ICYO – Youth Information Update 

                                                  September 2006 - VIII

                      (E-Newsletter from network of youth organizations in India)

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“The constitutional rights of the people which about to delivered to the citizens by the government are only centered and limited to influential and to the limited section of the society, whereas majority are still deprived of it”.

-  Dr S. N. Subb Rao, veteran Gandhian and leader of Bhudan (Land donation) movement and Peace creator in Chambal valley in seventies.

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Struggle of Indigenous and deprived people for Livelihood Right in India

 

We are glad to forward you the message received from Dr. Ran Singh Parmar, Secretary, Mahtam Gandhi Seva Ashram regarding the Warning Walk (Chetawani Yatra). ICYO support the demand of ‘Livelihood Right’ of indigenous people of India and expected same support from civil society organizations, specially youth organizations.

 

With solidarity and Peace,

 

Support team, Youth Information, Indian Committee of Youth Organizations, India.

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Dear Friends,

 

Jai Jagat (Victory of World)

 

Sub :  Invitation for Janadesh 2007 Chetawani Yatra (October 2 – 21, 2006 From Gwalior to Delhi)

 

As you would be aware that on 10^th December 2005 Human Rights Day, Assembly of Deprived has been organized in Gwalior under which representatives from different states had collaborated together and announced “Janadesh 2007” (People Verdict).  The motive behind this movement is to achieve livelihood rights for deprived community.

 

To give the same a new direction, the preparation of Janadesh 2007 is going on at a large scale in which young & dedicated males & females are devoting their time and efforts whole days and nights. In Jandesh 2007 approx.  25,000 people of deprived community will go for foot march on 2^nd of October 2007 from Gwalior to Delhi and will join hands together against central government.

 

To make central government aware of the Janadesh 2007 and to give them a chance to sort out the problems related to land rights and livelihood resources for deprived community, CHETWANI YATRA  (Walk to Warn) has been organized under which 400 social activists from all over the country will go for Foot March from Gwalior to Delhi, starting from 2^nd October 2006 and reaching Delhi on 21^st October 2006.

 

Your support    would be beneficial for the deprived community to get their livelihood rehabilitated. Please make this Chetawani Yatra , a successful mass movement by participating in it , also pass this invitation to your friends and known people and provide this information to the media .

 

We hope for your support as you provided us in the past.

 

Thanks & Regards

 

Ran Singh Parmar
Secretary Mahatma Gandhi Seva Ashram Joura (M.P.)
Porani Chhwani Near Police Station
Gwalior

Email: gandhiashram_joura@...

 

Note:   We would be glad to arrange accommodation and food for you. Please provide us your details before coming so that we can make a proper arrangement for the same.   

ROUTE MAP

 

Date	Afternoon Stay	Distance in Kms.	Night Stay	Distance in Kms.	Total Distance in Kms.
2 October	IITM Gwalior	07	Nirankari Ashram, Near Purani Chawni Police Station	05	12
3 October	Bamore	08	Tekri (Nurabad)	08	16
4 October	Chonda	06	Gharona -Devri (Morena)	11	17
5 October	Hetampur	07	Piprai	07	14
6 October	Dhaulpur	08	Mania	10	18
7 October	Baretha	10	Sainya	07	17
8 October	Prem Bagh (River Crossing)	07	Etora	07	14
9 October	Agra Bye Pass (Petrol Pump)	08	Sadar Forest (Agra Bye Pass)	09	17
10 October	Runkata	09	Water Park (Agra - Mathura)	06	15
11 October	Bhim Nagar (Agra - Mathura)	07	Refinery (From Mathura to Paheli)	09	16
12 October	Bad (Agra - Mathura)	07	Jai Gurudev Ashram(Mathura)	09	16
13 October	Rajeev Acadamy For Technology & Management	08	GLA College & Management (Chauma)	10	18
14 October	Nari (Mathura - Kosi)	09	Chata	07	16
15 October	Kosikalan	09	Shamken Spinning Co.  (Kosi - Palwal)	07	16
16 October	Hodal	09	Bhitrol	06	15
17 October	Toll Tax (Kosi - Palwal)	09	Taroha (Kosi - Palwal)	07	16
18 October	Palwal	11	Baghola	08	19
19 October	Sikri	08	Ballabgarh	07	15
20 October	Faridabad	11	Badarpur	10	21
21 October	Nizzamudin	11	Rajghat / Jantar Mantar	08	19

Ran Singh Parmar
Secretary Mahatma Gandhi Seva Ashram Joura (M.P.)
Porani Chhwani Near Police Station
Gwalior

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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

 

ICYO-Youth Information: In this issue of

Ø       Nobel Cause for 3,000 Youths; Make World Better..

Ø       Young Villagers to be trained as Peer Educator to Encourage Safe Sex in Indian Villages

Ø       WDR 2007 Launch

Ø       National Youth Consultation on the MDGs held in Bangladesh

Ø       New Publication on Young People and Harmful Media Content

Ø       ‘A’ is for Achieve, ‘Y’ is for Youth - New LDC Alphabet Video Produced by UNESCAP

Ø       Children Set Their Own Recommendations for India’s 11^th Five Year  Plan

Ø       Indigenous People ‘Walk’ for there LIVELIHOOD RIGHTS in India

News in brief:

Ø       Indian health experts linked the country’s maternal death rate to its 5.7 million

Ø       The venue of the Children Festival has be changed

Ø       World Bank accepting applications for ‘Winter Internship Programme

Ø      Applications for the 2006/07 Human Rights Small Grants Scheme

Programme/Event:

Ø       ICYO - National Youth Consultation

Ø       UN Global Youth Leadership Summit

Ø       ASEM Youth Dialogue 2006: First Asia-Europe Youth Interfaith Dialogue

Ø       Second Global Young Greens Meeting

Ø       International Youth Conference

Ø       Asia and Pacific Student Essay Competition on Sustainable Development

Ø      Amsterdam Conference on Sustainability and Reporting

Acknowledgement

Ø       ICYO acknowledge the receipt of publications, reports.

 

E-Newsletter from network of youth organizations in India:

Indian Committee of Youth Organizations

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Platform of 356 Youth Organizations in India.

India’s largest network of urban and rural youth.

Nobel Cause for 3,000 Youths; Make World Better, Peace Prize Winners Say 

Ten Nobel Peace Prize winners issued an unprecedented "call to action" to young people on 15 September 2006, asking them to mobilize against racism and poverty and work to secure the rights of women and children.

"Action is very important," said the Dalai Lama, opening a Friday afternoon news conference where the Nobel laureates outlined their agenda.

"Prayer is not sufficient," he said as part of the three-day conference here sponsored by PeaceJam, a Colorado organization that brings together Nobel Peace Prize winners and young people.

At the event, which drew 3,000 students from 31 countries, peace prizewinners called for a decade-long effort to tackle 10 challenges facing the world and said they would work "side by side" with young people to make a difference.

"We say, go for your dreams and reach for the stars and help God make this a more compassionate, a more caring, a more gentle world," Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa told the students.

Friday's session marked the largest gathering to date of Nobel Peace Prize winners in the United States. The goal was to inspire young people to hope and work for a better future.

"We all have to be part of the solutions to the problems of this planet or we will all sink together," said Jody Williams, the only American on the panel and a peace prizewinner for her efforts to ban land mines. (Daily news feed)

Young Villagers to be trained as Peer Educator to Encourage Safe Sex in Indian Villages

India plans to recruit one young man and woman from every large village (population of 5000 or more) in the country to over the next five years teach their peers about safe sex and HIV.

 "They could be weavers, or agricultural laborers or just be hanging around the village market place," said Sujatha Rao, DG, National AIDS Control Organization (NACO).

"But the point is the distribution of condoms, and messages on radio and TV only go so far. We need to sit down with young people and make them talk," she told a conference on sexual equality.

Those taking part in the scheme, who will be in their early 20s, will be asked to help dispel macho notions that men should try and have unprotected sex with as many women as they can, notions that health workers say are common.

WDR 2007 Launch

According to World Development Report 2007, titled ‘Development and the Next Generation’ world now has the largest ever youth group in history--young people between the ages 12 and 24 comprise 1.3 billion of the developing world’s population--and developing countries still has a window of opportunity to invest in the youth to lessen potential economic headaches in the future.

The Report argues that without opportunities for productive civic engagement, young people's frustrations may boil over into economic and social tensions, creating long-simmering disputes.

The Report said that public spending alone would not do the trick. Policies must stimulate young people, their parents, and their communities to invest in themselves.

The WDR 2007 was released on released on September 16, 2006 in Singapore in workshop during the IMF/WB annual meeting.

