In this issue:

- NYKS Board Emphasized on Expansion of Organization

- Young People's Transition to Adulthood – Progress and challenges

- Empowering Mentally Challenged Persons 

- UN adopts resolution on Youth Participation in Social and Economic Development

- The Commission for Social Development (CSocD) Focuses on Full Employment and Decent Work.

- Guide for the Preparation of National Action Plans on Youth Employment

- India Becoming Centre for Drug Trafficking

- Vasectomy Drive Picks up in Delhi

Upcoming Events

- National Integration Youth Camps

- Seventh Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting 2008: Youth and Peace Building

- 2008 CIVICUS Youth Assembly

- 3rd International Young Professionals Summit

- Act! Speak! Build! Week

- Global Youth Service Day

- 37th Regional Training Course on Disaster Management

- Int. Training Workshop on Disaster Risk & Environmental Management

- World Forum Again Drugs The World Conference of Women’s Shelters

- International Conference on Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Stalking

- World Urban Forum 4 

- 12 August: International Youth Day

- 5 June: World Environment Day

- 31 May: World No Tobacco Day

Acknowledgement of newsletter, publication, reports.

 

No. 2008/18

NYKS Board Emphasized on Expansion of Organization

 

The Board of Governors of Nehru Yuvak Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), a governmental youth body, has emphasized in its board meeting on 26the February 2008 that in two years a lot of strengthening of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathans has been done and several streamlining measures have been taken. This includes structuring of programmes with emphasis on youth clubs becoming part of its activities.

 

The Board of Governors further discussed the expansion of NYKS to all districts of the country, which is necessary for the development of youth.

 

The Board of Governors requested the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar to put forth this request for extension to the Government of India. The Minister assured them that their request would be sent to the Finance Ministry for consideration.

 

UN: World Youth Report 2007

Young People's Transition to Adulthood –

Progress and challenges

Today's young people are the best-educated generation of youth in history. However, for many young people, the transition to adulthood is slowed down by poverty and their inability to find decent work, the United Nations reveals in its ‘World Youth Report 2007’.

Investments in youth have improved in all regions over the years and young people's access to education has expanded, the World Youth Report 2007 - Young People's Transition to Adulthood: Progress and Challenges says. In many places where public sector education has fallen short, private education is on the rise. Many more young people, including girls, have completed basic education than ever before and many now have access to higher levels of education.

Lack of access to health, services, and quality education is hampering transition to adulthood. Yet, in all regions of the world, young people's transition to adulthood is especially affected by poverty. Because of poverty, and sometimes because of social and cultural constraints, many young people are excluded from accessing quality education, decent employment, health and other resources and services. School attainment varies according to wealth in most countries around the world. And despite policies to provide free education in many countries, costs for books, uniforms and transportation are too high for many households.

In many parts of the world, young people have limited access to quality health care as a result of a complex health environment. A lack of education and access to contraception leads to early pregnancies, which pose health risks and reduce the future opportunities for young mothers. Increasing number of new threats to their health, especially the HIV and AIDS epidemic, have also added to the diffculties that youth experience in several regions, especially in Africa and in the transition economies of Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Forming one quarter of the working-age population, 15-24 year olds can be a key resource for development. The World Youth Report 2007 argues that these 1.2 billion young people are an essential part of our society. Never before has this age bracket constituted such a large share of the overall population. Furthermore, 15-24 year olds constitute 25 per cent of the working-age population.

In addressing the challenges that young people face in making the transition to adulthood, the Report emphasises that policymakers must focus not only on developing young people's capacities through greater investment in areas such as education, health and skills training, but they must also provide and protect opportunities for young people to participate in development as a matter of priority.

Empowering Mentally Challenged Persons 

 

The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Smt. Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan informed the Lok Sabha (Lower house of Indian Parliament) that according to the Census 2001, there are 2.19 crore persons with disabilities in India who constitute 2.13 per cent of the total population. The mentally retarded persons are 22.64 lakhs and constitute approximately 0.23 per cent of the total population in the country. The total population of mentally challenged persons as per census 2001 is 22,63,821. The physical, social and psychological empowerment of persons with disabilities is promoted through Deendayal Disable rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) and Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of aids/Appliances (ADIP) Scheme.

