Millennium Youth Camp 2012 in Helsinki

Technology Academy Finland and the Finnish Science Education Centre LUMA organize the next Millennium Youth Camp to be held in Helsinki Metropolitan Region, Finland in June 2012. During this camp, about 30 talented and young people from different parts of the world will meet for a week to work together on different projects on mathematics, science and technology. These young people will also get a chance to meet famous scientists as well as the 2012 Millennium Technology Prize Winner during this event.

The Millennium Youth Camp is held on an annual basis, attended by students from all continents. In 2011, almost 1500 young people from a hundred different countries applied to take part. One of the camp’s primary goals is to encourage young scientists to network at an early stage in their careers and help them launch a career in science or technology.

During the camp, Millennium Youth Campers are presented with an overview of Finnish expertise and top-level research in the natural sciences, mathematics and technology. They are introduced to a number of Finnish companies and institutes of higher education. In addition to lectures, workshops and visits to Youth Camp partners, the camp programme includes project work supervised by top-level experts and carried out in small multi-national groups. The Millennium Youth Camp’s official language is English.

The week-long 2012 Millennium Youth Camp will take place in the Helsinki Metropolitan Region and start on 9 June 2012. Participation is free of charge. As in previous years, the project themes are climate change, renewable natural resources and energy, water, ICT and digitalisation, and applied mathematics.

Costs 

Millennium Youth Camp is free of charge to participants! The organisers take care of all costs, including flight tickets and other travel and accommodation expenses.

Eligibility

Anyone born between years 1993-1996 is eligible to apply for a place in the 2012 Millennium Youth Camp. Applicants must have good English-language skills as the camp programme and all related material are only produced in English.

How to apply?

The application process has 2 phases:

In the first phase, young people from all over the world who were born between 1993 and 1996 are eligible to apply for a place in the 2012 Millennium Youth Camp using the online application form. Application deadline is December 18, 2011. The names of the 100 applicants selected for the second phase of the application process will be published on 1 February 2012, and they will be given a period of four weeks to produce project plans. Some applicants will be interviewed by telephone in connection with their proposals. In order to apply, please click here to access the online application form.

In the second phase, the 30 camp participants will be selected by a steering group consisting of representatives of Finnish higher educational institutions and Millennium Youth Camp partners. The names of the successful applicants will be published on 15 March 2012. The 2012 Millennium Youth Campers will also be notified by e-mail. Queries regarding the application process should be sent at jenni.vastinsalo@helsinki.fi

For more information, please contact Riikka Öörni, riikkaoorni@technologyacademy.fi

Read more: http://www.technologyacademy.fi/millennium-youth-camp-se.html

Apply online: https://elomake.helsinki.fi/lomakkeet/29968/lomake.html

Young Journalists Competition

CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Europe invites young journalists from around Europe interested in socio-economic and environmental issues to take up the challenge to cover Enterprise 2020 in an innovative and creative way. CSR offers participants the opportunity to connect with CSR Europe’s partners in a variety of countries across Europe. The competition is open to citizens of the 27 EU Member States and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine. All submissions must be submitted to CSR Europe by e-mail between 28 October 2010 and 31 December 2010.

Participants will also get the chance to speak to member of consortia developing these new joint ventures on CSR issues including enabling technologies for environmental sustainability, demographic change in Europe, new business models against poverty, health literacy, financial capability for Europe’s youth and retirees, and many more.

Background

CSR Europe, the European business network for corporate social responsibility. Enterprise 2020 is the future vision for sustainable and responsible business in Europe. Today’s economic, societal and environmental challenges are driving a profound transformation of our world. Within the next decade, they will increasingly bring into question our current patterns of living, working, learning, communicating, consuming and sharing resources. What will the world look like in 2020? How will trends such as increasing globalisation, demographic change, natural resource scarcity, technology acceleration, global health challenges and social divisions shape business and society? How will they influence the capacity of enterprises to create value that contributes to economic, societal and environmental progress? The competition is organised in partnership with European Youth Press and supported by the Belgian EU Presidency.

Why Participate?

• The entries will be published on CSR Europe’s website.
• The 3 winners will be rewarded with prizes of technical equipment for journalists from sponsors.
• A selection of entries will be published in an online catalogue disseminated to all CSR Europe’s member companies and published on CSR Europe’s website and newsletter.

General Rules and Eligibility

• Participants must be aged between 16 -30 years.
• Topics of all entries must be clearly linked to corporate social responsibility and the issues addressed by the Enterprise 2020 initiative.
• Submissions must be submitted to CSR Europe by e-mail between 28 October 2010 and 31 December 2010.
• Entries must be written / presented in either an official language of one of the EU Member States, or Croatian, Norwegian, Russian, Turkish or Serbian.
• Entries must include an English synopsis of a maximum of 300 words for the international jury.
• Team entries will be accepted provided that all major contributors (e. g. researchers, journalists and editors) are listed and that the team does not exceed 3 people.
• Previously published entries are eligible.
• The winners will be chosen by a jury comprising representatives of CSR Europe, CSR Europe’s member companies and national partner organisations, media and the European Commission.
• CSR Europe reserves the right to use the winning articles for presentation and publicity purposes, and is allowed to reproduce them for the promotion of the competition and its results.
• Entries will not be returned to competition participants.

In addition, the following specifications must be followed: 

Written Articles

• Articles must be written in a journalistic style. Academic papers will not be accepted.
• Articles should not exceed 1500 words in length.