The Youth report (WDR 2007) was launched in small workshop in Singapore during the IMF/WB annual meeting on September 16, 2006.

Total 23 youths were participated in the CSO/youth events among them 12 from Singapore National University, one-one from Bangladesh, China, Combodia, Thailand, Timor Least, Vietnum, Nepal, Japan, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea. ( No youth participant from India!). Unfortunately other regions were not attended the event except youth from some Asia Pacific countries.

National Youth Consultation on the MDGs held in Bangladesh

Over 55 youth organizations across Bangladesh came together on July 19th for the National Youth Consultation on the Millennium Development Goals(MDGs) and discussed how to promote the Goals and ensure governments listen to the voices of young people in Bangladesh.

The Consultation concluded with the establishment of a new youth network called "Youth for MDGs,"

The multitude of the ideas that emerged from the consultation clearly reflects the great desire from the young people to make lasting changes in their communities. 

New Publication on Young People and Harmful Media Content

UNESCO has produced a publication on "Regulation, Awareness, Empowerment, Young People and harmful Media Content in the Digital Age" in collaboration with International Clearing house on Children, Youth and Media, NORDICOM/Goteborg University. This book presents a comprehensive review of the field, current knowledge and recent trends on the subject of offensive and harmful media content and the protection of minors, evaluative research on different measures, examples of resources and projects from many parts of the world. The publication reflects more on protective measures, media and information literacy with a view to create a better future for young.

‘A’ is for Achieve, ‘Y’ is for Youth - New LDC Alphabet Video Produced by UNESCAP

A new DVD production by the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Coordination Unit, with funding from UNDP and assistance from the UN Information Services Bangkok (UNIS), will be released this September. “The Least Developed Countries Alphabet: The A to Z of Asia-Pacific LDCs” is a 12 minute video which explains the major hurdles affecting the 14 LDCs in the Asia-Pacific region. The DVD is aimed at government officials, development practitioners, and students across the region. It will be shown as part of the UNIS visitors program, at LDC conferences around the world, and by request. It will also be distributed to regional UN Information Centres for local screening, and to NGOs and schools.

Children Set Their Own Recommendations for India’s 11^th Five Year  Plan

Children’s Consultation was organized on 5th July 2006 in Delhi to draw recommendations and suggestions for the 11^th Five Year Plan process.

In the Consultation, which was attended by 75 children, gave very valuable suggestions, which they would want to be incorporated in the next Five Year Plan.

The children during group discussions came out with a suggestion that all the States where children are vulnerable to abuse and exploitation should formulate and implement separate child protection policies and programs which are socially and culturally effective in tackling the problems of child abuse, neglect and exploitation in the respective state.

Some of the important recommendations came-up from the consultation include, making children's participation possible in the process of policy formulation and programming, they suggested that the Police, hospitals and schools must be made sensitive towards the issues of children in difficult circumstances and the government should implement strict legislatures to stop trafficking and sale of children, feticide and infanticide, early child marriage and commercial exploitation of children.  Delhi Child Rights Club, Butterflies and Prayas organized the consultation.

Indigenous People ‘Walk’ for there LIVELIHOOD RIGHTS in India

On December 10, 2005, Assembly of Deprived was organized in Gwalior, (M.P.), India and which was attend by thousands of Indigenous people and decided to launch the “Janadesh 2007” (People’s Verdict). The main purpose of the call of agitation to fight for livelihood rights for deprived community. They decided the 25,000 deprived people from them will reach Gwalior on 2^nd October 2007 and walk to-ward Delhi and seized the Delhi until their demands not fulfilled.

Ten month already passed and no visible progress from government side to deliver the ‘Livelihood Rights’ to them (deprived people). According the press release of Mahatma Gandhi Seva Ashram, the CHETWANI YATRA (Walk to Warn) to be launched from 2^nd October 2006 for reminding the concern authorities that count- down already started and only 365 days left to fulfill their demand or ready for consequence generated by Janadesh 2007.  

Dr. Ran Singh Parmar, Secretary, Mahatma Gandhi Seva Ashram, further give the detail while talking to ‘ICYO-Youth Information’ that the more than 400 deprived people those suffered most, will march from Gwalior to Delhi.

The marchers, majority the young people will start their peaceful satyagrah on 2^nd October (birth day of Mahatma Gandhi) 2006 and reach Delhi on 21 October. On-the-way marchers will address the public rallies in villages, establish the mass contact to get their support.

Brief News:

ndian health experts linked the country’s maternal death rate to its 5.7 million annual illegal abortions and the fact that over 80 percent of pregnant women do not get hygienic antenatal care, according to an Indo-Asian News Service July 16 story. Puneet Bedi, a leading fetal medicine expert, urged strong action to curb illegal abortions especially of female fetuses in order to maintain the male-female sex ratio.

According to UNICEF, only 15 percent of mothers receive complete antenatal care. In rural areas, 75 percent of births still take place at home, mostly without any skilled help to ensure a safe delivery.

he venue of the Children Festival has be changed. Children Festival location shifted from Babina to Jhansi. The date is un-changed and will be held from September 29 to October 3, 2006.

orld Bank accepting applications for ‘Winter Internship Programme. The Internship Programme is open to students who are nationals of the World Bank's member countries and attracts a large number of highly qualified candidates. The goal of this Internship Programme is to offer successful candidates an opportunity to improve their skills as well as the experience of working in an international environment. Interns generally find the experience to be rewarding and interesting.

For more Information log on 

http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTHRJOBS/0,,contentMDK:20521026~menuPK:64262360~pagePK:64262408~piPK:64262191~theSitePK:1058433,00.html

pplications for the 2006/07 Human Rights Small Grants Scheme are currently open. This initiative provides small grants to in-country organizations (primarily non-government) for activities aimed at promoting and protecting human rights in a direct and tangible way. The scheme's geographic focus is the Asia-Pacific region.

The guidelines for applications are available on the AusAID website:
http://www.ausaid.gov.au/business/other_opps/humanrights_scheme.cfm  

Programmes/Events

National Youth Consultation

Indian Committee of Youth announced the ‘NATIONAL YOUTH CONSULTATION’. The Consultation will be held in New Delhi in second half of the November 2006.

HIVA/AIDS; Population/Family Planning; Employment/ Entrepreneur Development; Environment; Trafficking/ Commercial Sexual Abuse of Children (CSA), Corruption and youth concern, are the issues for discussion in upcoming  ‘Consultation’.

Young people aged 15 - 22 years will participate in the meeting.

ICYO is expecting the clear strategic direction of further course of action from the young people.  Formation of advocacy groups on issues discussed, are also planned.

UN Global Youth Leadership Summit

UN Office for Sport for Development and Peace will organize the UN Global Youth Leadership Summit with the aims to link youth with the MDGs, using sport, peacebuilding, and culture as entry points. The event will include two youth delegates - one male, one female - from each of the 191 Member States of the UN and event will be held from October 31 - November 1, 2006 in New York.

For more information, consult the document on: http://www.un.org/youthsummit/pdfs/gyls_conceptpaper_18-07-06.pdf#search=%22UN%20Global%20Youth%20Leadership%20Summit%20%20UNDP%22

ASEM Youth Dialogue 2006: First Asia-Europe Youth Interfaith Dialogue

Asia-Europe Foundation and Casa Asia from November 19-26, 2006 in Navarra, Spain, will organize ASEM Youth Dialogue 2006.

The ASEM Youth Dialogues have been conceived to provide an opportunity for Youth in Asia and Europe to exchange perspectives on themes of Youth Interfaith

During this 4-day event, the young representatives of Churches, Faiths and youth religious organizations and networks, together with experts in inter-religious dialogue from the 38 ASEM countries , will be exchanging views and experiences based on their respective religions and spiritual traditions. The dialogue will also reflect on how religions can assist in facing critical issues that concern our societies, and will try to discover and create new pathways to peace through interfaith cooperation. These objectives will be captured in the ASEM Youth Declaration adopted by the participants at the conclusion of the dialogue, which is transmitted to the ASEM partners as a part of the youth contribution to the ASEM process.

For more information log on http://www.asef.org

Second Global Young Greens Meeting

In Nairobi, Kenya, in January 2007, a Global Greens meeting and the World Social Forum will be held. This is the ideal time for Young Green activists from every continent to come together and decide on how to organize our growing numbers and influence globally.

For more detail contact caroline@...

International Youth Conference

World Spirit Youth Council (Switzerland) and Children of the Earth (USA) will organize the conference on ‘“Deepening Our Spirituality – Turning Inspiration into Action’ will be held in Nepal from September 23-28, 2006. The event is hosted by Hindu Vidya Peeth – Nepal,

The conference will focus on deepening our spirituality, exploring aspects of consciousness through different religions, faiths and ways of life and discovering how spiritual values, through daily action, can transform our world into a more harmonious place. 