 

The seven National Institutes also take up programmes for empowerment of persons with disabilities through their outreach progrmmes. Government has been promoting the self-employment of persons with disabilities by providing vocational training and loan on concessional rates through National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (NHFDC).

 

UN adopts resolution on
Youth Participation in Social and Economic Development

 

The 62nd session of the UN General Assembly adopted a comprehensive resolution entitled “Policies and programmes involving youth: youth in the global economy - youth participation in social and economic development” (A/62/342). Youth delegates representing their Governments in the General Assembly participated actively in the negotiations and contributed to the text of the resolution that calls for stronger measures by Governments to address youth issues to protect and promote their well-being in the changing global economy. The resolution recognizes that while youth today are better placed than ever before to participate in and benefit from global development, many young people remain marginalized, disconnected or excluded from the opportunities that globalization offers.

 

The Commission for Social Development (CSocD)

Focuses on Full Employment and Decent Work.

 

The forty-sixth session of the Commission for Social Development (6-15 February, 2008) follows up on its 2007-2008 priority theme of “Full employment and decent work for all.

 

The 2007 Commission undertook an evaluation of progress in achieving the goals of full employment and decent work, and their impact on poverty eradication and social integration. The 2008 Commission focuses on policy options and practical measures to acheive full employment and decent work.

 

A high-level panel discussion on the priority theme will address the national and regional policies as well as best practices for the promotion of full employment and decent work, including youth employment. In addition, UNDESA, is organizing two side events addressing youth issues.

 

Guide for the Preparation of
National Action Plans on Youth Employment

 

The Guide for the preparation of National Action Plans on Youth Employment was released in January 2008. It has been developed to lead and inform ILO policy advice to constituents in member States for the development of NAPs. The Guide is also useful to policy-makers, employers’ and workers’ organizations, youth groups and development actors as a framework to steer their action towards the goal of productive employment and decent work for young women and men.

 

India Becoming Centre for Drug Trafficking

 

The annual report of the International Narcotics Control Board has noted increased trafficking and abuse of cannabis and heroin in South Asia. The West African traffickers have targeted countries in South Asia, particularly India for cocaine trafficking. 

 

The report released on 5^th March 2008 in New Delhi said, "South American cocaine is trafficked to India in small quantities where it is exchanged for South-West Asian heroin bound for Europe and North America. India is increasingly being used as a major transit country and also as a destination country for drug trafficking. Cross-border smuggling is relatively easy due to the porous borders between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal. Illicit cultivation and abuse of cannabis continue to be a problem in most of the countries in South Asia."

 

The report said that licitly manufactured pharmaceutical preparations such as codeine-based syrup, benozodiazepines and buprenorphine were smuggled from India into Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka. In India, organized criminal groups traffic in amphetamine-type stimulants.

 

In South Asia, injection of heroin and pharameceutical preparations were contributing to the spread of HIV/AIDS, it said.

 

"In India, the areas with highest incidences of drug-related HIV/AIDS continue to be the north-eastern border with Myanmar and large urban areas. Of those who abuse drugs in Maldives, 20% to 25% inject them. Drug abuse by injection rose from 8% in 2003 to 29% in 2006 and three-quarters of imprisoned drug offenders were drug abusers. The report noted with concern that adequate data on drug abuse was not available for Bhutan and Nepal.

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ICYO start new e-newsletter on “Campaign against Sexual Abuse of Children and Youth” which covered the wide range of news, reports, activities on issue related to Commercial Sexual Abuse children (CESC) and Sexual Exploitation of Children and Youth.

ICYO welcome the related materials for publication.

To receive the newsletters write to info.icyo@...