Radio

• Entries can include interviews, documentaries, panel discussions, reports or short stories – formats that are eligible for being aired in radio stations.
• Format of the radio entry: MP3 or Windows Media file.
• Entries must not exceed a maximum length of 5 minutes.

Video

• Entries can include interviews, documentaries, panel discussions, reports or short stories – formats that are eligible for being aired in radio stations.
• Format of the video entry: Windows Media or Flash video file.
• Entries must not exceed a maximum length of 5 minutes.

For more information on the Enterprise 2020 initiative, please visit the website http://www.csreurope.org/pages/en/youngjournalists.html

X-Change Inc. - Developing Youth Exchanges

X-Change Inc. - Developing Youth Exchanges to combat poverty and social exclusion - This training is organised by Leargas, the National Agency in Ireland for the management of national and international exchange and cooperation programms in education, youth and community work, and vocational education and training. The training will take place on March 04-06, 2011 in Dublin, Ireland.

This is an opportunity to meet project partners working with young people with fewer opportunities to develop youth exchanges through the Youth in Action programm particularly projects working across the theme of Combating poverty and social exclusion.

X-Change Inc. aims to provide space for participants to:
•Develop contacts and networks to engage in youth exchanges with other participants working with young people with fewer opportunities.
•Share information and experiences of their organisation, target groups and projects working across the theme of combating poverty and social exclusion
•Gain a clear view of the possibilities and priorities within the Youth in Action Programm
•Understand how to include non formal learning and Youthpass in your project

Working methods:

This seminar will be dynamic using interactive and non-formal learning methods.A mix of workshops, facilitated discussions and other active tools will be used in which the participants are invited to play a central role.The activities will be led by experienced facilitators in Youth Exchanges and working with youth people with fewer opportunities.

Eligibility

• at least 18 years of age and are able to communicate in English
• working with and interested in develop youth exchanges on the theme of combating of poverty and social exclusion
• working directly with young people with fewer opportunities
• knowing what their objectives are and knowing what their young people want to reach with a youth exchange
• a youth exchange within the framework of Youth in Action

Costs

Board, lodging and programme costs will be provided and paid for by the Irish National Agency of Youth in Action. The travel costs will be paid by the National Agency of Youth in Action in your country (Please contact them to check if they will support your participation). The Irish National Agency will request €50 participation fee from Irish participants. Please check with your own National Agency on application for confirmation of participant contribution.

Application

Fill in the application form, available here, and send it to:
Patricia Dalton
Leargas 189-193 Parnell Street Dublin 1 Ireland
Phone: +353 1 8731411 /+353 1 8871218
E-mail: pdalton@leargas.ie

Go to the official website

TICTAC Network Training in France

TICTAC is a Network Training open for all National Agencies for the Youth in Action programme and targets at voluntary and professional youth workers and youth leaders involved in international youth work and interested in using Action 4.3 (also within 3.1) as support measures in their organization’s long term strategy.

By bringing together representatives of youth organisations from different European countries, the TICTAC TC aims at improving the potential of the participants to get involved in Action 4.3 of the Youth in Action programme and consequently increase the quality of Training and Networking activities.

The international dimension of the TICTAC TC is given by the different nationalities of participants and trainers team. This is an asset for the intercultural dimension of the course. The course methodology is based on the concept of experiential learning, in an atmosphere where participants can learn a lot from each other and have a lot of fun. Within the frame of ‘recognition of non-formal learning’, participants will receive a ‘Youthpass’ Certificate after the course upon their request.

Objectives

-  promote the YiA Programme as an Educational Tool;
-  explore the YiA Programme with a special focus on the aims of Action 4.3 and its activities;
-  understand the role of Action 4.3 & 3.1 projects within a long term strategy;
-  simulate the first steps of organising an Action 4.3 & 3.1 project within an international team;
-  develop participant’s competences in Planning Non Formal Education and InterculturalLearning Processes;
-  promote Youth Participation and European Citizenship as key elements when designing a YiA Project;

Eligibility

* youth workers and youth leaders experienced in international activity
* participants from: Belgium – FR, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Turkey, Croatia, SOUTH-EAST EUROPE, EASTERN EUROPE AND CAUCASUS, Switzerland

Costs

To be checked with the National Agency of your country. The travelling and hosting costs for the participants from Eastern Europe and Caucasus and South East Europe will be covered.

Go to the program website

Millennium Youth Camp in Finland

Young people have the key role in resolving global challenges in the future. The target of the international Millennium Youth Camp (MY Camp) is to find young people interested in mathematics, science and technology, and help them start up a career in these fields. MY Camp also aims to raise awareness of the educational and working opportunities available in Finland and promoting the Millennium Technology Prize, Finland's tribute to developers of life-enhancing technological innovations, awarded by Technology Academy Finland. The next MY Camp will be organised on 11 - 17 June 2011. 

The first-ever MY Camp was organised in Helsinki in June 2010. Almost one thousand applications were received from 62 countries and from all continents, and 30 talented young people from 14 countries were selected as participants. The camp got excellent feedback from all the MY Campers and organisers.

The main organisers of MY Camp are Technology Academy Finland and the Finnish Science Education Centre LUMA.

