Youth Day for Democracy - October 18th Don't forget about this year's World Youth Day for Democracy! This year, we want to invite all participants of the WYMD to contribute by planning an event on this day to highlight youth activism across the globe!
We now have a website with ideas for action, resources, lists of current campaigns from major human rights groups and a form for you to register your event.

Activities currently planned by WYMD participants include:

- Consultation on Youth Perspectives on Democracy - Panorama Center, Palestine
Workshops held by young activists in Palestine to discuss and evaluate ideas on democracy and engagement of Palestinian youth in democracy.
- Youth in Debate - Discussions with Candidates for Public Office - Aracati - Agency of Social Mobilization (www.aracati.org.br - Portuguese) and the Global Youth Action Network (www.youthlink.org) Brazil
National campaign for youth participation in the 2006 Brazilian elections, based around the organization of debates between gubernatorial candidates.
- Taiwan Youth Democracy Barometer: A survey of youth perspectives on democracy - Taiwan Youth for Democracy in Asia (TYDA), Taiwan - English
This project will collect and examine critical questions important to youth on the current state and future course of Taiwan's democracy, to be used to address youths' concerns.

Check out the World Youth Day for Democracy page for more details and for resources and ideas!

Join WYMD Chat - Join our e-forum for exchanging news, resources, ideas and experiences. Share knowledge gain information and ideas, or just meet other WYMD members online.
Get started by sending an email to ymdchat-subscribe@groups.takingitglobal.org

Check out WYMD's new and updated information!

NEW - Events - Check out this new page containing news of major international youth and democracy events all over the world. This page will be updated frequently, so keep checking for new events in your country or region!
Updated Resources Page - Our resources page has been updated with new information and links to essential toolkits and interesting articles. Includes new articles on fundraising, community projects, mobilizing at school, and social justice to give you fresh perspectives, inspiration and ideas on how to mobilize and what can be achieved.

International News

Haiti: Activist's killing shows need for disarmament programme ( from Amnesty International ) Press release,
September 28th, 2006
Bruner Esterne, President of the Grand Ravine Community Council for Human Rights, was killed on 21 September 2006 by unknown individuals. Esterne was an eyewitness of a massacre which took place on 20 August 2005 in which at least 20 people were killed. The massacre was allegedly perpetrated by members of an armed gang known as “Little Machete Army” backed by rogue police officers. Read the full story - here
Myanmar: Detention of three student leaders ( from Amnesty International )
September 28th, 2006
Concern has been expressed at the detention of three student leaders in Yangon. Amnesty International urged the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC, Myanmar’s military government) to immediately and unconditionally release them from detention, and not to penalize them or anyone else for peaceful political activities. U Htay Kywe, Ko Ko Gyi and Paw U Tun aka Min Ko Naing, were among the few remaining leaders of the political opposition still at liberty in Myanmar, where the majority of senior opposition politicians are imprisoned on account of their peaceful activities. Read the full story here: - here

U.S.: Girls Abused in New York’s Juvenile Prisons ( from Human Rights Watch )
New York, September 25th, 2006
Violent Restraints, Sexual Abuse Must Stop
Girls in New York’s juvenile prisons are being abused and neglected by state authorities, Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union charged in a report released today. Full article - here.
Read the report - here .
Pakistan: ‘Free Kashmir’ Far From Free ( from Human Rights Watch )
Islamabad, September 21st, 2006
Government Opponents Face Torture, Censorship and Political Repression
In Azad Kashmir the Pakistani government represses democratic freedoms, freedom of the press and practices routine torture, according to a Human Rights Watch report released September 21st. Based on research in Azad Kashmir (which means "free Kashmir") and Pakistan, the 71-page report, "With Friends Like These...: Human Rights Violations in Azad Kachmir" uncovers abuses at the hands of the Pakistani military, intelligence services and militant organizations.
Full article - here.
Read the report - here

