March 2004

ICYO is a Non-Governmental Development Youth Network Organization in India

INDIA: New National Charter for Children

The Government of India on 9 February 2004 has notified a National Charter for Children to reiterate its commitment to the cause of children in order to see that no child remains hungry, illiterate or sick. The Charter was discussed in the Indian Parliament last December.

The National Charter for Children incorporates the main essence of the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and makes the Government accountable for the implementation of those rights.

The Charter states that children will be provided with free and compulsory education, protected from hazardous work until the age of fourteen and given opportunities to develop in a healthy manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity. The Charter also protects children from economic exploitation and all forms of abuse and strengthens the family. Special emphasis is given to the girl child with reference to eradicating crimes and atrocities committed against the girl, including child marriage, discriminatory practices, forcing girls into prostitution and trafficking. (CRIN)

Empowering Adolescents: The charter has special mention under item no 12 for adolescents that focus on empowerment. It stated “The State and community shall take all steps to provide the necessary education and skills to adolescent children so as to equip them to become economically productive citizens. Special programmes will be undertaken to improve the health and nutritional status of the adolescent girl”.

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CYP Consultation on Youth & HIV/AIDS

The information on HIV/AIDS must be reach to youth was the focus on valedictory speech of Mr. Vikram Verma, Minister of Youth Affairs & Sport, Govt of India, while addressing in closing function of Asia Regional consultation on Youth and HIV/AIDS, on 14 February 2004. He added that the education is the key to protect the young generation from AIDS.

The Consultation was held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India from 10 to 14 February  and  jointly organized by Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) Asia Centre and Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.

Ms, Vandana K Jana,Joint Secretary, Youth and Sports inaugurated the Consultation and share experiences during her posting in North Eastern states and Orissa. Earlier Ms. Raka Rashid Regional Director of CYP gave the overall scenario of epidemic in Asian Commonwealth countries. Mr. Hassan Shifau, Senior Programme Officer update the participants about the various programmes and activities of CYP Asian Centre.

“Networking of NGOs and other stakeholders working in different aspects of HIV/AIDS, mitigation, awareness, education, treatment etc.’ is the one of key recommendation came out from the Consultation. Earlier, during the country wise group discussion, Indian participants discussed the possibility of formation of youth group on HIV/AIDS and develop the ‘Concept Paper’ on this issue. Later on the Concept Paper was present in Closing function to inform the Hon. Minister of Youth Affairs.

Commonwealth Asia member countries attended the Consultation. ICYO represented by Mr. Raavi Narayan.

The five day deliberation came-out in form of concrete recommendations for consideration of respective governments, CYP Asia Centre, partner agencies and other stakeholders:

- Establish appropriate surveillance and monitoring systems.

- Youth Ambassadors for Positive Living Programme to be further expanded and appropriate training modules developed.

- Networking of NGOs and other stakeholders working in different aspects of HIV/AIDS, mitigation, awareness, education, treatment etc.

- Integration of Sports, Arts and Culture in HIV/AIDS awareness and vice versa.

- Integration of minority groups in HIV/AIDS prevention, care and surveillance.

- Set up a youth cell within national AIDS control agencies in collaboration with corporate sector to only deal with youth concerns on HIV/AIDS.

- Effectively use print and electronic media so that messages are accurate, relevant and youth friendly.

- Sensitize heads of institutions including educational institutions and government agencies.

- Encourage health –seeking behaviour among young people.

-Incorporate HIV/AIDS and drug/substance abuse awareness education at various levels of the education system.

Three hundred thousand children still out of school in Karnataka

The Karnataka Minister of State for Primary & Secondary Education, Mr. Chandrashekar, has said that about three hundred thousand children between 6 to 14 age group are still out of school in the state.

A major challenge before the Government was to retain the children in the school. A number of children dropped out of the school due to poverty and lack of encouragement. (IAEA Newsletter)

International Youth Dialogue

The WAY will organize the 4th International Youth Dialogue and will be held in Melaka, Malaysia from June 28-30, 2004. This year features the theme Youth Participation in Decision-Making Processes. 

The main aims of fourth Youth Dialogue to review, at length, youth participation in decision-making processes, and to ascertain how young people can increase their efficacy therein. It is crucial for this to be achieved if ever the decisions and resolutions of young people will be implemented.

The Dialogue will be a platform for young people to take stock of their efficacy in decision-making processes at various levels. It will also impart critical skills and knowledge to ensure that participants are properly equipped to participate meaningfully in decision-making processes.

For more information write to: secretarygeneral@icyo-india.org

Population and Education Seminar in India

The IAPPD in cooperation with UNFPA, Government of India and AFPPD organized a National Legislative Seminar on Education and Population at Rajkot, Gujrat on 13 and 14 February.  Mr. Jyoti Singh, President Population 2005 and Former Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA, Mr. Nizamuddin, Former Director of UNFPA Asia Pacific Division addressed the seminar and it was attended by more than 100 legislators.

World Youth Report 2003

The Secretariat for Prgramme on Youth of United Nations will launch the World Youth Report 2003 on 22^nd April 2004 at UN Headquarters, New York during the "Headquarters briefing youth NGO's".
The secretariat will also brief on the upcoming two special meetings of the General Assembly on youth in 2005.

