Commonwealth Uth

The SHINE Unconference is back!

Now in its fourth year, SHINE 2011 takes place during Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), starting on Wednesday 16th November until Friday 18th November at the Hub Westminster. With the event less than six weeks away, it’s full steam ahead for us here in the SHINE team.

As the must-attend event within GEW, we’re busy planning SHINE content which will showcase the talents of social entrepreneurs from across the UK and allow early-stage entrepreneurs to network and connect with investors, support agencies and leading brands in an informal setting. SHINE delegates will be have access to a wide range of activities including participant-driven workshops, a social enterprise marketplace, masterclasses and speeding networking. A full schedule for across the three days will be available on the SHINE website in the next week.

We will be hosting the SE Alley on Thursday 27th October at our SHINE venue; the Hub Westminster. It will be a great opportunity to come and meet some of the team, find out a little more about what will be happening and talk about how you could potentially get involved.

So if you would like to be part of SHINE, whether that’s leading your own workshop or taking one of the limited spaces in the marketplace, then you can get in touch with us here at SHINE via:

email: shine2011@unltd.org.uk
twitter: @SHINEunconf / #SHINE_2011
facebook: www.facebook.com/shineunconference

‘We wish our youth to be a wellspring of optimism for all of us’ – Commonwealth Secretary-General

The Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF) was opened by Australia’s Prime Minister Julia Gillard at a spirited ceremony in the West Australian city of Fremantle on Monday, 24 October 2011.

Some 300 dignitaries, delegates and guests - including pupils from local schools - were welcomed with a traditional Aboriginal smoking ceremony, an indigenous dance and choir performance.

In her address, Ms Gillard urged young people: “Let your voice be heard and be informed by the values we hold dear as a Commonwealth. Those defining values of fairness, democracy, equality and opportunity for all. “We call these Commonwealth values. But in truth, they are human values. Values that draw from us dreams of a better future, that draw us together in idealism.

“To believe in the possibility of a better world and give of your own energies and efforts to make it possible.” She added: “Be idealists, speak with passion and commitment because you represent the future and the success or failure of that future depends on you.”

Speaking at the event, Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma expressed his delight that the 2011 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) was being held in Australia, with the CYF being the first official event of the week-long programme. The Secretary-General said he was looking forward to what is going to be achieved at the forum: “We wish our youth to be a wellspring of optimism for all of us, and the energy of young people should be better used,” he said.

At the opening ceremony, the Australian Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth, Peter Garrett, praised the Commonwealth for its commitment and willingness to work with young people. Of CYF, he said: “It’s a unique occasion and a big opportunity for the voice of Commonwealth youth to be heard with the hope - in fact the necessity - that the words here are matched by action.”

On the agenda is youth participation in decision-making; peace building and conflict management; environmental sustainability; health; and sustainable livelihoods and the economy.

Youth representatives from all over the Commonwealth countries of the world, including the Pacific region, are packing their bags for Perth, Western Australia in preparation for this month’s Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF8), which will be held from 23 to 27 October 2011.

The Commonwealth Youth Forum takes place every two years just prior to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). It reflects the spirit of the Commonwealth and highlights the Commonwealth’s commitment to the principles of democracy and diversity and to young people.

CYF provides an opportunity for Commonwealth youth leaders to identify their priorities for the next two years, share experiences and develop skills. It also provides a unique forum for youth delegates to contribute to the Commonwealth policy agenda.

“Young people do not present problems, they present solutions. It is of utmost importance that we listen to the views and ideas of young people, and include them in our policies and decision making”, said Ms Afu Billy, Regional Director for Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) Pacific Centre.

The Forum will be attended by up to 130 Australian and international delegates to develop understanding of the Commonwealth and to create a platform for young people to contribute to the Commonwealth.

CYP Pacific Centre will directly contribute through its research into a ‘Pacific framework for youth participation in decision making’ as well as leading a strategic thinking session to build skills for young Commonwealth leaders.

The meeting comes at a time of change for the Commonwealth, including the restructuring of the Commonwealth Youth Programme and the report of the Eminent Persons Group, which will deliver key recommendations affecting Commonwealth youth.

“CYP is delivering a new Commonwealth youth structure, for a new generation, so we are at a very exciting time,” said Ms Billy.

“CYP’s work is in keeping with international trends towards strengthening youth structures to enable young people to participate in solutions to today’s global challenges,” said Ms Billy.

CYF delegates will produce a communiqué which will be circulated at CHOGM and presented to the Commonwealth Secretariat. A select few will also be afforded the opportunity to meet with Heads of Governments as part of the Youth Dialogue with World Leaders, giving young people a chance to have their opinions heard by the leaders of Commonwealth countries.

The Commonwealth Youth Forum is organised by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations in association with the Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council and the Commonwealth Youth Programme.

The Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) is an international development agency that works to give young people aged 15 - 29 the skills, confidence and means to create a better future for themselves, their families and their communities. CYP works in partnership with young people, governments, NGOs and other key youth stakeholders

The Planning Group members are beginning to descend upon Perth for the pre-planning meeting, very exciting

The Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) in collaboration with the Zambia Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), the Ministry of Sports, Youth and Child Development (MSYCD), and partners are organizing an international training of trainers programme on “International Perspectives in Youth Entrepreneurship Training” IPYET 2012.

The programme is designed as an annual intensive trainer-of-trainers course in youth entrepreneurship training. The programme is expected to share experiences in youth entrepreneurship training in countries and introduce participants to contemporary materials,

techniques and approaches developed in the field.

Applications are thereby invited from all suitable candidates to the 3rd Edition of it’s annual “International Perspectives In Youth Entrepreneurship Training” scheduled for 20th -29th April 2012 in Zambia.