MY Camp is an inspiring way of offering young people aged 16-19 years (on the 2011 camp, young people born between years 1992-1995) an overview of Finnish expertise and top-level research in the natural sciences, mathematics and technology. Students network with each other, with individuals in Finnish companies and organisations, and with top scientists. During the one-week-camp, MY Campers are introduced to a number of Finnish companies and higher educational institutions. In addition to lectures, workshops and visits to MY Camp partners, the programme includes project work supervised by top-level experts and carried out in small multi-national groups.

MY Camp 2011 will be organised on Saturday 11 - Friday 17 June 2011. The camp is free of charge for the participants. The organisers will take care of all costs, including flight tickets and other travel costs.

The main themes of the 2011 camp are:
•Climate Change
•Renewable Natural Resources and Energy
•Water
•ICT (Information and Communication Technology) and Digitalisation and
•Applied Mathematics.

Application deadline is December 15, 2010.

Official website: http://www.technologyacademy.fi/millennium-youth-camp-fi.html

Training Course "Talk and Listen" in Romania

"Talk and Listen" is a training course on conflict management and communication aiming at exploring the concept of conflict on two sides: intra-personal and interpersonal level as well as understanding the mechanisms of communication.The event will be held on 19-24 March 2011, in Brasov, Romania.

Themes of the training course are:
* Sources and classification of conflicts
* Conflict and communication
* Types of personality (including personality tests)
* Meaning of body language
* Conflict resolution methods
* Negotiation techniques

Objectives
* To provide the participants with knowledge about conflict and negotiation
* To provide the participants with practical tools on conflict management and negotiation techniques
* To facilitate the cooperation between the participants in order to develop future projects within Youth in Action program
* To empower the participants to act as mediators in future conflicts.

Eligibility

*  Member of the 27 EU countries (it is a 4.3 action)
*  Able to stay focused throughout the whole training course
*  With  experience  in  managing  youth  projects  (writing  or implementing projects)
*  Able to make decisions in their organization
*  To have analytical skills

Target Group
* Youth volunteers working in conflict areas: social inclusion, ethnic minorities, refugees
* Young volunteers with disabilities
* Young volunteers belonging to minorities
* Young European immigrants
* Volunteers willing to improve their conflict management skills

Costs and scholarships

*  Transportation covered 70%
*  Food and accommodation covered 100%
*  Participation  fee:  20  euro  (will  be  deducted  from  the transport reimbursement)

Application

please send the signed and stamped Part III together with the application form before Tuesday 26th October 2010 to the following e-mail address: talkn.listen@yahoo.com

Afterwards you must send the original Part III at the following address:
ACDC Romania
Str. Paraului 38; Bl A-14; sc. B; ap. 14;
Brasov
Romania

Go to the official webpage

Sauvé Scholars Program for Young Leaders, Canada

The Sauvé Scholars Program (Montreal, Canada) has already welcomed 100 scholars from 45 different countries. Launched in 2003, the Sauvé Scholars Program has evolved from the Jeanne Sauvé Youth Foundation, created in 1991 by the late Jeanne Sauvé, the first woman to serve as Governor General of Canada, the country’s Head of State and Commander-in-Chief. The Sauvé Scholars Program exists for young leaders from across the globe who want to change the world. 

The Scholars are chosen above all on the basis of criteria laid out by the Right Honourable Jeanne Sauvé:
* Initiative
* Motivation
* Vision
* Imagination
* Demonstrated communication skills
* Awareness of international and domestic issues
* A strong desire to effect change

The Sauvé experience, a period of personal and professional growth, is founded on:

* Intense exchange of ideas and experience, supported by communal life
* Extensive intellectual freedom, allowing each participant to develop according to his or her needs and aspirations
* Focus on action accompanied by a clear commitment to the community —including the host community
* Commitment to dialogue among cultures, which allows participants to understand and assimilate viewpoints built within multiple frames of reference.

Eligibility
* Between 23 and 30 years old on December 31st 2010
* A highly motivated self-starter
* A committed agent of change
* Fluent in English
* A minimum of 2-3 years of professional and/or work experience (paid or unpaid). Experience may include positions in a volunteer or internship capacity
* Completed your undergraduate education, or the equivalent, by 31 July 2010 (advanced degrees are welcome but not a requirement)
* A record of accomplishment and ability to meet challenges
* Demonstrated leadership qualities
* Proven communications skills
* A highly developed curiosity about the world
* A strong interest in international and domestic issues
* An eagerness to engage with the complex issues of the day

  

Scholarship

* Round-trip transportation (one trip only) to and from Montreal is arranged for each Scholar and paid for by the Program (the Program also assists in securing and paying for visas to Canada for Scholars who are neither Canadian citizens nor residents)
* Monthly allowance of $1,000 (Canadian dollars) to cover meals and incidental expenses.
* “Welcome allowance” of $500 to be used by Scholars to purchase any necessary supplies, and winter clothing for Scholars arriving from warmer climates
* The Program covers the expenses related to activities developed during the nine-month Programm
* Accommodation at Sauvé House (modern individual compact bedroom/studies, all with cable TV and Internet access, and with private full bathrooms).

Deadline for applications is 01 November 2010.

More detailed information on the Programm Scholarship

Balkan Youth Sport Democracy Training

The International Sport and Culture Association, in cooperation with Danish Gymnastics and Sports Associations and Sport For All Serbia, has the pleasure to invite you to the Balkan Youth Sport Democracy Training that will be held on November 22-28, 2010 in Serbia.

The main themes of the training are:

- intercultural dialogue through youth and sport activities

- democratic youth participation.

