Reviving Youth’s Role in Nepal’s Peacebuilding

Nearly four years after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Accord marked a ceasefire between the government of Nepal and the Maoists, many marginalized groups still remain on the fringes of the decision-making process. Across political, ethnic, and social divides, Nepal’s young people are finding it particularly difficult to make their priorities matter in the halls of power.

Although 60 percent of Nepal's population is believed to be below 25 years old, the youth still struggle to be heard in policy-making decisions. Above, young people gather to discuss Nepal's constitution in town hall meetings organized by The Asia Foundation.

And given that 60 percent of Nepal’s population is believed to be below 25 years of age, the youth represent a critical constituency for ensuring a successful peace process and developing a legitimate constitution. If the current government is able to meaningfully engage the growing youth population, it could mean the difference between sustaining the achievements of the pro-democracy movement of 2006 and allowing the country to descend once again into violence and conflict.
While there have been some positive steps toward mainstreaming youth in the recent past – the formation of the Ministry of Youth and a National Youth policy drafted by the Ministry of Youth and Sports to address issues concerning the youth in Nepal, as well as a strong youth representation in the Constituent Assembly (CA) – there’s no clear evidence that they will in fact have a meaningful leadership role or impact in policy-making. For example, though 137 out of 601 total CA members are below 35 years old, in reality, strong political party whips have thus far dissuaded them from deviating from party lines in order to voice concerns on behalf of Nepal’s young people. This has had the effect of watering down the potential influence of youth representation in Nepal’s Constituent Assembly.
This situation is compounded by an overall lack of educational and economic opportunities in Nepal. Many young people are poorly educated and unemployed or underemployed. A DFID report published last year on youth exclusion, violence, conflict, and fragile states refers to econometric analysis which shows a relationship between low education levels and risk of conflict. The report also mentions studies that suggest youth unemployment and under-employment can cause conflict or lead to youth involvement in criminal activities. These studies explain the Nepali experience in which young people have been pivotal for recruitment in new and emerging radicalized groups like the Young Communist League, the Youth Force, and other armed militant groups that lean toward extremist political agendas. Such groups primarily depend on young people to further their political cause that often tends to be violent. This is particularly critical now as 2,973 ex-Maoists under the age of 18 (at the time of the signing of Comprehensive Peace Accord) have been released from cantonments since January, while the fate of 19,602 more, average age of 25, is in discussion, according to unofficial Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) sources.
To help increase meaningful youth participation in policy decision-making, The Asia Foundation – under its Nepal Peace Support Project – organized from January to March 2010 a series of small town hall meetings in 45 municipalities to bring together young people to engage in constitutional dialogues. The meetings were designed to strengthen the voice and role of youth in the Constituent Assembly process, particularly among youth from smaller towns in Nepal where educational and employment opportunities are few, and where young people have less exposure to the political process. In those areas, the Foundation also worked with Women ACT Nepal, the Rural Community Development Council, and Samudayik Sarathi Nepal to conduct civic education and constitutional consultation programs in addition to the town hall meetings.

A group of young people gather after participating in a town hall meeting.

During the meetings, young community members discussed some of the most contentious constitutional issues proposed in the drafts prepared by different committees in the CA and still being debated by different political parties. These include forms of governance, federal restructuring, provision of compulsory military conscription, the judicial system, and citizenship issues. An analysis of their opinions and perceptions suggested a lack of support for the drafts on federalism presented by political parties and almost signified a veto against ethnic federalism.
In one meeting in Surkhet, in midwestern Nepal, participants voiced a strong preference for rethinking the stance on state restructuring, and questioned whether Nepal really needs a federal model with the promulgation of the new constitution. One of the participants stressed that if federalism is introduced to curb the centralization prevalent in the unitary system, but the same ineffective governance mechanism currently in place continues, the chance that federalism will be able to help decentralize the system is slim. Furthermore, the provision of compulsory military conscription in the draft constitution presented by the Committee on Preservation of National Interest was deemed infeasible and rejected by a majority of participants. Participants had mixed reactions regarding the ongoing debate over Nepal’s form of governance. Whether a parliamentary or presidential system of government is decided upon, the group insisted that there needs to be a system of checks and balance to ensure accountability to the people.
These perceptions highlight the sharp disconnect between the voices and perceptions of the youth and the current views dominating the CA discussions. The drafts on Federal restructuring of Nepal presented by all political parties have components of federalism based on an ethnic composition model. The largest party, Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), has even proposed that the leadership of each federal district be taken by a particular ethnic group. This has been widely debated, as Nepal has 103 ethnic groups and 93 languages with no clear majority of any one ethnic group. While most political parties have voted entirely for, or for components of ethnicity-based federalism, the young people at the town hall meetings said that the federal lines should be delineated on the basis of geographical and economic strengths rather than ethnicity-based federal delineation. Such disagreements around fundamental issues of the constitution between the majority-young citizens and the older generation who dominate the social and political life in Nepal pose a threat to the legitimacy and ownership of the upcoming constitution in times ahead.
The youth engagement and involvement in the town hall meetings was encouraging and seemed to help bring these young people into the constitutional debates. Such anecdotal opinions that we gathered at the meetings will also shed light on how to further involve youth in the peace process and, more specifically, in constitutional debates. And, as the fate of Nepal’s constitution draws near, 60 percent of the nation’s citizens will be waiting to see if policy-makers have considered their opinions in the final constitution. If so, this will have paved a way to engage Nepal’s youth for the future; if not, we risk repeating our history of leaving out our young people yet again.

Campus Ambassadors Required at ThoughtBerg

ThoughtBerg is a For-Social-Profit company with initiatives like Aasayein Foundation and Eureka! .
It's Campus Ambassador Program is intended to foster social innovation and entrepreneurship among Indian college students.

- To bring awareness amongst college students on different opportunities available to them to take initiative and become a changemaker within their campus

- To inspire and motivate them towards social innovation, entrepreneurship and employership

- To provide them guidance and support in converting their thoughts and ideas into successful implementation.

- To provide them access to mentors and resources required to implement their ideas.

