WYA Newsletters | February 2006
Dear Friends,
Happy New Year! It is hard to believe that we are already in the second month of 2006. This month we have our first International Youth Conference in Kenya, an Ethics Forum in Mexico, the launch of a Lecture Series in the Philippines, World Youth Alliance Certified Member Training in Belgium, and Commissions on Social Development and the Status of Women at the United Nations in New York. We are beginning 2006 with many exciting activities and events, which will continue on throughout the year -
Dignity. Solidarity. Life.
The World Youth Alliance
International Youth Conference in Africa
World Youth Alliance Africa is presently hosting their First International Youth Conference held 9 -11 February in Kenya. Young people are invited to have their voices heard as they discuss effective ideas and efforts to combat the challenges of poverty and war in Africa’s development.
United Nations Commissions
World Youth Alliance North America has been participating in the Commission on Social Development at the United Nations, held 8 - 17 February. We helped draft the NGO statement that was presented at the opening meeting of the Commission, are hosting a side-event “Roundtable on: Labor and Trade and its Relationship to Human Dignity,” are working with the Youth Committee, and are hosting students and young professionals from across North America to help monitor meetings and speak with delegates and other representatives.
World Youth Alliance North America will participate in the Commission on the Status of Women, held 27 February - 10 March at the United Nations, and will focus on equal participation in all sectors and hope to contribute to discussions on maternal health.
John Paul II: Contribution to Modern Thought of Social Justice and Peace High-Level Seminar and Panel Discussions at the United Nations
All are welcome to join us for a High-Level Seminar and Panel Discussions on John Paul II’s Contribution to Modern Thought of Social Justice and Peace held at the United Nations in New York on 27 March. The purpose of this day is to examine the thought of Pope John Paul II as it pertains to the dignity of the human person and the particular impact his thought and life's work has had on Freedom, Democracy, Social Justice and Development. More information can be found on the our website www.wya.net. If you are interested in attending please RSVP by 15 March with your full name, address, and passport number or US driver license number -this information is needed for security clearance in order to be permitted inside the United Nations. You will need to bring your passport or US driver license with you for the event. Send your RSVP to rsvp@wya.net with “JPII Seminar” written in the subject line.
3rd International Solidarity Forum (ISF)
Youth from ages 16 - 30 are welcome to apply to the 3rd International Solidarity Forum (ISF). The theme for the Forum is “Corruption and Good Governance.” The ISF is an annual forum in which young people and policy makers can work together to increase their understanding of the intrinsic dignity of each human person and the importance of informed and active citizenship among youth to build free and just societies around the world. More information on the ISF program and application are available on our website www.wya.net. You will need to apply for the ISF through your respective region.
New House / Headquarters
We have started organizing and packing our things to prepare for the move into our new headquarters on the Upper Eastside of New York City next month. Our headquarters is very near completion, look for pictures on our website soon!
Member Training in Brussels
About 50 young people from all over Europe attended a weekend training in Brussels from 3 - 5 February 2006. The training covered many aspects of World Youth Alliance's political and cultural engagement. Members learned about the United Nations and European Union institutions and formed various statements using ideas and language that are key to the World Youth Alliance’s engagement. We thank the fantastic speakers for their contribution.
If you are in Europe and want to undertake Certified Training or be considered for a National Committee position, please contact the European office at europe@wya.net.
Ethics Forum
World Youth Alliance Latin America helped the World Ethic Forum host a Youth Module, “Youth and Challenges of the Future,” on 27 January in Leon Guanajuato, Mexico. Key leaders at the Forum were the Governor and Mayor of Guanajuato, the Director of the Mexican Institute of Youth, the founder of the World Youth Alliance - Anna Halpine, and the Director of On the Frontier Group - Andreas Widmer. We thank the more than 150 youth leaders and many organizations that attended the Forum and contributed to discussions of the role of ethics in behavior, in national and international public spaces, and on youth and the challenges of the future. Visit our website for more information on the event www.wya.net.
Sulong: A Call to Development Lecture Series
World Youth Alliance Asia Pacific invites all interested young people 16 - 30 years old to the second lecture of PANAYAM: Making Sense of it All, entitled SULONG: A Call to Development, held 4 March 2006 in Manila. PANAYAM is a series of two lectures committed to engage young people in discussions which could deepen their understanding of the issues confronting the human person. PANAYAM aims to develop a sense of commitment among the youth and encourage them to participate in international issues. Topics for the lecture include: HIV/AIDS, the Millennium Development Goals, UN Habitat, and Gawad Kalinga.
Conference on Human Dignity and the Future of Europe in Poland
World Youth Alliance Europe invites you to apply for the Conference on Human Dignity and the Future of Europe which will be held at Warsaw University from 29 September - 1 October. The European Regional Director will be visiting Warsaw and Krakow next week in order to meet members and contacts who will form the core team in the months preceding the conference.
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