Thailand - Military Coup and aftermath ( from the BBC )
September 20th, 2006 - Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra deposed in bloodless coup perpetrated by military
September 21st, 2006 - King believed to have endorsed coup
September 27th, 2006 - Generals seek change of image to hold onto civilian support
Keep up to date with the Thai political situation - here
Zimbabwean Human Rights Activists Arrested, Detained, and Mistreated
September 11th
On September 11th and 13th, the Zimbabwe Republic Police violently arrested and detained hundreds of members of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and the women’s organization, Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), for exercising their rights to peaceful demonstration in Harare and other urban centres. The detainees have been denied access to lawyers, adequate food, and medical care. At least three of the detainees have suffered torture resulting in severe injuries.
We are urging members to send letters of appeal expressing concern at the events, and at the treatment of detainees, and reminding authorities of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.
Please see WYMD Chat, (http://groups.takingitglobal.org/ymdchat/messages/?view=msg&id=113922) dated September 19th for more details on what to include in the letters, and where to send them.
For more news on the events check the BBC pages: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5349134.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5341150.stm

Upcoming Events

Juventud, Incidencia pública y compromiso cuidadano (Youth, public participation and civic responsibility), Venezuela - October 17th, 2006
With the need to share visions and mechanisms which allow the strengthening of civic responsibility and public participation among young people , OPCIÓN Venezuela has established an alliance with the World Bank to create the Encuentro Latinoamericano “Juventud, Incidencia Pública y Compromiso Ciudadano. Reflexiones en torno al Informe del Banco Mundial: Desarrollo desde una perspectiva de juventud” with the participation of ten countries (Argentina, Brasil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Estados Unidos, Perú, República Dominicana, y Venezuela), from the region of Latin America and the Caribbean.
For details on the event and how to apply:
email: incidencia@opcionvenezuela.org

Do-Wire - "Democracy Online Day" - October 18th, 2006
In 539 BC, King Cyrus The Great of Persia is thought to have issued the first written list of human rights on this day.
This also happens to be during Local Democracy Week in the UK and a few weeks before U.S. mid-term elections.
By having a simple day where all providers of online democratic/governance and political content alike can celebrate their efforts, more people will be made aware of the positive uses of the Internet for citizen participation.
If you plan to celebrate Democracy Online Day on October 17, 2006, visit the Do-Wire website for more details on how exactly you can get involved.

African Youth Humanitarian Conference, Nigeria - October 21, 2006
West and East African Humanitarian Alliance is a coalition of youth led organisations from Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Ghana, etc.
The organisation's objective is to raise funds for the people and communities that are living with hunger and hunger related diseases.
email: princeky2k@yahoo.co.uk

People To People International Global Youth Forum, 2006, United States, November 11, 2006
PTPI's Global Youth Forum (GYF) returns to America's Heartland, Kansas City, Missouri, the home of PTPI World Headquarters. Students between the ages of 13-18 will learn skills to enhance international understanding, humanitarianism, education and leadership. Confirmed participants/speakers include, actor Gary Sinise; Celia Sandys, granddaughter of Sir Winston Churchill; and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Craig Kielburger. For more information, contact ptpi@ptpi.org.

2006 World Congress of NGOs - NGOs: Forces for Peace, Jordan - November 30 - December 3, 2006
Organised by the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (WANGO). More than 400 NGO representatives, former and current heads of states and business leaders will gather to address the role of civil society in promoting and building peace. As a participant, you will be able to: (1) contribute your unique perspective and experience on the role of NGOs in fostering peace; (2) join the international forum of NGO representatives and prominent leaders discussing common concerns and tackling various challenges of the NGO sector; (3) interact, connect and network with like-minded leaders, and (4) develop oneself professionally through various training seminars and NGO briefings.
As places are limited, you are encouraged to register by the Early Registration Deadline of October 6, 2006. Registration closes on October 27, 2006.

Check out the WYMD website Events page for more events around the world

Grants and Funding Opportunities

Global Youth Fund - The Global Youth Fund is a youth-driven initiative to create the world's first democratic fund. Every year, GYF provides young global citizens a unique opportunity to design and select their own global campaigns, which they then finance through youth-led fundraising efforts.

STAND UP and be counted in the fight against poverty! STAND UP is an initiative from the United Nations Millennium Campaign and the Global Call to Action Against Poverty asking people to literally STAND UP, around the world, and mobilize against poverty -- to remind governments of their promise to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Do you enjoy writing? Are you interested in organizing a campaign in your school or community to fight poverty? You may be eligible to become a web editor for the United Nations Cyberschoolbus MDG Youth Site, through a writing contest sponsored by the UN Cyberschoolbus and the Millennium Campaign. This competition is for youth aged 18-24.

