WYMD Newsletter - September 2007

1) Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, Warsaw (Poland), September 24 - October 5, 2007
The OSCE Office of Democracy Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) organizes a meeting to review the implementation of human dimension commitments entered into by all OSCE participating States and to look at ways to enhance compliance with these commitments. The evaluation of the procedures and mechanisms for monitoring is also subject to this meeting. The sessions of the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM) have as objectives to review human dimension commitments, to foster the implementation of these commitments, and to address new challenges by further developing commitments.
Since 1998, the HDIM has taken place annually (except for 1999, due to the Istanbul Summit) for a two-week period in Warsaw, bringing together representatives from the participating States' governments, from civil society, as well as from OSCE institutions and structures and other international organizations. In 2006, the meeting brought together more than 1000 participants, including over 400 NGO representatives.
This year's HDIM agenda includes such issues as tolerance and non-discrimination, fundamental freedoms, humanitarian issues, rule of law, democratic institutions, gender aspects of security and others. The NGOs are also encouraged to organize the side events on the topics of specific interest.
For more information, please visit http://www.osce.org/conferences/hdim_2007.html

2) "All different, all equal" Campaign Final Event, Malmö (Sweden), October 4-7, 2007
The European "All Different All Equal" European Youth Campaign on Diversity, Human Rights and Participation is due to end in September of 2007 and the Final Event will take place in Sweden on October 4-7. At that time, almost 300 participants from National Campaign Committees (NCCs) and affiliated organizations that have been actively involved in the Campaign will gather in Malmö in the south of Sweden. The participants will have the opportunity to share experiences, disseminate best practices, learn from mistakes and successes and examine the outcomes from different campaign strategies.
For more information, please visit http://alldifferent-allequal.info/node/632

3) UNESCO Youth Forum, Paris (France), October 12-13, 2007
Young people from all over the world will come together at UNESCO in Paris for the fifth UNESCO Youth Forum. Since 1999, this Forum has been an integral part of UNESCO’s General Conference. Every two years the Forum gives young people the opportunity to share their experiences, identify common concerns and contribute to the work of UNESCO. The 2007 Youth Forum will examine the results and recommendations from a series of Regional UNESCO Youth Forums held in 2006 and 2007 on the theme of "Young People and the Dialogue among Civilizations, Cultures and Peoples".
For more information, please contact ucj(at)unesco.org.

4) 8th training on "Making Governance Gender Responsive (MGGR)", Manila (Philippines), November 12-19, 2007
The course, organized by the Center for Asia Pacific Women in Politics (CAPWIP) Institute for Gender, Governance & Leadership, is designed for parliamentarians, middle and senior level government executives and officials, women and men in local governments, political parties, research and training institutes and civil society organizations and non-government organizations who are leading or participating in governance reform initiatives in their respective countries.
The course is composed of modules developed to enhance the participants' understanding of the link between gender and governance as well as increase their awareness of gender biases in governance.
For more information or to apply, please visit: http://www.capwip.org/training/mggr.htm

5) Training "Getting Global! - Promoting Global Citizenship in Youth Work", Buenos Aires (Argentina), December 3 – 12, 2007
This training, organized by the National Youth Council of Catalonia (CNJC), offers an opportunity for over 18 years old youth educators from Latin America and Europe having the willingness to develop their competences as educators in sustainable development as a central issue of Global Citizenship Education.
Transversally, the course aims to contribute to the development of sustainable co-operation strategies in youth work between European and Latin American organizations acting at national, regional, and international level.
For more information, please visit: http://www.salto-youth.net/find-a-training/1120.html

6) 5th International Vietnamese Youth Conference, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), January 4-6, 2008
The Len Duong Vietnamese Youth Network, in collaboration with other youth groups around the world, will hold the 5th International Vietnamese Youth Conference - "Building Civil Society in Vietnam - Grassroots Efforts for Democracy". The conference will allow youth the opportunity to exchange ideas and histories, outlining policy for the future.
For more information, please visit: http://malaysia2008.net/-English-.html

7) 4th World Youth Congress, Quebec (Canada), August 10-21, 2008
The Congress will bring 600 of the world's most dynamic young activists in the field of sustainable development to Québec from 120 different countries.
