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| YES Egypt Workshop on Youth with Special Needs, Egypt, July 29-30 2003 |
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The Tehran YES Regional Session 2003 will be a regional meeting
for Middle In Iran, with a population of 60 million, 18 million (28%) are
aged between Organizers expect about 300 people to attend the session from around
the Visit the YES Iran website for more information, |
| YES El Salvador to co-host Latin American Youth Entrepreneurs' Congress |
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Up to 900 delegates from Latin America are expected to attend the International Congress of Entrepreneurs in San Salvador, August 29-30 2003. The major theme of the Congress is "How Entrepreneurs Generate Employment." "The objective of this Congress is to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit of young people, to generate the commitment of leaders to create productive employment and to attract investment capital to maintain sustainable development in our region," said YES Network member Daniel Barrientos. Organized by the Entrepreneurs Students Association (SAE) and Escuela Superior de Economía y Negocios (ESEN), the event is sponsored by El Salvador's largest companies, Barrientos says. See more information at this website www.emprendedor.com.sv Contact: Daniel Barrientos, danielbarrientos@transmind.net |
| YES Malawi Generates Parliamentary Debate on Youth Empowerment Strategy |
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As a result of the lobbying efforts of YES Malawi, members of Malawi's Parliament are currently debating a bill proposing measures to increase youth participation in the social, economic and political life of the country. Proposals include a call for research on youth employment rates in Malawi. YES Coordinator Kondwani Munthali says research is badly needed, "from 1964 up to the present, there has not been a census on unemployment rates. There is not much data on how many young people are unemployed in Malawi, let alone actively participating in the socio-economic activities of Malawi." A comprehensive youth empowerment strategy for Malawi is the centerpiece of the bill. It notes that 60 percent of Malawi's 11 million citizens are under the age of 30. The bill, presented by Malawi's youngest parliamentarian Mr. Roy Commsy - who is 24 years old, was lobbied and sponsored by the YES Malawi leadership team. Contact: Kondwani Munthali, kmunthali@yahoo.com
http://projects.yesweb.org/YES-Malawi
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| YES Iran Meets with Ex-President Rafsanjani, July 29 2003 |
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In the lead-up to the Tehran Regional Session in early September, members of YES Iran met the Honorable Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani, Head of the National Advisory Council and ex-president of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Hamideh Tabatabaie, YES Iran Coordinator says the meeting was a success for the network. "In this meeting, after the presentation of YES Iran Country Network activities, the ex-president encouraged members to continue their hard work for promoting the culture of entrepreneurship in society. He mentioned that in addition to promoting green and small enterprises to create good opportunities for youth, we also have to emphasize the availability of micro credits and goods in the poor areas. "Also, he affirmed that in promoting youth employment the role of the associations of civil society and private sectors is very meaningful and important." The Tehran Regional Session for Youth Employment takes place September 3-4 2003. Delegates from ten countries in the region are expected to attend. Contact: Hamideh Tabatabaie, iytiassociation1@hotmail.com |
| YES Pakistan Launches National Youth Service Program |
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In Lahore this week a province-wide youth volunteerism program is being launched by the YES Pakistan Network. Coordinator Ali Khan says the program's goal is "to mainstream the youth of Pakistan into the nation building process. The project recognizes youth as major partners in development." One hundred young Pakistanis took a public oath on August 13, 2003 to dedicate one year of their lives to civic service. Over five hundred people from all sectors attended the swearing-in ceremony. Mr. Donald Eberly, Honorary President of the International Association of National Youth Service (IANYS) agreed to be the honorary patron of the program. Ali Khan believes the program represents a milestone for the integration of Pakistani youth into social development. "I want everyone to see the spirit and commitment of these youth who have volunteered to dedicate one year of their lives for community building. This project will contribute immensely to improving the employability of Pakistani youth," he said. The Pakistan program is largely based on the youth service model used in the USA, as seen in programs such as National Youth Service USA and Americorps. Participants will engage in a wide range of community service over a period of one year, according to organizers. Contact. Ali Raza Khan, aliaccessed@hotmail.com |
| YES Serbia and Montenegro Network Launches, 14 July 2003 |
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The first national consultation on youth employment took place July 14 in Belgrade, Serbia-Montenegro. Organized by a coalition of 18 NGOs, the consultation included officials from the Ministries of Labor and Education. YES Coordinator Goran Mitrovic reported that YES Serbia and Montenegro Network was formally launched at the consultation. Members of the YES network in Serbia and Montenegro pledged to promote the issue of youth employment nationally. They also decided to lobby their government to adopt effective youth employment policies, and to replicate and promote successful local youth employment initiatives. The YES Serbia and Montenegro network plans to initiate a national campaign that would create an infrastructure and enabling environment for young people seeking employment. Contact: Goran Mitrovic, gorca@ptt.yu |
| YES Advisor Mohammad Yunus Awarded Volvo Environment Prize |
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Mohammad Yunus, founder of the Grameen Bank which provides microcredit loans to the poor, is to receive the Volvo Environment Prize for 2003. Mr. Yunus is a co-recipient of the 1.5 million SEK (USD$185,000) award alongside Professor Madhav Gadgil, a world-renowned conservation scientist. The Volvo Environment Prize, awarded annually since 1989, has the
objective of "promoting research and development across the
environmental spectrum, by acknowledging people who have made an
outstanding contribution to understanding or protecting the environment
through scientific, socio-economic or technological innovation or
discovery of global or regional importance." |
| Enterprise Network for Young Australians Launches Website |
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Enterprise Network for Young Australians (ENYA) has been established
to promote the active participation of young people in enterprise
in an ethical and sustainable manner. ENYA is a public not-for-profit
company limited by guarantee. The organization is a collaboration
of young people - predominantly young entrepreneurs - as well as stakeholders
from government, community, NFP and corporate youth enterprise initiatives.
"By going online prior to the launch, ENYA hopes to start building a strong membership before the official announcement," said Ainsley Gilkes, Vice Chairperson and one of the founding Directors of the company. With support from the Federal Government ENYA will be officially launched at the Creating Common Wealth Youth Enterprise Development Forum in Queensland, Australia, in November 2003. "We will be in a much healthier position for the public and media attention that the Creating Common Wealth Forum and official launch will generate if we already have a growing membership base. ENYA can better capitalize on the opportunities for funding and other interest that the Forum brings if we can say we already have an engaged membership of young entrepreneurs." Check out the new ENYA website at www.enya.org.au |