The objectives of the training:
- Develop the skills of Balkan youth leaders in promoting inter-ethnic dialogue through youth and sport activities;
- Support Balkan youth leaders to discover and develop innovative ways of participating in democratic decision making processes in their local communities;
- Establish a network of youth leaders that are actively pursuing and implementing cross-cutting initiatives in the youth and sport field in the Balkans.

Eligibility
Participants should be:
- aged between 15 – 30 years
- involved in local NGOs
- have experience from other related events
- show motivation to be part of an international learning experience
- residents of one of the following countries: ALBANIA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA, CROATIA, KOSOVO, MACEDONIA, MONTENEGRO, SERBIA, SLOVENIA AND DENMARK.

The working language will be English, therefore each participant is required to have good communication skills in this language.

Financial conditions and financial support
ISCA and DGI will cover all costs related to accommodation and food. The participants should arrange their own travel to and from Serbia. Participants will receive a travel reimbursement of 70% of the total costs, up to the amounts mentioned below. The organizers will need to see all original tickets and receipts to be able to enable a refund. We encourage participants to make use of the cheapest methods of travel possible.

Maximum reimbursement of travel costs:

- Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Serbia € 70
- Croatia and Montenegro € 100
- Albania, Macedonia and Slovenia € 120
- Denmark € 200

The participation fee for the seminar is 30 euro and will be deducted from the travel reimbursement.
 

Application procedure
Please complete the online application form before 20th October 2010. Applications submitted after this deadline will not be accepted. On the basis of the applications received ISCA and DGI will take a final decision on accepted applicants.The results of the selection process will be sent to all applicants on the 25th October 2010.

Read more and apply online

Euro–Arab Training Course for Cooperation Youth Projects

Council of Europe and the League of Arab States are aiming to develop the capacity of youth organisations active in Euro-Arab cooperation, in the areas of non-formal learning, training and intercultural dialogue.

Background for the course

Euro-Arab youth cooperation was initiated more than 15 years ago by the Council of Europe with a series of activities in the area of Euro-Arab Dialogue. Nonetheless, the most important area of cooperation in the recent years has been in the Euro-Mediterranean region, in particular through the human rights education and intercultural dialogue of the partnership between the Council of Europe and the European Commission in the field of youth.

Aim of the course

The course aims at supporting Euro-Arab youth cooperation by developing the competences of thirty leaders of youth organisations from the Council of Europe and the League of Arab States as well as to support the development and the implementation of innovative projects for youth policy development, youth participation and intercultural dialogue through non formal learning and by youth organisations.

Participants’ projects criteria

During this course, each participant will have to develop a concrete project to be implemented with young people, based on non formal learning and intercultural dialogue. The projects should start after the first residential seminar in Strasbourg (5th – 13th December 2010).

Profile and selection of participants

The course is organised for youth leaders of youth organisations and of youth projects in member states of the Council of Europe and of the League of Arab States who are:
• Having some experience in running youth projects and intending to engage further in Euro-Arab youth cooperation ones;
• Supported by their organisations for participating in the course and in their intentions to contribute to increased Euro-Arab youth cooperation;
• Motivated to learn and to share their experiences on youth work and youth policy;
• Able to act as trainers or multipliers within their organisations;
• Committed to develop and implement a cooperation project;
• Able to work in Arabic or/and English (if needed, simultaneous interpretation Arabic-English will be provided for the duration of the course)
• Available to attend the full duration of the course including the e-learning and project development phases;
• Aged between 18 and 30 years (preferably).

Working languages

The course will be held in English and Arabic. If needed, simultaneous interpretation will be provided for the residential seminars. Documents for the seminars and for the elearning phase will be made available in both languages where possible and if necessary.

Financial conditions

Board and lodging as well as the travel expenses for the seminars will be covered. The co-organisers will not cover the costs of using the Internet during the e-learning phases. Participation in these phases will not require the purchase of extra software by the participants.

The Council of Europe and the League of Arab States will not directly fund or co-fund projects to be developed by participants, as this is a responsibility of the latter and of their organisation. However, both institutions are committed to provide participants with the necessary educational and institutional support needed for the development of their projects.

Procedure for applications

All applicants from European countries should apply using an Internet-based application form. The form is available, after registration on the website. In case of technical difficulties, please contact Ms. Viktoria Karpatska at Viktoria.Karpatska@coe.int. Applications must be submitted in English.

All interested persons from Arab states should contact the office of the League of Arab States by email: youth@poplas.org for receiving information about the application procedure.

The support letter for the candidate should be presented by their sending organisation. The recommendation letter can either be uploaded on the website mentioned above, or sent separately by email to the respective person in charge of receiving the application. Applicants without recommendation letter will not be considered. 

The applicants must provide also a brief outline of the project that they intend to develop and implement during the course. The project outline is important to illustrate what the applicant has in mind and the social context within which the project is placed. The possible acceptance of an applicant does not imply, for the Council of Europe or for the League of Arab States, automatic support or acceptance of the project.

Deadline for applications

All applications must be completed, validated and sent by the 15th of October 2010. Selected candidates will be informed of their selection by the 22nd of October 2010. A waiting list may be drawn up.

More information here

'Empowering Women' Seminar in France

French National Agency in cooperation with SALTO EuroMed, with the support of SALTO Eastern Europe and Caucasus, and SALTO South East Europe organize a building seminar "Empowering Women"  that will take place on 13-18 December 2010 in France. 