It offers a unique opportunity to meet and work alongside young people who are really doing things and going places. This event sets a new standard for international youth events, and will be the largest and most inspirational gathering of its kind for young people taking place anywhere in the world in 2008.
There is a strong role at the Congress for young journalists, cultural performers (e.g. dancers / actors / film makers / musicians), as well as for those with an interest in sustainable development, but less personal experience in this area.
Delegates will join forces with young Canadians to undertake hands-on community action projects across Québec, and will help shape international policy by documenting and showing governments what young people are doing to achieve the MDGs.
For more information or to apply, please visit: http://www.wyc2008.qc.ca

September 2007 Newsletter
WYMD Updates 1) Greetings from the new Secretariat 2) Join World Youth Day for Democracy - 2007! DEMOCRACY ALERTS/APPEALS from the World Movement for Democracy (WMD) 1) Somali: Two Somali Journalists Murdered HIGHLIGHTED ARTICLES, NEWS AND REPORTS FROM PARTICIPANTS 1) News: Russian authorities deny their mistakes (Russia) 2) Report: "No Borders" Youth Festival (Ukraine) 3) Report: International Youth Day Commemoration (Sri Lanka) 4) Report: 3rd Amnesty International Youth Network Forum "Racism and Xenophobia in Ukraine" (Ukraine) HIGHLIGHTED NEWS FROM INTERNATIONAL PRESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS 1) International Youth Day - keep freedom flying (Amnesty International) 2) New Campaign to Silence Rights Activist in Russia (Human Rights Watch) HIGHLIGHTED FORTHCOMING EVENTS 1) Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, Warsaw (Poland), September 24 - October 5, 2007 2) "All different, all equal" Campaign Final Event, Malmö (Sweden), October 4-7, 2007 3) UNESCO Youth Forum, Paris (France), October 12-13, 2007 4) 8th training on "Making Governance Gender Responsive (MGGR)", Manila (Philippines), November 12-19, 2007 5) Training "Getting Global! - Promoting Global Citizenship in Youth Work", Buenos Aires (Argentina), December 3 - 12, 2007 6) 5th International Vietnamese Youth Conference, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), January 4-6, 2008 7) 4th World Youth Congress, Quebec (Canada), August 10-21, 2008 OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRANTS, FUNDING AND PARTICIPATION 1) American Councils for International Education Fellowships (International) 2) John Smith Fellowship (former Soviet Union countries) 3) Anne Frank "Sources of Inspiration" Photo contest (International) 4) Development Gateway Foundation Photo Contest (International)
WYMD Updates
1) Greetings from the new secretariat As it was announced in the previous edition of the WYMD Newsletter, the International Secretariat left San Paulo, Brazil, for Kiev, Ukraine, to be hosted there by the International Youth Human Rights Movement and its partners. First of all our team wants to express our gratitude to Andrea, Marta and all the GYAN team who've been working hard for two years to promote and develop the Youth Movement for Democracy. Secondly, we'd like to greet all the participants of WYMD and those interested in its activities. We'll try to keep the good traditions created by the first Secretariat and also to give some new impulse to the development of our Movement. In the nearest future we are going to focus our efforts mainly on WYMD structure development, creation of workgroups on certain topics within our network and preparing for the WMD Assembly in Kiev. And, of course, we'll need your participation and advice to make these our efforts successful. Never hesitate to contact us at wymd[at]youthlink.org or wymd[at]hrworld.ru, or through our online form. And now let us shortly introduce the members of our team: Anna Dobrovolskaya from the international service of the Youth Human Rights Movement is going to take the position of the Executive Secretary. She moves between Russia and Ukraine working for YHRM in Voronezh and Kiev. Konstantin Baranov from Youth Civil Congress and "Young Europe" international network, who has been involved into WYMD activities for about a year as a Russian-language coordinator, will act as the Secretary Assistant. He is from Russia. Alexandra Matveychuk, who is working in Kiev for the International Youth Centre "Human Rights and Democracy"(a partner structure of YHRM in Ukraine). Anastasia Nikitina, the leader of the "Young Europe" network, and Andrey Yurov, the YHRM-international honorary president, who are full members of the Working Committee (WYMD decision-making body) will act as advisors for the Secretariat team. So, welcome once again and good luck to all of us in our common work in promoting democracy worldwide! 2) Join World Youth Day for Democracy - 2007! While WYMD participants work year-round to promote and deepen democracy in their countries, they rally each year on October 18th to organize activities to inform the media, engage decision-makers, and inspire the general public. These activities: MOBILIZE participants to hold and 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 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! Learn more here! 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.