At the “Deepening Our Spirituality” meeting youth will join forces with the current work that the World Spirit Youth Council is undertaking. Youth will also have the opportunity of formulating strategies to take inspiration into action.

Asia and Pacific Student Essay Competition on Sustainable Development

Asian Development Bank (ADB) and ROAD, with support of the Japan Special Fund, financed by the Government of Japan, invite university students to participate from the ADB member countries (only from developing countries) in the Asia and Pacific Student Essay Competition on Sustainable Development.  The eligible age to participate in the competition is between 18 to 29 years. The last date is October 31, 2006.

The rules are simple: just submit an essay on one of the designated themes via this http://mms.adb.org:8000/adb-essay/register.php  

The 25 winners will be awarded a certificate and be expected to join and participate actively in the Asian and Pacific Youth Forum on Sustainable Development to be held in Japan in March 2007. The costs of the winning essayists' participation in the Youth Forum will be covered by ADB.

Amsterdam Conference on Sustainability and Reporting

Over 120 speakers from business, civil society, labour and government, from both developed and developing countries, will tackle the challenge of sustainable development and reporting, in the ‘Amsterdam Conference on Sustainability and Reporting’ to be held in Amsterdam from October 4-6, 2006.  For more information, log on www.grig3.org/index.html 

Acknowledgement

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

1.                   AHRNews – Published by: Asian Harm Reduction Network, Chiag Mai, Thailand

2.                   Asian Forum Newsletters – Published by: Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development, Bangkok, Thailand

3.                   CASA in Action –Published by: Church’s Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA), New Delhi, India.

4.                   Catalyst (Newsletter)- Published by: Cyriac Voluntary Association (CEVA), Kochi, Kerela, India.

5.                   Chennai Judicial Exchange on Access to Justice-Published by: Common Wealth Human Rights Initiative (CHARD New Delhi, India

6.                   CRIN Newsletter - Published by: Child Rights Information Network, UK

7.                   CSEC published by Peace, Mt Lavinia, Sri Lanka

8.                   Disability Tribune – Published by: International disability & human rights information Network, United Kingdom

9.                   Gender and Education for All The Leap To Equality (EFA Global Monitoring Report 2003/4) – Published by : UNESCO, Paris, France

10.               Go Between – Published by : United Nations Non-Governmental Liaison Service (NGLS), Geneva, Switzerland

11.               Habitat Debate – Published by UN Human Settlement Program, (UN Habitat), Nairobi, (Kenya)

12.               hiv & aids services worldwide –Published by: nam, London, UK

13.               Human Rights and Policing –Published by: Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, New Delhi, India

14.               IAPPD Newsletter – Published by : Indian Association of Parliamentarians on Population and development, New Delhi, India

15.               Jaggo on HIV/AIDS Awareness – Published by : The NAZ Foundation (INDIA) Trust, New Delhi

16.               Masculinity for Boys (Resource Guide for Peer Educators)- Published by UNESCO, New Delhi, India.

17.               Nari Raksha Samiti, Annual Report, New Delhi, India

18.               Neeti Marg – Published by : Samvad, Bhopal, India

19.               Network Newsletter – Published by: Family Health International, USA

20.               Niti Marg, (fortnightly), Published by: Samvad, Bhopal, India

21.               One Country, Newsletter, Published by: Baha’i  International Community, New York, USA

22.               Panorama of Parliamentary Elections 2005- Published by: Inter- Parliamentry Union, Geneva, Switzerland.

23.               Parliament Digest (Bridging the gap between Parliament and People) Budget                                            Session 2005 – Published by : National Centre for Advocacy Studies, Pune, Maharashtra, India

24.               Peace Newsletter- Published by: Peace, Mt Lavinia, Sri Lanka

25.               Pop Times, The Population & Development Newsletter of UNFOPA-India, - Published by: United Nations Population fund-India, New Delhi, India

26.               Popline (March-April 2005)- Published by: Population Institute,

27.               Population 2005 Newsletter – last issue.

28.               Positive Dialogue- Published by: Lawyers Collective HIV/AIDS Unit, Mumbai, India.

29.               Rebuilding Lives: CASA’S response to Tsunami- Published by: Church’s Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA), New Delhi, India.

30.               Round Up – Published by : United Nations Non-Governmental Liaison Service (NGLS), Geneva, Switzerland

31.               Sankalp Newsletter –Published by: International AIDS Vaccine Initiative in India, New Delhi, India

32.               Say ‘No’ to Violence against women – Published by: Society for Women’s Action and Training Initiative (SWATI), Gujarat, India

33.               Sexual Health Exchange, published by Royal Tropical Institute (KIT), Netherland.

34.               The Bhutan Today- Published by: Druk National Cngress (DNC), Boudha, Katmandu, Nepal.

35.               The Right to Peace (Defenders Newsletter) –Published by: The Organization for Defending Victims of Violence (ODVV), Tehran, Iran.

36.               The State of World’s Children 2006 (Executive Summary)- Published by: UNICEF, New York.

37.               The World of Parliaments- Published by: Inter-Parliamentary Union, Geneva, Switzerland.

38.               UN System Engagement with NGOs, Civil Society, The Private Sector, and the others – Published by : UN Non-Governmental Liaison Service (NGLS), Geneva, Switzerland.

39.               UNews – Published by : UN Information Centre, New Delhi, India

40.               V.Y.K Newsletter  – Published by : V.Y.K International Youth Centre, New Delhi, India

41.               World Bank In India – Magazine Published by : WORLD BANK, New Delhi, India

42.               Young Asia –Published by: Commonwealth Youth Programme Asia Centre (CYP), Commonwealth Secretariat, Chandigarh, India.

43.               Youth of India (Newsletter) – Published by: National Council of YMCAs of India, New Delhi, India

44.               Yuva Awaaz, published by Youth Initiative, Nepal.

45.               Yuva Bharat Samachar, New Delhi.

46.               Yuva Samvad- Published by: Yuva Samvad, New Delhi, India.

47.               Yuvahit  - Published by: Print Impression, Pune, India

48.               Youth Culture Published by National Youth Project, New Delhi.

49.               Amrai (Bal Masik Patrika)- Published by: Lok Vikas & Anusandhan Trust, Indor, India.

50.               Our Voice- Published by: STOP, New Delhi, India.

51.               Annual Report (2004-2005)- Published by: National Centre for Advocacy Studies (NCAS), Pune, Maharashtra, India.

52.               Community Learning Movement (An Experience of People Centered Advocacy) - Published by: National Centre for Advocacy Studies (NCAS), Pune, Maharashtra, India.

53.               ADVOCACY INTERNET (Urban Displacement The India Battlefront) - Published by: National Centre for Advocacy Studies (NCAS), Pune, Maharashtra, India.

54.               ADVOCACY INTERNET (Reservation Debate) - Published by: National Centre for Advocacy Studies (NCAS), Pune, Maharashtra, India.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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);
Youth for Habitat International Network (YFHIN); 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.

 

 

ICYO - Youth Information

September 2006 – VI

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News and views from Indian Committee of Youth Organizations

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ICYO - Platform of 356 Youth Organizations in India.          

ICYO - India’s largest network of urban and rural youth.

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Illegal Termination of Pregnancy on the Rise in India  

More than 6.7 million abortions are reported in the country annually with 5.7 million of them being illegal terminations; mostly carried out in places that are unhygienic with unsafe technology Dr D Narayana Reddy, President of the Council for Sexual Education and Parenthood International (CSEPI) said.

On 16 September 2006, in his keynote address at the three-day 22nd National Conference of Sexology organized by the CSEPI, in Banglore, Dr Reddy said as pregnant women do not get hygienic antenatal care, the maternal mortality rate was of 498 per 100,000 women which was highest in India when compared to other countries.

He said due to termination of unplanned or unwanted pregnancies through unscientific means, the maternal morbidity and mortality were high in the country. Ignorance on part of the public with regard to health aspects and on the part of the policy makers and the healthcare fraternity with regard to sexual health were the root causes of all problems, he felt.

Dr Reddy said in India an estimated 5.2 million people were infected with HIV and out of which 124,366 have developed full blown AIDS . Nearly 85 per cent of the patients got the disease through sex route.

He said reproductive and sexual health entails not only the physical dimension of health but mental and social dimensions as well. Emotional dimension could be handled effectively if myths and misconceptions prevailing about gender issues and sexuality were cleared, he added.

Pointing out that the emotional health would come up only when abuse and harassment were minimized, if not completely eliminated. He urged the patriarchal system to take note of it.