- To empower every Campus Ambassador to act as a catalyst and become a role model to fellow students


To apply, please send your resume to the given email address, with the subject as "Application for post of Campus Ambassador, found this opportunity at Let Me Know"
 

Website : http://www.thoughtberg.org/
Email address: ambassador@thoughtberg.org

Radio Astronomy Internship Program at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research

The National Centre for Radio Astrophysics, TIFR, Pune, invites applications for a one year post graduate internship program in radio astronomy, beginning in August 2011.


This program has the aim of orienting bright and motivated students with a B. E. or a B. Tech. degree towards a research career in astronomy, particularly at radio wavelengths. The program consists of courses in basic physics (classical and quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics and electrodynamics) at the Master`s level, allied with exposure to computation, data analysis and basic astronomy. The students will also be introduced to radio astronomy, with an emphasis on areas studied with NCRA`s major facility, the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT). Selected students will be expected to participate in observatory related and academic activities at NCRA and GMRT, and will be given campus accommodation and a stipend.



ELIGIBILITY:  Students who expect to complete their B. E/B. Tech. degree requirements by August 2011 are eligible to apply for the internship programme.


For any queries, please contact at the given email address, with the subject as "Queries Regarding the Radio Astronomy Internship Program, found this opportunity at Let Me Know"

Website : http://www.ncra.tifr.res.in/~intern/index.htm
Email address: intern@ncra.tifr.res.in

The Third Paradigm: Youth Bisexuality in India

When she was 19, Apphia Kumar had a sexual epiphany. She realised that birds and bees were not part of her libidinal zoology and her erotic appetite trespassed on both genders. Kumar realised she was bisexual. When she was 21 years old, she confessed to her elder sister about her amorous duality; the sibling was supportive but her mother refused to discuss it, though now she is slowly accepting her daughter's predilection.

Kumar is categorical that her sexuality is not up for debate, vote or discussion in her family. When she turned 24, she decided to "come out". "Knowing that a mass community of people like me exists is encouraging," she says, "coming out was a liberating process." But it was not easy, as she had to constantly remind people that being bisexual does not mean "pervert". "I'm not promiscuous but nor am I a coward," she says. "And no, it isn't the same thing as being gay."

Indian sexuality, liberal and sophisticated before the British imposed Victorian values on India in the late 19th century is experiencing a flamboyant revolution. Mumbai-based sexual historian Mario D'Penha offers a perspective that goes back two centuries. "Then sexual desire was far more fluid," he says. "Indian sexual identity was far less binary, gender-centric and defined by social status."

The Kama Sutra, the ancient Indian libidinal tour de force, mentions bisexuals-a category labelled "kaamis"-like Chudala. In Vedic times, bisexuality was perceived as a sexual variation for men and women whose natures had experimental streaks. Kaamis are those who are concurrently drawn to both sexes. Of the five gender categories the Kama Sutra mentions-the svairinis, the ilibas, the shandhas, napumsakas and the kaamis-10 to 15 per cent are bisexual. Multiple sexuality implies the power of choice, which does not apply to either heterosexuals or homosexuals. The Kama Shastra, the precursor to the Kama Sutra, categorises bisexuals as men who patronise transvestites and prostitutes, men who like lesbians, the eunuchs of royal harems and zenana-mates who turn lesbian while their kings are away; as well as male servants who start as homosexuals and later prefer women.

Three Factors that Define Sexual Conduct

Bisexuality has a looped logic of its own

BEHAVIOUR: What they do

ATTRACTION: Who they are attracted to

IDENTITY: What they think of themselves

Source: Brinda Bose's upcoming book on the politics of sexuality in contemporary India.

But in the 21st century India, bisexuality carries a singular stigma. "Mostly any form of non-peno-vaginal-sex was seen as a waste of the procreativity processes," explains Ashok Row Kavi, the prominent LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender) rights activist. "Excess is taboo outside the framework of marriage and inheritance."

Thirty-four-year-old anthropologist and theatre actor Akshay Khanna has curly hair and intense eyes; he prefers the word "queer" to describe himself. "I don't feel the need for a sexual identity," he scoffs. He has disdain for his gay friends calling him a coward and his heterosexual ones accusing him of wanting to be bisexual because "it is cool".

What is cool for the Indian bisexual is the World Wide Web. Dedicated sites-planetromeo.com, manjam.com, gaydia.com, shybi.com, weirdtown.com, bicupid.com-abound, frequented by married men who advertise their explicit pictures. Namit, 25, a sales executive and Ankush, 32, met on gaydia.com, leading to regular assignations in hotel rooms. The sexual preferences of bisexuals on the web are clearly specified: like red lips, thin waists, curly hair or feminine; Delhi-based businessman, Bhatia Sahib, 40, owns an export unit at Naraina and describes himself as "dusky, honest, fun loving and friendly". He likes boys and girls with "effeminate mannerisms that turn me on". Bhatia also lists that he has three girlfriends-two are married-and seven boyfriends. Though he is apprehensive of his teenage daughter discovering his profile, it doesn't deter him from posting his photographs on the web.

On an average, seven out of 10 members describe their sexual orientation as bisexual and one in three is married. Middle age is celebrated with a sense of bravado; L.L. Gupta at 62 claims to be young at heart; his profile picture reveals a frail figure with a potbelly. The Internet is a cathartic confessional; marital status, profession, place of residence, choices and fantasies-shut in a room with Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia in Bobby; their amative encounters: alfresco group sex with both boyfriend and girlfriend on the apartment roof-are all displayed unselfconsciously.

"Coming out was liberating. I'm not a pervert, but nor am I a coward."APPHIA KUMAR

At 19, she realised that she was bisexual and later, confided in her sister. Kumar prohibits her sexuality from being a subject for debate in her family.