Democracy Alerts/Appeals (from the World Movement for Democracy)
1) Somali: Two Somali Journalists Murdered On August 11, 2007, two Somali independent journalists - Radio Capital Voice director Mahad Ahmed Elmi and Horn Afrik radio director Ali Imam Sharmarke - were murdered. Mr. Elmi was shot dead on his way to work in Mogadishu, and hours later, Mr. Sharmarke was killed when a remote-controlled mine was detonated on the route of Mr. Elmi's funeral procession. Also, Reporters Without Borders states that the day before these murders, Radio Mogadishu journalist Abdihakin Omar Jimale was shot in the shoulder and hospitalized. The World Movement for Democracy urges the Transitional Federal Government to investigate these crimes and prosecute those responsible. The murders of Mr. Elmi and Mr. Sharmarke and the attempt on Mr. Jimale's life appear to be part of a wave of violence against media workers in Somalia. There have been six murders of media workers this year alone. The escalated violence reflects the weak state of independent media in Somalia. The National Endowment for Democracy (NED), of which Horn Afrik is a grantee, has issued a statement condemning the violence and offering solidarity with the Somali media outlets, nongovernmental organizations, and civic groups that continue to work for the realization of basic human rights in Somalia. NED currently serves as the Secretariat of the World Movement for Democracy. To read more information from Reporters Without Borders about the recent murders, go to: www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=23259 To read the annual report by Reporters Without Borders on the state of media in Somalia, go to: www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=20740 To read the statement from the National Endowment for Democracy, go to: www.wmd.org/documents/SomaliJournalistsAug2007.pdf
Highlighted Contributions from Youth and Democracy Groups
News on projects, issues and experiences; articles and reports; news of events and information on groups and organizations, from people working on youth activism and democracy issues. Please remember, we do not monitor groups, and do not wish to censor material. We hope the information here is truthful, but we also hope that participants reading this information will try to gather as much information as they can about these groups and current affairs. 1) News: Russian authorities deny their mistakes (Russia) After the fact, that the International Youth Human Rights Movement was deprived of its legal entity in Russia by court decision, became known to the organization's representatives, a solidarity campaign to investigate the situation and restore justice was organized both in the country and abroad. YHRM received lots of letters of support from its participants, partners and just concerned people and organizations from different countries. Special statements condemning the unlawful actions of the Russian Federal Registration Service were issued by two famous international organizations - Freedom House (read statement) and Amnesty International (read statement). Protest actions in Nizhniy Novgorod, Moscow (Russia) and Kiev (Ukraine) were organized and substantial media coverage was achieved. Negotiations with civil servants of the Federal Registration Service both in Nizhniy Novgorod and Moscow offices also took place. As a result of the campaign the Registration Service published the statement, in which it insists that the activists' complaints are groundless, as they didn't close the international organization, they closed the interregional instead (which was re-registered as international in 2004). This comes into contradiction with the court decision and the original suit lodged by the Registration Service. The present situation is that the FRS states they don't have any claims to the international organization, but at the same time don't want to acknowledge their own mistake committed in early August. The YHRM lodged a complaint with a court on all the actions conducted by the Registration Service. YHRM activists and its partners consider this case as typical and a serious alarm of the changes introduced by the new Russian NGO legislation. The YHRM is planning to continue its struggle and their work to defend other NGOs suffering due to imperfect legislation and planned pressure. For the updates of the situation, see: http://www.defence.yhrm.org/indexeng.php 2) Report: "No Borders" Youth Festival (Ukraine) The international youth festival «No Borders» took place from August 18 till 22 in Transcarpathia (Ukraine) on the boundary between Poland and Romania. It was organized by international Youth Human Rights Movement, Center "Social Action" (Ukraine), initiative group "No Borders" (Russia- Ukraine - Germany) and organization "Our Podolje" (Ukraine). More than 200 persons from Western and Eastern Europe (Germany, Italy, France, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Armenia, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, etc.) discussed the current European migration policy and the situation with freedom of movement and also opportunities of youth in the sphere of integrating migrants and refugees. The important part of the program was the presentation of the "All Different - All Equal" campaign and successful initiatives of working with migrants and refugees, changing the states migration policy, creating asylums, etc. in different countries. The festival's participants also had the opportunity to get acquainted with the situation of migrants and refugees on the border with Ukraine and in the European Union, as well as to enjoy the open actions in the city: Ukrainian music groups concert, cinema shows of documentaries and feature films, photo exposition, etc. The festival program was also supplemented with pickets and demonstrations in front of the Uzhgorod city administration, Committee of citizenship and migration affairs and the main detention centers. 