Difference between revisions of "Youth NGO Sector"
From NGO Handbook
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| − | + | NGOs give youth, defined by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985 as those between the ages of 14 and 24 years old, a unique chance to be heard on a global scale. Youths are often intimidated by, ignorant of, or otherwise disengaged from the civil society sector. However, they can find both factual and practical information on how to promote important issues facing them around the world as well as how to work with others towards resolving these issues. This creates a whole new generation of well-versed and passionate members of the global non-profit community. | |
| − | There are numerous youth action councils with different relationships to local government as well as a few major, international non-governmental organizations primarily focused on children’s rights | + | There are numerous youth action councils with different relationships to local government as well as a few major, international non-governmental organizations primarily focused on children’s rights that are principally operated by groups of youth with interest in various issues. Major issues most popular among youth NGOs include HIV/AIDS, human rights, diversity, the environment, education, and social entrepreneurship. <membersonly> |
==Youth Issues and Areas of Focus== | ==Youth Issues and Areas of Focus== | ||
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===Youth and Social Justice=== | ===Youth and Social Justice=== | ||
| − | Youth Action Network, or YAN, began as World Affairs Canada, a group of high school students in 1989. The group’s shift in 1994 from education to promoting action prompted the name change, and shortly after that YAN partnered with UNICEF and the Boys and | + | Youth Action Network, or YAN, began as World Affairs Canada, a group of high school students in 1989. The group’s shift in 1994 from education to promoting action prompted the name change, and shortly after that YAN partnered with UNICEF and the Boys and Girls Club among other associations to organize the first Youth Week, a series of conferences highlighting major issues around the globe. |
International Youth Week is one of YAN’s major projects. Each year for a week in May, youth from around the world are invited to a conference that hopes to “inspire proactive youth involvement” and to help determine actions that need to be implemented in various communities. YAN’s website states that it is “here to provide support to youth initiatives, by making connections between like-minded groups, and offering publicity, resources, and contacts. Besides offering libraries and manuals to help guide interested youth into taking proactive steps towards bettering their communities, YAN also has an online forum created by and for youth to connect, debate, and brainstorm ideas for future action. | International Youth Week is one of YAN’s major projects. Each year for a week in May, youth from around the world are invited to a conference that hopes to “inspire proactive youth involvement” and to help determine actions that need to be implemented in various communities. YAN’s website states that it is “here to provide support to youth initiatives, by making connections between like-minded groups, and offering publicity, resources, and contacts. Besides offering libraries and manuals to help guide interested youth into taking proactive steps towards bettering their communities, YAN also has an online forum created by and for youth to connect, debate, and brainstorm ideas for future action. | ||
In addition to this, YAN sponsors an annual conference called Ruckus!, which focuses specifically on anti-racism and empowerment through education and activism. Currently geared toward helping high school students in the Ontario, Canada area to better understand the issues surrounding multiculturalism, racism, and social justice, YAN’s history of beginning local and growing global implies that Ruckus! may eventually provide its services to a much larger audience of high schoolers. | In addition to this, YAN sponsors an annual conference called Ruckus!, which focuses specifically on anti-racism and empowerment through education and activism. Currently geared toward helping high school students in the Ontario, Canada area to better understand the issues surrounding multiculturalism, racism, and social justice, YAN’s history of beginning local and growing global implies that Ruckus! may eventually provide its services to a much larger audience of high schoolers. | ||
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===Youth Advocacy=== | ===Youth Advocacy=== | ||
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==Conclusion and Forecast for the Future== | ==Conclusion and Forecast for the Future== | ||
| − | As youth-oriented conferences become increasingly common and goals become increasingly attainable through better organization and more resources in rich nations, | + | As youth-oriented conferences become increasingly common and goals become increasingly attainable through better organization and more resources in rich nations, more youth globally can be expected to join in and voice their opinions and strategize about some very serious issues plaguing youth and adults internationally. In today’s ever-globalizing society, youth are exposed at a much younger age to the vast differentials in living standards across the globe, and this in itself will serve to boost civil society and the interest in helping others. Youth better educated in an international society can also use past mistakes for future problem-solving. |
| − | Children are the NGO leaders of the future. They will also be the principal problem-solvers and initiators of international change, making them doubly significant in the civil service sector today. NGOs developed by and for youth are great for educating interested children of the different issue areas and potential solutions to some of the most plaguing international problems. However, it is just as important to catch the attention of youth who may not already be involved in (or even know of the existence of) such organizations. This way, much more of the population of the future will be aware of and sensitive to human rights, environmental, and disease-related concerns, among | + | |
| + | Children are the NGO leaders of the future. They will also be the principal problem-solvers and initiators of international change, making them doubly significant in the civil service sector today. NGOs developed by and for youth are great for educating interested children of the different issue areas and potential solutions to some of the most plaguing international problems. However, it is just as important to catch the attention of youth who may not already be involved in (or even know of the existence of) such organizations. This way, much more of the population of the future will be aware of and sensitive to human rights, environmental, and disease-related concerns, among other issues. | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
www.takingitglobal.org | www.takingitglobal.org | ||
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www.youthactionnetwork.org | www.youthactionnetwork.org | ||
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www.unicef.org/voy/index.php | www.unicef.org/voy/index.php | ||
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http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/unya.htm | http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/unya.htm | ||
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http://heapro.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/17/4/363 | http://heapro.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/17/4/363 | ||
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http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/nationalpolicy.htm | http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/nationalpolicy.htm | ||
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http://www.millenniumcampaign.org/site/pp.asp?c=grKVL2NLE&b=260482 | http://www.millenniumcampaign.org/site/pp.asp?c=grKVL2NLE&b=260482 | ||
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http://cyberschoolbus.un.org/mdgs/index.asp | http://cyberschoolbus.un.org/mdgs/index.asp | ||
Latest revision as of 10:08, 5 August 2008
NGOs give youth, defined by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985 as those between the ages of 14 and 24 years old, a unique chance to be heard on a global scale. Youths are often intimidated by, ignorant of, or otherwise disengaged from the civil society sector. However, they can find both factual and practical information on how to promote important issues facing them around the world as well as how to work with others towards resolving these issues. This creates a whole new generation of well-versed and passionate members of the global non-profit community.
There are numerous youth action councils with different relationships to local government as well as a few major, international non-governmental organizations primarily focused on children’s rights that are principally operated by groups of youth with interest in various issues. Major issues most popular among youth NGOs include HIV/AIDS, human rights, diversity, the environment, education, and social entrepreneurship.
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