tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33079045047101345082024-02-19T17:31:32.715-05:00Innovations in Civic Participation<a href="http://icicp.org">http://www.icicp.org</a>
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ICP facilitates the creation of opportunities for young people to change their communities for the better and motivate increased civic engagement with its support of the development of innovative approaches to two civic participation strategies: national youth service and service-learning.Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00009813972377020459noreply@blogger.comBlogger118125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307904504710134508.post-21598352852040821352011-07-05T12:19:00.002-04:002011-07-05T12:21:38.031-04:00Youth Volunteers are taking action this summer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_eJ_unKGzRJveJtrFnyq_PGE8oHbHNH8XMXGX2LKFsStB6hbuvqaBOC8qV_8oWwJ-vIJ2GJxNGVdkACELMUGhSMjyvMUTAKWCd9rJ5GBZAA-xl1jS4yUE5ejm3PetZaWlKeFt34JCJU/s1600/Costa+Rica.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_eJ_unKGzRJveJtrFnyq_PGE8oHbHNH8XMXGX2LKFsStB6hbuvqaBOC8qV_8oWwJ-vIJ2GJxNGVdkACELMUGhSMjyvMUTAKWCd9rJ5GBZAA-xl1jS4yUE5ejm3PetZaWlKeFt34JCJU/s200/Costa+Rica.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625903930817585938" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">As the summer officially starts we are also approaching the closing months of what the United Nations (UN) officially declared as the <a href="http://social.un.org/youthyear/">International Year of Youth: Dialogue and Mutual Understanding</a>. Young leaders from around the globe have taken the past year as an opportunity to express their desire to be heard and their willingness to be active members of their communities. These efforts will not cease because classes are over or its summer time. On the contrary, children and young adults are volunteering abroad, aiding those affected by natural disaster, or participating in local community service programs throughout the summer.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In <a href="http://costaricateamjournal.blogspot.com/">Costa Rica</a> eight international students are rebuilding <a name="_GoBack"></a>local schools as part of a civic engagement program called <a href="http://www.globalvolunteers.org/">Global Volunteers</a>. This is a private non-profit organization engaging volunteers in micro-economic and human development projects worldwide. As part of this program, eight students are using social media to record their efforts through blog posts and photo galleries. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In the Philippines <a href="http://www.hfhi.org/intl/country/160/story/06_09_2011_1600_Volunteers_For_HFH_Philippines_Youth_Build.aspx?tgs=Ni8zMC8yMDExIDQ6MTg6MDcgUE0%3d">a record number of 1,600 youth volunteers</a> answered Habitat for Humanity Philippines‘ call to participate in their ‘1K for 1 Day’ program. A diverse group of students coming from international schools, universities, and local entities built the foundation of 80 houses in one day. Ricky Jacinto, HFH Philippines’ CEO, said: “It’s never too early or too late for nation-building. It’s time we (adults) learn from them”, when referring to the youth volunteers.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">On a larger scale, students from all over the world are using their knowledge and expertise to improve their communities. In Mexico, for example, more than <a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/intern5/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.Outlook/YJMDLFK1/ww.oem.com.mx/laprensa/notas/n2125790.htm">400 education majors</a> are being trained to become ‘Community Tutors’. With the support of local government agencies, these future educators will be tutoring more than 1,000 children in preschool, primary and secondary schools who are in risk of failing the school year. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The United States has also made a pledge to serve the country and communities this summer as part of the ‘United We Serve’ project. President Obama asked volunteers to develop their own projects and lay a foundation for growth. Recognizing that at least <a href="http://www.polk-fl.net/community/volunteers/documents/servicelearning/FactSheet_ROSITV.pdf">55% of youth volunteer in the USA</a>, this summer they are <a href="http://www.krtv.com/news/young-volunteers-help-clean-up-downtown-great-falls/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter">cleaning the streets</a>, <a href="http://www.register-herald.com/todaysfrontpage/x357282876/Boy-Scouts-volunteers-to-build-trails">building green areas and park trails</a>, or <a href="http://www.foodforthepoor.org/newsroom/news/students-build-homes-06-20-11.html">raising funds for those in need</a>. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">ICP also supports Summer of Service (SOS) projects engaging students in service-learning projects during the summer months. Check out the findings on participant outcomes for the 2010 Summer of Service pilots <a href="http://icicp.org/ht/a/GetDocumentAction/i/15080">here</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Additional resources for Summer of Service initiatives are available on the <a href="http://www.icicp.org/ht/d/sp/i/9945/pid/9945">SOS Resource Center</a>. A study conduct by the <a href="http://www.polk-fl.net/community/volunteers/documents/servicelearning/FactSheet_ROSITV.pdf">Corporation for National & Community Service</a> concluded that youth who volunteer are more likely to do better in their academic development and influence other family members to engage in similar activities. These young inspiring individuals are having a positive, sustainable impact in their communities, and gaining valuable skills to incorporate in their transition to adulthood.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">If you are looking for volunteer opportunities this summer here are some options:<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/initiatives/summer.asp#UWS">http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/initiatives/summer.asp#UWS</a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://redcrossyouth.org/">http://redcrossyouth.org/</a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.foodforthepoor.org/mission/">http://www.foodforthepoor.org/mission/</a><o:p></o:p></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><b>What you are doing this summer? Tell us in the comments below!</b><o:p></o:p></p></div></span></span>ICPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234030420192625070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307904504710134508.post-48062066543203619442011-06-03T12:34:00.004-04:002011-06-08T09:45:47.788-04:00College graduates taking a gap year to volunteer instead of going into the work force<!--[if !mso]> <style> v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> 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Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults ext="edit" spidmax="1027"> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout ext="edit"> <o:idmap ext="edit" data="1"> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">As the Class of 2011 enters into “the real world” many are not going straight into the work force, but instead are joining different organizations and taking a “gap year” to volunteer all over the world. Some take this gap year to take the time to figure out what they would like to do post-university. Others take this time to fulfill a calling to volunteer. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">In these programs graduates have the opportunity to volunteer in a particular area that suits their interests. Many organizations have programs such as: teaching, environment and conservation, animal care, human rights and health care. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The <a href="http://www.nationalservice.gov/">National Civilian Conservation Corps (NCCC),</a> a branch of <a href="http://www.americorps.gov/Default.asp">AmeriCorps</a>, is a popular program for people looking to take a gap year. One project that the NCCC was a part of was <a href="http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/current/stories_detail.asp?tbl_stories_id=78">planning a Christmas party</a> for 500 victims of Hurricane Katrina. The volunteers, whom were taking a gap year, took donations of Christmas presents from all over the country and set up a teen club aboard a cruise ship where the victims were staying. The volunteers organized the holiday party with gifts, decorations, music and holiday cheer. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Another reason college graduate turn to a gap year is because of the unavailability of jobs. This gap year is not considered a year without work. Graduates are able to put this experience on their resume and gives them an advantage when applying to jobs the next year. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.southasiapeacealliance.org/">The South Asia Peac</a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJmqmsic3ALKzp_Uw6Z4hqFGkXDbqO5Q5ZCUZMNCvdr9UgKJysObf77dKdsvTa8OM5nJqaHamObVWfm9b6PIvVXIZuuxAaxdCZKzK2i1V-E5MnJomqvuewy0k7Llcz4fRWgcXoV11OXE/s1600/Unrolling+Biologs.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJmqmsic3ALKzp_Uw6Z4hqFGkXDbqO5Q5ZCUZMNCvdr9UgKJysObf77dKdsvTa8OM5nJqaHamObVWfm9b6PIvVXIZuuxAaxdCZKzK2i1V-E5MnJomqvuewy0k7Llcz4fRWgcXoV11OXE/s200/Unrolling+Biologs.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614038815802102242" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.southasiapeacealliance.org/">e Alliance</a> has many programs abroad for volunteers all over the world. They support volunteers engaged in community development efforts. Their programs include one to <a href="http://www.southasiapeacealliance.org/college-graduates-turn-to-volunteering-in-africa.html">volunteer in Africa</a>. These programs allow graduates to indulge into the culture of their particular country and give back to the community that is hosting them. For example, many volunteers build roads in African countries enabling easier access to water and other necessities. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The <a href="http://www.peacecorps.gov/">Peace Corps</a>, a well known program throughout the world, is one that many college graduates join. College graduates can commit to two years with the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps has programs in 77 different countries, placing participants in programs that match their skills. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">A gap year takes a lot of consideration. The experience is one like you will never have! More information about gap year opportunities are available online through organizations such as <a href="http://globalcitizenyear.org/">Global Citizen Year</a> and <a href="http://www.serve.gov/">Serve.gov</a>. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Have you taken a gap year? Tell us your story in the comments below! If you haven’t taken a gap year, let us know your thoughts and if you plan on taking one! <span style=""> </span></p>Nichole Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977686947995019384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307904504710134508.post-40808029030107578142011-05-31T11:07:00.004-04:002011-05-31T11:17:28.236-04:00Many Americans are stepping up to help those affected by natural disasters at home<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> 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mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]-->A twister in Joplin, Mo., killing over 120 people and record breaking floods up and down the Mississippi River have volunteers from all over the United States helping with recovery efforts. Volunteers with many different organizations are traveling to different disaster sites helping out <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDECs8O2UIZj8rRuN7JCOCy5x1YHTIohxPyNfwXo1sRCFsn9R3L60Cek3E5YuS-hs4kn88_8K8PWSzj5MtwjDqzqVlahxP2bjThYp7Cc9CbSBldFo439LjHVxT-VOVlOYd-uxGfaRUAUE/s1600/2588884712_de5cb3b71d.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDECs8O2UIZj8rRuN7JCOCy5x1YHTIohxPyNfwXo1sRCFsn9R3L60Cek3E5YuS-hs4kn88_8K8PWSzj5MtwjDqzqVlahxP2bjThYp7Cc9CbSBldFo439LjHVxT-VOVlOYd-uxGfaRUAUE/s200/2588884712_de5cb3b71d.