Email received this week (edited down to shortern it):


A TRIBUTE TO MY MENTORS

To my mentors & inspiration:

It is an honor to be acquainted with you all. Having finished a milestone in my life, I would like to pay tribute to the people who have been an inspiration.

.....

Dr. Elaine Valdov and Patrick Sciarratta, you have devoted your life to give opportunities and a voice to young individuals. The International Youth Council would not be possible had it not been for your vision. I only wish nothing but success for The Youth Assembly and your work at the United Nations.

and ...

Most importantly the Youth (Many of whom attended the annual Youth Assembly at the united Nations; ed.):

Ahmad Alhawandawi, Jaime Ansorge, Asha Castleberry– the founders of the International Youth Council, I am in debt to you all. The opportunity that you have given me, has defined and given structure to my life. You have succeeded in your vision in bringing young individuals together in pursuit of supporting the Millenium Development Goals from all over the world.

Simon Fayard, Karolina Pormanczuk, Carla Banson, Isabella Schlipp, Chloe Hall, Emmanuel Onywera, Sari Myers, and Bertch Ian Ranis —it is because of young individuals like you that inspire me to change the world – at any magnitude. You are all so amazing.

Angela Jhanji, Miguel Toro, Eric Dales Jillian & Rebecca Thomsen (Young at heart), I have written a separate tribute to all of you. Yet, I thought it was important to include you in this tribute as well, The Youth Assembly at the UN has brought us together, and I am sure that our friendship will last a lifetime.

Since I was 11, it has always been my passion to change world-- at a magnitude enough to save other lives other than my own. That passion has been channeled to devote my life to benefit our environment. There is an African proverb, "If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together." During this epic challenge, we have to go far, fast. As our world is in midst of a ‘global emergency, we should prepare and look forward for a life devoted to finding solutions to prevent climate change and it’s disastrous effects. I am positive that our generation can avert the effects of global warming.

I am very fortunate to be able to be acquainted with each and every one of you, as you are my inspiration. It is due to your drive and passion to create a healthier, safer, and cleaner environment for our generation that encourages young individuals, such as myself, to do the same.


With Love,
Esperanza Garcia
Blog: http://ecohope.blogspot.com/ <http://ecohope.blogspot.com/>

Awesome position paper on youth-led development and its benefits: http://www.youthinfocus.net/pdf/YIF_NDE.pdf

Next Monday marks the start of Global Action Week 2009, an international campaign week to let the world know that we need to provide education to all those who cannot access this basic right. Just as humans have the right to life, to basic shelter, food, water, and clothing, they too should be able to educate themselves.

Appropriately, the theme for this year's Week is "Literacy." The ability to read opens doors, such as providing access to the global information stream, to higher education, to basic health guidelines and more. The Canadian Global Campaign for Education, sponsor of the Global Action Week, is partnering with "Global Campaign for Education" partners to produce a series of short stories by prominent international humanitarian figures on said topic.

How you can take part in Global Action Week:
1. Register Online for Global Action Week 2009
2. Download the BIG READ stories and lessons.
3. Choose the lessons and stories to use with your class or group.
4. Do the BIG READ activities during Global Action Week (April 20-26, 2009)
5. Complete the Validation Form, and the Petition to the Canadian Government for more action.
6. Send both the Validation Form and Petition to CGCE by May 8, 2009.

Also, the Speak Up for Change blog is accepting submissions on "Literacy" to be published on the blog next week. Email editor@accesscharity.ca to submit yours.

See http://speakupforchange.blogspot.com/2009/03/want-to-take-action-global-action-week.html for more information.

"Youth-Led Development (YLD) is already an enormous field worth several billion dollars to the global economy. In many parts of the developing world, every village has a youth self-help association which deals with starting up small businesses, coping with crisis brought on by HIV/AIDs, war, trafficking, human rights abuses, gender violence, diseases, poverty, hunger, etc. Young people are directly responsible for their survival number in the millions. In the industrialized north, youth-led initiatives are increasingly widespread."

This blog covers all the news on youth in the developing world. It facilitates discourse on issues such as MDG progress, etc.

Subscribe to the blog. Get inspired to ACT now.

http://speakupforchange.blogspot.com/2009/03/want-to-take-action-global-action-week.html

UN Habitat has set up a special fund, championed by Norway, to help young people living in poverty.

"The Youth fund represents a milestone in the recognition at the highest levels of the need to practically support youth-led initiatives and lead the way for other organizations and governments to place youth at the centre of their development strategies."

http://www.unhabitat.org/content.asp?typeid=19&catid=531&cid=5695

Now, the fund for Urban Youth Led Development is giving out a grant to provide resources for groups addressing shelter, food, a better living environment, etc. for the urban poor.

Small youth initiatives may receive up to $5,000, and larger ones can receive up to $25,000.

The deadline to apply is JUNE 1, 2009.

Please check the website posted below for more information. You will find applications, etc. here.
http://www.unhabitat.org/content.asp?typeid=19&catid=531&cid=6329