3) Report: International Youth Day Commemoration (Sri Lanka) GCAP Sri Lanka Youth Federation and Sri Lanka-United Nations Friendship Organization (SUNFO) organized a serious of activities commemorating the International Youth Day and the Global Youth Service Day during the month of August. The main Commemoration Ceremony was held at BMICH, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka on August 28. The ceremony was opened by the traditional Oil Lamp and religious observances. Speeches from the guests were accompanied by the presentation of SUNFO membership certificates to new members and presentations of the achievements and future projects. The idea for International Youth Day was first proposed in 1991 by the young people who were gathered in Vienna, Austria, for the first session of the World Youth Forum of the United Nations System. The Forum recommended that an International Youth Day be declared, especially for fund-raising and promotional purposes, to support the United Nations Youth Fund and the work of youth organizations. The theme for this year’s celebration of International Youth Day, "Be seen, be heard: youth participation for development," highlights the importance of youth participation for development and draws attention to the mechanisms and opportunities for ensuring their participation, while empowering them to participate in decisions that affect their lives. 4) Report: 3rd Amnesty International Youth Network Forum "Racism and Xenophobia in Ukraine" (Ukraine) On September 1-2 young activists from different organizations and students from different cities of Ukraine and Russia met in Kiev to learn more about such notions as racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia. The representatives of the International Youth Human Rights Movement acted as experts of the forum. Andrey Yurov, the YHRM International honorary president and Council of Europe expert, noted that the problem of intolerance should be regarded at a more profound level, as the true struggle is between different ideas of fundamentalism which offers simple answers to complex challenges, and humanism, which states that the world is infinitely complex. The situation in Ukraine was presented by the representatives of the "No Borders" international initiative. According to them, the manifestations of intolerance are not so systematic and severe as in Russia, but in absence of an adequate response they can become such in one or two years already. A short presentation of the situation with xenophobia in Russia and different youth anti-fascist initiatives was made by Aksenova Irina, the coordinator of the Youth Network against Racism and Intolerance (www.ynri.hrworld.ru). It is known that Ukrainian neo-Nazi actively use the experience of their "colleagues" from the neighboring country and even clone the organizations. Thus, Ukraine has its own Movement against illegal migration, which doesn't deny its links with the same structure in Russia. A more detailed report of the Forum will soon be published on the Amnesty International - Ukraine website: www.amnesty.org.ua. Check out WYMD's Resource Page for toolkits, guides, and more articles.
Highlighted News from the International Press and Human Rights Groups
1) International Youth Day - keep freedom flying (the Wire, Amnesty International) September, 2007 AI youth activists from South Africa to South Korea came together in a creative celebration of International Youth Day at AI's International Council Meeting in Mexico. The activists created a giant origami bird of peace representing freedom in support of prisoner of conscience Zmitser Dashkevich. The Belarusian youth opposition leader, imprisoned for expressing his views, symbolizes the harassment and intimidation faced by young activists around the world. Young people at the forefront of social activism are often the first to be silenced. In Belarus, AI has observed an increasing number of arrests of youth activists. In the run up to the last presidential elections - and indeed since - many students have been expelled from universities as a result of their political activities. The origami bird was nearly two meters high and will soon be flying to the capital, Minsk, calling for Zmitser Dashkevich's release. The action is just one part of a campaign that has seen 6,500 paper birds sent to Belarus. Read the full article: http://web.amnesty.org/wire/September2007/Youth Visit AI website: http://www.amnesty.org/ 2): New Campaign to Silence Rights Activist in Russia (Human Rights Watch) August 17, 2007 The Russian government's latest attempt to silence a leading human rights advocate reflects a deepening crackdown on critical voices in Russia, Human Rights Watch said today. A court in Nizhni Novgorod will today rule on whether to impose tougher terms on Stanislav Dmitrievsky, who was convicted in 2006 for publicizing human rights abuses in Chechnya. At the hearing, set for 9:40 a.m. today, the Nizhegorodski district court will decide whether to grant a government motion toughening the