Major Ajay is one such chatroom regular. "I'm matured, honest, chocolate colour, hot man of 40 years (age)/31 (inches of waist)/63 kg (weight)/ 165 cm (height), reside in Mumbai," reads his profile. "People play sports or watch movies in their free time. I like doing men," he confides. He is into vanilla sex, anal sex, body contact, exhibitionism, kissing, masturbation, one-on-one oral sex, underwear voyeurism. Fetishes? "Cut denim, feet, nipples, rubber/PVC, smoking and uniforms." Meeting places? "The place is not a problem but my house is out of bounds," Ajay says. "I think my wife suspects but I guess she does not want to confront the truth. But we are a happy couple. She is the love of my life."

From his confessions, it is clear that the major is attracted to both sexes and coupling with women is not a compensation for not having sex with men. Among upwardly mobile young men and women in Delhi and Mumbai, exclusive bisexual parties are getting popular. Ram Prasad, a South Delhi pimp who supplies both girls and gigolos for these parties which are held in private residences and suburban farmhouses, says that many married couples ask for boys and girls simultaneously. A business couple from Green Park, Delhi, married for 12 years with two children, say they are comfortable about their bisexuality; "We hire both males and females and all have sex together."

Kavi's opinion is that sexual repression is rampant mostly among the middle classes and there are tightly monitored small caste groups like the Jat Khaps. "The poor cannot afford morality and the rich don't need it," he says.

"Indian sexual identity was fluid, far less binary, gender-centric and defined by social status."MARIO D'PENHA, Sexual historian

"Many MSMs (men having sex with men) are also married to women and are a 'bridge' to infect them with HIV in monogamous marriages."ASHOK ROW KAVI, Transgender activist

A 27-year-old bisexual Delhi cop, P. Chaudhury, originally from Rajasthan who got married last year, says, "As a kid, I would have sex with my classmates in the village while fantasising about girls." His first affair with a girl happened only when he turned 19. Chaudhury refers to his bisexuality as "time pass". "I never get back home before 11 p.m.," he says. "It is very tough with the family being away and I need recreation, too." The policeman finds sexual partners randomly on streets. "I am in an active relationship with two women and four men," he confesses; he met one of them while sorting out a minor car crash, another who he had stopped for drunken driving who has now become one of his regular "time passes" and two had offered him a cigarette and invited him home. But it doesn't work emotionally so smoothly for all bisexuals. Life is complicated for the 26-year-old graphic designer Shefali (name changed on request). She has multiple male sexual partners who are unaware that she has a lesbian girlfriend who is jealous of her regular boyfriend; she threatens to expose Shefali to all. "I tell my girlfriend I need them both," says a distressed Shefali. "But she insists I choose one."

"My gay friends tell me that I am not brave and the heterosexual ones say I want to be bisexual because it is cool."Akshay Khanna

The anthropologist and theatre actor prefers to describe himself as "queer".

For many bisexuals, homosexuality is not dominantly an emotional act. Vishal, 33, a Mumbai resident who works with a multinational company, is married for three years and has a two-year-old son. His was a love marriage but his wife is unaware that he has been sexually active with men before and also after marriage. "My bisexuality is a closet activity and I keep it hidden from my wife," says Vishal. "She will never understand." He confesses that his desire for men is an activity that boosts his performance with his wife: "I need both." He is a man of clearly defined preferences: sex with straight men with no penetration, loves oral sex; pansy, effeminate men turn him off.

A highly paid software professional and bisexual based in Chennai, Vankat, 35, is also happily married with two children; he echoes Vishal's dismissal of the emotional quotient in bisexual relationships. "I do it because it is easy to get men," he says. So, is bisexuality the antithesis of monogamy? Kumar disagrees. "People who use 'bisexuality' as an excuse for their promiscuity are simply looking to blame someone for their own actions," she says. Chennai-based Dr L. Ramakrishnan, an authoritative voice for bisexuals who heads Programs and Research, Solidarity and Action Against HIV Infection in India (SAATHI), is indignant about moral crusaders. "Sexual orientation is not a predictor of monogamy, polyamory (the practice, desire, or acceptance of having more than one intimate relationship at a time with the knowledge and consent of all involved), infidelity, commitment, promiscuity or celibacy," he protests.

Noted sociologist Ashish Nandy's views in his elaborate study on masculine sexuality in India is that though tension exists between gays and bisexuals in specific homo-friendly spaces in India, gay men feel that bisexuals have the cake and eat it too while the mainstream society perceives gays as deviants who "choose" to reject marriage to women or connect with a heterosexual society. Heterosexuals consider bisexuals transitional gays according to Nandy; both gays and straight men describe bisexuals as opportunists, promiscuous individuals who are indiscriminate about satisfying their carnality. "They say you enjoy the best of two worlds, but in practice it is the worst of the two; you are like a dhobi ka kutta, na ghar ka na ghat ka," says Ajay.

Sexual preferences are clearly defined on the Net. Red lips, thin hips, curly hair, or effeminates irrespective of gender.

Almost all bisexuals interviewed confessed that they have to deal with biphobia-hostility from heterosexual and homosexuals alike. A study, carried out by the Mumbai-based Hamsafar Trust on 274 MSMs (Men who have Sex with Men) in Mumbai, revealed that 40 per cent have sex with women, half of them on a regular basis. "MSMs have a 20 per cent probability of being infected with HIV," explains a worried Kavi. "The major issue is that many in this group are also married to women and form an HIV infection 'bridge' in monogamous marriages."

Bisexuality in India isn't geo-sexual or class dominated. A study by Dr Ravi Verma and Martine Collumbien of 2004, published in the journal AIDS Volume 18, is based on a quantitative cross-section of 2,910 rural men in India, where identity or orientation was not the focus. Men with male partners had more female partners compared to men who had only female partners. Extramarital sex with women by bisexual men was 52.8 per cent versus 11.6 per cent with other married men. In addition, 41.5 per cent of single men with male partners reported female partners, compared with 24.5 per cent of those not homosexually active (defined as those who have had no intimate contact with men for last one year.

Almost all bisexuals interviewed confessed they deal with severe biphobia from heterosexuals and homosexuals alike.

Professor of clinical psychology at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences in New Delhi, Tej Bahadur Singh, calls it a result of certain kind of psycho-sexual development when some have sex with other men in their formative years either for pleasure or to experiment and some may have suffered abuse in childhood. But, "recent research has also brought a genetic dimension to it," Singh adds.

