Youth Flash Newsletter March 2013

As part of the 2013 UN World Youth Report consultation process, on 6 March, the UN Focal Point on Youth organized a Google+ Hangout with a panel of experts and youth representatives to discuss the theme of "Youth Migration and Development: Towards Sustainable Solutions."The Hangout explored practical strategies on realizing youth migrants’ potential, protecting their human rights, and promoting their social inclusion -- and how these can be achieved through collaborative efforts with youth organizations and other relevant stakeholders.

Harnessing the Human Development Potential of Youth Migrants

Migrants can be productive members in transit and destination countries as well as contribute to the sustainable development of their countries of origin. They can provide financial as well as social remittances, including innovative ideas, practices, identities and social capital.

Young migrants, especially female migrants and migrants in irregular situation face multiple challenges throughout the migration process -from pre-departure through in-transit, post-arrival and return and reintegration to their own society. They are often misguided and susceptible to abuse and exploitation. “Information is protection,” remarked by Jo Rispoli of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), who stated that migrant youth and youth organizations need to be involved in the development process through ensuring three “E’s i.e. engagement by giving them a voice/platform at meetings; enablement through skills and vocational trainings; and empowerment.”

Youth participation in addressing the challenges of migration can be extremely important.  Another panelist, Dynka Amorim, a young migrant himself and the coordinator of Bué Fixe, an organization working on youth migrants, described his organization’s initiatives in promoting young migrants access to health care in Portugal. “Regular and irregular migrants are sometimes unaware of their rights to health, so we work to inform and engage them on a wide range of HIV/AIDS and sexual reproductive health issues using media platforms like radio and social media,” Dynka added.

Partnerships: From Grassroots level to the Global Arena

In addition to grassroots projects, the panel emphasized the importance of collaboration amongst relevant state and non-state actors to promote the social inclusion and rights of migrants.

Social inclusion is critical to promoting community cohesion and integration of young migrants. “The Swedish government works with civil society partners to promote access to health care and social services for young migrants. Activities are undertaken to combat racism, xenophobia and social exclusion,” stated Daniel Pettersson of the Swedish Mission to the United Nations.

As migration affects all countries, a Global Forum on Migration and Development has been created for policymakers to understand and discuss multiple dimensions of migration, its complex impact on global development, and the ways to address the challenges related to migarion. Bela Hovy, Chief of the UN DESA’s Population Division, encouraged youth to participate in civil society consultations that are scheduled to take place in July 2013 prior to the 2nd High Level Dialogue on Migration and Development.

Youth civil society representatives can provide contributions during global and national level consultation processes, where they will be able to voice their most pressing issues, priorities and diverse experiences. "Migration is such a broad concept. We have all different backgrounds, different reasons and different ways to migrate. Our needs are different. That’s why it is not going to be a standard success formula for all migrants,” stated Lonneke van Zundert, a youth panelist in the hangout.

Migration and the post-2015 agenda

With a lot more evidence on the scope, scale and impact of migration on development, there were discussions on whether migration should be included in the post 2015 agenda.

Migration is seen as an enabler of equitable and sustainable development. The question remains as to how the issue can be integrated into the post 2015 development agenda. Reducing the costs related to recruitment process and sending remittances as well as reducing barriers to migration and protecting the rights of migrants are some of the key issues for considering migration within the post 2015 development agenda. “We have to think collectively on how these concerns will be phrased and included in the discussion, either as goals or enablers of the development goals” remarked by Bela Hovy.

Related information:

UN World Youth Report website

Watch the Youtube video of the Google + Hangout on Youth Migration and Development: Towards Sustainable Solutions

UNDESA

Global Mapping of Youth Cooperatives and Cooperatives working for/with Youth

The United Nations DESA-DSPD Focal Point on Cooperatives is happy to roll out the Global Map of Youth Cooperatives and Cooperatives working for/with Youth this March.  The Focal Point seeks to continue the momentum of a successful International Year of Cooperatives and contributes to the Secretary-General’s five-year action agenda on 'working with young people' by highlighting cooperatives and their role in the promotion of employment and entrepreneurship among young people.

The global map is a result of an online survey with youth cooperatives and cooperatives working for/with youth that identifies who they are, where they are, and what they do.  The survey generated enthusiasm among cooperative stakeholders and gathered information from across the world.  Responses to the survey will also feed into a short analytical paper, which will be made available to the public by April 2013.

Visit the UN Cooperatives website to view the map and find links to the ongoing survey.  Click:  http://social.un.org/coopsyear/coops-youth-map.html

UNESCO

Consultations on the 8th UNESCO Youth Forum continue!