The seminar will deal with the empowerment of women: it will deepen what empowering means (liberty and power, knowledge and capacity for taking decisions and the opportunity for fulfilling them) and how it is searched in various sectors of life (economy, politics, education and health). Participants will have a direct touch with the empowerment of women in the seminar venue, by visiting places and organisations active in the field. All this in order to let participants build partnerships and draw draft ideas of future common projects, which will be monitored with an impact evaluation after 6/12 months.

Aims and objectives

1. facilitating the networking process among participants and promoting new common projects
2. letting participants deepening the topic and its corollaries
3. deepening the analysis of the fields where empowering it’s needed in the four regions (EU + MEDA + SEE + EECA)
4. getting a direct touch with the external environment, with organizations and bodies with strong connections with the thematic
5. sharing experiences in the field
6. facilitating the networking process among participants and promoting new common projects.

Eligibility

1. Youth workers, trainers belonging to organisations or bodies dealing with the thematic.
2. Coming from EU and the three regions (MEDA + SEE + EECA)
3. A gender balance would be REALLY appreciated (or at least a significant male participation)

Working language: English/French. Group size: 24

Application
You have to fill in the application on-line. Only the application forms submitted and correctly filled-in will be taken into account. Deadline for applications is 16 October 2010.

Selection process
Programme countries: pre-selection through sending National Agencies for the YiA programme Mediterranean Partner countries: Salto-Youth EuroMed with support of EuroMed Youth Units. Other partner countries: Salto-Youth EuroMed with support of SALTO SEE and SALTO EECA

Costs and scholarships

Travel, boarding and loading of participants will be covered. The selected participants will be contacted by the organisers about their travel’s cost.

More information

Young Innovations Europe Magazine Contest

Young Innovations Europe (YIE) is a new magazine showcasing youth-led best practices in Europe across a variety of fields,  including Politics, Economy, Arts, Science, Social Sector and many more. It main aim is to inspire and engage young people to become active change makers in their field of interest, while inform the adults of what young people are up to and the impact their projects are having throughout Europe.

As a way to collaboratively shape our path and the next steps for the upcoming year, we invite you to fill in the survey and compete for the chance to win Euro 1,000!

Eligibility Criteria
- Up to 35 years of age
- Currently living in one of the countries of the Council of Europe
- Interested in launching a local initiative

Application

Fill in the survey at  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CHZZYZW until October 25th, results will be announced in early November.

For further information, do not hesitate to get in touch with us at info@younginnovationseurope.org and have a look at our website www.younginnovationseurope.org

Global Youth Essay Contest 2010

Raise Your Voice, Share Your Ideas, and Get Involved in Democracy! Submit your essay on democracy, and win an opportunity to attend one of the largest global gatherings of democracy leaders!

The World Youth Movement for Democracy (www.wymdonline.org), a youth network of the World Movement for Democracy (www.wmd.org), is pleased to announce the launch of its Global Essay Contest. Fifteen semi-finalists (3 in each region: Asia, Central/Eastern Europe & Eurasia, Middle East & North Africa, Latin America & Caribbean, and Sub-Saharan Africa) will be announced on Human Rights Day, December 10, and will have their essays published on the WYMD Web site. Two global winners will be invited to participate in the upcoming Community of Democracies Ministerial Meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania, in July 2011. (www.community-democracies.org)

Questions

Democracy has been practiced in different ways and in different contexts. We believe there are core universal democratic values and aspirations that we all share, which transcend our differences, even though we live in different cultures, speak different languages, and eat different food. The purpose of this essay contest is to highlight personal engagement in democracy by promoting critical thinking about the role of young people in democracy and to connect youth with broader democracy movements. The questions posed below for this essay contest aim to challenge youth to write about their perspectives on democracy and their understanding of democracy activism, particularly their own.

Essays are required to address one or more of the following questions:

1. In what ways have young people contributed to democratic participation in your community? Highlighting some of the strategies and tools they have used, what difference have their efforts made?

2. New media and social networking are increasingly becoming popular tools for community organizing. In what ways have you and/or your organization been using new media for democracy promotion? How effective has it been and what challenges have you faced in using these tools?

3. What practices, do you think exemplify human rights activist protection or violation in your country that is not openly recognized? What do you think are the justifications for this and how can it be either replicated, in the case of a good example or stopped, in the case of a bad example?

4. What new factors can youth activists bring to longstanding human rights issues in your country? How have these issues been addressed in the past?

Submissions

Please submit your essay by World Youth Day for Democracy, 18 October 2010, via email attachment as a Word document. The format must have 1’’ margins, double spaced, Times New Roman font, and size 12 font. Please make sure to clearly designate, in the body of your email, your full name, age, gender, physical address, and phone number, to the relevant regional email address listed below. Do not enter your name or other details on your actual essay. Essays can be submitted in Arabic, English, French, Russian, or Spanish, and the essay must be no more than 2,000 words. Authors must be no younger than 18 and no older than 30 years old before October 18).

Timeline

* August 12, 2010 – Launch of the Essay Contest

* October 18, 2010 – Deadline for the essay submission

* December 10, 2010 – Announcement of 15 Semi-finalists

* January 2011 – Semi-finalist essays posted on WYMD Web site

* February 2011 – Announcement of 2 Global Winners

* July 2011 – Global winners attend Community of Democracy Ministerial Meeting

Review Process

The submitted essays will be reviewed by regional committees each of which will determine three regional semi-finalists. The semi-finalists will be announced on Human Rights Day (December 10). If needed the each of the regional committees will also translate 3 semi-finalist essays into English to post on the World Youth Movement for Democracy Website. Essays will be evaluated based on: Composition; Clarity; Creativity; and Practicality.