terms of the two-year suspended sentence Dmitrievsky received in February 2006 on politically motivated charges that related to his work on human rights in Chechnya. If the court grants the motion, filed at the request of the Nizhni Novgorod Province Procuracy, Dmitrievsky's suspended sentence could be replaced by a prison term of two years if he commits two administrative violations within a year at any time during his four-year probationary period. Administrative violations might be as minor as crossing the street in the wrong place and are routinely used against activists for participating in public demonstrations. "The worrying developments in the Dmitrievsky case show Russian authorities are intensifying their campaign to limit criticism of the government," said Holly Cartner, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. Dmitrievsky told Human Rights Watch that he believes the authorities have a two-fold goal - to stop his participation in civic and political activities and to put him in detention. Read the full article: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/08/17/russia16702.htm Visit HRW website: http://hrw.org/
Highlighted Forthcoming Events
1) Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, Warsaw (Poland), September 24 - October 5, 2007 The OSCE Office of Democracy Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) organizes a meeting to review the implementation of human dimension commitments entered into by all OSCE participating States and to look at ways to enhance compliance with these commitments. The evaluation of the procedures and mechanisms for monitoring is also subject to this meeting. The sessions of the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM) have as objectives to review human dimension commitments, to foster the implementation of these commitments, and to address new challenges by further developing commitments. Since 1998, the HDIM has taken place annually (except for 1999, due to the Istanbul Summit) for a two-week period in Warsaw, bringing together representatives from the participating States' governments, from civil society, as well as from OSCE institutions and structures and other international organizations. In 2006, the meeting brought together more than 1000 participants, including over 400 NGO representatives. This year's HDIM agenda includes such issues as tolerance and non-discrimination, fundamental freedoms, humanitarian issues, rule of law, democratic institutions, gender aspects of security and others. The NGOs are also encouraged to organize the side events on the topics of specific interest. For more information, please visit http://www.osce.org/conferences/hdim_2007.html 2) "All different, all equal" Campaign Final Event, Malmö (Sweden), October 4-7, 2007 The European "All Different All Equal" European Youth Campaign on Diversity, Human Rights and Participation is due to end in September of 2007 and the Final Event will take place in Sweden on October 4-7. At that time, almost 300 participants from National Campaign Committees (NCCs) and affiliated organizations that have been actively involved in the Campaign will gather in Malmö in the south of Sweden. The participants will have the opportunity to share experiences, disseminate best practices, learn from mistakes and successes and examine the outcomes from different campaign strategies. For more information, please visit http://alldifferent-allequal.info/node/632 3) UNESCO Youth Forum, Paris (France), October 12-13, 2007 Young people from all over the world will come together at UNESCO in Paris for the fifth UNESCO Youth Forum. Since 1999, this Forum has been an integral part of UNESCO’s General Conference. Every two years the Forum gives young people the opportunity to share their experiences, identify common concerns and contribute to the work of UNESCO. The 2007 Youth Forum will examine the results and recommendations from a series of Regional UNESCO Youth Forums held in 2006 and 2007 on the theme of "Young People and the Dialogue among Civilizations, Cultures and Peoples". For more information, please contact ucj(at)unesco.org. 4) 8th training on "Making Governance Gender Responsive (MGGR)", Manila (Philippines), November 12-19, 2007 The course, organized by the Center for Asia Pacific Women in Politics (CAPWIP) Institute for Gender, Governance & Leadership, is designed for parliamentarians, middle and senior level government executives and officials, women and men in local governments, political parties, research and training institutes and civil society organizations and non-government organizations who are leading or participating in governance reform initiatives in their respective countries. The course is composed of modules developed to enhance the participants' understanding of the link between gender and governance as well as increase their awareness of gender biases in governance. For more information or to apply, please visit: http://www.capwip.org/training/mggr.htm 5) Training "Getting Global! - Promoting Global Citizenship in Youth Work", Buenos Aires (Argentina), December 3 – 12, 2007 This training, organized by the National Youth Council of Catalonia (CNJC), offers an opportunity for over 18 years old youth educators from Latin America and Europe having the willingness to develop their competences as educators in sustainable development as a central issue of Global Citizenship Education. Transversally, the course aims to contribute to the development of sustainable