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612898119150215602" border="0" /></a>where they can. <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>In Mississippi a group of college-age volunteers who are part of the <a href="http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/nccc.asp">National </a><a href="http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/nccc.asp">Civi</a><a href="http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/nccc.asp">lian Community Corps</a>, a program within <a href="http://www.americorps.gov/Default.asp">AmeriCorps,</a> have been <a href="http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2011/05/14/volunteers-help-vicksburg-miss-flood-preparations/">working diligently o</a><a href="http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2011/05/14/volunteers-help-vicksburg-miss-flood-preparations/">n preparing towns</a> up and down the Mississippi River for the inevitable flooding. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>Many of the volunteers from the NCCC were helping with Hurricane Katrina recovery when the reports of flooding along the Mississippi River came in. About 100 volunteers were transferred to Vicksburg, Miss., to begin preparing for the impending flood. They have been making sand bags for residents and businesses to protect them from the rising water. AmeriCorps also sent a <a href="http://www.americorps.gov/about/newsroom/releases_detail.asp?tbl_pr_id=1994">specially trained emergency team</a> to help with the disaster in Joplin, Mo. Their help along with other volunteers and organizations have led to the rescue of nine people.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>Other organizat<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5LNgwCFJMozL4CzVTnCJLbKUdJMn9gPKu1ZdYOsC9HXLJ7OFdkGMk_I5BR4jBWqZoCUqLQmaqFI-q0ZCER6bJtWQAzsTBL3DSHRyqkqy7_Dy_Jy5kKtOQmJYSV_MaKS6O1IbVpyQ1PU/s1600/5760088325_5f77a66a49.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5LNgwCFJMozL4CzVTnCJLbKUdJMn9gPKu1ZdYOsC9HXLJ7OFdkGMk_I5BR4jBWqZoCUqLQmaqFI-q0ZCER6bJtWQAzsTBL3DSHRyqkqy7_Dy_Jy5kKtOQmJYSV_MaKS6O1IbVpyQ1PU/s200/5760088325_5f77a66a49.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612898246141555618" border="0" /></a>ions are also transferring volunteers to different parts of the country to help with the recent tornados that have hit Joplin, Mo. <a href="http://www.redcross.org/en/">The Red Cross</a> continues to help victims in the storm ravaged south and the flooding of the Mississippi River, but has transferred volunteers to Joplin, Mo. to help with the destruction that was caused by the deadliest tornado in the US in 64 years. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>According to <a href="http://www.wreg.com/news/wreg-red-cross-volunteers-joplin-story,0,4822637.story">Memphis, Tenn. WREG News Channel 3</a>, volunteers have been transferred many times during these spring months. Kathy Maloney, a retired nurse volunteering for the Red Cross, has been transferred from Tuscaloosa, Al., to Memphis, Tenn., and is now being sent to Joplin, Mo. to help where she is needed. Maloney and other volunteers of the Red Cross establish shelters for those who have been displaced because of these disasters. In Joplin, Mo. Red Cross volunteers set up a shelter at a local high school that was not harmed during the tornados. Theses shelters give those with nowhere to go a place to stay. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>The <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42992281/ns/local_news-jackson_ms/t/volunteers-help-pets-displaced-miss-flooding/">United Animal Nations</a>, a California based non-profit group, also contributed to the response effort in the recent disasters, by establishing shelters for displaced pets whose owners have disappeared. The UAN helps rescue workers by placing animals in shelters so they do not hamper the rescue and recovery efforts.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>Residents in Pittsburg, Pa. loaded trucks with supplies to deliver to Joplin. College athletes and other volunteers from Pittsburg State University have been <a href="http://www.mcphersonsentinel.com/state_news/x31874647/Community-comes-together-to-aid-Joplin">sorting and taking donations</a>. These volunteers loaded 14 pallets of supplies for those affected by the tornados.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>People from across the country have helped by donating their time, money, supplies and resources. These disasters have brought people together through volunteering. Visit the <a href="http://www.redcross.org/">Red Cross Website</a> to help with the relief efforts! Already involved? 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Pilot<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"></span></p>Nichole Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977686947995019384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307904504710134508.post-27462753928107196402011-05-24T16:15:00.006-04:002011-05-25T09:51:32.640-04:00The Young Volunteers of JapanThe Young Volunteers of Japan<br /> <br />Volunteering isn’t a large part of Japanese culture, and the young especially may be considered by some as lazy and “lost”. However, in the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, young people have stepped up and taken the lead in rebuilding their country, changing views of their generation in the process. <br /><br />Young people around Japan have traveled north to volunteer. In Tome, Miyagi, a northern Japanese city, a group of young college women from Tokyo helped b<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWdHHZrBQ45UyEiBP2kli3y0iJEPFhWkJzcgzOevnR6OGSvt6p0EuUq5vc4LtckEJnA8UOsP-Dh7ZnhppbvHLYdhfEOpVlodfa4UqTYfPE2uecIv2vpAopqKtKw8aw3lc5Ks8Bmi64LM/s1600/5565118061_2845cdeb2f.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWdHHZrBQ45UyEiBP2kli3y0iJEPFhWkJzcgzOevnR6OGSvt6p0EuUq5vc4LtckEJnA8UOsP-Dh7ZnhppbvHLYdhfEOpVlodfa4UqTYfPE2uecIv2vpAopqKtKw8aw3lc5Ks8Bmi64LM/s320/5565118061_2845cdeb2f.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610381917343433970" border="0" /></a>y folding and distributing children’s clothing. <br /><br />Young people in Japan started a non-profit group called Youth for 3.11. Their primary goal is to send college students and young adults to the Tohoku region of Japan to help with the relief efforts. They have had over 1,800 students register to volunteer. <br /> <br />Tohoku Rising is another new youth organization that has flourished due to the recent earthquakes and tsunamis. They have utilized social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, to organize relief donations. In addition they have sent volunteers to the Tohoku region.<br /><br />Not only are these young people helping by raising funds and distributing clothing, food and water, they are interacting with the residents of the affected areas. They are doing this in order to better suit the needs of those affected in the long run. Young people in Japan have made a point that they will be here beyond the immediate relief efforts.<br /><br />These young people have gone against stereotypes and have proven that they will be a presence in years to come. Are you doing something to support Japan’s recovery efforts and other countries in crisis in the years to come? Let us know by commenting below!<br /><br /><span><span>Photo by: Creative Commons <br /> Username: Kianno </span></span>Nichole Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977686947995019384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307904504710134508.post-74716573056935143972011-04-20T12:13:00.007-04:002011-04-20T12:18:42.052-04:00A Billion Acts of Green<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHfkddDNiFJvUhA4sVonww8x8RAcg-Rdwv3ddwTg3UCg8jMk1kPKc2TiZpIbeveqlFk1_L1FDT_oscej3YSDeSOBbmpEyEFUdhxld3r0BvE3lb1TYxiagvPM2iHP_8SnxgWfoGzecjng/s1600/GYS+1.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 276px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHfkddDNiFJvUhA4sVonww8x8RAcg-Rdwv3ddwTg3UCg8jMk1kPKc2TiZpIbeveqlFk1_L1FDT_oscej3YSDeSOBbmpEyEFUdhxld3r0BvE3lb1TYxiagvPM2iHP_8SnxgWfoGzecjng/s320/GYS+1.JPG" alt="" 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mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]-->April 22, 2011 is the 41<sup>st</sup> anniversary of <a href="http://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2011">Earth Day</a>. This year’s theme, “A Billion Acts of Green”, aims to get everyone involved in environmental advocacy and service. <p class="MsoNormal">Earth day was started in 1970 by Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin. Horrified by the environmental devastation wreaked by the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill (a spill which, for the record, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/07/29/gulf-spill-lacks-transformational-punch-santa-barbara-oil-spill/">was far smaller</a> than the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill), Senator Nelson sought to capitalize on the mobilizing power of college students to seek environmental change. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Originally, Earth Day was to be a day of teaching and environmental advocacy, but it has grown into a day of service as well. Young people around the globe have dedicated their time and energy to helping better the earth, both on Earth Day and year-round.<span style=""> </span>The <a href="http://www.thesca.org/about">Student Conservation Association</a> (SCA), for example, has over 4,000 interns and volunteers who provide more than two million hours of conservation service per year and is sponsoring several <a href="http://www.thesca.org/events">Earth Day events</a>. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">But what can you do to get involved in Earth Day? <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52Q6I4pwp2FR7D2q0IX924pHJQ44u8rk99lCHBeUJZ2myXpu8kN348EcTDBON7_zsmzBKseNwRBYF3ZoeHWRBgqj26sI6dYe_F8MLbRDH2eiEzRNXlEv8aHQ-P5NglU2yFGg6UvBrwS8/s1600/GYS+2.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 297px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52Q6I4pwp2FR7D2q0IX924pHJQ44u8rk99lCHBeUJZ2myXpu8kN348EcTDBON7_zsmzBKseNwRBYF3ZoeHWRBgqj26sI6dYe_F8MLbRDH2eiEzRNXlEv8aHQ-P5NglU2yFGg6UvBrwS8/s320/GYS+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597700219819984754" border="0" /></a>A lot! Attend an Earth Day <a href="http://act.earthday.org/events/search/distance/10006">event</a> in your area, or make a <a href="http://act.earthday.org/">pledge</a> to turn off your lights, take the bus or carpool to work, or call your representative about environmental issues.<span style=""> </span>Even just going to your local park and cleaning up trash is helpful! A great thing you can do for Earth Day, however, is to celebrate it every day. The environment doesn’t just need our projection one day a year, it needs it every day. Making small changes in your life can do far more for the environment than attending a one-day event (though we certainly encourage that as well!).</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Here at ICP, we strongly support Earth Day and the environmental movement.<span style=""> </span>We are advocates of the <a href="http://youthgo.gov/employment-program/21st-century-conservation-service-corps">21<sup>st</sup> Century Conservation Service Corps</a> and other strategies for expanding opportunities for environment-focused youth service, <span style=""> </span>and have created the <a href="http://www.icicp.org/ht/d/sp/i/8957/pid/8957">Green Youth Service Resource Center</a> to help compile publications, news<span style=""> </span>and funding opportunities for environment-focused youth service. If you have any additional information for our resource center, email us at <a href="mailto:info@icicp.org">info@icicp.org</a> or, as always, just let us know in the comments!</p> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> <w:word11kerningpairs/> <w:cachedcolbalance/> </w:Compatibility> 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src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhB-RtDpJceb5tucwRqG3ZlkDLuH76j9L0-jMhiYFLG8GpS_V-B-HsQIu3zW5xy6kWr4eZdBnulW5TMkpxZMDDrUh7ZbRjnJuA8uCFzgwCnqXJusLEzRpD26jLKTqBqN2SswN6Axqa-o/s320/GYSD.