* Essays must be based on your own personal experiences and must be your own original work. Please do not use outside sources without citing properly.

Prizes

The Two Global winners will be announced and provided with a sponsorship to cover travel and othere expenses related to their participation in the Community of Democracies Ministerial Meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania, in July 2011. (www.community-democracies.org)

The 15 Semi-Finalists (3 from each region) will be announced and their essays will be posted on the World Youth Movement for Democracy Web site.

Contact Information:

Cecilia Andersen

Fax: +1.202.378.9889

Email: ceciliah@ned.org

Website: WYMD

Red Cross Young Reporters on Humanitarian Action Competition

Through its Young Reporters on Humanitarian Action Competition, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), is inviting young journalists to discover for themselves what is happening in the field, and in particular, how young people are dealing on a daily basis with the reality of armed conflict or other situations of violence.

Entrants must be aged between 18 and 25 and have proof of a previous or an especially-tailored humanitarian communication project. The four best entries will win a one-week mission to ICRC delegations in Georgia, Lebanon, Liberia and the Philippines where they will have the chance to interview young people affected by armed conflict or other situations of violence. With the guidance and coaching of an ICRC communication specialist, selected candidates will produce a news report on their mission - n print or film - to be published and/or shown in a variety of media outlets. The finished products will be presented during a ceremony held in Geneva, Switzerland, around 8 May, 2011.

Entries should be sent no later than 1 October, 2010 and winners should be available for a one week mission to an ICRC delegation (January or February 2011), as well as a trip to Geneva to present the finished product (May 2011).

Website: ICRC Young Reporter Competition

Training Course "Transnational Youth Initiatives"

Training course "Transnational Youth Initiatives" aims to improve international co-operation and consequently increase the quality of Transnational Youth Initiatives. The training course will be held on 23 – 28 November 2010 in Arnhem, Netherlands. This training course is aimed at enabling the participants to develop and realise an Action 1.2 Transnational Youth Initiatives from Youth in Action Programme.

The specific objectives of the course are:
1) To acquire project management and communication competences for international activities;
2) To develop an understanding of the principles of networking;
3) To learn about the YOUTH in Action Programme and the “Quality criteria of Action 1.2”;
4) To share and transfer experiences of activities undertaken in the local community;
5) To create a space for contact making and finding potential partners for Transnational Youth Initiatives;
6) To develop an action plan for creating a Transnational Youth Initiative project.

Eligibility

Young people, Youth leaders, Youth workers who:
* are resident in one of the YOUTH in Action countries (27 EU countries + Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Turkey);
* have experience in local projects, ideally ex-beneficiaries of local youth initiatives;
* have an idea to develop into a Transnational Youth Initiative project;
* are motivated and have the possibility within their organization to set up a Transnational Youth Initiative project after the training course;

Cost
Sending costs (travel costs, insurance) can be covered by the National Agencies sending participants to the training course (please check with your NA). Hosting costs (accommodation, food, program activities, and local transport) will be covered by the hosting National Agency.

Application procedure
To apply the applicants need to create an online account and register directly through the SALTO-YOUTH online system.

The application deadline is 4th October 2010.

Training course co-organised by the Dutch National Agency and SALTO Participation.

Click for more detailed info

Migration and Youth in Europe – New Realities and Challenges

Minorities of Europe invites you to participate in its study session Migration and Youth in Europe – New Realities and Challenges, which will take place from November 28 – December 5, 2010 in Budapest.

Minorities of Europe (MoE) is a pan-European minority youth platform which seeks to support and assist the co-operation, solidarity and exchange between different minority communities and young people in Europe. MoE’s main international activities are: training courses, study sessions, seminars, youth exchanges and other activities in which young people are involved, especially those ones from minority background.

All participants must:* be project managers, Trainers, Youth leaders, Youth Policy Makers, Youth workers;

* have experience in the topics of the study session

* be highly motivated to participate and contribute to the event and to implementation of its results

* be ready and able to work as multipliers

* be aged between 20 and 30

* be able to attend the full duration of the training course

* be able to work in English

* reside in a Council of Europe Member State

Study Session objectives

* To exchange and analyse practice and experience, methodologies and approaches of youth work in the field of migration

* To review the opportunities provided by Council of Europe, European Youth Centres and European Youth Foundation in the field of migration and youth work

* To improve youth workers’ skills in tackling migration and integration with young people

* To develop an understanding of different aspects of migration and the relations in the context of class, race, north-south, east – west and EU/non-EU relations

* To develop new projects related to integration of young people from immigrant background

* To build new partnerships between participating organisations

* To develop a European work programme of youth projects dedicated to migration

Cost

An enrollment fee of 50 Euros is payable by each participant, aditionally travel and visa expenses will be fully reimbursed.

Application procedure

All interested applicants should fill in the application (should be requested from the organizing team) and submit it to: migrationandyouth@gmail.com

The application deadline is 10th September 2010.

The team will notify successful applicants by October 4, 2010. Please note that due to the usually high number of applicants we will only be able to inform selected participants.