Regretting that for long the medical fraternity ignored the importance of sexual health, he said that still the effort to prescribe sexology as a separate faculty in medical colleges had not succeeded. He said that the advent of HIV-AIDS in the early 1980s and the valuable discovery of 'Sildenifil' in the late 90's had shaken the medical fraternity out of snooze and started giving attention to it.

The volume of new research and newer findings in the area of sexual health were suddenly on an upswing and these advancements in modern medicare should be distributed equitably among the poor and then only the menace ofinfant mortality, unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and sexually abusive behavior could be contained, Dr Reddy said. (The Hindu/16/9/06)

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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

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

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 programmes;
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);
Youth for Habitat International Network (YFHIN); 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.

ICYO – Youth Information Update 

                                                  September 2006 - V

                      (E-Newsletter from network of youth organizations in India)

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ICYO - Platform of 356 Youth Organizations in India.       

ICYO - India’s largest network of urban and rural youth.

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Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Urges World Bank to Create ‘YOUTH INVESTMENT FUND’

Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Florence Mugasha has urged the World Bank to consider setting up a Global Youth Investment Fund that is specifically geared to alleviating poverty and its consequences. She made the call during a pre-launch of the World Bank's 2007 World Development Report (WDR), titled 'Development and the Next Generation', held at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, UK, on 11 September 2006.

During her address to representatives of high commissions, non-governmental organisations and the media, Mrs Mugasha also called on governments and development partners to move away from a welfare approach and adopt a youth development focus.

"Youth development is an investment," said Mrs Mugasha. "We would like to see governments invest more resources in young people. This is essential to enhance the quality and sustainability of their role in national development."

Mrs Mugasha noted that the Secretariat's advocacy work was a significant catalyst for the World Bank's decision to dedicate its 2007 Report to the issues and challenges facing young people.

Mobafa Baker, chairperson of the Pan-Commonwealth Youth Caucus, expressed hope that the report would spur nations into action. "It's time to walk the talk and move rhetoric into action. There is a lot of young human capital around the world that needs to be tapped. Hence, the
need of the hour is 'ready, set, go' programmes."

Lauding the partnership between the World Bank and the Commonwealth Youth Programme, the Bank's lead economist Mamta Murthi said such feedback from young people was heartwarming.

"Young people seem to be ready to take on the challenges of the future. One can gauge their energy and the sense of impatience. They want to see the swift introduction of programmes and policies that will improve the quality of their lives," stated Ms Murthi.

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WDR 2007 will be launched on 17 September 2006 in Singapore in special launch function in Civil Society Function, ‘ICYO-Youth Information’ continues covering the information related to Civil Society Forum and WDR 2007 and keeps informed to its readers. (ICYO-Youth Information)

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

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

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);
Youth for Habitat International Network (YFHIN); 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.

ICYO – Youth Information Indian Committee of Youth Organizations

Population update September 2006 - IV

State of World Population 2006

Young People Move More Now Than Ever

New UNFPA Report Features Stories of Young Migrants

Young people from developing countries are increasingly on the move and represent a third of all international migrants. They come from all types of backgrounds, and cross borders for many reasons. Their journeys are often marked with hope and success, but also with disillusionment and despair.

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is issuing the first-ever youth companion to its annual The State of World Population report. Moving Young highlights the social, economic and demographic aspects of youth migration. It tells the stories of young people whose lives have been shaped by migration. Their personal experiences, described in their own words, illustrate the challenges and opportunities that millions of young women and men encounter as they venture into new lands. These are first-hand accounts of many of the issues raised in The State of World Population 2006.

Moving Young offers a glimpse into the lives of young migrants and the reasons that compel them to leave their homes and countries. Many are searching for jobs and better opportunities, while others are forced to escape conflict or persecution. An increasing number of students are seeking education abroad. Many move to be reunited with parents or other relatives who have already settled abroad. Many leave their homes to marry, including young women forced to do so against their will. Many go willingly, lured away by false promises, while others are coerced into sex slavery.

The report highlights the need to create opportunities for young people in their own countries. It also calls for world leaders and policymakers to protect their human rights and to recognize their contributions—both to origin and destination countries. Governments need to fully use the resourcefulness and vitality of young migrants rather than consider them as burdens or risks.

"Young people are characterized by innovation, by creativity, by perseverance and hard work, and by wanting to try something new,” says UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid. “If well-guided and directed, that spirit is the kind that will bring well-being to any society."

The young men and women profiled in Moving Young come from 10 countries: Burkina Faso, Colombia, India, Kenya, Liberia, Moldova, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Suriname and Zambia. Their stories are very similar to those of millions of others who cross borders every day in search of a better life. (youth information)

---------------------- --------

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

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

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.

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Lets celebrate the 100 years of National Song

Sing VandeOMataram together

In 1905, the freedom movement had taken an organized shape and the same year country's politics took a new turn with the announcement of Swadeshi Movement on August 07, 1905 at Calcutta. The declaration of Swadeshi movement is completing its 100 years on August 07' 2005.

It may be recalled that the song of Vandemataram was adopted as National Song on September 07, 1905. On the occasion of completing 100 years of this historic occasion National Committee for the centenary celebration of Vandemataram.

With a view to creating awareness among students regarding national integration and love for the country, celebrate September 07 as Vandemataram Day.

Vande Mataram and its history

The national song of India, Vandemataram holds the constitutional status of national song considering its immense contribution in India's freedom movement. It has the same status as the national anthem Jana Gana Mana holds.

Late Shri Bankim Chandra Chatterjee composed the Vandemataram a poem (in Sanskrit) known for sublimity of thought dedicated to the glory of mother nation, on November 07, 1876 at the Kantal Pada village of Bengal. The Anandamatha was published in "Bang Darshan" magazine from 1880 to 1882. The song was included in his immortal novel Anandamath published in the book form in 1882.

Vandemataram had become an expression of nationalism for the patriots and revolutionaries who launched several movements and agitations against the oppressive British Rule drawing inspiration from the magic words of Vandemataram song. In fact, Vandemataram had become a symbol of India's freedom struggle. Great exponent of India classical music Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar played an important role in popularizing Vande Mataram during freedom movement. He began public recitation of Vandemataram from Lahore and sung it at many places all over the country. His presentation of Vandemataram was so charged with emotions that it used to thrill the listeners and arouse feelings of nationalism among them making them feel proud of the mother nation.

Dr. Ravindranath Tagore himself sung Vandemataram in 1896 session of Indian National Congress. It was the first political occasion when Vandemataram was sung in chorus. Dr. Ravindranath Tagore also set Vandemataram to music.

The Indian National Congress rehearsed Vandemataram in 1901 under the guidance of Dakshanrajan Sen. Smt. Sarla Devi Chaudharani, niece of Dr. Ravindranath Tagore sang Vandemataram in 1905 Congress Convention despite ban on its singing by the British Government.

In 1905, the freedom movement had taken an organized shape and the same year country's politics took a new turn with the announcement of Swadeshi Movement on August 07, 1905 at Calcutta. The British divided Bengal on October 16, 1905. Under the circumstances Vandemataram became people's song not only in Bengal but entire nation.

After 1915, it had become a tradition to begin every session of Indian National Congress with recitation of Vandemataram. The legacy still continues. Shri Subhash Chandra Bose had made Vandemataram the song of his Indian National Army and it was regularly broadcast from his Singapore radio station. A procession of patriots was canned at Calcutta due to recitation of Vandemataram on April 14, 1906. Maharshi Arvind, who was also in the procession, was injured in the canning. Maharshi translated into English the Vandemataram song.

Maharshi Arvind has mentioned in his "Mahayogi" that - " Vandemataram was an expression of nationalism. It quickly spread throughout India and was on the lips of millions." The Cambridge History of India describes Vandemataram as "the most greatest and most enduring gift of the Swadeshi movement". Shri B. N. Pande in his "A Book of India" writes, " Vandemataram, soon became the Merselillaise of the nationalist movement throughout India."

The prayer meetings of Mahatma Gandhi used to begin with Vandemataram. In 1937, the Congress working Committee appointed a sub committee of Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhsh Chandra Bose and Acharya Narendra Dev as members to review the eligibility of Vande Mataram to the status of national anthem. The committee was to take the guidance of Rabindra Nath Tagore. Finally, the Congress Working Committee ordered the same year that only first two stanzas of it should be sung. Later in Haripur Congress convention in 1938 for the first time only first two stanzas of Vandemataram were sung.

The Vandemataram has assumed a special role in unifying India for achieving freedom. People drew inspiration from this ode to the motherland and they raised strong voices against the British and forced them to leave Mother India. The energetic two words - Vandemataram instilled patriotic fervour into the minds and hearts of Indians and they came forward to save country's honour.