World Youth Festival

The third World Youth Festival will be held from 8-14 August 2004, which aims to take a step forward in cooperation among youth organizations from around the world and bring together 10,000 young people from all the continents. The festival's motto is 'Let's build the world'.

Parliamentary Meeting on HIV/AIDS for Youth:

The Inter-country Parliamentarians meeting will be held in Bali, Indonesia from 22-24 September 2004. The Asian Forum for Parliamentarians on Population and Development will be the organizer.

Children's Conference on Environment

From July 19 - 23, 2004 children from 100 countries will come together at the Tunza International Children's Conference on the Environment to discuss issues of critical importance to the world. The delegates will study, deliberate, and publish their unique positions on Oceans, Rivers and Waterways; Living on the Edge of Extinction; Indigenous Healing Ways; and Energy Policy. Assembling in USA, these 600 young people, ages 10 to 13, will speak out on what needs to be done to save our environment.

The conference will be host by UNEP. For more information visit www.icc04.org

Commonwealth Photographic Awards: theme – Youth

The Commonwealth Press Union (CPU), in collaboration with the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association (CBA) invites the entries or the 2004 Commonwealth Photographic Awards. The overall theme for the Awards this year is ‘Youth’.  This is an open competition for all Commonwealth residents.

A special category - ‘Young Snappers’ - has been created this year for young people aged 12 to 18.

The overall winner of the Awards will receive £2000 sterling, and further prizes will be awarded to the regional winners and to the winning ‘Young Snapper’. 

An additional award - ‘The Dan Eldon Prize’ - will be awarded to a young photographer (aged 18-30) whose work is used for social or humanitarian purposes.   The last date of entries is May 30, 2004. For detail visit web: www.cpu.org.uk

Next Youth Employment Summit in Mexico

The Youth Employment Summit to be held in Veracruz, Mexico from October 4-7, 2004.

The event will be host by Federal Government of Mexico. It is expected that 1,000
youth development practitioners, government officials, business leaders, youth leaders and NGOs will attend the Summit. The some of issues to be discuss includes entrepreneurship, renewable energy, HIV / AIDS and youth participation in civic affairs.

YOUNG PEOPLE Change the World!

Young people and groups of young people from youth organizations, up to 25 years old
are invited to attend the third annual "YOUNG PEOPLE Change the World!" in International Summer School for Young Activists. The event will be held from July 10-17 2004 and held in South Wales, UK. As per organizer, young people will have the opportunity to meet other young people from around the world to discuss issues, share ideas, enhance your practical skills, develop collaborations and make contacts that will continue beyond the Summer School. For more detail contact: summerschool@civa.org.uk

World Congress will also focus on ‘Globalization and Youth Sociology’

International Institute of Sociology, China will host the 36th World Congress and will be held in Beijing from July 7-11, 2004.

The main theme of the 36th Congress is "Social Change in the Age of Globalization". The Congress will provide opportunities to participants from different parts of the world to share ideas and research findings, to communicate with one another, and to establish academic and intellectual relationship for future exchange.

The Congress will also focus on ‘Globalization and Youth Sociology’ and devote one session to discuss the reflection and impact of the ongoing process of g globalization on Youth Sociology. For more information visit: www.iis2003beijing.com.cn

World Forum Human Rights

The World Forum Human Rights will be held in France from May 16-19, 2004. The Forum will bring together on an equal footing all categories of actors in the field of human rights. This will allow an extensive exchange of knowledge, ideas and experiences on how to create global alliances to address today's most pressing challenges, including terrorism, discrimination and poverty, the three main themes of the Forum. Contact email: aframery@laurus.fr

Int. Conference on Health & Environment

13^th International Conference on Health & Environment: Global Partners for Global Solutions will be held from April 29-30, 2004 at United Nations, New York, USA.  The theme this year is the "25 Year Window: Linking Conflict with Environment and Population". The topics to be discussed include HIV/AIDS: Current Research, New Treatments, Consequences of Conflict on Health and the Environment etc.

The Conference is organized by World Information Transfer and Co-sponsored by the Government of Croatia and the Government of Ukraine.

International Conference on Social Sciences

The 3^rd Annual Hawaii International Conference on Social Sciences will be held from June 16 to June 19, 2004 in Honolulu, Hawaii.  The Conference will provide many opportunities for academicians and professionals from the social sciences fields to interact with members inside and outside their own particular disciplines. For more information visit www.hicsocial.org

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This is the newsletter of ICYO.

Indian Committee of Youth Organizations

Khare Apart. 194-A, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi 110029, India

Phone: 91 9811729093 Phone/Fax: 91 11 26183978

Email: icyo@icyo-india.org

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Indian Committee of Youth Organizations (ICYO) is a registered non-profit, non-governmental network organization, committed in developing areas of mutual cooperation and understanding among different youth voluntary agencies, youth groups, clubs and individuals working in the field of youth welfare in India.  ICYO functions as an umbrella organization of youth NGOs in India. Its family consists of over 350 organizations spread in 122 districts of 22 states from different corners of India.

Affiliation:  Consultative (Roster) Status with ECOSOC, United Nations; Consultative Status with Commission on Sustainable Development; Full Member of World Assembly of Youth (WAY); Full Member of Asian Youth Council (AYC); Member of Youth for Habitat International Network (YFHIN); Affiliate group of ECPAT International, Bangkok, Thailand.