In this Issue of ICYO-Youth Information:

-         Youth Camp for Asia’s Future 2008 held in Seoul

-         Indian Govt to set-up Skill Development Corporation for Youth: PM

-         WC III: South Asia Regional Preparatory Consultation held

-         South Asian Children set their agenda for WC III

-         Youth Plea for More Action to Combat Climate change

-         Young India to search for role models by rail: Tata Jagriti Yatra 2008

-         Fourth World Youth Congress held in Quebec

-         UNFPA re-organization functional

-         Brief Report of Commonwealth Asia Regional workshop on Respect and Understanding

-         Up-coming events: list

-         Acknowledgement of publications and reports received at ICYO secretariat

 

No. 2008/85

Youth Camp for Asia’s Future 2008 held in Seoul

AYC President Emphasizes  'One Asia'

The Asian Youth Camp 2008 with the theme ‘Asia’s Future’ was held from 29 July to 18 August 2008 in Seoul, South Korea and attended by 230 youth from 23 Asian countries including 7 youth from India.

 

The camp was organized by the National Council of Youth Organizations and hosted by the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs, Govt of Korea in cooperation with Ministry of Foreign affairs and Trade, Republic of Korea and Asian Youth Council.

 

“Asia must become unified and share cultural values to gain influence in international society” said Mohamad Khir Toyo, President of the Asian Youth Council (AYC), he further said diversity existing in Asian countries must be treated as an asset and it should be used as a tool to map out the future of Asia.

Indian Govt to set-up

Skill Development Corporation for Youth

: Prime Minister

 

NEW DELHI: With a view to provide better employment opportunities, the government will set up a special Skill Development Corporation for the youth with active participation of the private sector. Addressing the nation on the occasion of the 62nd Independence Day, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, "a Skill Development Corporation will be created by the Government with the active participation of the private sector to give special training to our young men and women, our workers and our technicians".

 

Singh said the government has established a new Skill Development Mission, which will work under the supervision of the Prime Minister. Continuing to focus on the education sector, the Prime Minister said the government was implementing several new scholarship schemes for the educational development of children. Schemes for pre-matric and post-matric scholarships for children hailing from SC, ST, OBC and minority families are being implemented, he said adding special scholarships for meritorious students from these communities have also been launched. "Scholarships for overseas studies are being given to SC and ST students.

 

National merit-cum means scholarships for children hailing from economically weaker sections and children with disabilities have also been approved," he said. Singh asserted that the government was sincerely implementing most of the recommendations of the Justice Sachar Committee report on social, economic and educational empowerment of the Muslim community. (Economic Times)

 

World Congress III against Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents: South Asia Regional Preparatory Consultation held

 

The South Asia Regional Preparatory Consultation for the WC III against Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents was held in Katmandu, Nepal on August 27-29, 2008 hosted by the Ministry for Women, Children and Social Welfare, Government of Nepal and South Asia Coordinating Group against Violence against Children (SACG) jointly. 

World Congress III against Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents to be held in Rio de Janerio, Brazil, hosted by Government of Brazil from November 25 to 28, 2008.

 

The three day consultation was address the areas on sexual exploitation of children (regional progress and challenges on SAF/SACG priority issues for the region); promote the common understanding on issues; government accountability. The youth presented their recommendations in the Consolation. The consultation also drafted the draft recommendations and urged the government delegate to forward their respective government for endorsement.

The ECPAT International played the key role in organizing the event as the host of SACG.

 

The Consultation was attended by south Asian government officials including Afghanistan, representative of international organizations, representative of prominent NGOs of region and youth representatives. 

 

Indian Committee of Youth Organizations (ICYO) attended the Consultation and represented by Mr Ravi Narayan, Secretary General.

 

South Asian Children set their agenda for WC III

 

The eighteen Children and Youth from South Asian countries gathered in from August 24-27, 2008 in Kathmandu, Nepal to participate in Children’ Forum. This forum was organized to set the children and youth recommendations for South Asia Regional Preparatory Consultation for the WC III against Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents.

 

Later they presented the recommendations at the opening session as well as during the thematic discussions and in-group discussion.

 

Youth Plea for More Action to Combat Climate change

 

A new United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report showcases the voices of young people worldwide on how they view climate change and what they believe are the best means to tackle the issue.

The publication, launched on August 11, 2008 in New York, was produced entirely by young people between the ages of 16 and 25 worldwide and is a companion to UNDP's Human Development Report (HDR).

The title, "Two Degrees of Separation Between Hope and Despair," refers to the HDR's warning that temperatures must not rise more than 2 degrees Centigrade above pre-industrial levels, meaning that greenhouse gas emissions must be slashed.