Indian eroticism is experiencing the bisexuals' day out. Two is a good crowd; three is certainly good company.

Reproduced From India Today

Changing taste of Indian Teens for books

Indian teens are slowly coming out of the traditional shackles and are taking keen interest in adult literatures which wasnt considered as good some 10 years ago.And in this category comes ‘Young Adult Fictions’ . Few years back,teens depended on the west for modern adult stories of their interest which lacked an Indian touch.India’s Desi young stories were a poor attempt in this direction. Youngsters ,especially girls finds it uninteresting-just a clumpsy attempt between juvenile chick-lit and over-mature kiddie books.They were devoid of teen sentiments n urges.

Its true that Indian youngsterd have been swayed towards west in terms of dressings,affairs n all that.But now,they are liking Indian touches in their western likings. It has suddenly become ‘cool’ to be Indian and embrace everything Indian – be it watching Bollywood movies, wearing Indian clothes, reading Indian authors .They are a smart generation with great vision who settle for nothing but the best.And the best is not a pure adult fiction of west.They feel an urge to enjoy teen adult fiction modern-yet in Indian context.

In India, the demand for young adult fiction is on the rise and publishers are commissioning new writers catering to this age group.publishers are trying their best to bring out high quality well-written and original new fiction in this segement.

Already,Indian publishers such as CBT and NBT are catering to fiction targeted at adolescents. Now, apart from small independent publishers, a few mainstream publishers like now Rupa, Puffin and Popular Prakashan among others are turning to this genre.

The young adult reader who is “getting things previous generation never dreamt of.But the teens need more n that too,Indian.There is a need for mature Indian writers to adapt to this changing scenario.They have to manage to connect with the young teen section of India n serve them Quality teen adult fictions in the coming years…

Adobe Youth Voices

Adobe Youth Voices aims to empower youth in underserved communities around the globe with real-world experiences and 21st century tools to communicate their ideas, exhibit their potential, and take action in their communities.

Overview

Launched in June 2006, Adobe Youth Voices is the Adobe Foundation's global signature philanthropy program designed to provide youth in underserved communities with the critical skills they need to become active and engaged members of their communities and the world at large. The Adobe Foundation invests nearly US$7 million per year in the Adobe Youth Voices program, primarily through training, educational resources, and grants. The program also leverages software donations and employee volunteers from Adobe Systems Incorporated.
With a focus on empowering youth, Adobe Youth Voices supports young people in and out of school and encourages the use of cutting-edge multimedia tools to communicate and share their ideas, demonstrate their potential, and take action where they live.
The Adobe Youth Voices global network currently includes more than 500 sites and a large, expanding number of grantees and organizations in 32 countries. Since its inception, Adobe Youth Voices has engaged over 27,000 youth and 1,500 educators in schools and out-of-school programs.
See a broader overview of Adobe Youth Voices here >
See the Adobe Youth Voices global network >

---

A program with three guiding principles: Engage, enhance, exhibit

Engaging young people in exciting and meaningful new ways, Adobe Youth Voices provides an unparalleled opportunity for middle school and high school youth to communicate their concerns, aspirations, and vision. Young people who may have been feeling disengaged learn how to think creatively, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively — all critically important skills that can help them attain a competitive edge in school, their careers, and life.
Enhancing educators' skills and resources, the program provides comprehensive professional development in teaching strategies that incorporate cutting-edge digital tools. Those who work with youth can learn new ways to encourage the use of 21st century communications skills in telling stories that make a real impact.
Exhibiting participants' work is a key element of the Adobe Youth Voices program. The program provides youth with forums in which to share their vision and voice for a public purpose — via traveling art exhibits, film screenings, and festivals; on the Internet; in publications; and through other local and global venues.
Learn more about Adobe Youth Voices resources for educators >

---

Multilevel support to empower youth to create with purpose

The Adobe Youth Voices initiative includes four components:
Adobe Youth Voices sites engage talented educators of middle- and high school-age youth - in both school and out-of-school programs - in a yearlong professional development and support program. Educators enhance their teaching strategies, gain new skills, and collaborate with like-minded educators and youth media experts to enable youth to express themselves using digital tools and to create media with a personally meaningful purpose.
In collaboration with Network Partners, Adobe Youth Voices helps bring the benefits of this program to a wider network of educators and young people worldwide. Current Network Partners include iEARN, OffScreen Education Programme, American India Foundation, Computer Clubhouse Network, 4H, Free the Children, Chicago Public Schools, and 21st Century Learning Centers Massachusetts.
Adobe Youth Voices grants support leading youth-focused programs and organizations — through a competitive grant process — to engage youth in breakthrough learning experiences using digital tools to express themselves and to create with purpose. Grantees develop a specific Adobe Youth Voices project and then make the completed youth-produced media available for widespread distribution by Adobe Youth Voices.
Adobe Youth Voices Teacher Training Centers have been established in San Francisco, San Jose/Silicon Valley and Seattle for educators to receive Adobe software training that is consistent with the Adobe Youth Voices philosophy and methodology. In collaboration with Bay Area Video Coalition, Krause Center for Innovation/RAFT and the Puget Sound Educational Service District, this training provides educators with the technical skills and methodology to engage youth in deep critical thinking to produce media with personal and social impact.
Adobe Youth Voices Essentials is a set of open curricula and resources based on the best practices of the Adobe Youth Voices program. It includes downloadable sample curriculum and activities for video, multimedia, digital art, web, animation, or audio projects. Adobe Youth Voices Essentials is open to all educators to take advantage of a set of proven curricula and resources without the application process.
See current sites and partners >

National Social Entrepreneurship Forum Youth Confluence 2010 : a platform to catalyze social entrepreneurship amongst the youth