Youth Initiative Awards, Nepal - November 15th, 2006
Youth Initiative recognizes young people as change makers and agents of social transformation and hence encourages them to take leadership to bring about positive changes in the societies they live in while growing to their fullest potential.
As part of its efforts to empower and involve young people, it will reward 5 young leaders with an award amounting Rs 10,000 each to help fund their innovative projects. This year's Youth Initiative Awards will support initiatives that contribute towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Highlighted Articles and Stories

These articles on youth activism and democracy include accounts of personal experiences of activism, issues and challenges involved in organising, and suggestions on how these challenges can be overcome. Also included in this section are interesting articles or stories on issues related to activism and democracy.

NAYMOTE Report on the by-election of district # 2, Margibi County (Liberia) - English -
NAYMOTE (National Youth Movement for Transparent Elections - Partners for Democratic Development) is a youth-led organisation of graduates, student leaders, and professionals, which seeks to contribute to building peace and democracy in war ravaged Liberia through civic education, encouraging more civic and political participation of youth and women; voter education; training sessions for youth and women to enable them to educate more voters; advocacy for constitutional and electoral reform; and networking with other pro-democracy and human rights groups. This is a report on a district by-election in Liberia which NAYMOTE observed. NAYMOTE were also involved in encouraging local participation in the by-election. The report details in brief the activities undertaken, and their success.

"Politics as Usual" Will Not Win the Youth Votes! - English -
By Mark Rodney
A short essay on youth participation in Jamaica. This essay discusses the challenges faced by young people in Jamaica with an interest in activism and in political participation. The challenges range from the type of challenges experienced by youth worldwide e.g. the difficulty in being taken seriously, and a general lack of power and influence, to challenges more specific to Jamaica, e.g. a limited choice of party, the current political climate etc. The essay also discusses the current political as well as the historical climate in Jamaica.

Check out WYMD's Resources Page for toolkits, guides, and more articles.

Your voice

Contribute to WYMD's Newsletter!

We would love to hear more from WYMD members, and develop this newsletter as a forum for you to share stories, experiences, news of events etc. So please, if you have any stories to share, know of any events that might be of interest (international or national), or just want to share an experience of activism or participation, please send us an update so we can share this information with the other members!

Please send any news, articles etc to wymd@youthlink.org.

