in North America and other parts of the world where school is letting out for several months of vacation, it's a time honored tradition for adults to wring their hands over the devil making even more work for the idle hands of young people. They might play games! Or look at things on the internet! Or talk to their friends! We're hoping they do all of the above, because there are some awesome ways for young people to get involved online in major global events this summer.

For example, there are currently two video contests that young people can enter so that their voices are represented at high level, global policy conferences.

The Mexico YouthForce is inviting young people to create videos to speak out on HIV/AIDS issues in preparation for the International AIDS Conference coming up in August: http://www.quantumshift.tv/contests/13

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), as part of its upcoming global forum in Seoul, Korea, invites you to submit a video about how the Internet can make the world a better place: http://www.youtube.com/futureinternet

Deadlines to submit your videos are rapidly approaching, and we hope you'll be part of the movement of youth using digital media to change the world.

And, double your video's exposure and chances of winning an online contest by cross-posting to ymex.org!

Youth Media Exchange is also running a contest over the next two weeks, only for youth under age 18! Enter the Youth Quest Contest and you will get lots of exposure for your digital media about global issues, as well as earn points: http://ymex.org/quests/