For the first time in its 14-year history, the UNESCO Youth Forum is designed with young people. Through online surveys and consultations, young women and men in all regions of the world can decide on the Forum’s thematic agenda, format and overall programme. Phase 1 of the online consultation was concluded on 24 February 2013, allowing 1,895 young women and men to select two priority thematic areas: Employability & Democracy and sustainable communities.

Phase 2 of the consultations is now open for young women and men to contribute to:

1. Formulating the main theme of the Forum, which should combine both thematic areas (Employability & Democracy and sustainable communities), in a youth-friendly language.
2. Identifying innovative modalities of the Forum on the format (plenaries, thematic debates, working groups, capacity-building sessions, etc.) and on the outcomes (recommendations, action projects, roadmap, network building, etc.)

To participate, fill-out questionnaire here: (Deadline: 9 April 2013)
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C5J2CSD
 
Web: Please Click here
Contact: youth@unesco.org

WHO

Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM)

On 8 March, the International Women’s day, an initiative was launched by a coalition of organizations under the guidance of the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC), with participation of UNESCO, WHO, ILO, UNICEF, UNFPA, international NGOs, Academia and business partners on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM). The evidence shows that MHM is an important barrier for girls’ participation in school and also that interventions can have a big impact on school attendance. Country based experiences showed that successful interventions are being implemented and that materials and strategies are available.

Web link: http://www.wsscc.org/events/2013/celebratingwomen.

Panel disscussion on every woman every child

On 7 March 2013, a panel discussion was held during the 57th session of the Commission on the Status of Women in support of Every Woman Every Child to discuss the issue of child marriage. Global leaders including heads of UN agencies, members of parliament, heads of NGOs and leaders from faith-based communities had participated in the event, which also screened a special video broadcast of a former child bride who escaped the circumstances of her forced marriage and became an active community advocate for women and girls. The Panelists described the practice of child marriage as having “serious social, economic, cultural negative consequences” that endanger the health and well-beings of girls worldwide and in many cases adversely impacts on their prospects for growth and development. The panel discussion also focused on a broad range of concrete, practical, and innovative solutions that could eliminate child marriage and concluded with the message that we all have a role to play in ending this harmful practice. WHO co-led the messaging working group with UNFPA to ensure that the key messages communicated at the event were epidemiologically sound and consistent.

UNRWA

Increase in PTSD in Gaza

UNRWA’s team of mental health counsellors treat a wide range of patients for psychological trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the Gaza Strip. Of these patients, 42 per cent are under the age of nine. Among them is three-year-old Mohammed Saleh. Every night, he covers his ears with his tiny hands and screams until his body becomes as hard as wood. He hardly sleeps, wets the bed, and finds it hard to concentrate. He is in a state of permanent anxiety, and has become hostile to family and friends.  Statistics show that the levels of psychological trauma and PTSD have doubled since the fighting in November.  Mental health counselling is offered in all 21 UNRWA clinics that provide basic health care to 1.2 million Palestine refugees in Gaza, with many cases referred to a specialised team of counsellors by over 1200 regular UNRWA health workers in Gaza.
http://www.unrwa.org/etemplate.php?id=1658

Palestinian students from Syria receive UNRWA help

An UNRWA school in Beddawi refugee camp, Lebanon, is hosting 300 extra students: Palestine refugees from Syria whose families have sought refuge in Lebanon in the wake of violence in Syria. While grateful for the support they have received in Lebanon, the students want to return to Syria as soon as possible. Speaking to UNRWA's head of Education, one said, “Please greet Syria for us.” Another added, “We hope to see you soon in Syria!” The students have struggled with differences between the curricula of the two countries; in Lebanon, for instance, math and science are taught in English. Administrators at Mazar school, among many schools, are working hard to extend the curriculum to meet the needs of the newly arrived pupils, but more support is needed, including financial resources. UNRWA is working to collaborate with other organizations to coordinate education during emergencies, especially towards helping UNRWA's field offices assisting displaced students from Syria.
http://www.unrwa.org/etemplate.php?id=1639

UNEP

Tunza International Youth Conference on the Environment

UNEP successfully hosted the 2013 Tunza International Youth Conference on Environment at the UNEP Headquarters Nairobi, Kenya during 10-14 February, 2013. The conference provided a platform for 300 youth from 75 countries to learn on environmental issues, exchange information and share best practices.  The theme of the conference was ‘Health & the Environment’ while sub-themes included: Green entrepreneurship, Sustainable Consumption and Production, Food Waste, Water, Rio+20 outcomes and Post 2015 Development  agenda and  Youth  and  the  Global  Environment. The  conference outcomes included the successful  launch of  GEO-5 for Youth; a scientific publication that explains the latest environmental trends and how youth can work towards better future and a Youth Statement  presented  to  UNEP's First universal session of the Governing  Council calling  for  governments, business, cities and  civil society to  support and facilitate youth led campaigns and projects.