October '06 Newsletter
WYMD News
World Youth Day for Democracy - October 18th Don't forget about this year's World Youth Day for Democracy! This year, we want to invite all participants of the WYMD to contribute by planning an event on this day to highlight youth activism across the globe! We now have a website with ideas for action, resources, lists of current campaigns from major human rights groups and a form for you to register your event. Activities currently planned by WYMD participants include: - Consultation on Youth Perspectives on Democracy - Panorama Center, Palestine Workshops held by young activists in Palestine to discuss and evaluate ideas on democracy and engagement of Palestinian youth in democracy. - Youth in Debate - Discussions with Candidates for Public Office - Aracati - Agency of Social Mobilization (www.aracati.org.br - Portuguese) and the Global Youth Action Network (www.youthlink.org) Brazil National campaign for youth participation in the 2006 Brazilian elections, based around the organization of debates between gubernatorial candidates. - Taiwan Youth Democracy Barometer: A survey of youth perspectives on democracy - Taiwan Youth for Democracy in Asia (TYDA), Taiwan - English This project will collect and examine critical questions important to youth on the current state and future course of Taiwan's democracy, to be used to address youths' concerns. Check out the World Youth Day for Democracy page for more details and for resources and ideas! Join WYMD Chat - Join our e-forum for exchanging news, resources, ideas and experiences. Share knowledge gain information and ideas, or just meet other WYMD members online. Get started by sending an email to ymdchat-subscribe@groups.takingitglobal.org Check out WYMD's new and updated information! NEW - Events - Check out this new page containing news of major international youth and democracy events all over the world. This page will be updated frequently, so keep checking for new events in your country or region! Updated Resources Page - Our resources page has been updated with new information and links to essential toolkits and interesting articles. Includes new articles on fundraising, community projects, mobilizing at school, and social justice to give you fresh perspectives, inspiration and ideas on how to mobilize and what can be achieved.
International News
Haiti: Activist's killing shows need for disarmament programme ( from Amnesty International ) Press release, September 28th, 2006 Bruner Esterne, President of the Grand Ravine Community Council for Human Rights, was killed on 21 September 2006 by unknown individuals. Esterne was an eyewitness of a massacre which took place on 20 August 2005 in which at least 20 people were killed. The massacre was allegedly perpetrated by members of an armed gang known as “Little Machete Army” backed by rogue police officers. Read the full story - here Myanmar: Detention of three student leaders ( from Amnesty International ) September 28th, 2006 Concern has been expressed at the detention of three student leaders in Yangon. Amnesty International urged the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC, Myanmar’s military government) to immediately and unconditionally release them from detention, and not to penalize them or anyone else for peaceful political activities. U Htay Kywe, Ko Ko Gyi and Paw U Tun aka Min Ko Naing, were among the few remaining leaders of the political opposition still at liberty in Myanmar, where the majority of senior opposition politicians are imprisoned on account of their peaceful activities. Read the full story here: - here U.S.: Girls Abused in New York’s Juvenile Prisons ( from Human Rights Watch ) New York, September 25th, 2006 Violent Restraints, Sexual Abuse Must Stop Girls in New York’s juvenile prisons are being abused and neglected by state authorities, Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union charged in a report released today. Full article - here. Read the report - here . Pakistan: ‘Free Kashmir’ Far From Free ( from Human Rights Watch ) Islamabad, September 21st, 2006 Government Opponents Face Torture, Censorship and Political Repression In Azad Kashmir the Pakistani government represses democratic freedoms, freedom of the press and practices routine torture, according to a Human Rights Watch report released September 21st. Based on research in Azad Kashmir (which means "free Kashmir") and Pakistan, the 71-page report, "With Friends Like These...: Human Rights Violations in Azad Kachmir" uncovers abuses at the hands of the Pakistani military, intelligence services and militant organizations. Full article - here. Read the report - here Thailand - Military Coup and aftermath ( from the BBC ) September 20th, 2006 - Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra deposed in bloodless coup perpetrated by military September 21st, 2006 - King believed to have endorsed coup September 27th, 2006 - Generals seek change of image to hold onto civilian support Keep up to date with the Thai political situation - here Zimbabwean Human Rights Activists Arrested, Detained, and Mistreated September 11th On September 11th and 13th, the Zimbabwe Republic Police violently arrested and detained hundreds of members of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and the women’s organization, Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), for exercising their rights to peaceful demonstration in Harare and other urban centres. The detainees have been denied access to lawyers, adequate food, and medical care. At least three of the detainees have suffered torture resulting in severe injuries. We are urging members to send letters of appeal expressing concern at the events, and at the treatment of detainees, and reminding authorities of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. Please see WYMD Chat, (http://groups.takingitglobal.org/ymdchat/messages/?view=msg&id=113922) dated September 19th for more details on what to include in the letters, and where to send them. For more news on the events check the BBC pages: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5349134.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5341150.stm
Upcoming Events