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595839947531164850" border="0" /></a><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> 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mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]-->Starting today through April 17, millions of people around the globe will be celebrating <a href="http://www.gysd.org/">Global Youth Service Day</a>, the world’s largest event dedicated to service. <span style=""> </span>Many organizations have been planning their events for months (though there are still plenty of ways to <a href="http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6492/p/salsa/event/common/public/search.sjs?distributed_event_KEY=311">get involved</a> for all the last-minute types) and have put together really impressive programs. Check out this <a href="http://icicp.blogspot.com/2011/03/global-youth-service-day-is-coming-soon.html">blog</a> for more general GYSD information. <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.ypwc.org/">Young People We Care (YPWC</a>), a youth-led nonprofit in Ghana, is serving as the GYSD West African Regional Partner for the second time. Founded in 2005, YPWC seeks to provide a “'youthful voice' that seeks to address the numerous challenges facing leaders of tomorrow by effectively using young resourceful minds to influence the course of global policy formulation and development in a consistent and harmonized manner”. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmX1C8R75hDR_5C0scR3c2wcMVEoCB_81pgKpSrDrd-P5BD_mFmyJt-k6Y6m7WIp6WDUCZCcEUTGogrmHXPrLIJJUTJzkAvCRIg24gbwlfwIbl1oGAKNucb1A1HT8n_wV2oLcslepdhg/s1600/YPWC.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 159px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmX1C8R75hDR_5C0scR3c2wcMVEoCB_81pgKpSrDrd-P5BD_mFmyJt-k6Y6m7WIp6WDUCZCcEUTGogrmHXPrLIJJUTJzkAvCRIg24gbwlfwIbl1oGAKNucb1A1HT8n_wV2oLcslepdhg/s320/YPWC.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595839346221796066" border="0" /></a>To celebrate Global Youth Service Day, YPWC has been holding events throughout the month of April.<span style=""> </span>To launch the GYSD festivities, YPWC held a kickoff event at the University of Education, Winneba. This event, emceed by a popular radio host, featured speeches by a<span style=""> </span>Presidential candidate, members of Ghana’s National Youth Council, and Nana Ama Agyeiwaa, winner of the 2010 Ghana's Most Beautiful cultural reality show and Millennium Development Goals Ambassador, as well as presentations by students from the local Jr. High School.<span style=""> </span>Following the launch event, participants traveled to the rural community on the outskirts of Kumasi, Ghana to help with a local clean-up effort.<span style=""> </span>Children and adults cleaned the town “until they couldn’t clean anymore!” </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""> </span>In addition to the launch event, YPWC has helped to facilitate the events of its partners throughout West Africa. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">In Liberia,<i> Child Liberia</i></span> will mobilize youth in three geographical regions of Liberia including urban slum communities and rural towns and villages to promote HIV/AIDS prevention campaign using community information systems, culture dances, drama and radio jingles. The goal is to respond to the 8.5% HIV/AIDS rate reported in 2010 and help young people lead activities of youth football education to pass messages.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">In Togo,<i> </i></span><a href="http://www.ptpi.org/"><i>People to People International</i></a> plans to<span style=""> </span>use GYSD to engage youth in clean-up exercises, promote inter-educational and cultural programs and activities in schools, engage youth to volunteer in the children's homes and to assist people living with HIV/AIDS and organize tree planting activities in at least 15 schools across the nation</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">In Sierra Leone<i>, Saviour and Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE)</i></span> will organize 3 major projects in 12 communities, with the "Youth Awareness Campaign" also implemented in 2 communities. This campaign will include visiting ghettos and sensitizing youth on the effects of drug abuse. The "Sweep Up and Pick Up Campaign" will mobilize youth to sweep and pick up unwanted materials within 6 communities. SAVE will also initiate a one-day tree planting campaign with the Forestry Division in the Ministry of Agriculture.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="">These projects are just a sample of the many projects occurring right now in West Africa and countries around the world. Clearly, West African Youth are involved and excited to serve. What are you doing for GYSD? Let us know in the comments! </p>Nichole Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977686947995019384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307904504710134508.post-90436898922203909052011-04-06T16:11:00.003-04:002011-04-06T16:16:03.748-04:00Celebrating National Volunteer Week<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFCHceS7V7lDyp6goN3GB5P-wpElVnfLrCHBLKkCzhcXWFHho5ct16ykhfyqHBc8z0oEi3NIgvTlcToFzWompY_OV8mJPN9Q4BT_wtnRZ6-huzQrNLq4GwhO9jvdWccYYaZNm3g3JN0I/s1600/NVW3.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFCHceS7V7lDyp6goN3GB5P-wpElVnfLrCHBLKkCzhcXWFHho5ct16ykhfyqHBc8z0oEi3NIgvTlcToFzWompY_OV8mJPN9Q4BT_wtnRZ6-huzQrNLq4GwhO9jvdWccYYaZNm3g3JN0I/s320/NVW3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592566702150314466" border="0" /></a><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> 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mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">F<span style="font-family:arial;">rom April 10-16, 2011, nonprofits and other organizations across the nation will be celebrating </span></span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.handsonnetwork.org/nationalprograms/signatureevents/nvw">National Volunteer Week</a><span style="font-family:arial;"> (NVW),</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"> a time dedicated to “</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:10pt;" >inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities.” </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"> Everyone likes to be recognized for their good work, and volunteers are no different.<span style=""> </span>In a time when Congress is considering completely <a href="http://www.saveservice.org/">cutting the Corporation for National and Community S</a>ervice, it is more important than ever to recognize the great work volunteers do in the community, and to show <a href="http://www.tnr.com/article/politics/86230/americorps-obama-bush-republican-budget-cuts">how much we would lose by cutting volunteer services.</a> (For ways to tell Congress why they shouldn’t cut service, please visit <a href="http://www.saveservice.org/">www.saveservice.org</a>.) </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"> Instead of just thanking the volunteers themselves, tell the entire community how important volunteers are. </span><a href="http://handsonblog.org/2011/04/06/four-tips-for-a-different-national-volunteer-week/?utm_source=HandsOnNetwork&utm_medium=Twitter&utm_campaign=Blog&sf1277653=1"><span style="font-size:10pt;">This blog</span></a><span style="font-size:10pt;"> has four tips for sharing the importance of volunteers with the greater community, including writing letters to the editor and contacting your state and national representation.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"> There are many ways to commemorate National Volunteer week, which will be filled with ceremonies honoring dedicated volunteers and events designed to get communities involved in volunteering. HandsOn Network has produced a great </span><a href="http://www.handsonnetwork.org/files/NVW_ResourceGuide_2011.pdf"><span style="font-size:10pt;">resource guide</span></a><span style="font-size:10pt;"> to help nonprofits plan and promote their events, and is also recognizing volunteers of their own. You can learn more about nominations for HandsOn volunteer recognition </span><a href="http://www.pointsoflight.org/recognition"><span style="font-size:10pt;">here</span></a><span style="font-size:10pt;">. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"> National Volunteer Week generally focuses on recognizing people who already volunteer, but is also a great opportunity to get more people involved in volunteer efforts. Many people don’t volunteer because they don’t know how to get involved, and National Volunteer Week is a great time to get the word out about volunteering opportunities. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"> Many groups are holding large, one-time events during National Volunteer Week that will engage the whole community and put their efforts and volunteers in the spotlight. In ICP’s neighborhood, on April 15-16, <a href="http://www.greaterdccares.org/HomePage/index.php/servathon2011.html">Greater DC Cares</a> is holding its annual Servathon. Over 8,000 volunteers will participate in nearly 100 service projects across the Greater DC area, doing everything from painting schools to <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/24/AR2010042402797.html">painting nails.</a> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">Want to participate in a National Volunteer Week event? </span><a href="https://www.volunteermatch.org/seasonsofservice/nvw"><span style="font-size:10pt;">VolunteerMatch.org</span></a><span style="font-size:10pt;"> has 5,000 different NVW activities listed, including both short-term and long-term volunteering opportunities. With so many options, everyone can get involved! </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"> Is your organization doing something for National Volunteer Week? Are you participating in an event? 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mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">From 8:30-9:30pm on March 26, individuals, businesses and cities around the globe turned off the lights to celebrate <a href="http://www.earthhour.org/Homepage.aspx">Earth Hour</a>, a day designed to raise awareness of climate change and global environmental issues. 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font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""> </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/87777282@N00/246560825/" title="Clean-up crew by newwavegurly, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/88/246560825_14df4d55dc.jpg" alt="Clean-up crew" width="500" height="375" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.ong-jve.org/">Jeunes Volontaires pour l’Environnement</a> (Young Volunteers for the Environment) is a youth-led nonprofit that works to involve other young people in sustainable development. Headquartered in Togo, JVE has more than 30 branches throughout the nation and 17 international representations in a diverse group of countries ranging from Kenya to Switzerland. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>JVE has implemented a number of projects, including increased environmental education in schools, weekly radio and TV programs on sustainable development, and organizing the first youth forum on social justice, which featured the Bhopal tragedy. They have also participated in conferences around the globe, and worked in tandem with other ecological networks such as the <a href="http://www.earthday.org/">Earth Day Network</a>,<a href="http://www.africanbiodiversity.org/"> African Biodiversity Network</a> and the <a href="http://www.youthlink.org/">Global Youth Action Network</a>. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">In another example, in Maine, 18-year-old Chloe Maxim founded the Climate Action Club at her high school. This club managed to establish a “no idling” policy on campus, purchased solar panels for the school and helped to launch a reusable bag campaign, even convincing the state’s largest supermarket to participate. This was impressive enough, but Chloe also began and maintained an online network of young environmentalists called <a href="http://www.firstheretheneverywhere.org/home.html">First Here, Then Everywhere</a>. Consisting of a website and a <a href="http://firsthere.ning.com/profiles/blog/list">community space</a>, First Here, Then Everywhere allows young people around the globe to share ideas and projects, learn from each other and find like-minded friends. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.cyen.org/">The Caribbean Youth Environment Network </a>(CYEN) is a non-profit focused on empowering young people and their communities to develop programs and actions to address socio-economic and environmental issues. CYEN is comprised of individuals and youth groups who want to work together to address environmental issues. <span style=""> </span>They work throughout the Caribbean on a variety of projects, including cleaning up marine debris and litter and encouraging sustainable land management. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/">It’s Getting Hot in Here</a> is an online global community originally created to allow youth to report from the International Climate Negotiations in Montreal in 2005. Since then, it has expanded into a forum where over 300 young writers express their ideas and share information to stop global warming. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">These groups, and many others, are working hard to protect our natural resources. 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Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="">Picture courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/87777282@N00/246560825/#/">newwavegurly</a></p>Nichole Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977686947995019384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307904504710134508.post-19751840102102434202011-03-22T13:24:00.005-04:002011-03-22T13:32:09.082-04:00Celebrating World Water Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBySuHOQDXqK0Vm2dNiQtH-lejISOiL5b5Z52rxXU0UwKFiiGfLD3yf4S6kGasfd_X-3VZjHgxFmytC5HlJEEuDy_VshyphenhyphenfgyoJ6gczJQSbEXlm5CuqipaaTvvh9AFfNBk1DtcOmIHb29c/s1600/WWD.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBySuHOQDXqK0Vm2dNiQtH-lejISOiL5b5Z52rxXU0UwKFiiGfLD3yf4S6kGasfd_X-3VZjHgxFmytC5HlJEEuDy_VshyphenhyphenfgyoJ6gczJQSbEXlm5CuqipaaTvvh9AFfNBk1DtcOmIHb29c/s320/WWD.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586957269131473250" border="0" /></a><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> 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</style> <![endif]-->Today, March 22, 2011, is <a href="http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/index.html">World Water Day</a> (WWD), a day designated to celebrate a resource that everyone needs to survive. Recommended at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992 and put into action the following year, World Water Day works to highlight an aspect of fresh water that is particularly important. This year, the theme is <i style="">Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenge.</i> <p class="MsoNormal">World Water Day is holding conferences in Cape Town, South Africa, to address the issues of clean water in cities, and to discuss how changes in water recycling, city planning and water conservation can help guarantee clean water for everyone.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Every month, the urban population <a href="http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/download/wwd2011_advocacy_guide.pdf">grows by 5 million residents</a>, mostly in developing nations. The growth in urban areas has far outpaced the growth in the water supply system, and right now <a href="http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/download/wwd2011_advocacy_guide.pdf">over 25%</a> of people in cities don’t have water piped into their homes. This problem is only expected to get worse in the coming years.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Young people around the world are working diligently to help solve water issues. For example, the <a href="http://www.reworktheworld.org/Projects/Water/WaternbspandnbspYouthnbspMovement/tabid/728/Default.aspx">International Youth Water Movement</a> is working to create new business models that allow for sustainable water use and increased water access. They are doing this by creating “Centers for Youth Enterprise Development”, which would allow young entrepreneurs to advance new ideas and form new networks. Through this movement, young people <a href="http://www.reworktheworld.org/Projects/Water/WaternbspandnbspYouthnbspMovement/tabid/728/Default.aspx">have reached agreements with local governments to guarantee sanitation and water access in 100,000 homes, influenced water access legislation in Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Nicaragua,</a> and completed a number of other goals. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">They can’t do it alone. In the spirit of World Water Day, here are some things you can do to help save and protect the world’s supply of freshwater. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Take part in a World Water Day event! Though WWD is in March, events occur throughout the year. From irrigation testing in India to an <a href="http://www.facebook.com/?sk=events#%21/event.php?eid=168873973161618">event promoting tap water</a> in New York, <a href="http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/events/events-list/en/">find an event that appeals to you here</a>. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">At home, little changes can add up. Turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth can save up to <a href="http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/water_efficiency/what_you_can_do.html">8 gallons of water per day</a>, and each minute you shave off your shower can <a href="http://www.fi.edu/guide/schutte/howmuch.html">save 2.5 gallons of water</a>.<span style=""> </span>Installing newer, more efficient appliances, such as shower heads, toilets and faucets, can drastically reduce the amount of water used every day.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Locally, you can lobby your city manager or sanitation leader for better water practices. The <a href="http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/download/wwd2011_advocacy_guide.pdf">WWD Advocacy Guide and Action Handbook</a> has great ideas about how to organize a campaign for cleaner water in your community. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Globally, donate to <a href="http://www.globalgiving.org/dy/v2/content/search.html?q=water">one of many organizations</a> that work to provide people throughout the world with access to clean, safe water.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> 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mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Clean water is a global issue that everyone needs to consider. What are you doing to celebrate World Water Day? Let us know in the comments. </p><br />(Image Courtesy of World Water Day 2011)Nichole Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977686947995019384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307904504710134508.post-37850678386690454472011-03-16T16:10:00.008-04:002011-03-16T16:51:43.995-04:00Global Youth Service Day is Coming Soon!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> 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mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]-->Last year, millions of young people participated in nearly 4,000 registered projects as part of <a href="http://gysd.org/">Global Youth Service Day</a> (GYSD).<span style=""> </span>This year, GYSD is on April 15-17<sup>th</sup>, less than a month away! However, there is still plenty of time to get involved. <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-9yme1ArraHnI6Vd29F-4UHgVDNQOXD9e_4IsWe6Z2CxNJzIn4ceR8vF5i8ASwxbl44-H79MRlTUY2DKwiKN5K6QvDeCGzUZ21dSIVM4oxsJqJ_Oh6xQa-XHFhPu0vrtgx8FtkSS91E/s1600/Gysdbig.png"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 359px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-9yme1ArraHnI6Vd29F-4UHgVDNQOXD9e_4IsWe6Z2CxNJzIn4ceR8vF5i8ASwxbl44-H79MRlTUY2DKwiKN5K6QvDeCGzUZ21dSIVM4oxsJqJ_Oh6xQa-XHFhPu0vrtgx8FtkSS91E/s320/Gysdbig.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584773409651884546" border="0" /></a>Began in 1988, Global Youth Service Day “celebrates and mobilizes the millions of children and youth who improve their communities each day of the year through service and service-learning.” <span style=""> </span>Young people around the world work with nonprofits, schools, volunteer and national service programs and other organizations to tackle problems in their communities via GYSD projects.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="">These projects are registered all over the world, and can be found on <a href="http://gysd.org/projects">this map</a>. Projects span a wide variety of different activities. A few examples of projects are</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="">In <a href="http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6492/p/salsa/event/common/public/index.sjs?event_KEY=22054">Statesville, North Carolina</a>, students are working together to plan a community garden that will serve as a learning lab for afterschool and summer programs, as well as provide fresh produce. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><a href="http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6492/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=21910">In Egypt</a>, youth have organized a celebration designed to raise awareness of the benefits of donating blood regularly. The event will have stations where people can give blood as well as a number of young people advertising in the streets to encourage blood donation. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><a href="http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6492/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=21491">In New York,</a> the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island is holding a Teen Art, Music, and Poetry Festival. This festival allows teens to enjoy art, and also serves as a fundraiser for Ethical Friends of Children, which helps families provide for their young children. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><a>Youth in Janakpur,</a> Nepal, are working to make Janakpur a “safe, social city” by holding a variety of events, including marches, street clean-ups, and workshops for activists and lawmakers. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><br />If there is nothing in your area that interests you, don’t worry! It’s not too late to design and register your own project. The Global Youth Service Day website has all the tools you need to <a href="http://gysd.org/plan">plan</a>, <a href="http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6492/p/salsa/event/common/public/create.sjs?distributed_event_KEY=311">register</a> and <a href="http://gysd.org/promote#section=sm">promote</a> your event. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="">Are you planning or participating in a Global Youth Service Day event? Tell us about it in the comments!