See youth statement link below:

http://www.unep.org/pdf/Tunza_Youth_Statement.pdf

Youth Employment Programme-YEP

Decent Work for Youth Platform

The ILO Youth Employment Programme will launch the Decent Work for Youth Platform at the beginning of April! Users will have the chance to explore the platform’s 3 sections: learn, share and connect! On the platform, users can learn about the importance of decent work for youth, share “good practices” and initiatives with the community, and connect with all sorts of people and institutions working on youth employment. Many of the contributions to the platform will go directly into ILO thematic reports. Stay tuned for the launch!

Decent Work for Youth Platform: www.decentwork4youth.org

Addressing Youth, Employment and Migration Issues through Joint Programming

Within the Fifty-First session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD), which was held from 6 to 15 February 2013, with the Priority Theme "Promoting empowerment of people in achieving poverty eradication, social integration and full employment and decent work for all'', the Permanent Mission of Spain to the United Nations hosted the side event entitled “Addressing Youth, Employment and Migration Issues through Joint Programming” on 8 February 2013 in New York. Co-sponsored by the ILO and the Secretariat of the MDG Achievement Fund, this event shared good practices and lessons emerged from the implementation of joint programmes on youth employment and migration in 14 countries.

Read the lessons learned and good practices across countries: http://www.ilo.org/global/meetings-and-events/events/WCMS_205751/lang--en/index.htm

Stay tuned for the Knowledge Management Facility on Youth Employment and Migration website that provides information and tools on the South-South cooperation platform for knowledge sharing and mutual learning on youth employment and migration:
Link: http://www.ilo.org/employment/areas/youth-employment/kmf-yem/lang--en/index.htm

Youth Employment Network (YEN)

YEN launches a new short note series on its M&E work called "YEN Briefs"

The Youth Employment Network will be launching a new short note series called YEN Briefs under its Results-based Measurement component. This series was developed with the mind-set that knowledge gained from Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) efforts needs to be disseminated to enable better action and decision-making. Each YEN Brief will be a concise standalone document presenting evidence from a specific impact evaluation or lessons learned and data from experiences conducting M&E work. The aim of this product is to inform policymakers, practitioners, and the research communities about what works, what doesn’t work, and why regarding youth employment and youth entrepreneurship, based on the M&E work conducted, managed, or financed by YEN. Uptake of research and evidence is not a linear process, and the note series is part of the package for YEN’s engagement with policies and practices. The series will also be a tool for capacity building in M&E.

For more information: http://www.ilo.org/public/english/employment/yen/whatwedo/projects/results.htm

UN-Habitat

Call for Application to the Urban Youth Fund

UN-Habitat opened the 5th Call for application to its Urban Youth Fund on 15th February. The Urban Youth Fund supports youth-led organizations in developing countries with grants of up to $25,000. Since its inception the Fund has supported 212 youth groups. Youth groups that wish to apply for funding may visit the application portal at http://unhabitatyouthfund.org. The deadline for applications is 15th April. The youth groups have to be youth-led and have been legally registered for at least one year.

For any questions, contact: eric.luguya@unhabitat.org

Call for applications to the India Youth Fund window

UN-Habitat has partnered with Narotam Sahksaria Foundation in India and has opened up an India Youth Fund window under the Urban Youth Fund. Youth groups in India may apply for a grant from this special funding window through the application portal of the Urban Youth Fund at http://unhabitatyouthfund.org . Youth groups wishing to apply for grants from both the India window and the Urban Youth Fund can do so, but they have to fill out two applications. The deadline for application is 15th April, 2013.

For any questions, contact:  indian.youthfund@nsfoundation.co.in  and eric.luguya@unhabitat.org

Call for applications to the Mauritius Youth Fund window

UN-Habitat has partnered with Mauritius Employers’ Federations CSR Fund and has opened up a Mauritius Youth Fund window under the Urban Youth Fund. Youth groups in Mauritius may apply for a grant from this special funding window through the application portal of the Urban Youth Fund at http://unhabitatyouthfund.org . Youth groups wishing to apply for grants from both the Mauritius window and the global Fund can do so, but they have to fill out two applications. The deadline for application is 15th April, 2013.