The report points out every day steps youth can take - such as recycling and conserving electricity.

The youth version of the HDR highlights the importance of engaging young people to promote "good governance in order to have good citizenship that is well-informed at a very young and early age," Cecilia Ugaz, Acting Director of the UNDP's Human Development Report Office, told reporters at the publication's launch.

Tata Jagriti Yatra 2008

Young India to search for role models by rail

 

Tata Jagriti Yatra '08 started from Mumbai ( 24th December 2008 - 8th January 2009) is a train journey that will take 350 of India’s highly motivated youth  between the ages of 18-25 on a sixteen day national odyssey, introducing them to unsung heroes of India.

 

The aim is to awaken the spirit of entrepreneurship - both social and economic - within India’s youth by exposing them to individuals and institutions that are developing unique solutions to India’s challenges. Through this national event we will inspire them to lead and develop institutions nationally and within their communities.

 

According to organizer the Tata Jagriti Yatra '08 aims to showcase inspiring success stories by taking young Indians to meet these “real heroes”.  These role models, located around the country particularly in rural and semi-urban India will demonstrate how social and economic enterprise has succeeded.

The train journey for eighteen days and will cover the 8,000 kilometers with 13 stopovers. This experience will help them connect with some of their role models,’’ says Mani.    While 75% of the passengers will travel free of cost, 25% will have to pay the passage money of Rs 32,000. About 20% of the travelers will be NRIs

 

Fourth World Youth Congress held in Quebec

 

The Fourth World Youth Congress "Regénération 2008" aimed to honour the achievements of those who make youth-led development a reality and to supply participants with the skills and support needed to contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals more effectively. The 4th World Youth Congress held in Québec City from 10 to 21 August 2008 attended by 500 young people from 110 countries.

 

 The Congress was divided into three main parts. The "Celebration" segment encompassed the opening ceremony, the celebration of International Youth Day and the presentation of the 'Champion of Youth' award to a number of distinguished adults in recognition of their support to youth issues. One of these was Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, Director-General of UNIDO who received the award for pioneering the Mano River Union Youth Employment Programme.

 

On International Youth Day, the Congress participants joined together with other youth from Québec for the World Youth Walk. Armed with musical instruments, flags of their countries and posters calling for an end to war, HIV/AIDS and environmental destruction, the colourful procession marched the 7 kilometres.

 

The second part of the Congress was a capacity-building segment, in which participants participated in a wide variety of workshops to further their knowledge and skills to assist them in contributing to the achievement of the MDGs. During the final segment of the Congress, delegates participated in action projects around the Province of Québec to put their newly acquired skills into practice.

 

UNFPA re-organization functional

 

The UN Fund for Population (UNFPA) has recognized itself to face new challenges and new realities.  The regional offices of UNFPA will now be based in the region. Ms. Thorya Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA in letter to International NGO’s informed that the Asia-pacific Division will be based in Bangkok with two sub-regional offices in Nepal and Fiji. Similarly, East Europe and Central Asia will move to Bratislava, Slovakia and there will be separate Division for Arab States.

 

Ms. Nobuko Horibe is the new director of UNFPA’s Asia-Pacific Regional office. Before this appointment, Ms. Horibe had served as UNFPA Representative in Lao DPR and Deputy Director of UNFPA’s Division of Oversight Services.

 

Report

Commonwealth Asia Regional workshop on Respect and Understanding

 

33 Youth representatives from 8 countries assembled in Chandigarh, India for a Commonwealth Asia Regional workshop on ‘Respect and understanding’ from August 11 to 14.2008. Over 30 youth representatives including Youth Caucus representatives also participated including Mr Vijay Bharatiya represented Indian Committee of Youth Organizations (ICYO). 

 

This workshop was organized Commonwealth Youth Programme Asia Centre, Chandigarh in the context of Commonwealth Commission on Respect and Understanding - Civil Paths to Peace.

 

 

Gen. (Retd.) S.F Rodrigues, Governor Punjab inaugurated the workshop by lighting lamp called upon youth to take up challenges. He also narrated about the efforts being undertaking in Punjab for the promotion of values of non-violence and peace among young people.

 

Dr.Sudarshan Presents The Gandhian Perspective On Civil Path To Peace

Keynote speaker at the workshop was Dr.Sudarshan Iyengar, Vice Chancellor of the Gujarat Vidhyapith. He said that commonwealth has embarked on a pious project of promoting Respect and Understanding between different communities and groups, including the faith groups so that fear, intolerance, terror and violence is minimized in the world in general and the member countries particular.