</p>Nichole Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977686947995019384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307904504710134508.post-22214020774818394662011-03-14T14:57:00.001-04:002011-03-15T12:40:26.315-04:00The Challenges of "Voluntourism"<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> 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mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Last week, the Boston Globe <a href="http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2011/02/27/better_lives_not_luxury_is_goal_of_volunteer_tourists/?page=1">published an article</a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> talking about the rise of “voluntourism” among the baby-boomer generation. Voluntourism is travel that mixes a volunteer project with more traditional tourist pursuits such as sightseeing or nights on the town, usually on a short-term (less than a month) basis. The popularity of voluntourism is rising in all age groups, begging the question – what impact are these programs having on communities? </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Much has been written about the damage voluntourism can do in communities. In September 2010, a study entitled “<a href="http://qmul.academia.edu/AmyNorman/Papers/320707/AIDS_orphan_tourism_A_threat_to_young_children_in_residential_care">AIDS orphan tourism</a></span><span style="font-size:100%;">” was published in Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies Quarterly. This article detailed the harm that voluntourism does to young orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa, who form attachments to the volunteers only to be continually abandoned. According to the article, for young children who have already lost their parents, this continual loss of volunteers does deep damage to their ability to form meaningful connections later in life. </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.thestar.com/article/935908--porter-don-t-go-to-haiti-to-volunteer">An editorial in Canadian newspaper <i style="">the Star</i></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> details how voluntourism in developing countries can actually take jobs away from those who need them most—the unemployed in that country. In Haiti, the <a href="http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2011/02/haiti_jobs.html">unemployment rate exceeds 50 percent</a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> and people are fighting for <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/20/world/americas/20haiti.html?scp=6&sq=haiti%20unemployment&st=cse">dangerous, low paying jobs</a></span><span style="font-size:100%;">. Yet every day unskilled volunteers, many of whom paid handsomely to take the trip, descend on Port-au-Prince, ready to help. In truth, the money could go much further if donated to a respected aid organization or put into microloans for Haitians trying to rebuild their lives. </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Voluntary Service Overseas’ (VSO) UK director, Judith Brodie put it plainly in saying would-be volunteers “</span><span style="font-size:100%;">would be better off travelling and experiencing different cultures, rather than wasting time on projects that have no impact and can leave a big hole in their wallet." </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Despite the possible negative effects of voluntourism, with research and careful planning, an international volunteering experience can be one that is enjoyable and beneficial for all involved. For example, every spring, thousands of college students participate in <a href="http://icicp.blogspot.com/2010/03/students-exchanging-sand-for-service.html">Alternative Spring Break</a>, a program in which they forego partying and use their break to serve others. Though a vacation, such a program is based primarily in service, not tourism with a day or two of service squeezed in. </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">In general, embarking on a long-term volunteer experience will allow you to do more good than a short term vacation, but that is not always possible. The best advice when planning for an international volunteer experience, be it a gap year or a two week vacation, is to choose your organization carefully. <a href="http://goodintents.org/staffing-or-employment/voluntourism-what-could-go-wrong">Goodintents.org</a> provides <a href="http://goodintents.org/staffing-or-employment/voluntourism-what-could-go-wrong">guidance</a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> on what to look for when choosing an organization to volunteer with. </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">If you choose to take a volunteering vacation, be sure the organization matches your skills and interests, and ask yourself why you want to volunteer on your vacation. Do you really want to help those less fortunate than yourself? Or do you just want a “different” vacation? Going into the experience for the right reasons can make a huge difference in the connections you make and the quality of the experience you have. </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">What do you think? Have you gone on a volunteering vacation? Have an opinion on the rise of voluntourism? Let us know in the comments! </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">More Thoughts on Voluntourism </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.travelvideo.tv/news/travel-industry-info/02-14-2011/voluntourism-making-a-difference-through-tourism">Voluntourism: Making a Difference through Tourism</a></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tiffany-persons/tribewanted-sierra-leone_b_609804.html">Tribewatned: Sierra Leone</a></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.benzinga.com/press-releases/11/02/p875491/%E2%80%98voluntourism-proves-a-hit-with-the-over-40s-as-bookings-rise-51-in-201">‘Voluntourism' Proves a Hit with the over 40's as Bookings Rise 51% In 2010</a></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://campusprogress.org/articles/when_americans_volunteer_abroad_who_really_benefits/">When Americans Volunteer Abroad, Who Really Benefits?</a></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.vagabondish.com/voluntourism-volunteer-tourism-in-depth/">Voluntourism:<span style=""> </span>Hip or Hype?</a></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/nov/14/orphans-cambodia-aids-holidays-madonna">Before you pay to volunteer abroad, think of the harm you might do</a></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://web.me.com/mmuspratt/mmuspratt.com/NOTES/Entries/2010/7/1_Voluntourism__Good_or_bad.html">Voluntourism: Good or bad?</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://goodintents.org/uncategorized/disaster-tourism-and-haiti">Disaster Tourism and Haiti </a></span><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>Nichole Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977686947995019384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307904504710134508.post-69649146776257531942011-03-02T14:13:00.007-05:002011-03-02T14:22:53.942-05:00Happy 50th Anniversary, Peace Corps!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> 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Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><br />On March 1<sup>st</sup>, 1961 President Kennedy <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBcQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fabcnews.go.com%2FArchives%2Fvideo%2Fmarch-1-1961-jfk-establishes-peace-corps-12966175&rct=j&q=JFK%20establishes%20peace%20corps%20video&ei=sFNtTfDBFuDb8QaIsYWrAw&usg=AFQjCNEiICO6">signed the Executive Order</a> that creat</span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >ed the Peac</span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >e </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6V8DH02KD8kItBMYmt2mVpRPdfMXcC0CAP9owT66BISZrfqVukRs7lHycUdJKmyq4iIONYF1htLi8jZEgRl_Gk0pXm8_591fHOklhC7R4vaH1p1U7xUyy55CLj9_5g5HBZnwHKYjBWA/s1600/Peace+Corps+Teaching.jpeg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 257px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6V8DH02KD8kItBMYmt2mVpRPdfMXcC0CAP9owT66BISZrfqVukRs7lHycUdJKmyq4iIONYF1htLi8jZEgRl_Gk0pXm8_591fHOklhC7R4vaH1p1U7xUyy55CLj9_5g5HBZnwHKYjBWA/s320/Peace+Corps+Teaching.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579563111867302786" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Corps.<span style=""> </span>Fifty years later, it just may be his greatest legacy. <span style=""> </span>What started as </span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >an <a href="http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=about.history.speech">impromptu remark at a late-night rally</a> in Michigan has now allowed over 200,000 people to serve in 139 countries, doing everything from <a href="http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.whatlike.voljournal.journalDetails&jid=1313&volid=100537767">teaching children in Nicaragua</a> to <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260992/breeze-belize-jay-nordlinger">drafting laws in Belize</a>. </span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >The Peace Corps was established to help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women, help promote a better understanding of Americans abroad, and help Americans understand other people. <span style=""> </span>50<sup> </sup>years later it is still fulfilling its mission. President Obama <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/02/28/presidential-proclamation-50th-anniversary-peace-corps">released a statement</a><span style=""> </span>praising the Corps, and declaring March 1<sup>st</sup>, 2011, as the official 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Many volunteers have used the 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary to reflect on their Peace Corps experiences</span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >. <span style=""> </span>These stories range from funny to poignant, and really bring the Peace Corps experience alive. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><u><span style=";font-family:";" >Examples of Volunteer Stories </span></u></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://articles.ocregister.com/2011-02-25/news/28635003_1_hymn-elderly-woman-pew">Peace Corps life in Ukraine, Nepal, and West Indies</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.whatlike.voljournal.journalDetails&jid=1313&volid=100537767">Peace Corps Volunteer Journals</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://www.salisburypost.com/Area/022409-koster-peace-corps-week">Peace Corps memories: A shard of glass, a sharp lesson</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/feb/28/peace-corps-turns-50-raises-ore-memories/">Peace Corps turns 50, raises Ore. memories</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://www.mlive.com/opinion/muskegon/index.ssf/2011/03/peace_corps_series_peace_corps.html">Peace Corps series: Peace Corps is about tolerance, respect and understanding</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >T</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioB8zClLubxxWjrUOycD7oJLSjBhYhuPP4w-hv20zcShoV3iO_7cbu0yXZU7dO6rfmiYRIAtt7bVCWBG0gDFRT-wP6N8gdzps7_KYB91KTT4ary69IbMPk4RKL2gGhlaYPuBFd0qkxyPI/s1600/PC+hut.jpeg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioB8zClLubxxWjrUOycD7oJLSjBhYhuPP4w-hv20zcShoV3iO_7cbu0yXZU7dO6rfmiYRIAtt7bVCWBG0gDFRT-wP6N8gdzps7_KYB91KTT4ary69IbMPk4RKL2gGhlaYPuBFd0qkxyPI/s320/PC+hut.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579564730970292642" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >hough the Peace Corps has received much publicity for its 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary, it is shrinking. There <a href="http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=about.fastfacts">are less than 9,000</a> Peace Corps members today, down from <span style=""><span style=""><a href="http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=about.history.decades.1960"><span style="">15,000 at the peak</span></a></span></span>. <span style=""> </span>Some don’t know the Peace Corps still exists, or think of it as an <a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/158918/peace-corps-50-remnant-outdated-era">outdated product of the sixties</a>. <span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:intern" datetime="2011-03-02T12:26"></ins></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >In reality, the Peace Corps, though smaller, has changed with the times and <span style=""><span style=""><a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/02/28/2090522/peace-corps-less-pizzazz-but-still.html"><span style="">improved greatly over the past 50 years</span></a></span></span>.<span style=""> </span>Peace Corps members today are better trained, safer and <span style=""><span style=""><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2011/feb/25/opinion/la-oe-0225-meisler-peaceorps-20110225"><span style="">make a greater impact than ever before</span></a></span></span>. This <span style=""><span style=""><a href="http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=about.fiftieth"><span style="">timeline</span></a></span></span> breaks down the evolution of the Peace Corps, from Kennedy’s speech in Michigan to the present day. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Interested in the Peace Corps?