The youth confluence is an annual event organized by NSEF with the theme “Youth and Social Entrepreneurship.” The conference will act as a platform to catalyze social entrepreneurship amongst the youth, be a place to drive home various social innovations and different facets of social entrepreneurship and a place to mutually learn about effective solutions to the most pressing social problems. The event will witness a conflux of social entrepreneurs, investors, thought leaders in area of social entrepreneurship sharing their ideas under one roof.
National Social Entrepreneurship Forum (NSEF) is a Non-profit organization with a single minded mission of promoting social entrepreneurship amongst the youth across India. With this objective NSEF establishes chapters at local communities (universities/metros) which conduct various activities to create an ecosystem that will produce the next generation of social entrepreneurs. Some of the activities we do include lecture series and workshops for students and young social entrepreneurs, social business plan and blogging competitions, idea cafes and conferences, mentoring young social entrepreneurs amongst others.
Date: 23^rd October
Venue: MLR Convention Centre, Brigade Millennium, 7^th Phase, J.P. Nagar, Bangalore - 560078
Every year the NSEF Youth Confluence will be held at Bangalore during the third week of October. This year the pre-event outreach will reach students of more than 200 colleges plus thousands of youngsters from 6 major metros. The event will witness more than 500 participants which will include young social entrepreneurs, student leaders who have led campus social initiatives, investors and thought leaders in this sector.
To find out more about NSEF and the confluence click here.

Art of Living Youth Leadership Training

Youth Leadership

1234

Planning For a Better Society

Hand In Hand – All Set To Work Together

Family That Plays Together

Youth Leader Making Paper Bags

 YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM

 Building Dynamic Leaders for Tomorrow

 Lakshminarayanan, from a small village in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, was once on the verge of suicide. Only in his early 20s, he thought his problems were unprecedented and that the only way to be free of them was to be free of the world. Luckily for him, someone sent him to do the Youth Leadership Training Program (YLTP) at The Art of Living International center in Bangalore. Ten days later, he says, his life changed.
Established in August 1999, the Youth leadership training program has a unique syllabus. While most programs around the world focus on a specific area of the human personality, the Youth leadership training program is holistic in its identifying the dimensions that constitute the actual human personality. Not only does the Youth leadership training program focus on building personality and communication skills, but it also works on the emotional and spiritual aspects of a person. Participants are inspired to volunteer for rural projects, and the fruits of the seeds sown in the classroom can be tasted by the community as a whole.

YLTP - India

• Trained over 61,546 rural youths
  
• Reached out to more than 36,557 villages
  
• Planted over 2.2 million trees
  
• Trained over 6000 people in organic farming
  
  http://www.artofliving.org/in-en/youth-leadership-home
  

Video Volunteers calls for community journalists!

Can you help us identify the second batch of IndiaUnheard community
correspondents? We’re looking for passionate community members whom we can
train to become the voice of their communities. This is a good opportunity
to enable marginalized communities to speak for themselves, a good chance to
subvert the kind of content being produced by the mainstream media.



As you may know, VV launched its community news service, IndiaUnheard, on
3rd of May 2010. Since then, the first batch of 30 community correspondents
we trained have produced about a 100 videos. You can see the videos on our
website http://indiaunheard.videovolunteers.org/, where we are currently
releasing one video per day.



VV’s goal is to eventually have one “Community Correspondent” in each of
India’s 626 districts. So it’s time for us to recruit the second batch of
correspondents!



Can you help? Since are associated with grassroots communities in India, we
are asking you once again for nominations from your circle. Please take a
moment to think of people who would benefit from this opportunity, and who
could become skilled communicators of the social causes we are fighting for.





Here are the criteria for candidates we will accept. They must be:

- From disadvantaged backgrounds from rural India or small urban centers
- Creative, intelligent
- Involved in social movements or NGOs
- Willing to work full time, for one year
- Speak Hindi or English

They do not need any media or journalism experience. VV will provide them
equipment, training and a stipend. As Fellows, their job will be to produce
several short videos a month on different community issues, as part of a
large network of Community Correspondents, from every state in India. Here
are the criteria online. We are particularly looking for women.



Read the overview of the program
http://www.videovolunteers.org/programmes/indiaunheard/

Fill out the application along with the activist you are nominating
http://videovolunteersindia.wufoo.com/forms/community-correspondent-application-form/

Read the FAQ, and get all your questions about the program answered
http://www.videovolunteers.org/programmes/indiaunheard/indiaunheard-program-frequently-asked-questions/



Once again here’s a chance to offer a new direction to the grassroots
activists you know. It’s a chance to equip the communities you work in with
relevant communication tools and enable them to report on everything from
rights violations to successful struggles against oppression.

A Report on Dalit & Adivasi Students and Foreign Universities

Insight Study Circle Meeting  held on 22 August 2010 (Sunday) at  Indian Social Institute, Lodhi Road, New Delhi

Speakers

1. David Vumlallian Zou (from Manipur) teaches at History Department, Delhi University and did his doctorate from Queen's University, Belfast with full scholarship from Academic Planning Grant (Northern Ireland).

2. Abhay Xaxa (from Chhattisgarh) is currently working with Indian Institute of Dalit Studies, New Delhi and did his Masters in Social Anthropology from University of Sussex, UK  (2008) as one of the recipient of International Ford Fellowship Programme.

3. Bhawani Buswala (from Rajasthan) is currently in the country for his field research. He is pursuing his PhD in Anthropology from Brown University, Rhodes Island, USA on full university scholarship.

4. Rama Devi Hansraj (from Andhra Pradesh) completed her Post Graduation in Human Rights from University of London (2004) as one of the International Ford Fellow. She is currently based in Kolkata and is working with Catholic Relief Service.

Given below are the excerpts from the speeches from our panel of speakers followed by a brief interaction session with our audiences.

Rama Devi Hansraj

I did my MA from University of Hyderabad, Department of Mass Communication. I am the first generation educated person in my family. After completing my studies in Hyderabad, I worked with some small Human Rights groups in Andhra Pradesh.

Through that network I came to know about International Ford Foundation Fellowship programme that was meant exclusively for students from marginalised background.  I applied and was selected after going through its rigorous selection process. With that fellowship, I did my Masters in University of London in Human Rights.

