The official newsflash of Don Bosco Youth-Net ivzw

NF 101 (September 2009)

NEWS FROM THE NETWORK

You(th) for Human Rights

It is September ! This means that the preparation phase of our youth democracy project is over, and that we are fully into the action phase. We have released our website. We have made poster and sticker and send those to all partner organisations. those partner organisations are now busy with organising national meetings and selection participants for the youth congress. Yes ... it really got going now. If you want to keep your finger on the pulse, you can follow-up the running of the project on the blog which is part of the website.

More info: http: www.youthforhumanrights.eu

Study visit to Munich ... First step towards internship

Currently DBYN is working hard to open its office for interns. Next year in February we normally expect our first intern coming from Germany. The internship will last for 6 months in which the intern will get to know all aspects of the work we try to do. In the preparation process we had a meeting with a candidate for the internship. If all goes well, we can finalise the application procedure in the beginning of October. If you are still a student, and are interested in maybe also doing an internship in our secretariat, you can always contact us to more information.

Meeting YFJ contact person

On Monday the 24th we had a visitor from the European Youth forum. Ben Vanpeperstraete, who is a bureau member, can over to get to know our organisation a little better. We had the chance to better introduce what we are doing with DBYN, but we also discussed on some topics important to the YFJ. This informal meeting should be a first step towards a better communication within the YFJ.

Reminder ... looking for ex-volunteers

Like we described in our previous newsflash, we are looking for participants to take part in our first meeting for international ex-volunteers. If you are interested check the website for more info, or contact your local DBYN contact.

More info: http://www.donboscoyouth.net/node/561

NEWS FROM THE PARTNERS

16th European Youth Week in Benediktbeuern (Aktionszentrum, Germany)

From the 8th till the 15th of August 2009 the Aktionszentrum hosted the 16th European Youth Week. The slogan of the week was "Challenge your self": 55 participants from 8 countries (Germany, Belarus, Ukraine, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland, Italy, Spain) took part in challenging activities with great creativity and enthusiasm!

More info: http://www.donboscoyouth.net/node/566

India, the Volunteering Experience through my Eyes (SPYS, Malta)

It's the home of a colourful culture which brings with it a mixture of emotions. After the excitement that you've finally decided to take such a big step, the fear of the unknown grips you to the point that a few hours before you leave you could easily turn back and not go at all. As soon as you arrive in India the overwhelming atmosphere takes over the fear and you can think of nothing else other than the sights and sounds which fill your first few days.

More info: http://www.donboscoyouth.net/node/567

9 days with INLINE (INtercultural LINE) (SADBA, Czech Republic)

In the beginning of August SADBA organized summer camp INLINE for czech children aiming to improve their language skills. For that reason we invited volunteers from abroad and changed our main language to English for a few days. Let's continue with words writen by one of the participants:

More info: http://www.donboscoyouth.net/node/568

EUROPEAN YOUTH FORUM

Save the date! 9.9.9. YFJ open doors

The European Youth Forum has the pleasure to invite you all to its annual Open Doors! What? YFJ Open Doors. "999: A Call for a Strong Youth Agenda" When? Wednesday 9th September 2009, from 5.30pm. Where? YFJ Secretariat, Rue Joseph II, 120 - Bruxelles, Belgium. Who? YFJ President and Secretary General as well as all EU Institutions, Partners and other Stakeholders will attend the event. Moreover, this should be a special occasion to meet Commissioner Jan Figel' before the end of his term and discuss with him our Youth Agenda. Why? This year we will open up the Secretariat for you, our Member Organisations, to showcase your work. You will have the opportunity to publicize your activities to more than 100 guests! I'm looking forward to see you all very soon! Warm regards, Giuseppe Porcaro Secretary General

YFJ has recently joined Apple Education Programme

We are happy to inform you that the European Youth Forum qualified as Apple Education Partner. The good news is that all our MOs can buy Apple Products at attractive 'education' conditions. All quotes requests and orders should be sent to Mr Yassine Saila with mention that you are a member of the YFJ. Apple International Sales will send you the equipment and invoice you directly.

More info: mailto:saila_y@euro.apple.com

2010: EU Year Against Poverty and Social Exclusion - (Re)call for Expression of Interest

2010 will be the EU Year Against Poverty and Social Exclusion. The European Youth Forum is working close to the European Commission and other European Social NGOs in order to prepare the EU 2010 Year. Some of you have already informed us about the interest to develop activities related to this topic. For those of you who haven't so far, please let us know if you would be interested in doing so, until 13th September. Please address your input and questions to Inês Alves, Policy Officer for Employment and Social Affairs.

CALLS & PUBLIC INFORMATION

Handbook for life-world oriented social and pedagogical work with endangered young people published!

The handbook is one of the results of the German-Romanian "Child offenders" Twinning Project, the first EU Twinning project ever realized in the youth field. The Twinning Project was finished in July 2009.