<span style=""> </span><span style=""><span style=""><a href="http://www.peacecorps.gov/"><span style="">Peacecorps.gov</span></a></span></span> has all the information you need, but be sure to plan in advance! Applying to the Peace Corps is a competitive process, and it is recommended that you apply 9-12 months before you’d like to be deployed. If you’d like to volunteer aboard, but aren’t sure if the Peace Corps is right for you (or you’re not an American citizen) keep in mind there are lots of other options as well, such as <span style=""><span style=""><a href="http://www.raleighinternational.org/"><span style="">Raleigh International</span></a></span></span> or <span style=""><span style=""><a href="http://www.vsointernational.org/"><span style="">VSO</span></a></span></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:chammelman" datetime="2011-03-02T13:37">, </ins></span>among many other international volunteering organizations. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >ICP is a member of the <span style=""><span style=""><a href="http://cts.vresp.com/c/?InnovationsinCivicPa/17a86c1dcf/TEST/e29adf178e"><span style="">ServiceWorld Coalition</span></a></span></span> where we have been encouraging expanding US foreign aid to invest in <a href="http://cts.vresp.com/c/?InnovationsinCivicPa/17a86c1dcf/TEST/547e41fb98">capacity building and technical assistance</a> to other countries in developing National Youth Service policies and programs. In honor of Peace Corps' anniversary, the Coalition is asking supporters to sign the ServiceWorld International Volunteer Service Declaration (<span style=""><span style=""><a href="http://cts.vresp.com/c/?InnovationsinCivicPa/17a86c1dcf/TEST/831749c43e"><span style="">here</span></a></span></span>), supporting the expansion of international volunteer efforts.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Have you worked with the Peace Corps? Tell us your story in the comments!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >(Pictures courtesy of the Peace Corps Digital Library)</span></p>Nichole Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977686947995019384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307904504710134508.post-33317092795553760712011-02-23T14:57:00.004-05:002011-02-23T15:57:00.989-05:00ICP Exec Director Travels to the UK for Conference, Meets with Youth Service Groups<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> 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Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">In February, ICP Executive Director Susan Stroud traveled to the UK to participate in a conference entitled “Democracy and the Power of the Individual”, organized by the <a href="http://www.ditchley.co.uk/">Ditchley Foundation</a>. The conference brought together academics and practitioners from around the globe to discuss the “relationship between democratic governments and their citizens in the age of the internet and social media.” </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The conference tackled several question, but focused on the power and limits of social media. Participants questioned the use of sites such as Facebook and Twitter, asking if they are just better, faster, cheaper means of communication, or if they can change behavior, giving people more active roles in government and greater self-determination. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>As the recent revolts throughout the Mideast clearly show, social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter can be used to disseminate information, gather support, and help power a revolution. The internet and social media have already helped to give the general populace a more active role in government; the question is how such sites will affect the day-to-day business of governing. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">While in the UK, Susan also met with several youth service organizations, including the <a>Commonwealth Youth Programme</a>, <a href="http://www.vso.org.uk/">VSO</a>, <a href="http://activecitizens.britishcouncil.org/">British Council Active Citizens Program</a>, and <a href="http://www.raleighinternational.org/">Raleigh International</a>. These organizations have different methods and areas of focus, but all have impressive programs engaging young people in their communities.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">For instance, part of the <a href="http://www.thecommonwealth.org/">Commonwealth Secretariat</a>, <a href="http://www.thecommonwealth.org/Internal/152816/152828/what_is_cyp/">The Commonwealth Youth Programme</a> (CYP) is an international development agency that works with young people in 54 different countries. CYP focuses on <a href="http://www.thecommonwealth.org/Internal/152816/152834/what_we_do/">three strategic program areas</a>: Youth Enterprise and Sustainable Livelihoods, Governance, Development, and Youth Networks and Youth Education and Training. They do this by providing skills and resources for young people to create businesses, working with the government to increase the impact of young people, developing youth work as a profession and a number of other tactics. CYP just launched a new website, <a href="http://www.yourcommonwealth.org/">yourcommonwelath.org</a>, designed to get more direct feedback from young people around the world.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The <a href="http://activecitizens.britishcouncil.org/content/uk">British Council Active Citizens Program</a> promotes community involvement and improvement around the world. This includes programs such as establishing dialogue and helping to reconcile two warring villages in <a href="http://activecitizens.britishcouncil.org/content/kenya">Kenya</a>, engaging 4,000 young people in <a href="http://activecitizens.britishcouncil.org/content/kenya">Pakistan</a> and<span style=""> </span>implementing skills-training programs at home in the <a href="http://activecitizens.britishcouncil.org/content/uk">UK</a>. The British Council also organized the <i style="">Youth in Action for Global Change</i> symposium where Susan <a href="http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011%5C01%5C26%5Cstory_26-1-2011_pg11_4">gave a keynote address</a> in January, and it is planning a Youth Policy Symposium Series in May. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.vsointernational.org/">VSO</a> is an international development organization that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries.<span style=""> </span>VSO has volunteers in placements around the world, serving in capacities as varied as an urban planning advisor in Zambia, a physiotherapy lecturer in Ethiopia and an art and design specialist in Bangladesh. In the UK, VSO has a special program for youth, called <a href="http://www.globalxchange.org.uk/Pages/default.aspx">Global Xchange</a>, which partners two young people from different countries in an immersive volunteer experience. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.raleighinternational.org/">Raleigh International</a> focuses on providing international volunteer projects for people taking a gap year or career break, and works with people of all ages and levels of experience.<span style=""> </span>It works in Costa Rica, Borneo, Nicaragua and India and has projects concerned with the environment as well as community development. <span style=""> </span>Raleigh International is also featured on ICP’s <a href="http://www.icicp.org/ht/d/sp/i/8957/pid/8957">Green Youth Service Online Resource Center.</a> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Are you familiar with other innovative youth civic participation programs in the UK? We’d love to hear about them in the comment below!</p>Nichole Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977686947995019384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307904504710134508.post-26854596457208273762011-02-16T10:41:00.003-05:002011-02-16T10:44:08.968-05:00US Service Threatened by Proposed Budget Cuts<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> 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mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Last week I wrote about how budget cuts in the UK are affecting youth service programs. This week, I discuss the effects proposed cuts could have here in the US. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">In the United States, national service has generally been a bipartisan issue. When the <span class="subsectiontitle">Edward M. Kennedy Serve America </span>Act, which greatly expanded national service, passed in March 2009, it had <a href="http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h1388/show">broad bipartisan support</a>, garnering seventy-one Republican votes in the House and twenty-one in the Senate.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In the aftermath of the 2010 elections, however, things seem to be changing.<span style=""> </span>With Republican leadership <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/budget/143641-tea-party-wins-house-gop-spending-bill-cuts-at-least-100-billion">under strong pressure</a> to cut the budget by $100 billion, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) is <a href="http://arbiteronline.com/2011/02/14/62872/">proposing to eliminate</a> the <a href="http://www.nationalservice.gov/">Corporation for National and Community Service</a>. Many programs fall under CNCS, including popular programs such as <a href="http://www.americorps.gov/">AmeriCorps</a> and <a href="http://www.learnandserve.gov/">Learn and Serve America</a> (who oversees <a href="http://www.icicp.org/ht/d/sp/i/1254/pid/1254">Summer of Service</a> for which ICP is a grantee). </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The elimination of these programs would be detrimental to all Americans. AmeriCorps members alone serve <a href="http://www.americorps.gov/pdf/factsheet_ac.pdf">over 60 million</a> hours a year, making critical differences in communities from education and disaster relief (see ICP’s 2010 <a href="http://www.icicp.org/ht/a/GetDocumentAction/i/12506">report <i style="">Transforming Communities through Service: A Collection of 52 of the Most Innovative AmeriCorps Programs</i></a>). It would be far more expensive to hire people to do this work than it is to give a small stipend to AmeriCorps members. <span style=""> </span>Learn and Serve has <a href="http://www.learnandserve.gov/pdf/factsheet_lsa.pdf">1.2 million participants</a>, many of which are students from high-risk, low-income schools. These are not services America can afford to lose. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">President Obama realizes the importance of service in the US and was an <a style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" href="http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/newsroom/releases_detail.asp?tbl_pr_id=1317">ardent supporter of the Serve America Act</a>. In his <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/Overview/">FY 2012 Budget</a>, Obama requests <a href="http://www.americorps.gov/about/newsroom/statements_detail.asp?tbl_pr_id=1936">$1.26 billion for CNCS, which is $109 million more than the current level</a>.<span style=""> </span>President Obama’s budget, however, is merely a first step. Republicans in the House seem poised to oppose an increase in CNCS funding, and any budget proposal will have to go through floor consideration, conference committees, and final passage (and perhaps contend with a Presidential veto). </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>Here at ICP, we hope that the President’s request is approved, and that the Corporation for National and Community Service is allowed to remain strong for years to come. And we’re not the only ones. National service has been a hot topic as of late, with many writing to discuss the importance of service in America. Here is a selection of recent news articles discussing the importance of national service: </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.newsweek.com/2011/01/23/step-up-for-your-country.html">General McChrystal: Why America Needs National Service</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0111/47652.html">Bipartisan Case for National Service</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/ideas/2011/01/012811.html">Idea of the Day: We Can’t Eliminate the Corporation for National and Community Service</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://arbiteronline.com/2011/02/14/62872/">Defund National Service, Cripple the Nation</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shirley-sagawa/why-conservatives-should-_b_821702.html">Why Conservatives Should Love AmeriCorps, Not Kill It</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Worried about how these potential cuts could affect your organization or community? Take Action! <a href="http://www.voicesforservice.org/">Voices for National Service</a> is a great resource for information and activities regarding CNCS funding. Their <a href="http://www.voicesforservice.org/">website</a> includes information on the proposal, instructions for calling your Member of Congress and talking points to make that phone call easier. <span style=""> </span>Calling your Congressperson only takes a few minutes and could help save CNCS funding. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Have you contacted your member of Congress? Signed a petition? Worked in other ways to help save CNCS? <span style=""> </span>Tell us about it in the comments. </p>Nichole Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977686947995019384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307904504710134508.post-8875301587867072672011-02-11T12:41:00.003-05:002011-02-11T12:47:52.270-05:00UK budget cuts undermine “big society” and weaken volunteer programs<span style="font-family: times new roman; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >Last July, British Prime Minister David Cameron <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10680062">announced</a> a program called the “big society.” In this program, many responsibilities held by the national government would devolve to localities (thus allowing Britain to be a “big society” instead of a “big government”).</span> <p style="font-family: times new roman; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></p> <span style="font-family: times new roman; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >The idea behind this program is to give people more control over their lives, while simultaneously shrinking the size of the central government. Under this plan, care of many community properties such as libraries, housing developments, and even hospitals would devolve from the government to community groups. Big society is a moderately popular plan. On paper it sounds plausible, invoking memories of George H.W. Bush’s <a href="http://www.pointsoflight.org/faq">a thousand points of light</a>. Government would step out, but nonprofits, local governments, and charities would step in. Most people want to be civically engaged, and local control does allow for more flexibility in programming.<br /><br /> However, nine months later, the concept of a Big Society is colliding with the reality of harsh austerity measures, leading to what many volunteer and other youth service groups believe is a recipe for disaster. Like many other nations, the <a href="http://www.debt-clock.org/">UK is deeply in debt</a>.When the Conservative PM Cameron took office, he promised to reduce the debt and tame the “out of control” spending created by years of Labour-run government. </span> <p style="font-family: times new roman; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></p> <p style="font-family: times new roman; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">In order to do that, strong austerity measures were put into place, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/patrick-butler-cuts-blog/2011/feb/07/blackburn-council-sets-out-cuts-reality">severely cutting the budget of many local councils.</a> Theoretically these cuts are supposed to reduce wasteful spending and bureaucracy. In reality, councils are both cutting overhead and choosing to defund important programs including senior citizen services, the police force, public building hours and, <a href="http://www.cypnow.co.uk/news/ByDiscipline/Youth-Work/1053491/True-scale-council-youth-service-cuts-revealed/">perhaps more than anything else, youth services.</a></span> </p> <p style="font-family: times new roman; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;">The austerity cuts alone have major implications for youth service.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Volunteering England, which offers volunteer training, may have to </span><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-size:100%;">close 30 centers</span><span style="font-size:100%;">, and <a href="http://www.cypnow.co.uk/news/ByDiscipline/Youth-Work/1053491/True-scale-council-youth-service-cuts-revealed/">3000 local youth workers may lose their jobs</a>. </span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Brendan Barber, the general secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/feb/08/spending-cuts-meaner-nastier-britain">said that the voluntary sector was going to lose £4.5bn</a> because of the government's austerity measures.</span></p> <p style="font-family: times new roman; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;">This only gets worse when combined with the new responsibilities of the big society program. Because the government is stepping out, other associations have to step in. These groups are now expected to do far more with far less funding. </span></p> <p style="font-family: times new roman; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;">The Liverpool city council, designated as one of four big society pilot projects, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/feb/03/liverpool-big-society">recently quit</a>, claiming that the budget cuts didn’t allow the big society to function. Dame Elizabeth Hoodless, outgoing Executive Director from Community Service Volunteers (CSV), the largest volunteer organization in Britain, claimed that the cuts were undermining the big society program and <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12381794">“destroying the volunteer army”</a>.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="font-family: times new roman; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;">While the austerity cuts in Britain are noteworthy, funding cuts for community service agencies are being discussed elsewhere as well. In the US, Republicans are <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-02-09/republican-cuts-target-environment-transportation.html">recommending budget cuts that would eliminate</a> the Corporation for National and Community Service entirely, and many local communities have already cut programs. </span></p> <p style="font-family: times new roman; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Here at ICP, we’re both concerned about potential cuts and excited for many programs in the UK, including the launch of their <a href="http://icicp.blogspot.com/2010/08/uks-new-youth-service-plan.html">National Citizen Service</a> program this summer.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">For a detailed look at service in the UK, take a look at ICP’s <a href="http://icicp2.org/ycpworldwide2010/europe/unitedkingdom/">Youth Civic Participation Worldwide snapshot</a>. </span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">We hope that as governments both in the US and abroad look for ways to cut their budgets, they don’t forget the power and wisdom of investing in young people.</span></p> <p style="font-family: times new roman; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Has your local volunteer program been affected by cuts in government spending?</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Tell us your stories in the comments below.</span></p>Nichole Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977686947995019384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307904504710134508.post-19170273664301261662011-02-09T09:44:00.015-05:002011-02-09T10:41:17.110-05:003 Months After the IANYS Global Conference on National Youth Service in Egypt, Young People Demonstrate Civic Engagement in Action<span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><br />February 9, 2011</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br />When ICP hosted the <a href="http://www.icicp.org/ht/d/sp/i/11209/pid/11209">9th Global Conference</a> of the International Association of National Youth Service (IANYS) at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Alexandria, Egypt last October, no one could have anticipated the extent of the popular upheaval that has swept through Egypt since January 25. Yet, discussions of Egypt’s youth at the time were in many ways prescient.<br /><br />According to the Egypt’s <a href="http://www.undp.org.eg/Portals/0/NHDR%202010%20english.pdf">2010 Human Development Report</a> on Egyptian youth, which was presented at the conference by lead author Dr. Heba Handoussa, close to a quarter of Egypt’s total population is between the ages of 18 and 29, and over 50 percent are under 30. If encouraged by inclusive, well-managed programs and policies, these youth represent a “formidable force” that can contribute positively to Egypt’s future growth and development (<a href="http://www.undp.org.eg/Portals/0/NHDR%202010%20english.pdf">EHDR</a>, p. xi)</span><br /><br />Yet, unemployment is extremely high among young people, even college graduates. An estimated 90 percent of unemployed people are under 30 and many more are affected by perpetual underemployment (<a href="http://www.undp.org.eg/Portals/0/NHDR%202010%20english.pdf">EHDR</a>). Governments throughout the MENA region face tremendous challenges in channeling the potential of their youth population as they make the transition to adulthood.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RLekUWnnmOB6Sd0Mb7w-IBqAGS7mo-uYnYQfUhPGfzRXKlueztE8chjr_7mUp03wmwpypd4JnRd2LHsC_sZJIR_uN4xAh1GNRwxwnbpRGhMwzmgFPDMGZLNqMddyN0ws0vFokYES11I/s1600/Bibliotheca+Alexandrina+youth.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RLekUWnnmOB6Sd0Mb7w-IBqAGS7mo-uYnYQfUhPGfzRXKlueztE8chjr_7mUp03wmwpypd4JnRd2LHsC_sZJIR_uN4xAh1GNRwxwnbpRGhMwzmgFPDMGZLNqMddyN0ws0vFokYES11I/s320/Bibliotheca+Alexandrina+youth.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571713726251435522" border="0" /></a>Creating an enabling environment for youth civic engagement by supporting a “robust and vibrant civil society” is a key strategy for confronting these challenges (<span style="font-style: italic;">IANYS 9th Global Conference Report</span>, forthcoming). During the Global Conference, participants emphasized the need for government policies that allow freedom of association and expression, which are fundamental to civic participation, as well as communications outlets that can raise awareness among youth about opportunities available to them.<br /><br />Unfortunately, while the energy and vitality of Egyptian youth and civil society have been on the rise for years, the Mubarak government has attempted to restrict such participation, and recent events have propelled this underlying pressure to the surface.<br /><br />In taking to the streets, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/27/world/middleeast/27opposition.html?_r=4&ref=michaelslackman">y</a><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/27/world/middleeast/27opposition.html?_r=4&ref=michaelslackman">oung Egyptians</a> are demanding changes in their government and demonstrating their desire to participate fully in society. Their leveraging of social media (<a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-egypt-youth-20110128,0,3570230,print.story">some sources</a> have even called it a Facebook-fueled movement) has broadened participation in the protests and drawn international attention to their cause.<br /><br />Youth who were the focus of discussion and participants at the Global Conference have played a leading role in these historic protests. They have also become the fierce <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/feb/01/alexandria-youth-protecting-library?CMP=twt_gu">protectors of valuable public buildings</a>, including the Bibliotheca Alexandrina that hosted the conference, organizing groups and calling on the army to join them in guarding against vandals and looters.<br /><br />Their actions seem to highlight the transformative power of civic engagement—one that can counter repression and pressure governments to enact reforms that address grievances and allow for the plurality of ideas and public debate vital for peace and democracy.