Juventud, Incidencia pública y compromiso cuidadano (Youth, public participation and civic responsibility), Venezuela - October 17th, 2006 With the need to share visions and mechanisms which allow the strengthening of civic responsibility and public participation among young people , OPCIÓN Venezuela has established an alliance with the World Bank to create the Encuentro Latinoamericano “Juventud, Incidencia Pública y Compromiso Ciudadano. Reflexiones en torno al Informe del Banco Mundial: Desarrollo desde una perspectiva de juventud” with the participation of ten countries (Argentina, Brasil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Estados Unidos, Perú, República Dominicana, y Venezuela), from the region of Latin America and the Caribbean. For details on the event and how to apply: email: incidencia@opcionvenezuela.org Do-Wire - "Democracy Online Day" - October 18th, 2006 In 539 BC, King Cyrus The Great of Persia is thought to have issued the first written list of human rights on this day. This also happens to be during Local Democracy Week in the UK and a few weeks before U.S. mid-term elections. By having a simple day where all providers of online democratic/governance and political content alike can celebrate their efforts, more people will be made aware of the positive uses of the Internet for citizen participation. If you plan to celebrate Democracy Online Day on October 17, 2006, visit the Do-Wire website for more details on how exactly you can get involved. African Youth Humanitarian Conference, Nigeria - October 21, 2006 West and East African Humanitarian Alliance is a coalition of youth led organisations from Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Ghana, etc. The organisation's objective is to raise funds for the people and communities that are living with hunger and hunger related diseases. email: princeky2k@yahoo.co.uk People To People International Global Youth Forum, 2006, United States, November 11, 2006 PTPI's Global Youth Forum (GYF) returns to America's Heartland, Kansas City, Missouri, the home of PTPI World Headquarters. Students between the ages of 13-18 will learn skills to enhance international understanding, humanitarianism, education and leadership. Confirmed participants/speakers include, actor Gary Sinise; Celia Sandys, granddaughter of Sir Winston Churchill; and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Craig Kielburger. For more information, contact ptpi@ptpi.org. 2006 World Congress of NGOs - NGOs: Forces for Peace, Jordan - November 30 - December 3, 2006 Organised by the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (WANGO). More than 400 NGO representatives, former and current heads of states and business leaders will gather to address the role of civil society in promoting and building peace. As a participant, you will be able to: (1) contribute your unique perspective and experience on the role of NGOs in fostering peace; (2) join the international forum of NGO representatives and prominent leaders discussing common concerns and tackling various challenges of the NGO sector; (3) interact, connect and network with like-minded leaders, and (4) develop oneself professionally through various training seminars and NGO briefings. As places are limited, you are encouraged to register by the Early Registration Deadline of October 6, 2006. Registration closes on October 27, 2006. Check out the WYMD website Events page for more events around the world
Grants and Funding Opportunities
Global Youth Fund - The Global Youth Fund is a youth-driven initiative to create the world's first democratic fund. Every year, GYF provides young global citizens a unique opportunity to design and select their own global campaigns, which they then finance through youth-led fundraising efforts. STAND UP and be counted in the fight against poverty! STAND UP is an initiative from the United Nations Millennium Campaign and the Global Call to Action Against Poverty asking people to literally STAND UP, around the world, and mobilize against poverty -- to remind governments of their promise to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Do you enjoy writing? Are you interested in organizing a campaign in your school or community to fight poverty? You may be eligible to become a web editor for the United Nations Cyberschoolbus MDG Youth Site, through a writing contest sponsored by the UN Cyberschoolbus and the Millennium Campaign. This competition is for youth aged 18-24. Youth Initiative Awards, Nepal - November 15th, 2006 Youth Initiative recognizes young people as change makers and agents of social transformation and hence encourages them to take leadership to bring about positive changes in the societies they live in while growing to their fullest potential. As part of its efforts to empower and involve young people, it will reward 5 young leaders with an award amounting Rs 10,000 each to help fund their innovative projects. This year's Youth Initiative Awards will support initiatives that contribute towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Highlighted Articles and Stories
These articles on youth activism and democracy include accounts of personal experiences of activism, issues and challenges involved in organising, and suggestions on how these challenges can be overcome. Also included in this section are interesting articles or stories on issues related to activism and democracy. NAYMOTE Report on the by-election of district # 2, Margibi County (Liberia) - English - NAYMOTE (National Youth Movement for Transparent Elections - Partners for Democratic Development) is a youth-led organisation of graduates, student leaders, and professionals, which seeks to contribute to building peace and democracy in war ravaged Liberia through civic education, encouraging more civic and political participation of youth and women; voter education; training sessions for youth and women to enable them to educate more voters; advocacy for constitutional and electoral reform; and networking with other pro-democracy and human rights groups. This is a report on a district by-election in Liberia which NAYMOTE observed. NAYMOTE were also involved in encouraging local participation in the by-election. The report details in brief the activities undertaken, and their success.
"Politics as Usual" Will Not Win the Youth Votes! - English - By Mark Rodney A short essay on youth participation in Jamaica. This essay discusses the challenges faced by young people in Jamaica with an interest in activism and in political participation. The challenges range from the type of challenges experienced by youth worldwide e.g. the difficulty in being taken seriously, and a general lack of power and influence, to challenges more specific to Jamaica, e.g. a limited choice of party, the current political climate etc. The essay also discusses the current political as well as the historical climate in Jamaica. Check out WYMD's Resources Page for toolkits, guides, and more articles.
Your voice
Contribute to WYMD's Newsletter! We would love to hear more from WYMD members, and develop this newsletter as a forum for you to share stories, experiences, news of events etc. So please, if you have any stories to share, know of any events that might be of interest (international or national), or just want to share an experience of activism or participation, please send us an update so we can share this information with the other members! Please send any news, articles etc to wymd@youthlink.org.