January 26, 1950 was set for the Indian Republic. National anthem was to be chosen before the election of the President of India. Objection was advanced about the Vandemataram that it was not suited to band music unlike the Jana Gana Mana.

On the controversy over Vande Mataram as national anthem Pandit Nehru said - "''It is unfortunate that some kind of argument has arisen between Vandemataram ' and 'Jana Gana Mana'. Vandemataram ' is obviously and indisputably the premier national song of India, with a great historical tradition, and intimately connected with our struggle for freedom. That position it is bound to retain and no other song can displace it. It represents the position and poignancy of that struggle. In regard to the national anthem tune, it was felt that the tune was more important than the words. It seemed therefore that while 'Vandemataram should continue to be the national song par excellence in India, the national anthem tune should be that of 'Jana Gana Mana'.

Dr Rajendra Prasad, who was presiding the Constituent Assembly on January 24 1950, made the following statement, which was also adopted as the final decision on the issue:

The composition consisting of words and music known as Jana Gana Mana is the National Anthem of India. The song Vandemataram, which has played a historic part in the struggle for Indian freedom, shall be honored equally with Jana Gana Mana and shall have equal status with it.

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ICYO salute to the inspiring and symbol of national freedom struggle, song and appear to all youth in India to stand up and sing together:

Vande Mataram!
Sujalam, suphalam, malayaja shitalam,
Shasyashyamalam, Mataram!
Shubhrajyothsna pulakitayaminim,
Phullakusumita drumadala shobhinim,
Suhasinim sumadhura bhashinim,
Sukhadam varadam, Mataram!

The English translation of the stanza rendered by Sri Aurobindo in
prose 1 is :

I bow to thee, Mother,
richly-watered, richly-fruited,
cool with the winds of the south,
dark with the crops of the harvests,
The Mother!
Her nights rejoicing in the glory of the moonlight,
her lands clothed beautifully with her trees in flowering bloom,
sweet of laughter, sweet of speech,
The Mother, giver of boons, giver of bliss.

(to listen the song, log on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-i8OKnCtiE&eurl= or http://grouper.com/video/MediaDetails.aspx?id=169121 )

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Issued by Indian Committee of Youth Organizations (ICYO) to keep the spirit of Nationalism among the young people.

-----------------------------------------

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

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

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);
Youth for Habitat International Network (YFHIN); 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.

Youth Information: in this issue:

- 500 million Youths Live in Poor Conditions: UNFPA

- Condom Use Will Spearhead AIDS Campaign: Mr Ramadoss Says

- Indian and China could have up to 15 per cent more men than women… 

- Over five million illegal abortions in India every year 

- Britain Pledges £252m to Tackle India Child Deaths 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ICYO – the commitment to strengthen the Youth Organization Movement in India and elsewhere.

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500 million Youths Live in Poor Conditions: UNFPA

 

The United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) has said that more than 500 million young people between the ages of 15 and 24 years worldwide live on less than two dollars per day, while 96 million young women in developing countries do not know how to read or write.

 

The statement sent on occasion at World Population Day celebration held on September 1, 2006 in Port Harcourt Mrs Tharaya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA, said that the situation poses challenges to world leaders to devise ways of reducing poverty and improves the health and well-being of young people.

 

Mrs Tharaya stressed the need for children to involved in decision-making, as this was the only way the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) can be achieved.

 

According to her, the agency campaigns young people’s rights to education, health and employment.

 

“We recognize that investments in young people promote social and economic growth. Key to these efforts are keeping girls in schools, building life, skills, delaying marriage and pregnancy until adulthood”, she said

 

While declaring the occasion open, the state Governor, Dr Peter Odili, said that the government has embarked on several programmes to uplift the conditions of youths in the state.

 

The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Barr Mike Ejims Enwukwe, also charged parents to give proper attention to both the physical and spiritual upbringing of their children.

 

He also advised youths to eschew all forms of antisocial behaviours as it would not do them any good.

 

Condom Use Will Spearhead AIDS Campaign: Mr Ramadoss Says

 

India will promote condoms as the best defense against HIV/AIDS in a $2.5 billion program to prevent it spreading from more than 5 million Indians already carrying the virus, Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said on September 1, 2006.

 

The five-year program, funded by the government, companies, aid agencies and charities including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, aims to prevent infection as 86 percent of India's cases are sexually transmitted, Ramadoss said.

 

“Eighty percent of the money and focus will go for prevention,'' Ramadoss said in an interview in his New Delhi office on Aug. 30. “I say hit the condom directly'' as the major preventative method.

 

To date, 124,000 sufferers in India have disclosed their illness to authorities, Ramadoss said. India's infection rate is underreported because of the discrimination and social isolation that plagues those afflicted, he said. The government is counting on anti-discrimination policies and public awareness programs to encourage infected people to admit they have the disease and to seek treatment.

 

The most affected states are Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in the south, Maharashtra in the west and Nagaland and Manipur in the north-east. The states account for 72 percent of the estimated HIV infections in the country, according to India's National AIDS Control Organization. The government agency estimates the number of HIV infected Indians last year at 5.2 million.

 

Lack of education is a challenge in fighting HIV in India's rural areas. About two-thirds of country dwellers are familiar with condoms, compared with 80 percent of the country's urban population.

 

The government aims to treat 100,000 AIDS sufferers free by 2007, from 45,000 now. In five years, the number receiving free treatment is planned to triple to 300,000, he said. By the end of this month the number of centers dispensing antiretroviral drugs will reach 100 from 60. (Credit: Mrinalini Datta)

 

Indian and China could have up to 15 per cent more men than women over the next 20 years, a research paper says 

 

Researchers have expressed alarm about cultures that favour male babies, saying sex-ratio imbalances could destabilize society because more men will remain unmarried, raising the risks of anti-social and violent behaviour.

 

In a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, they said parts of China and India would have 12 per cent to 15 per cent more men over the next 20 years -- many of them rural peasants with limited education.

 

"The growing number of young men with a lack of family prospects will have little outlet for sexual energy," wrote Zhu Weixing of China's Zhejian Normal University and Therese Hesketh of the Institute of Child Health at University College London.

 

"This trend would lead to increased levels of anti-social behaviour and violence, as gender is a well-established correlate of crime, and especially violent crime," they said, adding the trend would threaten stability and security in many societies.

 

Sex ratios were already distorted in large parts of Asia and North Africa, and sex-selective abortion and discrimination in healthcare for girls have led to higher female mortality.

 

"There are now an estimated 80 million missing females in India and China alone," they wrote.

 

China introduced a one-child policy in 1979 to control population growth, but it has led to a rise in the male-to-female ratio from 1.11 in 1980-89 to 1.23 in 1996-2001, according to a study published this month in the British Medical Journal.

 

In 2004, 48.6 per cent and 48.7 per cent of the population in China and India, respectively, were female. In contrast, females comprised 49.1 per cent of the total population in East Asia, and 52.1 per cent in all of Europe and Central Asia, according to figures from the World Bank.

(Push Journal)

 

Over five million illegal abortions in India every year 

 

India records a whopping 5.7 million illegal abortions every year and over 80 percent of pregnant women do not get hygienic antenatal care, say experts.

 

‘Every year 6.7 million abortions take place in India but the sad part is that 5.7 millions are illegal. The place and technique used in most of the illegal cases are unsafe and unhygienic,’ said Sudha Tewari, president of Parivar Seva Sanstha, an NGO working closely with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

 

‘The result is obvious - India has a steep maternal mortality rate of 498 per 100,000 women, which is very high as compared to other countries,’ Tewari told IANS. She said her organisation carried out 15 percent of the legal abortions in the country.

 

The NGO has 43 clinics in 12 states and running advocacy programmes in 22 states. Adopting birth control measures could help save the lives of some 27,000 women every year, she said.

 

According to UNICEF, only 15 percent of mothers receive complete antenatal care. In rural areas, 75 percent of births still take place at home, mostly without any skilled help to ensure a safe delivery.

 

Puneet Bedi, a leading foetal medicine expert, quoting records of the Delhi government, said only 700 out of the registered 1,800 ultrasound clinics in New Delhi submitted monthly reports mandated under the PNDT (Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques) Act.

 

Bedi urged strong action to curb illegal abortions especially of female foetuses in order to maintain the male-female sex ratio.

 

The sex ratio in India has been declining for several decades. According to the 2001 census, the adult sex ratio is 933 women per 1,000 males. The child sex ratio is 927 girls per 1,000 male children.

 

‘Strict regulation and stringent punishment are two major points that both the government and those working closely with it should keep in mind,’ Bedi said.