For any questions, contact:  j.chinien@mef-online.org and eric.luguya@unhabitat.org

UN-Habitats Governing Council

The 24th Session of the Governing Council of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) will be held from 15 to 19 April 2013 at the UN-Habitat headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, under the theme Sustainable Urban Development: The Role of Cities In Creating Improved Economic Opportunities For All, With Special Reference To Youth and Gender.

Registration is now open at www.unhabitat.org

UNO Minsk

Open doors day in Minsk

Open Doors Day was held in the Conference Hall of the UN Office (UNO) Minsk for International Relations students in Belarus.

Thirty students of the International Relations Faculty of the Belarusian State University were addressed by UNO’s Officer-in-Charge; Programme Associate Representative of UNHCR; Operations Officer of UNDP; and Public Relations Specialist of UNDP Biodiversity Project.

During the briefing, the students were informed about the activities carried out by the UN system agencies and short-term priorities of the UN.  Students also shared their visions on post-2015 development agenda and took part in off-line voting within the UN Global Campaign "MY World", identifying six key issues of utmost concern for the youth.

For other activities, please visit http://un.by/en/

UNIC New Delhi

Mumbai Conclave inspires and motivates

An array of speakers from media, business, law enforcement, education and civil society galvanized young leaders at the Mumbai UN Young Changemakers Conclave (UNYCC).

The event was organized in partnership with the US Consulate in Mumbai under the theme: Sustainable Development: Do more, rest less.

Through two panels, entrepreneurs highlighted risk-taking, career fulfillment and driving factors of success while educators discussed their role in sensitizing the privileged about the underprivileged.

Through a video link, the NBC News Bureau Chief-Pakistan spoke on the role youth could play in bringing about peace and development in the subcontinent, observing “the energy of youth for driving peace processes, while realizing that in India and Pakistan, young people are not merely talking about change but acting on it.” UNYCC explores how India’s youth population could contribute towards inclusive and sustainable development in the country.

For more information, please click here.

UNIC Dhaka

Literacy Workshop in Bangladesh

From 26 to 27 January 2013, the UN Information Centre (UNIC) Dhaka and the Centre for Information Studies- Bangladesh jointly organized a two-day Workshop on “UN Literacy” and “Information Literacy”.
The training sessions were conducted in Dhanmondi Rotary Club Girls High School in Savar, outside of the capital, Dhaka. The sessions were broadly divided into two categories: (a) UN Literacy: Overall UN activities with special reference to MDGs and (b) Information Literacy: Identifying various information sources and their practical use (both print and electronic).
The workshop emphasized on the role of the UN in enhancing development and promoting peace throughout the globe. Terming students and youth as agents of positive change, the speakers stressed their leadership and hard work in facing the challenges of the 21st century.
Participants praised the workshop as extremely educational, thoroughly informative and highly interesting.

http://unic.un.org/imu/recentActivities/post/2013/01/27/Literacy-Workshop-in-Bangladesh.aspx

UNIC Baku

Azerbaijani youth promise to combat human trafficking

Under the UN Secretary-General’s initiative “Education First”, within the larger MDG campaign, the UN Office (UNO) in Baku supported the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to organize a five-day winter camp workshop to increase awareness of human trafficking, stimulate information exchange and rally the Azerbaijani youth to fight against it.

UNO supported the IOM winter camp where students representing various Baku-based universities, youth clubs and student associations gathered during 11-15 February, just in time to benefit from the data presented in the UN Report on trafficking lunched on 13 February. The workshop was convened in Guba town, which borders the Russian Federation and is considered as one of the top destinations for human traffickers in the region.

More info: http://unic.un.org/imu/recentActivities/category/Baku.aspx
http://azerbaijan.unic.org    

Books for Mother Tongue Education

For the fifth year in a row, the UN Office (UNO) Baku promoted awareness for linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism on International Mother Language Day.
On 21 February, UNO Baku partnered with a variety of minority groups residing in Baku, students from the Azerbaijan University of Languages; members of the U.S. educated Azerbaijan Alumni Association to celebrate “Books for Mother Tongue Education” festival.
The festivities included traditional songs and dances performed by representatives of Talysh, Lezgin and Khatish minority groups, each adorned in their respective traditional costumes.  An ethnic Khatish boy from Khinalig – an ancient Caucasian village, said that he was thrilled to participate in such an event organized by the “world’s largest global organization” and promised with other students to strengthen his commitment to diversity.

http://unic.un.org/imu/recentActivities/category/Baku.aspx

UNIC Lima

Peruvian students as delegates

The quest to strengthen the ranks of Model UN students in Peru took on a new dimension when the Asociacion de Estudios sobre Naciones Unidas and the University of Lima UN Model produced an upbeat engaging video. Encompassing footage from the first Model UN (MoUN) in Peru, which was supported by the UN Information Centre (UNIC) Lima, it’s positively invigorating to watch the leaders of tomorrow to share their energy and enthusiasm in tackling global issues today.
Whether you’re from Peru or not, after seeing the exuberance of these young people, you might just want to find a local Model UN chapter in your own country!
http://unic.un.org/imu/recentActivities/post/2013/03/07/Peruvian-students-as-delegates.aspx

UNIC Ankara

International Relations Students Visit UNIC Ankara

On 5 March, as part of UN Information Centre Ankara’s outreach activities, a group of students from Turgut Özal University visited the UN House.