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Vasectomy Drive Picks up in Delhi

 

A special drive by the Delhi government on Non Scalpel Vasectomy (NSV) - a simplified contraceptive method for men - has gained momentum.

 

The government raised the incentive money from Rs 160 in October last year to Rs 1,300 in January 2008. 2,850 men have been operated upon from January to till now. Officials admitted the rise in the monetary incentive had increased attendance. Interest in our drive, but after we raised the incentive, men started thronging to the operation theatre.

 

Upcoming Events

National Integration Youth Camps

 

National Youth Project will hold the following National Integration Youth Camp.

1) March 19 to 26, 2008:  Bangalore  for 1000 youth

2) April 6 to 13, 2008            Aizawl, Mizoram for 500 youth

3) April 23 to 30, 2008        Rishikesh, Uttarakhand for 400 youth

4) May 8 to 15, 2008 Kerala (Place to be announce soon) for 500 youth

5) May 23 to 31, 2008         Andhra Pradesh (Place to be announce) for 500 youth

6) June 15 to 22, 2008 Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh for 500 youth.

 

There is no travel expense/ sponsorship for the camp at Rishikesh and Gorakhpur is available. The participation of youth aged between 18-35 is open and railway concession in-group of five is available for all camp.

 

For more information and participation (only for youth of age 18 to 35 year) contact ICYO secretariat at info.icyo@...

 

Seventh Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting 2008: Youth and Peace Building

 

The 7^th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka from April 27-30, 2008. The meeting will enable Youth Ministers to contribute to the debate on emerging issues related to youth development, in particular the links between peace building, youth development and social transformation.

 

The meeting will also provide policy directions for the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) following new CHOGM mandates for the period 2008 – 2012.

 

2008 CIVICUS Youth Assembly

 

The CIVICUS Youth Assembly takes place from 16-21 June 2008 in Glasgow, Scotland and will build on the fantastic success of the 2007 Youth Assembly, with more extensive participation and even more delegate places. Delegates will again be assisted to attend, with accommodation, food, programme events and CIVICUS delegate fees sponsored. This year we are also delighted to offer a limited number of travel bursaries Space is limited, and delegate places will be awarded to the strongest applicants from around the world. Deadline for applications: 31 March 2008.

For more information log on

http://www.rnw.org.uk/CIVICUS2008.aspx

 

3rd International Young Professionals Summit

 

The International Young Professionals Foundation will organize the 3rd International Young Professionals Summit, IYPS 2008, from 19th to 22nd August 2008 in Manchester, UK.

 

The aim of the Summit is to bring together young professionals for networking, capacity building and information sharing around our core theme of “How young professionals can help to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals " and specific topics will include: Governance, economy and education; Women and gender equality; Healthcare and HIV / AIDS; Environmental sustainability.  For more information log on

http://www.iyps.org/iyps08/next_iyps.htm

 

Act! Speak! Build! Week

31 March-6 April 2008

Act! Speak! Build! Week is UN Habitat's international, student-initiated week of advocacy. The week is dedicated to empowering young people to educate themselves and their communities and move people to social action. Young people, ages 5 to 25, work in partnership with local affiliates to plan and host events focused on ending "poverty housing". For more information log on www.habitat.org/youthprograms/actspeakbuild

 

Global Youth Service Day

25-28 April 2008

Global Youth Service Day is an annual global celebration of young volunteers from around the world who carry out community improvement projects. For more information, log on www.gysd.org.

 

37th Regional Training Course on Disaster Management

 

The Regional Training Course on Disaster Management will be held from March 17 – April 4, 2008 in Bangkok, Thailand and organized by Asian Disaster Preparedness Center.