More detailed info: http://www.salto-youth.net/downloads/27-230-2769/Migration%20Study%20Session%20information%20pack.pdf

Young Women’s Dialogue in Tbilisi, Georgia

On October 19 and 20, 2010, AWID is convening a regional meeting for young women from the SEE/CEE/CIS region on the topic of resource mobilization and movement building for women’s rights organizations.

The purpose of the dialogue is to provide participants with the opportunity to:

• Explore key challenges in relation to movement building faced by young women in the region;
• Consider the resource needs of young women working for women’s rights in the region, how these needs are currently being met, and how to fill any gaps;
• Gain new knowledge about resource mobilization;
• Build networks with young women’s rights activists; &
• Work collaboratively to design strategies for supporting regional young feminist activism.

Participant Criteria:

• Young women active on gender equality whether as organizational staff or volunteers or as independent activists in one or more of the following countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia

• Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old in October
• They must be available to arrive in Tbilisi, Georgia on October 18^th and leave on October 21^st

Please fill in the application below before 14^th August 2010. You will be notified of your acceptance by August 20^th. 

Details and application: http://www.awid.org/eng/About-AWID/AWID-News/Call-for-Applications-AWID-Young-Women-s-Dialogue-in-Tbilisi-Georgia-this-October

Reporters for the European Year of Volunteering 2011

Volunteer! Make a difference… and become one of the European Year of Volunteering 2011 reporters!

The European Union has designated 2011 as the European Year of Volunteering in order to show its appreciation for the millions of volunteers who come forward to make a difference everyday life. As part of the campaign, the EU will select one reporter in each Member State to volunteer and report from the field on the extraordinary stories of volunteers. The 27 volunteers selected will join in a relay that will successively tour the 27 Member States. The relay will be officially launched in Brussels on 6 December 2010.

Each volunteer will receive filming equipment and have his/her trip to another Member State fully organised. The content that the young media maker creates will be broadcast throughout Europe during the campaign. If you have volunteering experience and a video and journalistic background, you can apply to be one of the 27 campaign reporters.

You must send the following elements by 9 August, 2010 to enter the selection process:

- a fully completed participation form

- a full CV indicating studies, professional experiences and languages spoken.

- a motivation letter, written in English, explaining why you are interested in participating voluntarily in the reporting mission.

- a YouTube link to your best video production to date (5 minutes maximum)

- a brief description in English of this production indicating your role.

- details of previous experience travelling alone in a foreign country

- any other references that you feel may be useful.

To request your participation form and for any question, please contact: relay@paueducation.com

 

Website: European Year of Volunteering   

Facing the Economic Crisis - Role and Possibilities of Youth Organisations

Ecumenical Youth Council in Europe is looking for participants for its upcoming summer event. "To equip the youth organisations with necessary knowledge and skills for addressing the economic injustice, raising awareness of poverty and inclusion, as well as raise their capacity in practical youthwork in these areas" is the main aim of EYCE's upcoming training in field of economic justice. It will take place from 1st to 8th of August 2010 in Klaipeda, Lithuania. Learn about the details and apply now!

Background

In February 2005 Nelson Mandela called upon the world leaders to make poverty history. He mentioned that poverty can be seen as a prison and that it is time to set the imprisoned free. This moving speech and the "Make Poverty History" campaign inspired EYCE and its Steering Committee on Economic Justice to conduct a training course on economic justice and social inclusion of youth with fewer opportunities. The training course "Make Poverty History! - Promoting Economic Justice and Social Inclusion" took place in May 2006 in Bankya, Bulgaria and focused on equipping youth leaders skills needed in order to promote economic justice in particular for unemployed youth and to work for social and economic inclusion of ethnic or cultural minorities.

During the 37th EYCE General Meeting, which took place in May 2009 in Kekava, Latvia, EYCE member organisations raised concerns on these issues again and decided that another thematic training course, concerning poverty and economic justice, shall be implemented.

The Member organisations of EYCE raised concerns, that today, when almost five years have passed since the make Poverty History campaign, and most of the European countries have experienced period of economic wealth, many of the European Counties, and in particular Eastern European countries, are experiencing economic downturn, growing unemployment and people living below the line of poverty, also the gap between the socio-economic classes is increasing.

An alarming number of young people is affected by these circumstances, mainly those coming from disadvantaged social or economic background, and many times from cultural or ethnic minority background, being practically illiterate, unmotivated and with quite few future perspectives. In many cases it is the youth organisations, who are in a position to approach these young people and bring the change.

However, in many cases, the capacities of the youth organisations are not proportional to their willingness to contribute to economic justice, inclusion and future perspectives of young people. Therefore EYCE has made a decision to implement a project, which will focus on poverty and economic justice, in the same time providing the youth organisations with concrete tools and knowledge, how they could raise their capacity in financially difficult time, such as basic skills in financial management, fund-raising and application writing.

Aims

* to analyse the current economic situation and issues of social exclusion and economic injustice in particular taking into consideration the European context;

* to explore the role, status and rights of young people and youth organisations in the underlying patterns of economic situation and to identify the obstacles young people face to achieve or maintain a sufficient living standard;

* to explore the role of church and theological approach towards poverty and economic justice;

* to review the corporate justice, ethical records of the companies and fair rules of trade and labour, as well as explore the impact of youth organisations in this field;

* to provide youth organisations with practical training in project development and management and to help the participants to develop concrete projects matching the social realities in their countries and raising awareness on issues of poverty and economic justice;

* to empower youth leaders to make a difference and work towards economic justice and social inclusion.