 

Quoting a survey by Parivar Seva Sanstha, Tewari said that 25 percent of all pregnancies in India were ‘unwanted’ and that of the ‘180 million couples as many as 28.4 million had an unmet need for contraception’.

 

Tewari, who is also the head of Advocating Reproductive Choices (ARC), a conglomerate of NGOs working in the field of reproductive health, said the acceptance of various contraceptive methods was still not widespread.

 

‘While less than 50 percent of women use oral contraceptives in India, the use of intra uterine devices (IUD) is a meagre 1.6 percent as compared to over 40 percent in China,’ she pointed out.

 

She said ARC, which has 29 member organisations including the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, will launch campaigns to create awareness about oral contraceptive pills and would take up with the health ministry the issue of introducing injectable contraception.

 

‘India must expand the number of contraceptive methods to stop unwanted pregnancies and illegal abortions,’ she said.

 

ARC is funded by the international Packard Foundation and has technical support from the World Health Organization and the UN Population Fund.(Indo-Asian News Service/PUSH)

 

Britain Pledges £252m to Tackle India Child Deaths 

Britain is to donate £252 million to a project which aims to save the lives of millions of children and mothers in India, it was announced tonight.

 

The funding will be provided over five years to an Indian government scheme to prevent deaths during childbirth and soon afterwards.

 

It will pay for better maternity facilities, more midwives, essential drugs and other equipment, and will be targeted at the poorest, according to International Development Secretary Hilary Benn.

 

Mr Benn said: ``The birth of a child ought to be a joyful experience, but for more than 100,000 women in India, giving birth means death for them and possibly their baby as well.

 

“Every year more than two million Indian children will die before they reach their fifth birthday”.

 

“The tragedy is that these deaths could so easily be prevented if mothers going into labour had the support of a skilled midwife, and children were properly immunised against killers such as measles and tetanus.''

 

He said the nationwide Reproductive and Child Health Programme would prevent “needless'' fatalities that ``destroyed families''.

 

Currently a fifth of all maternal deaths worldwide during childbirth take place in India.

 

The subcontinent also suffers a quarter of the total deaths among under-fives.

 

The aim of the Reproductive and Child Health Programme is to significantly reduce India's maternal mortality rate from 407 per 100,000 live births in 1998 to 100 per 100,000 in 2015.

 

Death rates among under-fives should be cut from 70 per 1,000 live births to 30 over the same period if the project succeeds. Overall more than a million lives could be saved every year.

 

DfID said it had been working closely with the Indian authorities to prepare the programme, which has a total cost of around 10bn (£5.3bn).

 

Britain's planned contribution is the largest so far, and other donors include the World Bank, European Commission, and Unicef.

 

The first tranche of around £10 million will be made available later this year, and further payments will be subject to ``satisfactory progress'' and strict checks on how spending is being managed, according to DfID.

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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);
Youth for Habitat International Network (YFHIN); 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.

 

ICYO - Youth Information         

                     September 2006 – I

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News and views from

Indian Committee of Youth Organizations

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ICYO - Platform of 356 Youth Organizations in India.          

ICYO - India’s largest network of urban and rural youth.

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Youth Voices at AIDS 2006

 

From 13 to 18 August 2006, AIDS 2006 – the XVI International AIDS Conference, a biennial event, took place in Toronto (Canada).  This year’s Conference theme Time to Deliver focused on the promises and progress made to scale-up treatment, prevention, and care. UNESCO was one of the organizations supporting the Toronto Youth Force, a coalition of global youth NGOs, student groups, and networks (including The Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Taking IT Global, Family Health International, UNFPA and UNICEF), which aimed to facilitate collaboration amongst stakeholders committed to youth HIV/AIDS issues; provide capacity building and skills to young people so that they can participate effectively/ meaningfully; and to promote intergenerational (youth-adult) partnerships before, during and after conference.

 

With more than 1,000 young people who made their voices heard at the Toronto Conference, the 2006 Youth Force was an outstanding success and made a substantial impact. Its key results include: the organization of a Youth Pre-Conference preparing young people to meaningfully participate in the Main Conference, expanded youth sessions and young presenters and a sustained media and outreach campaign. (UCJ, Section for Youth - UNESCO)

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Key Successes of the Toronto Youthforce and AIDS 2006 Youth Programme

 

A.      Background

 

Since its foundation at AIDS 2002 in Barcelona, the YouthForce has played a pivotal role in keeping youth issues on the agenda. The 2002 and 2004 YouthForces were successful in increasing the number of youth participants and raising their visibility, showcasing youth-adult partnerships, and getting young people on planning committees.  The 2006 Toronto YouthForce continued to build upon past successes, and added new elements:  expanded youth activities and initiatives through close coordination with the Local Host Youth Programme; a highly-successful advocacy and media campaign; and the creation of a Commitments Desk to encourage leaders to concretely commit to working with young people.

 

Due to the efforts of the Toronto YouthForce and the AIDS 2006 Youth Programme, the XVI International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2006) witnessed an explosion in numbers of young delegates and a sharp increase in meaningful youth participation throughout the Conference. AIDS 2006 also marked the institutionalization of youth within the Conference Organization structure, through the creation of a Youth Advisory Committee and a Local Host Youth Programme. The inclusion of youth at this level led to greater youth-focused programming at the AIDS 2006 as well as meaningful dialogue between youth and adult leaders. The YouthForce and Youth Programme helped young people move away from issues focused solely on youth participation toward substantive issues such as the need for comprehensive HIV prevention.

 

With half of all new HIV infections occurring in young people under the age of 25, there is a critical need for global and regional advocacy efforts to keep youth issues, especially those surrounding HIV prevention in the developing world, on the table. The objectives of the Toronto YouthForce were:

 

·         To facilitate the collaboration of stakeholders committed to youth HIV/AIDS issues at the Conference.

·         To empower young people from both developing and developed countries to be effective participants in the Conference.

·         To promote youth participation and inclusion of youth issues in the mainstream conference agenda, in press generated from the Conference and in HIV/AIDS programmes and policies in general.

·         To gain and achieve international and individual commitments which promote youth leadership and mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS on young people.

 

B.     Results

 

1.      Institutionalization of a youth programme within the International AIDS Conference and expansion of YouthForce initiatives

 

-          Increased youth participation in the International AIDS Conference Local Host secretariat and programme structure:  A Local Host Youth Coordinator and five additional Youth Programme staff were hired, and a Youth Advisory Committee was formed to provide input into programming.  Young people were selected for all Conference planning committees and one young person presented as a plenary speaker. Through these ground-breaking initiatives, the YouthForce was able to collaborate extensively with the Local Host Youth Programme, and to become part of the official Conference programme for the first time.

 

-          Increased numbers of youth scholarships:  More scholarships were awarded to young people than ever before at an International AIDS Conference. At AIDS 2004, 100 youth scholarships were awarded; this year there were 145 international and 239 Canadian scholarship recipients.

 

-          Reduced registration fees and expanded age range: In part due to efforts of previous YouthForces, conference organizers drastically lowered registration fees to $150 USD for non-OECD countries (compared to $550 for adults) and $200 for OECD countries (compared to $750 for adults). In addition, the age range for youth delegates was expanded from 18-24 to 16-25. Sixty delegates at the Conference were under age 18.

 

-          Increased number of youth delegates:  Young people attended AIDS 2006 in record numbers, far surpassing past records: at AIDS 2006 there were over 1,000 youth delegates, more than double the number at AIDS 2004. This can be compared to 50 youth at AIDS 2000, 200 youth at AIDS 2002 and 450 youth at AIDS 2004.  In order to boost the number of young people at the Conference, the YouthForce introduced the “Take Two to Toronto” campaign to encourage organizations and governments worldwide to sponsor youth.  As a result, an additional 117 youth, sponsored by 31 organizations, attended the Conference.

 

-          Enlarged Youth Pre-Conference: The Toronto YouthForce, in collaboration with the AIDS 2006 Youth Programme, organized a Youth Pre-Conference for 236 young people from around the world. The Pre-Conference provided young people with information and skills in advocacy, media and communications, prevention technologies, trade justice and treatment access, research, and monitoring and evaluation. Youth participants credited the Pre-Conference with preparing them to fully participate in the Conference while providing a forum for networking with peers and experts in the field.

 

-          Highlighted Youth Opening and Reception: The Youth Opening and Reception kicked off the Conference week.  Held at the Olympic Spirit Toronto Centre, the party was attended by over 1,000 guests.  Special guests included Keep a Child Alive Co-Founder and Goodwill Ambassador Alicia Keys, UNAIDS Executive Director Dr. Peter Piot, Bob Haas, Chairman, Levi Strauss & Co, and Craig McClure, Executive Director, International AIDS Society.