More info: http://youth-partnership.coe.int/youth-partnership/news/news_96.html

AtmosphEUROPA contest: a contest for young leadership talent from minorities of any kind

The AtmosphEUROPA contest is organised by the ICLS (The Intercultural Communication and Leadership School) of Rome - www.intercivilization.net and The Intercivil Society of London. The Contest is supported by the President of European Parliament, leading members of mainstream political groups (left and right) of the European Parliament, the European Commission and a number of civil society partners. The Contest has been inspired by the 21st century social mobilization methods of Barack Obama.

More info rwww.atmospheuropa.eu.

Call for Internship with SALTO, 2010 - Identity

We are now accepting applications for an intern to assist with the concept of Identity, and its role and importance within international youth projects in Europe. This placement is only open to residents of European Programme countries. and Switzerland. The internship will include the following tasks:

• Linking and networking with various stakeholders connected to the topic of identity.
• Gather and catalogue research/resources linked to identity and put them on the SALTO toolbox to make them available in one place for the general public.
• Work together with a contracted author to create a publication on the topic.
• Create a new section of the SALTO website 'identity', providing links, resources, research, information etc (see www.salto-youth.net/roma for example of theme based webpages)
• Supporting the other activities and tasks within the SALTO Resource Centre.

More info: http://www.salto-youth.net/Internship2010background/

Alliance of Civilizations: Launch of the 2009 Youth Solidarity Fund

The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations is launching the second edition of its Youth Solidarity Fund. This programme provides seed funding to outstanding youth projects demonstrating innovative approaches to building cross-cultural understanding. The 2009 edition of the Youth Solidarity Fund offers a total envelope of up to US$300,000. There are two levels of funding available: small grants for community or local-level projects needing funding of up to US$20,000 each and large grants for national or regional-level projects needing funding of up to US$30,000 each. A Youth Selection Committee will identify the best projects under each level of funding. Youth organizations from all over the world are invited to submit project proposals by September 30, 2009, 1:00 PM, New York time. The application guidelines and form are available at www.unaoc.org.

Alliance of Civilizations: Launch of Youth Website Contest

The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations is calling on youth from all over the world to submit logos and vote on possible taglines for the upcoming AoC Youth Website! The website will include information on youth-led and youth-serving organizations involved in cross-cultural understanding; opportunities available to youth interested in AoC-related issues (e.g. training, conferences or exchange programs); and tools developed by or for youth wanting to learn more about cultural and religious diversity. While the AoC has developed the basic structure for this website, it will be up to youth organizations around the world to populate it with information, share thoughts on the discussion forum and to draft quotes and news.

More info: http://www.unaoc.org/content/view/397/200/lang,english/

Action 4.6 - Partnerships

Call for proposals aiming to support partnership projects with regional or local public bodies (i.e. regions, municipalities, etc.) or with organisations active in the youth sector at European level, which intend to develop or reinforce their long-term actions, strategies and programmes in the field of non-formal learning and youth.

More info: http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/youth/funding/2009/call_action_4_6_en.php

Let's Slogo! The logo and slogan competition for the European Year of Volunteering 2011

Here is your chance to take part in the international competition launched by the European Year of Volunteering 2011 Alliance: be inspired by volunteering! Have an innovative and original idea, which captures the spirit of volunteering, use your creativity to design a logo or a slogan for the European Year of Volunteering 2011! Anyone over 18 years of age can take part. Each entrant can submit up to three entries under each competition (3 logos and/or 3 slogans). The deadline for submissions is 18 September 2009.

More info:http://www.eyv2011.be/DisplayPage.asp?pid=347

Play to Stop - Europe for climate campaign

From July to December 2009, young Europeans are given the opportunity to learn, talk and exchange ideas ahead of the upcoming UN conference on climate change in Copenhagen next 7-18 December 2009. The campaign is jointly led by the EU and the MTV music channel and will run in 11 EU countries: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Sweden and the UK. As part of the campaign three concerts will be broadcast on MTV featuring international artists in Stockholm, Budapest and Copenhagen.

More info: http://www.play4climate.eu/index.php?lang=en

Youthpass available for Action 3.1

Youthpass, a tool for recognition and validation of non-formal education within the Youth in Action Programme, has become available also for Youth Exchanges and Training Courses under Action 3.1.

More info: http://ec.europa.eu/youth/news/news1576_en.htm

Studies on youth policies in the Mediterranean Partner Countries

The purpose of these studies was to identify the remit of existing youth policies, legal regulations and youth structures in the concerned Mediterranean Partner Countries and explore to what extent the national youth strategies addressed the various needs of young people.

More info: http://ec.europa.eu/youth/news/news1592_en.htm

PICTURE OF THE MONTH

The picture of the month was taken at the INLINE summer camp of our Czech organisation SADBA.