 

The purpose of the course is to provide comprehensive disaster management knowledge and skills to enhance the capabilities of executive managers who have key disaster management responsibilities. It is designed to enable professionals working in disaster management, development and donor agencies to effectively integrate disaster management into their development programs and policies. Participants will be encouraged to develop key skills and adopt proactive attitudes through participation in interactive lectures and reflection on a range of key issues raised during discussions and practical activities. The course fee is US$ 2,500

For more information log on http://www.adpc.net/v2007/#ADPCTOP

 

Int. Training Workshop on Disaster Risk & Environmental Management

 

The World Youth Foundation will be hosting an International Training Workshop on Disaster Risk & Environmental Management tentatively held from July 5-8, 2008, in Melaka, Malaysia.

 

This International Training Workshop on Disaster Risk & Environmental Management is a follow-up of the International Training Workshop for Youth Representatives on Environment and Disaster Management held in August 2006 and the International Conference on Environment and Disaster Management held in August 2005 in Melaka, Malaysia by the Foundation.

 

The international training workshop will focus to introduce young people to the fields of Disaster Risk Management and Environmental Management and includes wide ranging topics to develop a broad based understanding of these fields. It also includes exercises for participants to get practical knowledge.  For more information write to: wyf@...

 

World Forum Again Drugs

 

The first ever World Forum Against Drugs (WFAD), will take place in Stockholm, Sweden, September 8-10 2008. The main theme for WFAD is One hundred years of drug prevention. Many other sub-themes will be discussed, such as Drugs for war, The Role of Public Opinion, Drug-free Treatment and The Environment and Drugs.

 

The aim is to create an opportunity for people from all around the world working against illicit drugs, particularly at grass root level, to exchange ideas and share experiences on how we all can develop our methods and move in the direction of the visionary goal of a world free from drug abuse. 

 

For more information log on www.wfad08.org

 

The World Conference of Women’s Shelters

 

The World Conference of Women’s Shelters to be hosted by the Alberta Council of Women's Shelters and will be held from September 8-11, 2008 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.  

 

The event will provide the opportunity to share knowledge, ideas about a theme that is often overlooked when discussing family violence and will increase the capacity of shelters worldwide to increase networking and bring about positive changes in their organizations and their communities when dealing with family violence.

 

For more information log on www.womenshelter.ca/home_en.php

 

International Conference on Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Stalking

 

March 31 to April 2, 2008, at the Crowne Plaza Astor Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

Register at http://www.evawintl.org/conferencedetail.aspx?confid=6

 

World Urban Forum 4 

The World Urban Forum is a biennial gathering and was established by the United Nations to examine one of the most pressing issues facing the world today: rapid urbanization and its impact on communities, cities, economies and policies. The next Forum, which is fourth in series will be held in Nanjing, China from October 13-17, 2008.

For further information log on http://www.unhabitat.org/

12 August: International Youth Day

This year's theme focuses on youth action on climate change. The Day provides a great opportunity to rally support and get key actors involved - Governments, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, businesses, and young people - to act on climate change. Email us your plans so that we can showcase great ideas on how partnering with Governments, organizations and communities can lead to change. 

Further information available at www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/iyouthday.htm

5 June: World Environment Day

The World Environment Day slogan for 2008 is "Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy". Recognizing that climate change is becoming the defining issue of our era, UNEP is asking countries, companies and communities to focus on greenhouse gas emissions and how to reduce them. The World Environment Day will highlight resources and initiatives that promote low carbon economies and life-styles, such as improved energy efficiency, alternative energy sources, forest conservation and eco-friendly consumption. For more information log on www.unep.org/wed

 

31 May: World No Tobacco Day

Tobacco is the second major cause of death in the world. About 5 million people die each year of tobacco-related causes that accounts for the death of one in ten people worldwide. To draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and to the preventable death and disease it causes, the World Health Organization introduced World No Tobacco Day in 1987. For information log on www.who.int/tobacco/communications/events/wntd/2007/en/index.html.

 

Acknowledgement

 

The ICYO has received following publications in January & February 2008, which is very useful for our documentation, research work and planning of activities. We extended thanks on behalf of ICYO network to all the organizations those provide us these valuable newsletters/publications/ reports etc.