 

We cannot expect from this lot of youth to be tolerant. Competition and tolerance do not go together. Success gained out of competition also leads invariably to greed; desire to win again and again. Making his point he said that youth not being homogenous group in any society and there are youth groups that would be working at cross-purposes, said Dr Sudarshan.

 

The workshop was designed so as to have interactive dialogue among young. The workshop set the scene by discussing the Respect and Understanding (R & U) its context, rationale, definition & mandate.

 

During the discussion human rights perspectives to Respect & Understanding came up sharply. There were country presentations on Inequality, grievances and history, Participation, media and Education and third on Education & young people.

 

The youth representatives made it a point that social injustices, unequal distributions of wealth and land disputes were major cause of conflicts in the region. So youth visualized just society where rights of people are recognized. India made a country presentation of Education & young people.

 

Up-coming Events

 

Title: Int. Conference on RIGHTS AND REALITIES in promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights

Date: 10 - 11 November 2008,

Place: Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Organizer: World Population Foundation and Youth Incentives

For more information log on www.wpf.org /  www.youthincentives.org

 

Title: SAARC 2^nd Conference on TB, HIV/AIDS & Respiratory disease

Date: 15th – 18th December 2008,

Place: Kathmandu, Nepal

For more information log on www.saarctb.com.np

Or Contact: saarctb@...

 

Title: World Urban Youth Forum

Date: 3-7 November2008

Place: Nanjing, China

Organizer UN Habitat

For more information log on

www.unhabitat.org/content.asp?typeid=19&catid=535&cid=5581.

 

Title: 8th IANYS Global Conference on National Youth Service

Date: 19-22 November 2008

Place: Paris, France

Organizer: IANYS

For more information log on www.icicp.org/ianys

 

Acknowledgement

 

The ICYO received following publications in March to June 2008, which are very useful for our documentation, research work and for 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       Yuva Udghosh, Published by Kendriya Arya Yuvak Parishad, August, September (fortnightly, Hindi language)

q       Youth of India (Newsletter) – Published by: National Council of YMCAs of India, New Delhi; June & September 2008 (quarterly).

q       Asian Forum Newsletters – Published by: AFPPD, Bangkok, Thailand, May – June 2008 (bi-montly).

q        Neeti Marg – Published by: Samvad, Bhopal, MP, India; every fortnight. (Hindi language) issue 10/4, 5,6,7,8,9,10,11,(fortnightly)May June, July, August 2008

q        UNews – Published by: UN Information Centre, New Delhi, India; Vol 63, No 5, 6, 7 (July 2008), 9 (September 2008)

q        World Bank in India; Magazine Published by World Bank, New Delhi, India; Vol.7/No 1; July 2008

q        Defenders; Published by Organization for Defending Victims of Violence (ODVV); Winter-Spring 2008.

q        NGLS Roundup No. 132 (focus on 2008 high level meeting on AIDS), May 2008, No. 133 (focus on UNCTAD XII accord at Critical Juncture in Global Economy), june 2008, Published by NGLS United Nations.

q        Go Between No 116, March – June 2008  Published by NGLS United Nations.

q       Youth Horizons, Vol. 34 Issue 3, July 2008 Published by VYK, New Delhi.

q       Transforming India; July- September 2008; Access Livelihoods Consulting India Secunderabad, India

q       Youth Culture/Yuva Sanskar; No2-2008; Published by National Youth Project Trust, Delhi

q       Good Times for Everyone: Sexuality questions, feminist answers by Radhika Chandiramani; Published by TRASHI, New Delhi.

q       Working Paper No. 7, may 2008; Title: The Cost of Youth Exclusion in the Middle East; Published by Wolfensohn Center for Development, Dubai School of Government.

q       CASA in Action Newsletter; Vol 101; Issue 01; July 2008; Published by CASA New Delhi.

q       Advocacy internet; various issues; Published by NCAS, Pune, India

q       The World of Parliament (newsletter); N0. 30-July 2008(quarterly); Published by Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU); Geneva, Switzerland.

q       IAPPD Newsletter; April- May 2008; Published by Indian Association of Parliamentarians on Population and Development, New Delhi, India.

q       Population Bulletin of the United Nations; Title- Prospects for Fertility Decline in High Fertility countries; Special issue No 46/47; Published by United Nations, New York, USA Peace (Protecting Environment and Children E verywhere) Newsletters February 2008; April 2008;

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Indian Committee of Youth Organizations (ICYO)

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

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

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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.