Profile of participants

The target group for this event are young people (18 to 30 years of age) and youth leaders from various backgrounds, who have interest and minimum experience in the field of economic justice. They should be willing to commit themselves to an open and respectful dialogue. They should also be able to actively contribute to the programme of the training course and have the capacity to act as multipliers on issues of youth participation in their respective countries. We aim at a good age, gender, denominational and regional balance.

Apply now!

Please download the application forms here

5th Economic Forum of Young Leaders 2010

The 5th Economic Forum of Young Leaders will take place between 7th and 11th of September 2010 in Nowy Sącz (close to Cracow), Poland. The Economic Forum of Young Leaders in Nowy Sącz is a meeting of young people from Europe and a venue for discussion about important processes in our continent and world as well as challenges for young generations of politicians, economists and leaders of NGOs. FORUM gives room for debate about the future of the European Union and its relation with neighbouring countries.

Each year, FORUM engages over 300 young leaders of political, economic, social, and non-governmental organisations from the European Union countries, Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, from altogether over 42 European countries, to come to Poland to Nowy Sącz.

The venue of the conference is determined by a partner programme – the Economic Forum in Krynica. Subsequently, outstanding politicians, economists, businessmen and heads of the countries, governments and corporations can participate not only in the “central - European Davos” but also have an opportunity to meet Young Leaders in Nowy Sącz and to share experience, knowledge and to answer questions bothering young people. Guests of the Economic Forum of Young Leaders 2010 will be outstanding politicians, economists, and leaders.

The Economic Forum of Young Leaders is organized by the European Meeting Centre – Nowy Staw Foundation, the Economic Forum in Krynica and the Foundation for the Development of the Education System - Polish National Agency of the Youth in Action Programme.

Application process. Anyone interested in participating in the Forum should send an application form. Recruitment of participants begins on the 30th of April, 2010 and ends on the 16th of July, 2010. The results of the recruitment process will be announced by the 31st of July, 2010. 

Registration fee. Qualified participants have to make a payment of:

• 50 Euro (registration fee) for participants from the EU countries, Norway and Island
• 200 Polish Zloty (registration fee) for participants from Poland
• 30 Euro (registration fee) for participants form Balkan countries, Turkey, East Europe and the South Caucasus countries

Donations from participants are accepted until the 21st of August, 2010.

The registration fee includes:

• participation in the 5th Economic Forum of Young Leaders 2010
  
• access to all sessions, plenaries, meeting discussions and workshops
  
• coffee breaks during sessions
  
• gala dinner
  
• breakfasts, lunches and dinners throughout the Forum
  
• accommodation in the student's dormitories during the Forum

More information at: http://www.forum-leaders.eu

eYouwins 2010: Act Now - Change the Future

The fifth European Youth Week in Novi Sad (Green Week in Novi Sad: Act Now - Change the Future) will be held between 17th and 24th August 2010 in Novi Sad, Serbia.

In 2010 eYouwins celebrates 5th birthday and invites 200 participants to come to Novi Sad, between 17th and 24th August; to focus on green ways of life and sustainable development of our society. Therefore, this year eYouwins is Green Week in Novi Sad (greenWins). The motto and the title Green Week in Novi Sad: Act Now - Change the Future is motivated by the prime importance that young people understand and value the significance of concept of the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature. The youth of today have to be aware of the challenges of sustainable development and climate change as they will lead and live the changes required responding to them. Therefore we are creating platform which will enable participants to explore the human, social and educational aspects of this important issue through discussions, workshops and conferences.

The mission of greenWins is to promote green way of life and potential that lies in the harmonic relationship between humans and the environment. The project targets young people at the first place, for the simple reason that environmental sustainability affects their lives today and their futures more than anyone else. They have the potential, ability and influence needed to create change. It is clear that young people’s involvement in the present trends of development will ensure a sustainable future for themselves and for future generations.

The task of greenWins is to cultivate a sense of environmental ownership and responsibility in youth and overall community, ensuring that local and global sustainability efforts will continue into the future. Participants will work together in both theoretical and practical workshops and learn about recycling, applied ecology, water protection and clean energy. Additionally, numerous concrete actions will be organized during the week targeting and involving local population in Novi Sad.

Since participants will come from many different countries, it is a good occasion to learn from each other’s cultural and social background in order to find a common field of cooperation. This learning experience will be additionally amplified by multinational and multireligious surrounding of Novi Sad and Vojvodina. In order to address different needs of participants and to fulfill project goals in an innovative way, program of the eYouwins is structured as a combination of three elements: education, action and fun. Synergy of these festival elements will lead to fulfilling project objectives.

Participation fee for greenWins is 60 Euro for international participants and 3000 Dinars for the participants from Serbia. The participation fee covers accommodation, and meals during the Festival (light brekfast, lunch and dinner per day), organised excursions, sightseeing, entrance fees, and free participation in trips, conference programme, cultural and sport events of the Festival. The fee does not include travel costs and personal expenses. Accepted participants will pay the participants fee on arrival, at the registration. 

Eligibility. Youth from Serbia and all over Europe, aged between 18 and 28 years; all European students as well as those from other continents currently studying in Europe can apply for eYouwins2010. Young people from all backgrounds are welcome. There are no special requirements. The official language of eYouwins is English. It is expected that 30% of all participants will be from Serbia.

More info and application form: http://www.eyouwins.com