 

-          Expanded youth-focused sessions and presenters: Over 40 young people presented abstract sessions, poster presentations, and skills building workshops and/or moderated sessions. This included 18 youth-specific sessions in the Conference programme, youth opening and closing sessions.   As part of the Toronto YouthForce, the Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS (GYCA) facilitated e-courses to prepare young people for the Conference; of the 94 young people who participated, 65 submitted abstracts and session proposals with a 35% acceptance rate.

 

-          Enhanced opportunities to reach young people:  Youth morning orientation sessions commenced with an opening orientation on Sunday and continued daily.  These breakfast meetings provided an overview of key sessions and a space to ask questions and learn more about the advocacy messages and tools available to youth.  In addition, a “Youth Pocket Guide to Navigating International AIDS Conferences” was developed and given to all youth delegates at the Pre-Conference and Youth Pavilion, providing background information, advocacy and networking strategies, and young people’s personal testimonies.

 

-          Showcased youth space - Youth Pavilion/TYF Booth:  The Youth Pavilion, housed within the Global Village, was a youth-focused space to showcase youth achievements, facilitate networking opportunities, provide a youth media hub, and continue the momentum from the Youth Pre-Conference. Forty sessions were held throughout the conference, including lively performances using music, theatre, and film. The Pavilion was hailed as one of the most interactive and engaging spaces within the entire Conference.  The Toronto YouthForce Booth in the Youth Pavilion made available t-shirts, condoms, posters, fact sheets, postcards, and information about other youth events (see Advocacy section below).

 

-          Enhanced Web Outreach through the AIDS 2006 Youth Site:  The official youth website (http://youth.aids2006.org) served as a clearinghouse of information on all youth-related activities leading up to and during AIDS 2006 for youth, adults and media.  The website featured articles, blogs, podcasts and articles by YouthForce journalists and youth delegates. In addition to the AIDS 2006 Youth Mentors Online discussion boards and other helpful resources, the AIDS 2006 Youth Site provided an invaluable tool for helping young people at the Conference stay connected, and helping those back home feel part of AIDS 2006.

-          Youth Rapporteur Team:  AIDS 2006 marked the first time a Rapporteur Team was dedicated entirely to recording the proceedings and ground-breaking presentations at the conference from a youth perspective. The Toronto YouthForce and Youth Programme selected and collaborated with the Rapporteur Team.  At the official Conference closing, the team presented to 5,000 Conference delegates on youth issues and involvement at the Conference, including reinforcing the TYF key messages.  The youth rapporteur report will form part of the official Conference record.

 

2.      High impact advocacy and media campaigns

 

-          Effective Toronto YouthForce Advocacy Campaign:  The Toronto YouthForce launched a Conference-wide advocacy campaign, focusing on the following key messages based on a 3-week e-consultation with 218 youth from 36 countries:

 

LISTEN: Involve us in decision making that affects our lives

MONEY: We need fully-funded programs to protect ourselves

SEX: HIV is mainly spread through sex. We need access to condoms to protect ourselves

TRUTH: We need comprehensive sex education to protect ourselves

ACCESS: We need youth-friendly health services, including prevention, treatment, voluntary counseling and testing, and access to harm reduction programs

 

The YouthForce broadcast these messages at the Conference through eye-popping t-shirts, large posters, and postcards urging leaders to visit the Commitments desk. The entire 600,000 square foot conference venue was “postered”, garnering the YouthForce the highest visibility of any Conference-wide advocacy campaign. As a testament to the YouthForce advocacy campaign’s visibility and impact, Dr. Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS, remarked, “I know more about the YouthForce than anything else at the Conference.” The materials are on view at http://youth.aids2006.org/en/action/.  Youth delegates used the materials, messages, and extensive advocacy training to engage decision-makers in dialogue resulting in concrete commitments to scaling up HIV/AIDS interventions for and with young people. The advocacy campaign was a clear success, as a wide range of Conference delegates were impressed with the impact of the messaging, and noted the effects of the Campaign.  

 

-          Expanded Toronto YouthForce Media Campaign: For the first time in the Conference history, a YouthForce Media Team, consisting of 11 youth journalists from around the world, provided excellent coverage of the conference via articles, blogs, podcasts, press conferences, and a video documentary.  Youth spokespeople, trained as part of the YouthForce media team, gave dozens of radio and TV interviews that aired on national radio and international media including MTV, CBC, and CNN, providing wide coverage to the YouthForce and youth HIV/AIDS issues. The media team produced 40 podcasts, 140 blog entries in French, Spanish and English, 30 articles in English and French, and a press release and 6 media advisories; distributed 270 press kits; and wrote 3 articles for the youth column of the AIDS 2006 daily newspaper.  The media showed high interested in the young people attending the Conference and youth HIV/AIDS issues.  For example, over 7 major media outlets each day visited the Youth Pavilion. 

 

-          Continued partnership with MTV: The Toronto YouthForce Media Team blogged and wrote over 30 entries and articles for the MTV Staying Alive website. In addition, the AIDS 2006 Youth Programme and Toronto YouthForce partnered with MTV on 48Fest, a 48 hour filmmaking competition by MTV’s Staying Alive. Eight teams of six youth filmmakers were challenged to write, shoot and edit a whole film in just two days.  The films were screened and judged by a distinguished panel at the “forty|eight|fest” awards ceremony. 

 

3.      Real Commitments Made from Leaders and Partners

 

-          Garnered concrete commitments - Youth-Adults Commitments Desk: The Youth-Adult Commitments Desk was an unprecedented initiative which marked a step forward in ensuring accountability for promises made to young people and generated a great deal of buzz. It provided an opportunity for adult delegates to visit and interact with young people. Featured prominently in the Youth Pavilion, the Commitments Desk garnered 344 concrete, time-bound commitments to youth (some of which are highlighted on http://youth.aids2006).  Members of existing global youth networks will follow up with leaders to ensure that promises are kept. A monitoring plan will be put in place to ensure that commitments are implemented and consequently, highlighted at the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico in 2008.

 

Notable Commitments: o        “I commit to ensuring that the UN system will get its act together and respond cohesively to safeguard the rights of young people. I will promote inclusion of young people at the decision-making table in issues that affect their lives. I will also start a youth internship program at UNAIDS” - Dr. Peter Piot, Executive Director and Under-Secretary General of UNAIDS o        “For AIDS 2008 in Mexico, I commit to double the number of young people” – The Honorable Dr. Frenk, Minister of Health (Mexico) o        “I commit to empower youth directly in the decision-making process at City Hall, including in preparation for Mexico City AIDS 2008” – David Miller, Mayor for City of Toronto (Canada) o        "I commit to allocate WHO resources and priorities to make information and knowledge available to young people, including young people living with HIV/AIDS, and making health service youth friendly" - Anders Nordstrom, Acting Director General of WHO

 

-          Moved beyond words - Youth Leadership Forum:  “From Rhetoric to Action,” a High-Level Youth Leadership Forum, featured a dialogue between global leaders and 12 youth leaders from around the world.  Global leaders included Dr. Peter Piot, the First Lady of Honduras Xiomara Castro de Zelaya, Canadian Minister of International Cooperation the Honourable Josée Verner, and Chairman of the NAACP Julian Bond. During the forum young people discussed issues of pressing concern to them such as the need for comprehensive HIV prevention.

 

C.     Impact

 

The YouthForce, together with the AIDS 2006 Youth Programme, made a substantial impact on AIDS 2006 -- on the International AIDS Conference structure and programme, on young people, and on leaders and partners.  Continuing the work of past YouthForces, youth participation moved from being “outside” the mainstream conference, to being incorporated into Conference planning and programme, through the institutionalization of a youth programme.  The YouthForce model, remarked upon highly by many delegates, highlighted the effectiveness of youth-adult partnerships.  Young people participating in the YouthForce and the Conference increased their skills and capacity enormously.  Furthermore, the focus not only on youth participation issues, but also on substantive key messages developed and advocated by young people themselves, made a real impact on leaders and partners, as they recognized that young people have something meaningful to contribute. 

 

D.     Beyond Toronto: What’s next?

 

The Toronto YouthForce coordinating team (Family Health International, Advocates for Youth, Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS, and TakingITGlobal) are currently drafting a final report documenting experiences and lessons learned, and devising a plan for next steps and sustainability. Delegates have also been invited to join the Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS, an initiative stemming from the Barcelona and Bangkok YouthForces.

----------------------------

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

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

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);
Youth for Habitat International Network (YFHIN); 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.

Issue 18 September 2006

Get Involved!

·                     About ACW

·                     Join the campaign!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

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

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

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);
Youth for Habitat International Network (YFHIN); 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.