As I was part of Dalit students' movement in Hyderabad University, I was very conscious of caste discrimination that we all go through both subtle and direct. Perhaps that made me to opt for my study in the area of Human Rights.

Also I felt that articulation on the issues is a major problem. I have heard many Dalit women who were able to articulate and share their personal experiences in their vernacular language so well but doing so in English was a big challenge. They are being represented by people who are only good at articulating in English and so people coming from the grass root realities could never talk for themselves at a bigger platform like UN. These reasons led me to opt for a course in human rights.

What I liked about Ford Foundation was their entire interview process. The whole process was very comforting and gave us enough breathing space and to remain confident as applicants. They appointed one panel member to each applicant to interact at personal level. The one who was interviewing me, later, in the interview actually spoke on behalf of me which was very encouraging. This gave me lot of confidence and helped me face whatever question they asked.

Global Youth Unemployment Reaches Record Levels

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has issued a report documenting the severe impact of the global economic crisis on employment prospects for the world’s youth. The report, “Global Employment Trends for Youth”, presents detailed statistics on the growing number of 15-to-24-year-olds who find themselves out of work.

The most striking findings are those showing the rapid rise of youth unemployment from the eruption of the financial crisis in 2008 onwards. At the end of 2009, according to the report’s introduction, global youth unemployment stood at 81 million. This was an increase of 7.8 million, or nearly 10 percent, from the end of 2007.

In percentage terms, global youth unemployment rose from 11.9 percent to 13 percent during this period, an increase described as “sharper than ever before”.

In 2009 alone, the number of young people out of work globally rose by a staggering 6.6 million. As the report noted, “To put this in perspective, over the course of the ten-year period prior to the current crisis (1996-1997 to 2006-2007), the number of unemployed youth increased, on average, by 192,000 per year”.

The report projected that this rate of increase would slow, but that by the end of 2010 global youth unemployment would stand at 13.1 percent. Most significantly, it stated that although the unemployment rate would drop slightly from 2011, there would be no return to the lower jobless levels of the pre-crisis period.

The report warns of the danger of young people becoming alienated from the labour market and today’s youth becoming a “lost generation”. It states, “Numerous studies show how entering labour markets during recession can leave permanent scars on the generation of youth affected, and recently fears have been expressed regarding a possible crisis legacy of a ‘lost generation’ made up of young people who detach themselves from the labour market altogether”.

The report hints at the issue that should concern the ruling elite in such a scenario: “Finding and motivating young people who have given up hope for a productive future is an expensive venture. Nonetheless, the alternative of doing nothing is even more expensive when the social, economic and possibly even political costs are added together”.

ILO Director-General Juan Somavia spoke along similar lines, saying, “Young people are the drivers of economic development. Foregoing this potential is an economic waste and can undermine social stability”.

It should be noted that the ILO report deals only with the beginning of the economic downturn, when stimulus measures were adopted by governments internationally. Now, with the focus shifting to austerity as the bourgeoisie seeks to claw back from the working class the money used to bail out the banks, unemployment is projected to increase in every country.

As the report makes clear, the youth are the most vulnerable section of the working class and will bear the brunt of this rise in joblessness. In 2008, young people were 2.8 times more likely to be out of work than adults, with the youth unemployment rate standing at 12.1 percent whilst joblessness amongst the adult population was 4.3 percent. Even during the last period of economic growth prior to the crisis, the percentage of young people active in the labour market dropped from 54.7 to 50.8 percent between 1998 and 2008.

Having outlined the global trends, the study details how young people across different regions of the world have been impacted. Some of the poorest areas have been hit worst of all.

In South Asia, one million young people are expected to seek employment every year between now and 2015, while the figure for sub-Saharan Africa is 2.2 million. In the Middle East and North Africa, 20 percent of the youth population was unable to find work in 2008.

Even those with a job in these regions saw their living standards decline. The report calculated that roughly 28 percent of all young workers were part of the working poor, seeking to maintain themselves on less than $1.25 per day.

In a press release published to coincide with the issuing of the report, Director-General Somavia commented, “In developing countries, crisis pervades the daily life of the poor. The effects of the economic and financial crisis threaten to exacerbate the pre-existing decent work deficits among youth. The result is that the number of young people stuck in working poverty grows, and the cycle of working poverty persists through at least another generation”.

Developed economies have also suffered. The report shows a 4.6 percent rise in youth unemployment in the Developed Economies and European Union region, while in Central and Eastern Europe (non-European Union) and the Commonwealth of Independent States the rate of increase was 3.5 percent. These are the largest yearly increases ever recorded.

The overall youth unemployment rate in the Developed Economies and European Union of 17.7 percent in 2009 is the highest level since records began in 1991.

While only 10 percent of global youth live in the “developed economies”, 45 percent of the increase in unemployment came from these states. In the United States, for example, youth unemployment was up 8 percent, reaching 18 percent in 2009. In Britain, the Daily Telegraph recently reported a 42 percent increase in long-term unemployment amongst young people.