co-operation strategies in youth work between European and Latin American organizations acting at national, regional, and international level. For more information, please visit: http://www.salto-youth.net/find-a-training/1120.html 6) 5th International Vietnamese Youth Conference, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), January 4-6, 2008 The Len Duong Vietnamese Youth Network, in collaboration with other youth groups around the world, will hold the 5th International Vietnamese Youth Conference - "Building Civil Society in Vietnam - Grassroots Efforts for Democracy". The conference will allow youth the opportunity to exchange ideas and histories, outlining policy for the future. For more information, please visit: http://malaysia2008.net/-English-.html 7) 4th World Youth Congress, Quebec (Canada), August 10-21, 2008 The Congress will bring 600 of the world's most dynamic young activists in the field of sustainable development to Québec from 120 different countries. It offers a unique opportunity to meet and work alongside young people who are really doing things and going places. This event sets a new standard for international youth events, and will be the largest and most inspirational gathering of its kind for young people taking place anywhere in the world in 2008. There is a strong role at the Congress for young journalists, cultural performers (e.g. dancers / actors / film makers / musicians), as well as for those with an interest in sustainable development, but less personal experience in this area. Delegates will join forces with young Canadians to undertake hands-on community action projects across Québec, and will help shape international policy by documenting and showing governments what young people are doing to achieve the MDGs. For more information or to apply, please visit: http://www.wyc2008.qc.ca
Opportunities for Grants, Funding and Participation
1) American Councils for International Education Fellowships With funding from the U.S. Department of State's Program for the Study of Eastern Europe and the Independent States of the Former Soviet Union (Title VIII), the American Councils for International Education provides full support for graduate students, faculty, and post- doctoral scholars to conduct policy-relevant research for three to nine months in Belarus, Central Asia, Russia, the South Caucasus, Ukraine, and Moldova. Scholars in the social sciences and humanities are eligible to apply for the program. While a wide range of topics receive support each year, all funded research must contribute to a body of knowledge enabling the U.S. to better understand the region and formulate effective policies within it. Application Deadline: 1 October, 2007; and 15 January, 2008 For more information, please visit: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10008589/acie 2) John Smith Fellowship The John Smith Fellowship is an intensive, five-week programme on good governance, democracy and social justice in the United Kingdom. The Fellowship Programme's goals are to strengthen and deepen democratic awareness through a study programme and placements which show the workings of democratic organisations and their role within a democratic society. The Programme targets young leaders of high calibre from the former Soviet Union working in politics, local government or civil society with an established interest in promoting democratic values. Application Deadline: 6 November 2007 For more information, please visit http://www.johnsmithmemorialtrust.org/web/site/Programme/program.asp 3) Anne Frank "Sources of Inspiration" Photo contest The photo contest, entitled "Sources of Inspiration", invites contributions from young people worldwide on the things Anne Frank wrote about in her diary, such as freedom, goodness, giving, courage, happiness, humanity and usefulness. Entries will be judged by the members of an international group of celebrated young photographers. Deadline: 1 October, 2007 For more information, please visit: http://www.annefrank.org/contest 4) Development Gateway Foundation Photo Contest (International) The Development Gateway Foundation photo competition is open to ALL photographers at least 18 years of age. We are looking for compelling photographs of socio-economic development in developing countries. Four types of photographs will be accepted. 1) The images may show information and communications technologies helping ordinary people. 2) The images may show people making something, selling wares, working in a field, constructing a building or type of infrastructure, or acquiring knowledge. 3) The images could be abstract images representing hope, the future, or capacity building. 4) The photographs may also include images of original artwork from a developing country. Please do not include photographs of groups of people posing. Each entry must include a written statement explaining how that image is representative of development. Images will be judged on technical excellence, composition, overall impact, and artistic merit. The top 10 photographs will be posted on the Development Gateway Foundation Web site. All visitors to the site will be able to vote once. The voting will begin at 12:01 a.m. on October 1 and end at 11:59 on October 8. The winner will be announced on October 9. Prize: $500.00. See the website for more details. Deadline for submitting entries is September 21, 2007
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[at]youthlink.org or using our online feedback form