Submit completed application forms to ipyet@cypafrica.org.zm. Deadline for applications is 17th August, 2011.

Application Form

Call for participation

University of Buea, Cameroon, July 26-30 2010
With support from the Association of Commonwealth Universities

Sixty years after its formation, the Commonwealth still brings together a quarter of the world’s population. In November, Heads of Government from the 54 member states will meet in Perth, Australia, to receive a major report from an independent Eminent Persons Group on its future structure and activities. Activities such as the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Scholarships have a huge impact on the lives of millions. The Commonwealth claims to be a force for the ideals of democracy, human rights and good governance.

The inaugural Commonwealth Summer School will provide a unique opportunity for students from throughout the Commonwealth to engage with each other, and a team of international academics, in an informal atmosphere. Topics will embrace both the role of the Commonwealth and its impact on a range of major policy issues. There will also be sessions on how the Commonwealth can better engage with young people, through structures such as the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan.

The School is open to participants from all disciplines, who are currently studying at the ACU member institutions. Delegates should either be studying in the final undergraduate year, or at postgraduate level. To facilitate maximum discussion, we are aiming to restrict attendance to around sixty.

Further details of the conference, including application forms and the current draft programme, can be found at the ACU web site –http://www.acu.ac.uk/conferences/commonwealth_summer_school_2011 . The ACU is also offering a limited number of bursaries to support the participation of student delegates who could not otherwise afford to travel.

The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) in London is inviting young people from around the Commonwealth, to make their voice heard on a Global Platform, through Film and Photography. In previous years, winners of the competitions have included those making a film or taking a picture for the very first time. As noted by the RCS team, “what we are looking for is a creative spark, a unique insight, or a new idea!”

This year, the Commonwealth theme is ‘Women as Agents of Change’. To this end, the RCS is inviting entrants to use the medium of Film or Photography to describe the opportunities and barriers faced by women and the roles they play in their family, community and nation. Prizes across both competitions include monetary awards, Film and Photography equipment, exhibitions at prestigious venues and submission to prestigious festivals around the Commonwealth. In 2010, a selection of the filmmakers and photographers behind the judges’ favourite entries were also flown to London to visits famous sights (including a special tour of the Houses of Parliament) and to attend workshops with professional filmmakers and photographers. Furthermore, awards and prizes were presented at a special gala awards ceremony by Gurindher Chanda – the award-winning director of films such as Bend it like Beckham, Bride and Prejudice and Bhaji on The Beach. Details of this year’s top prize will be revealed at the beginning of July 2011. John Apea, the star of the iconic TV show, Home Sweet Home and a multiple African Movie Academy Award (AMAA) winner, who is currently working with the RCS to deliver these competitions noted: “This is a very exciting project which would provide unbelievable exposure for aspiring filmmakers and photographers. I urge all young people from the Commonwealth to get involved”. He adds, “whether your camera is big or small, expensive or inexpensive the RCS wants you to get involved”.

To be eligible to enter the competition, entrants must be under 30 years old and from or resident in a Commonwealth country. Also, the film or photograph must be connected to the theme ‘Women as Agents of Change’, and up to 4 minutes in length. Submission can be made online before the deadline of 1st August at www.rcsregister.org/public/index/index). Alternatively, entrants can upload entries on YouTube (or a similar site), and email the link together with a completed entry form to competitions@thercs.org. Postal entries can also be made by printing and completing the application form and sending it together with your entry, to the appropriate address.

More information, about the competitions can be found on the RCS website: www.thercs.org/youth/competitions, or email competitions@thercs.org or youth@thercs.org with any questions.

The youth of today should be seen as agents for peace-building, this is according to Auckland City Councilor Alfred Filipaina, during his speech to participants at the opening of the four day, Wansolwara Youth Peace-building Conference‟ beginning today at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, Auckland Airport, New Zealand.

“As young people you need to be the change, the change has to start with you. I wish you luck on this journey to building peace in your respective countries. When looking at conflict prevention in the Pacific, it is important to take into account cultural values and modern knowledge to resolve conflicts,” says Filipaina.

Filipaina advised the 20 youth delegates from Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia that the road to leadership is paved by service and it is about educating young people and empowering them so that they promote best practices in peace-building.

Roki Carl, the only participant from the Northern Pacific says; “the conference has been effective because it is crucial to explore best practices in youth advocacy and we are made to think about how young people can work together to effect positive change in their communities and beyond.”

Ana Kolokihakaufisi a youth delegate from Tonga voiced the importance of exploring the reasons as to why conflict happens and how to involve the youth to be agents for peace-building.

Aman Kushal Singh from Fiji shared similar sentiments and articulated that; “so far it has been exciting, we have got to know each other really well. A safe environment has been created by delegates and this is needed at this peace building conference to foster mutual understanding and initiate good dialogue to take place.”

This is the first Pacific Regional Youth Peace-Building Conference of its kind. The aim is to build on this activity and enable several in-country peace building initiatives for youth in different Pacific Island Countries (PICs). .

A youth statement will also be issued at the end of the conference which will call on Pacific leaders to give more prominence on youth participation as peace-builders with the hope that it will be acknowledged in the Pacific Islands Leaders meeting in September as well as the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth, Australia in October.

The workshop is being facilitated by the Pacific Nkabom Steering Committee which is a group of young people who represented the Pacific region at the Nkabom Commonwealth Youth Leadership Programme in 2010 in Rwanda, Africa.

The conference is supported and funded by the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP Pacific), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

For further information on the Wansolwara Youth Peace-building conference please contact Pacific Nkabom Youth Steering Committee members Katrina Mau [+64220294559] or Alafale Andrew Fonoti Lesa [+64210421589] or email: katrina_mau@hotmail.com or southauckland@savemovement.org