 

Incoming events:

- Asian Youth Forum 2006

- Workshop on the Advancement of Professionalism in Youth Workers

ICYO – YOUTH INFORMATION

 Upcoming Event.                                         August 2006 – IV Issue

                     

Asian Youth Forum 2006

 

The Asian Youth Council is organizing the Asian Youth Forum 2006 (AYF 2006) with the theme “Asian Youth Responses to the Millennium Development Goals: Is the Future Within Reach?”

 

The AYF 2006 will be held from October 12-13, 2006 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

 

The Forum seeks to evaluate the progress of Asian countries in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the year 2015, the deadline set by the United Nations.

 

For more detail contact ICYO.

Workshop on the Advancement of Professionalism in Youth Workers

 

The International Youth Centre, Kuala Lumpur and the Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia is organizing the Workshop On Advancement of Professionalism In Youth Workers In Asia.

 

The workshop will be held from September 10-16, 2006 in Kula Lumpur, Malaysia. The Theme of this workshop is   “Advancing Youth Work Professionally”.

 

The main objective of the workshop includes: to determine the common and diverse areas of youth work practices in the region; to     share knowledge and experiences on professional practices in youth work; to discuss areas for future cooperation and collaboration; set a framework for development and advancement of youth work professionalism; to establish a mechanism for future collaboration and partnership programmes.

 

For more detail contact ICYO.

###############################

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

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

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);
Youth for Habitat International Network (YFHIN); 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.

 

ICYO – YOUTH INFORMATION August 2006 - II

                    (E-Newsletter from ICYO, the network of youth organizations in India)

==============================================================

Children Festival in Indore

 

Akhil Bharatiya Bal Anand Mahotsav (All India Children Festival) will be held in Indore  Madhya Pradesh from November 12 to 14, 2006. It is open for the student from class 6 to class 10 (both girls and boys).

 

For more detail and participation contact: 

 

 General Secretary

 Bal Anand Mahotsav Aayojan Samiti

 301 Ishan Appartments,  13/2 Snehlata ganj,  Indore (M.P.)  452 003 India

 Phone : 91-0731-2434972;  Mobile : 09826011413, 09826877687

 E-mail : bal_anandam@... 

 

 

Hutch Marathon in Delhi

 

Hutch Delhi Half Marathon in 2005 was the successful event in thousands ran for causes near to their hearts.

 

The year again, the planning is going on to organize it on 15 October 2006 The Udayan Care appeal to young people enroll for the event and 'RUN SO THAT OUR CHILDREN COULD FLY'.

 

Call for participation, donation at Udayan Care to Kiran Modi (9810509654); Shrila Bajoria (9810810099); Deepak (9810039183).

 

###############################

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

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

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.

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);
Youth for Habitat International Network (YFHIN); 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.

 

 

In this issue of YI:

- India's Other Virus: Human Trafficking

- Research finding: Trafficked Women's Symptoms Akin to Torture Victims'

- INDIA: Human trafficking in the Northeast Fuelling HIV/AIDS

 

ICYO Youth Information Human Trafficking Update

E-mail newsletter from: Indian Committee of Youth Organizations August 2006 - II

 

ICYO - Platform of 356 Youth Organizations in India.       

ICYO - India’s largest network of urban and rural youth.

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India's Other Virus: Human Trafficking

 

India's looming HIV disaster terrifies the rest of the world, and its potential to outpace Africa as the world's largest reservoir of the virus has brought out the big money to contain it. World Bank funds are flowing into HIV-prevention programmes. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has committed $200 million to galvanize leadership at the institutional level and change behaviour among high-risk groups. The Clinton Foundation is assisting India's National AIDS Control Organization to train large numbers of doctors in the basics of HIV medicine and broaden access to treatment.

And change is happening. Programmes to distribute free antiretroviral (ARV) drugs have been established and safe sex campaigns are gradually entrenching condom use in Delhi's GB Road and Mumbai's Kamatipura red-light districts -- notorious epicentres of infection. But the spread of HIV is not merely a practical problem that enough condoms, drugs and doctors can bring under control. For underlying this epidemic is a phenomenon of greater magnitude and complexity, which threatens to overwhelm the impact the Clinton and Gates Foundations' combined expenditures might make. This is India's vast, murky, semicriminalized, semi-tolerated trafficking of girls from economically marginalized states into coerced marriages, forced labour and prostitution.

Trafficking is an issue that struggles for attention in India's overburdened social policy arena. While HIV/AIDS funding is becoming something of a “cash cow” for better positioned agencies in the field, according to a Times of India article, trafficking is an area of under-resourcing and government inertia. Yet, to the extent that trafficking is a direct contributor to the pattern of infection, HIV-control strategies require a distinct set of policy measures targeting its underpinning organizational structures. Identifying those targets and how to act on them has relevance for curbing the link between HIV and trafficking, not just in India but elsewhere in the Asian region, particularly in Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia, where there are substantial movements of young women from circumstances of poverty into prostitution. How this transfer is affected may vary from country to country, but the mechanisms at work in India are far more widespread, recurring in neighbouring countries as well.

The Government's stance against trafficking is confused. The Immoral Traffic Prevention Act (ITPA) -- India's principal legal response dating back to 1956 -- prohibits trafficking in persons, criminalizes sexual exploitation and enhances penalties for offences involving minors. Prosecutions of traffickers are rare, however. In the assessment of the United States State Department's Trafficking in Persons Report, the administrative machinery to support ITPA languishes. Police simply do not utilize all the ITPA provisions, diminishing the penalties against traffickers and brothel owners.

Trafficking is inherently an interstate-phenomenon, but efforts to investigate trafficking across state borders are encumbered by lack of coordination among states' police departments. But where the subversion of government anti-trafficking measures particularly occurs is with the endemic complicity of lower-level law enforcement officials -- the local police's accommodations with dalaals (brokers/pimps), border guards facilitating the interstate movement of victims, and police officers tipping off nayikas to impending raids for underage girls.

(from the article published in UN News and author is Michael Parker)

Research finding:

Trafficked Women's Symptoms Akin to Torture Victims' 

 

Women and girls trafficked for forced sexual or domestic work suffers post-traumatic stress on a par with torture victims, researchers said. In one of the first studies of health problems of women who have been trafficked, they found 95 percent had been physically or sexually abused and nearly 40 percent had suicidal thoughts.

 

“This research shows that women who have been trafficked into sex work emerge with very severe pain and injuries and they show psychological health problems that appear to be similar to those documented among victims of torture,'' said Dr Cathy Zimmerman, the author of the report published by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

 

The International Labour Organization estimates that at least 2.5 million people around the world are in forced labor at any given time. Zimmerman, a researcher in public health policy, said because of its underground nature it was difficult to get precise numbers.

 

“This is an international trade that is happening in virtually every corner of the world,'' she said in an interview.

 

INDIA:

Human trafficking in the Northeast Fuelling HIV/AIDS

 

Images of guns, drugs and rebels have long defined India's troubled northeast. Now, a study across eight states in this resource-rich, infrastructure-poor, conflict-scarred region seeks to highlight a new worry: the rising tide of human trafficking - mostly women and girls - and its potential for hastening the spread of HIV/AIDS.

 

India's northeast is home to 200 of the 430 odd tribal groups in the country. The region is also socially and culturally distinct from mainstream India. Along with Kerala, this pocket is the bastion of Christianity in the country

The seven-month long study carried out by the Nedan Foundation, an Indian NGO working in the largely isolated region, was sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and is expected to be released soon.

"Poverty and conflict are fuelling trafficking in the north eastern states. This opens up huge possibilities for the spread of HIV. It is high time programmes address the problems," Digambar Narzary, head of the Nedan Foundation, said.

"We visited 25 relief camps of internally displaced persons [IDPs] in Kokrajhar in Bodoland Territorial Council, Assam [state]. Nearly 200,000 people are living in these camps without proper food. Traffickers carry out recruitment drives in such relief camps. They make false promises of jobs as domestic help in big cities," he said.

An influx of migrants over the past few decades into northeast India from neighbouring areas has sparked ethnic conflicts over land, leading to demands for secession and political autonomy.

Many armed insurgent groups are active in the region and blood feuds are common. In the last few decades, violence has ravaged the states of Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh. Assam, Manipur and Tripura have also witnessed massive displacement. Economic liberalisation launched in the early 1990s is yet to impact on the northeast in the same way that it has touched other parts of India.

Narzary noted that more than 100 young women had gone missing from the camps over the past two years. Regional analysts fear that such "missing girls" may have been sold into sexual slavery or "temporarily married" – often a euphemism for prostitution. (source: Nedan Foundation)

 

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

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

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

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.

 

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);
Youth for Habitat International Network (YFHIN); 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.