 

q              Youth Culture - Published by National Youth Project, New Delhi; No 4-2007

q              Young Asia- Published by Commonwealth Youth Programme, Asia Centre, India; October-December 2007

q              The Commonwealth Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment, Published by Commonwealth Youth Programme, London, UK

q              Yuva Udghosh, Published by Kendriya Arya Yuvak Parishad, Every fortnight (Hindi language)

q              Youth of India (Newsletter) – Published by: National Council of YMCAs of India, New Delhi; December 2007.

q              V.Y.K Newsletter – Published by: V.Y.K International Youth Centre, New Delhi; Vol. 33, Issue 4, October 2007

q              Life Skill Education Toolkit for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in India, Published by Family Health International, India, Hindi and English languages.

q              Asian Forum Newsletters – Published by: AFPPD, Bangkok, Thailand, November-December 2007.

q              IAPPD Newsletter – Published by: IAPPD, New Delhi. December 2007

q              Neeti Marg – Published by: Samvad, Bhopal, MP, India; every fortnight. (Hindi language)

q              AHRNews – Published by: Asian Harm Reduction Network, Thailand; No44 July- December 2007

q              Go Between and NGLs Roundup  – Published by: NGLS, Geneva, Switzerland

q              One Country, Newsletter, Published by: Baha'i  International Community, New York, USA; Vol 19, 1, October- December 2007

q              Sankalp Newsletter –Published by: International AIDS Vaccine Initiative in India, New Delhi; Vol 6(6) December 2007- January 2008

q              Voice of the Voiceless – Published by NATSAP, AP, Vol. 4 issue 1, January 2008

q              Behond Borders Newsletter- Published by Beyond Borders Inc, Canada; Fall 2007.

q              World Bank In India – Magazine Published by: WORLD BANK, New Delhi, India, Vol 6/No 4, January 2008

q              International Journal of Environmental Consumerism, Published by environmental & Environmental Consumerism, New Delhi, India, January-December 2007

q              200 Million Youth Challenge , Report published by Middle East Youth Initiative, Dubai, UAE.

q              Working Paper on Youth Exclusion in Search of ‘second Chances’ (Egypt,iran, Syria, Moracco) and may other issues, prepared by   Middle East Youth Initiative, Dubai, UAE.

q              UNews – Published by: UN Information Centre, New Delhi, India; Vol 63, No 1 January 2008

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Youth Information is published by

Indian Committee of Youth Organizations (ICYO)

194-A, Arjun Nagar, Safdarjang Enclave

New Delhi 110029, India

Phone: 91 9811729093  / 91 11 26183978 Fax 91 11 26198423

Email: icyoindia@... / icyo@...

Web:  www.icyo.in

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Indian Committee of Youth Organizations (ICYO) is a registered non-profit, non-governmental network organization, committed in developing areas of mutual cooperation and understanding among different youth voluntary agencies, youth groups, clubs and individuals working in the field of youth welfare in India. 

ICYO functions as an umbrella organization of youth NGOs in India. It's family consists of
over 356 organizations spread in 122 districts of 22 states from different corners of India.

Our goal:
To improve and extend the youth work and services through Youth Organizations;
To enhance and demonstrate youth work in the society;
To promote effective youth programmmes;
To organize network of civil society organizations working towards the development of youth work;
To organize seminars, conferences, workshops, trainings;
To maintain international relation with organizations promoting young people in their programmes and activities

Affiliation: 

Consultative (Roster) Status with ECOSOC, United Nations;
Consultative Status with Commission on Sustainable Development;
Full Member of World Assembly of Youth (WAY); Asian Youth Council (AYC);
 CRIN, South Asia Youth Environment Network (SAYEN),

Affiliate group of ECPAT International, Thailand;
ATSECE-DELHI, Indian Partner of AIDS Care Watch Campaign;
Steering Committee member of World Bank's YDP Network;
Working relation with Indian Association of Parliamentarians (IAPPD);
International Medical Parliamentarians Organizations (IMPO);
Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD);
World Youth Foundation, Malaysia.