The group was composed of graduate and post-graduate students with nationalities included from Afghanistan, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, USA, Venezuela and Turkey. They met with representatives from UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Population Fund (UNFPA), UNIC Ankara and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

One of the students commented that as the number of vulnerable people increases, awareness in inclusive policies and fighting against poverty is very important, and the United Nation’s efforts in this regard should be supported.

Students learned about the activities of UN agencies around the world including Turkey.

UNO Tashkent

Young UN staffs in Tashkent make an online splash

The team of young staff working at the UN Office in Tashkent just celebrated their 5th episode of “UNews Weekly” Audio-Video podcast.

Each of the first five episodes had featured a variety of guests, videos and other interesting tidbits for young people and others. The first Episode indexed UNICEF's 2013 priorities on education, social protection and health. UNAIDS Country Coordinator also explained the agency's plans for the next six months that includes the campaign called "Know your epidemic."

Feel free to backtrack and download the podcasts or watch the videos!

http://unic.un.org/imu/recentActivities/post/2013/03/09/A-Handful-of-UNews.aspx

UNIC Tokyo

Interview with Shiori Nasu

The UN Information Centre in Tokyo interviewed second-year student Shiori Nasu at the Graduate School of Agriculture. She is involved in research to select highly salt-resistant rapeseed strains from Tohoku University's gene bank for a Rapeseed Project.
Local residents have always congregated at the Sendai City Agriculture & Horticulture Center where Shiori conducts her research. She felt a great tremor while on campus during the Great East Japan Earthquake, when two students from the Faculty of Agriculture were lost.

With a potential to be used for reconstruction, Shiori switched her research focus to rapeseed "I am actually a slow starter when it comes to trying new things, but the disaster made me start to think about what new challenges I could tackle".

http://unic.un.org/imu/recentActivities/category/Tokyo.aspx

U.S. Fund for UNICEF

The UNICEF Tap Project

No one can survive without water. Yet nearly 800 million people do not have safe, clean water to drink, and more than 2.5 billion people live without a proper toilet. The lack of these basic necessities isn’t just inconvenient—it’s lethal. Every day, nearly 4,000 children under the age of five die of water-borne diseases.

The UNICEF Tap Project provides clean water and adequate sanitation to children around the world. With just $5, UNICEF can give one child safe drinking water for 200 days. Currently, UNICEF works in more than 100 countries around the world to improve access to safe water in schools and communities.

Take Action:

1. Donate using the UNICEF Tap Project Facebook app at UNICEFTapProject.org and use your social network to send clean water to children around the world.
2. Volunteer- Join the UNICEF Action Center  and plan/attend a UNICEF Tap Project fundraising event in your community. 

Youth Service America

Global Youth Service Day

What are you doing to change the world for the 25^th annual Global Youth Service Day:  April 26-28, 2013?  Join Youth Service America (YSA), as young people from more than 100 countries on six continents mobilize their peers and celebrate their accomplishments.  GYSD is the largest service event in the world and the only one dedicated to the contributions that youth make to their communities 365 days of the year.  What fires you up?  What issues do you care about?  What would you like to change to make your world better? 

Explore the ideas and resources at http://www.GYSD.org/project_ideas

To help you plan your world-changing project, and then post your project for the entire world to see on the GYSD Map!  For more information, go to www.GYSD.org.

The Youth and United Nations Global Alliance (YUNGA)

The Youth Guide to Biodiversity is finally here!

The Youth and United Nations Global Alliance (YUNGA) aims to empower children and young people to be active agents of change. The Youth Guide to Biodiversity is part of the YUNGA action and learning series which seeks to raise awareness, educate and inspire young people to take action.

Discover the wonders of the world’s plants and animals in this brand-new, colourful, information-packed publication. Learn about biodiversity and what it does for us, and let the Youth Guide inspire you to help protect the marvellous natural world around us.

Enjoy it, share it:  http://www.fao.org/docrep/017/i3157e/i3157e.pdf