Indian youth would prefer mobile ads to those on TV

Mobile phones have become an integral part of the lives of young Asians. Youngsters nowadays just cannot do without their phones.
A survey of young Asians by global market research firm Synovate shows that the lives of Asia's youth revolve around their mobile phones.
Overall personal ownership of mobiles has increased from 60 per cent in 2008 to 64 per cent in 2010. According to the survey, young Indians top the race for mobile phone ownership compared to the rest of Asia.
Personal ownership of mobile phones among young Indians has increased from 28 per cent in 2008 to 37 per cent in 2010, while the average in Asia is only 18 per cent.
Steve Garton, executive director of media research for Synovate said, "This year, we see that the mobile phone is simply inseparable from its owner. More youth across a number of Asian markets now own a mobile compared to 2008. With one in five (18 per cent) young Asians planning to use their mobile even more often, these findings show the great potential of this medium.”
The survey also showed that young Indians are fatigued with TV adverts. Fifty five per cent of young Indians between 15 and 24 years would pay a higher TV subscription rate to avoid adverts (this percentage is the highest in Asia).
However, interestingly, they are of an entirely different opinion when it comes to mobile phone advertising, as 37 per cent say they won't mind receiving ads on their mobiles, or responding to such adverts as long as they are incentivised.
This percentage is the highest in the region after Vietnam (44 per cent). The Asian average is 29 per cent.
Listening to music, playing games and taking photos are just some of the activities that youth turn to their mobile phone for.
Among Asian youth who own a mobile phone, about half of those surveyed perform the above activities on their mobile. One in five (21 per cent) also uses this device to record video.
In India, the most popular mobile phone activities over the past seven days were listening to music (59 per cent young users listened to music on their mobiles), SMS (58 per cent), taking pictures (51 per cent), and playing games (46 per cent).
This fifth Synovate Young Asians study provides an in depth look at the lifestyles, habits, product ownership and media consumption of youth across Asia.
Respondents ranged from eight to 24 years across 11 markets in Asia, covering China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
A total sample of 12,302 youth was surveyed by face to face interviews and through online methods during the second quarter of 2010. The survey by Synovate was supported by Friendster, Microsoft Advertising and Yahoo!
Garton said, "This shows the opportunities here and now for mobile marketing. Youth in Asia are looking to receive the latest information to wow their peers, so reaching them through mobile is the most immediate way to gain their attention."
He added, "The spontaneity and active lifestyles of youth means that mobiles are always helping them to live life to the fullest.

State Youth Award for creating social awareness

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal announced a new State Youth Award Scheme from current financial year onwards to the Youth Clubs and Individual Youth in recognition of their outstanding performance in mass awakening in environment protection, disaster management, family planning, AIDS Control, organic farming, dairy farming, floriculture, water conservation and prohibition. Presiding over the meeting of State Youth Board here today he gave a clarion call to the youth to come forward in taking active part in such activities to make Himachal model state in the country. He said that the State had decided to constitute awards to the outstanding sports clubs and individuals from current year onwards with a view to motivate youth to come forward and lend their active cooperation in implementation of various programmes. The best youth club would be awarded a cash prize of Rs. one lakh, 2nd Rs. 60,000, 3rd. Rs. 40,000 along with a commendation certificate. In individual category the First Prize would be of Rs. 25,000, 2nd of Rs. 15,000 and 3rd. of Rs. 10,000 with commendation certificates.  He said that the scheme aimed at channelization of the energy of the youth towards social awakening with regards to various important subjects. He said that committees at State level would be headed by Principal Secretary Youth Services and Sports while at district level it would be under the Chairmanship of respective Deputy Commissioner.
Prof. Dhumal said that 40 youth to be selected from every district would be provided training in various activities like organic farming, dairy farming, floriculture, water conservation, mushroom cultivation, horticulture and bee keeping etc. on experimental basis and based upon the success of the program more youth would be selected to undertake training which could help them in generation of self employment avenues. He said that Panchayat Yuva Krida and Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA) programme was being implemented in the state vigorously and 664 play grounds developed in past two years to identify and bring forth the rural sports at state and national level. He added that six month duration skill upgradation and computer literacy programme had been introduced in 9 of the districts to 5 youth selected from each district and all the districts would be covered. Chief Minister said that Know India and Himachal Darshan programmes were under implementation in the State to expose youth to the state and outside world. He said that 480 youth visited heritage monuments, tourist spots, agriculture and horticulture universities in the state while 36 foreign youth had visited Himachal Pradesh from 11 countries.
He said that Bronze Medal winners of one act play and flute events in the National Youth Festival held at Bhuvneshwar would also be awarded during the State Level Youth Festival this year. He said that the State Government had enhanced budgetary provisions for sports activities substantially registering an increase of 29.36 percent over the preceding financial year.  He reiterated the resolve of the State Government to find amicable solution to all the problems of youth and new programs were being introduced keeping in view the emerging demand of the youth.

A letter to the youth of Pakistan

Usama Khilji, a young activist from Islamabad addresses his contemporaries in Pakistan
Dear Young Pakistani!
I understand how these times are testing of your patriotism, but let me tell you how these times are actually a golden opportunity for you to prove your worth, your love for the country, and desire for a better future.
You must have been hearing a lot about how Pakistani society has degenerated into moral chaos, how we as a nation are worthless ‘cockroaches’, and how we as a nation are deserving of calamities such as the catastrophic flood. These are all baseless generalizations that you as the youth should take up as challenges, and rather than accepting such fatalism, prove them wrong instead.
For those of you who were disheartened by the beating to death of two brothers in Sialkot by a mob, don’t be disheartened. Use this event to realize the importance of justice, the importance of rule of law. Many of you went out on the roads of different cities of Pakistan demanding justice to the deceased brothers. Excellent. Be involved. Stand up and question any wrong that you see happening around you. Refuse to consent to injustice; otherwise you are one of the spectators of the mob-justice scene in Sialkot.
Many young hearts felt for the Ahmadi community when they were attacked while praying earlier this year. More hearts clenched upon hearing of mistreatment of the corpse of a patriotic non-Muslim young man. Many of you are still haunted by the killings of Christians in Gojra last year. Take these opportunities to promise yourself to protect, respect, and treat equally all humans, and all Pakistani citizens, regardless of their personal beliefs, faith, or way of life.
In his speech at the Dhaka University in 1948, Jinnah said: “Freedom which we have achieved does not mean licence. It does not mean that you can behave as you please and do what you like irrespective of the interest of other people or of the state. A great responsibility rests on you and now more than ever, it is necessary for us to work as a united, disciplined nation. What is required of us all is a constructive spirit and not a militant spirit. It is far more difficult to construct than to have a militant spirit. It is easier to go to jail or fight for freedom than to run a government. Thwarted in their desire to prevent the establishment of Pakistan, our enemies turned their attention to finding ways to weaken and destroy us but they have been disappointed. Not only has Pakistan survived the shock of the upheaval but it has emerged stronger and better equipped than ever.”
For those of you who are disappointed in some in the Pakistani cricket team. Don’t be disappointed. Make a promise to yourself not to be involved in bribery, in fixing, in betting. If you play cricket, take this opportunity to prove yourself as an honest and dedicated sportsman. Play the game according to the rules, and be the pride of the nation. You should also realize that the Pakistani cricket team hasn’t gone wrong; just a few individuals that are part of it might have.
Many of you have given up hope in the Government of Pakistan after hearing of corruption charges and inadequate response to help flood survivors. Don’t give up hope. The Government runs on the taxes each one of you pay in one way or the other. Demand better performance of the Government. Aspire to join the civil services. Aspire to become a politician. If you will not take a stand, if you will not work to remedy wrongs, then nobody will. Feel the thrill of being the first to oppose dishonesty, corruption, and indiscipline. Call up the civil authorities when you see street lights on during the day. Request shop owners to use minimal electricity. Ask those over taking you in queues to respect everyone’s patience. Nobody can or should go against you when you stand for what is right.
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in a message to the All Pakistan Educational Conference in Karachi on November 27, 1948, said: “What we have to do is to mobilise our people and build up the character of our future generation. In short, this means the highest sense of honour, integrity, selfless service to the nation and sense of responsibility, and we have to see that our people are fully qualified and equipped to play their part in the various branches of economic life in a manner which will do honour to Pakistan.”
Avoid talking negative of others. Instead, spread positive energy; something that will multiply to benefit everyone.
Don’t believe everything you hear until you’re sure. Don’t get bogged down by the media’s portrayal of your country. Everything is what you make of it. Be objective in your observation. Consider yourself lucky to have a media that informs you of unfortunate incidents. Be glad that you have a judiciary that takes a stand against injustice.
You have to realize that issues amongst people arise in all corners of the world, not just Pakistan. There are bad people in every country, not just in Pakistan. Therefore, you need to be smart and treat these issues as human issues, not national. But on a national level, you must push for policies that regulate all individuals better, for the benefit of each citizen of Pakistan.
Finally, as a Pakistani, always remember three core values: unity, faith, and discipline.
Usama Khilji is a writer, debater, and social activist based in Islamabad. He is the Membership and Mentoring leader of Future Leaders of Pakistan.

The Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships 2011-2012

The Foundation accepts applications from countries where it has branches,
affiliates or other AKDN agencies which can help with processing
applications and interviewing applicants. At present, these are Bangladesh,
India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Syria, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania,
Uganda, Mozambique, Madagascar, France, Portugal, UK, USA and Canada.

*Selection Criteria*
The main criteria for selecting award winners are:

l) excellent academic records,

2) genuine financial need,

3) admission to a reputable institution of higher learning and

4) thoughtful and coherent educational and career plans.

Candidates are also evaluated on their extra-curricular interests and
achievements, potential to achieve their goals and likelihood to succeed in
a foreign academic environment. Applicants are expected to have some years
of work experience in their field of interest.

*Application Procedures*
The application procedures of AKF's International Scholarship Programme are
decentralised. Students may obtain application forms as of January 1st each
year from *AKF offices*<http://www.akdn.org/akf_scholarships_contact_akf.asp>or
*Aga Khan Education Services /
Boards*<http://www.akdn.org/akf_scholarships_contact_akes.asp>in their
countries of current residence. Completed applications should be
returned to the agency from which the form was obtained, or to the address
indicated on the front of the form. They should not be sent to Geneva.

The annual Scholarship Selection Meeting takes place in late June or early
July and the Aga Khan Foundation notifies all students of the outcome of
their application shortly thereafter.

For further details, click here <http://www.akdn.org/akf_scholarships.asp>

Apply Now: TEDxYSE (Youth Social Entrepreneurship)

TEDxYSE (Youth Social Entrepreneurship) is an event organized by Ashoka’s Youth Venture to give the world’s most inspiring young changemakers a global platform to share their powerful stories.
The first TEDxYSE, to be held on November 13, 2010 in Washington, D.C., will feature the winners of the 2010 Staples Youth Social Entrepreneurship Competition.
Since 2007, Staples Foundation for Learning has invested in Ashoka’s Youth Venture to  launch more than 1,000 youth-led social ventures internationally and recognize the best young changemakers who can provide inspiration to others.
This independent TEDx event is operated under license from TED.
About Youth Venture
Ashoka’s Youth Venture aims to help an entire generation of young people develop as changemakers, who will improve their communities now and throughout their lives.
Youth Venture inspires and supports teams of young people to launch and lead their own civic-minded organizations and businesses.  Youth teams access workshops, tools, adult allies, a global network of like-minded young changemakers and seed funding to establish their own ventures that solve problems around them.  Youth Venture was created by Ashoka, the global pioneer of the social entrepreneurship sector and the world’s biggest network of changemakers.
We believe that the greatest contribution we can make to the world is to increase dramatically the number of changemakers today and in every future generation.  This is the key factor for success for every part of society, from a school to a company to an entire country.
Ashoka’s Youth Venture operates in 18 countries and online at www.GenV.net.
About TEDx, x=independently organize event
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self- organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x=independently organized TED event.
The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.*
(*Subject to certain rules and regulations)
About TED
TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 25 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. The annual TED Conference invites the world’s leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes. Their talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Al Gore, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani,Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Isabel Allende and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The annual TED Conference takes place in Long Beach, California, with simulcast in Palm Springs; TEDGlobal is held each year in Oxford, UK. TED’s media initiatives include TED.com, where new TEDTalks are posted daily, and the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as the ability for any TEDTalk to be translated by volunteers worldwide. TED has established the annual TED Prize, where exceptional individuals with a wish to change the world are given the opportunity to put their wishes into action; TEDx, which offers individuals or groups a way to host local, self-organized events around the world, and the TEDFellows program, helping world-changing innovators from around the globe to become part of the TED community and, with its help, amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.
Follow TED on Twitter at twitter.com/TEDTalks, or on Facebook at facebook.com/TED
TEDGlobal 2010, “And Now the Good News,” will be held July 13–16, 2010, in Oxford, UK. TED2011, “The Rediscovery of Wonder,” will be held February 21–25, 2011, in Long Beach, California, with the TEDActive simulcast in Palm Springs, California.