<br /><br />“This is about the people of Egypt who are fed up,” Barbara Ibrahim, the founding director of the John D. Gerhart Center for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement at the American University in Cairo, told the <a href="http://washingtonexaminer.com/news/world/2011/01/egyptian-judges-who-fought-corruption-join-protest">Washington Examiner</a> on January 31. She is hopeful that the “people are winning” and that the transition of power will be lawful and orderly.<br /><br />In an article for <a href="http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/01/2011129081571546.html">Al Jazeera</a>, Firas Al-Atraqchi observed that the Youth Movement, as it has broadly come to be known, is made up of young people who have “have known no other president, no other ruling party and no other political system.” It does not define itself by political ideology, but demonstrates optimism toward Egypt’s future that has inspired an entire society. Also a professor at the American University in Cairo, Al-Atraqchi wrote that her students have made it very clear to her that “opposition parties, long defunct and impotent, have been replaced by grassroots social action.”<br /><br />The driving force of youth in these current events and the participation of individuals from all ages and backgrounds have shown the possibility for inter-generational partnership, another important feature of an enabling environment discussed at the Global Conference in October.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2g3gYKUeaBB1X7Lmcti10tsf-yBsR1GR8XXFOQYhJ_eNAu7y6Nj_SVp9sA9zcXcrOjyMLwb0M4g-iex3KKBRk9O2szUOkEjmwBiXueo7p9mbcs1BCvZAdSHXWeKSHdURACx8RgoVR1Ok/s1600/Bibliotheca+Alexandrina+prayer.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2g3gYKUeaBB1X7Lmcti10tsf-yBsR1GR8XXFOQYhJ_eNAu7y6Nj_SVp9sA9zcXcrOjyMLwb0M4g-iex3KKBRk9O2szUOkEjmwBiXueo7p9mbcs1BCvZAdSHXWeKSHdURACx8RgoVR1Ok/s320/Bibliotheca+Alexandrina+prayer.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571714011525091218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Photos courtesy of the <a href="http://www.bibalex.org/Home/Default_EN.aspx">Bibliotheca Alexandrina</a></span></span><br /></div><br />However, as protests give way to what Egyptians hope will be a genuine democratic transition, political leaders must take care not to discount the significant achievements that youth have made in the streets by excluding them from this process. As Egypt faces its future, national dialogue must readily encourage the participation and leadership of youth. <a href="http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=2&id=24000">Some observers</a> suggest that the creation of an Egyptian Youth Party is necessary for ensuring a legitimate voice for young people in the political process.<br /><br />For the sake of Egypt’s youth, our hope is that whatever new government emerges in the aftermath, it will take the formidable force of its young citizens seriously and make a concerted effort to enable and harness their full capabilities. As the title of Egypt’s 2010 Human Development Report suggests, youth are crucial to building Egypt’s future. The courage, hope and dignity of Egypt’s youth witnessed by the world over the past two weeks have made their commitment to that future even clearer.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.icicp.org/ht/d/sp/i/1800/pid/1800">IANYS</a> will be releasing its Report on the 9th Global Conference, which highlights several important themes and issues related to the situation in Egypt, within the next few weeks. In building an ongoing community of practice, IANYS also aims to foster shared learning among its members and will provide opportunities for international and regional dialogue and coordination via an interactive online networking platform, building on the impressive momentum of the conference.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Further reading:</span><br /><ul><li><a href="http://handsonblog.org/2011/02/02/volunteerism-breaks-out-in-egypt/?utm_source=Staff%2BTwitter&utm_medium=Twitter&utm_campaign=Blog">Volunteerism Breaks Out in Egypt</a></li><li><a href="http://www.mercycorps.org/sarahwarren/blog/23221">The Leaders of Now</a></li><li>Abdou, Ehaab et al. (2010). <a href="http://www.shababinclusion.org/content/document/detail/1576/">Social Entrepreneurship in the Middle East: Toward Sustainable Development for the Next Generation</a></li><li><a href="http://www.undp.org.eg/Portals/0/NHDR%202010%20english.pdf">EHDR 2010</a>, Youth in Egypt: Building Our Future</li><li>John D. <a href="http://www.aucegypt.edu/research/gerhart/Pages/default.aspx">Gerhart Center</a> for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement at American University in Cairo</li><li>Innovations in Civic Participation (2010). Youth Civic Participation in Action: Meeting Youth and Community Needs Worldwide, <a href="http://icicp2.org/ycpworldwide2010/mena/egypt/">Egypt Country Snapshot </a></li></ul>ICPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234030420192625070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307904504710134508.post-87993663124379691792011-02-02T11:22:00.006-05:002011-02-02T11:41:31.416-05:00Virtual Volunteering<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> 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Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >A </span><a href="http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1861/impact-internet-social-media-facebook-twitter-group-activities-participation"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >recent study</span></a><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" > by the Pew Research Center has shown that people who use the internet are </span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >more civically engaged than their offline counterparts. This doesn’t come as a surprise, as both internet use and mainstream modes of civic engagement are </span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >correlated with income, and Pew used an expansive measure of civic participation, including everything from political rallies to online chatrooms. However, the increased engagement of </span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >internet users demonstrates that the internet is great resource for volunteers, and one that has yet to be fully tapped. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJeotXcVaZyqvXjLxWgFuMpdLyuFa_sEb484gvwaSaVnIFtWuU6SdbrYhE_paB_aGJY1cxSb9mNYyrTMefXD32vd07tJbMU91Wskz1OJ4lWT95Gzr8V8xeM1Bl4Clfo98xgsTdaByxKPQ/s1600/virtual-volunteer1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJeotXcVaZyqvXjLxWgFuMpdLyuFa_sEb484gvwaSaVnIFtWuU6SdbrYhE_paB_aGJY1cxSb9mNYyrTMefXD32vd07tJbMU91Wskz1OJ4lWT95Gzr8V8xeM1Bl4Clfo98xgsTdaByxKPQ/s320/virtual-volunteer1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569132739937319282" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >Nearly all volunteer agencies and nonprofits use the internet for information and recruitment. (For example, see Serve.gov or VolunteerMatch.org.) There is no doubt that social networking has changed the way volunteering functions, and has led to great changes in how people find volunteer opportunities.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >However, ask the average person what they think of when the word volunteering is mentioned, and they may conjure images of soup kitchens, construction sites and long hours spent mentoring youth. While this type of engagement is necessary (and commendable!) it does not fully capture the opportunities that technology has made available. Every day, thousands of people volunteer without ever leaving the comfort of their home. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >Websites such as </span><a href="https://www.sparked.com/"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >Sparked</span></a><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" > help people take advantage of these opportunities. Sparked, which considers itself a “micro-volunteering” platform, allows volunteers to help nonprofits based on their specific skills and interests.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >On the site, nonprofits from around the world post “challenges” that volunteers then take on. Right now, there are challenges from a Swedish nonprofit looking for help with Twitter, a Cameroonian organization looking for revenue ideas, a Canadian nonprofit looking for help with event planning, and hundreds of other challenges in dozens of different fields. Volunteers can do as much or as little as they would like—all without leaving their home!<span style=""> </span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:intern" datetime="2011-02-02T10:39"></ins></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >More traditional organizations have also gotten into the act. The <a href="http://www.onlinevolunteering.org/en/vol/index.html">United Nations Volunteer</a> (UNV) website also has virtual volunteering opportunities that can be searched by skill or interest area.<span style=""> </span>The UNV program is more formal than Sparked (you have to apply and be screened in order to volunteer, whereas Sparked is open to everyone) but the goal—to allow people to volunteer from home—is the same. <span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >This type of crowd sourcing isn’t a new idea, but the move into the civic engagement sphere is a positive development. According to the </span><a href="http://www.bls.gov/news.release/volun.t07.htm"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >US Bureau of Labor</span></a><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >, 45% of Americans who don’t volunteer cite lack of time as the reason. Innovations such as Sparked and UNV virtual volunteering help to mitigate this excuse, and allow people to volunteer without setting aside a major part of their day.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >Next time you’re bored online, remember this simple fact: A little time volunteering completely offsets a day spent Facebook stalking. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" > </span></p>ICPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234030420192625070noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307904504710134508.post-68877988428696790082011-01-26T11:45:00.030-05:002011-01-26T12:28:54.028-05:00ICP Executive Director Visits Pakistan, Speaks on Youth Service<!--[if !mso]> <style> v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} </style> 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mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-style: italic;">"Through global citizenship we can create better-educated citizens from many countries, greater opportunities for prosperity and a foundation for a more peaceful world”</span><br />–ICP Executive Director Susan Stroud <p class="MsoNormal">Last week, ICP Executive Director Susan Stroud journeyed to Pakistan to participate in a regional symposium and visit with various youth organizations in Islamabad and Lahore.<span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:chammelman" datetime="2011-01-26T11:24"></ins></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">A 2008 <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/13390263/Prospects-of-Youth-Radicalization-in-Pakistan-Implications-for-US-Policy">study</a> by the Brookings Institution revealed that there are nearly 94 million Pakistani’s under the age of 25, 36 million of whom are between the ages of 15-24. <span style=""> </span>To some, this represents an almost unmanageable number of people to employ, feed and house. For ICP and our partners, it represents vast untapped potential. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ryBwNZIsdM4zNqJ_aieN3Ewkoyx2_CHSltLbHVRpcW6E1duuVukPJuwL4G4WSH2ezPZ7lwWemvqqOvl28PxePd_rsvZi-e_aFWfe9Ud8rUUSFp9FED1C8OMu1Hgdlx2vDpt4VCmi-T4/s1600/P1040154.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ryBwNZIsdM4zNqJ_aieN3Ewkoyx2_CHSltLbHVRpcW6E1duuVukPJuwL4G4WSH2ezPZ7lwWemvqqOvl28PxePd_rsvZi-e_aFWfe9Ud8rUUSFp9FED1C8OMu1Hgdlx2vDpt4VCmi-T4/s320/P1040154.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566538563217539250" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">While in Pakistan, Susan met with many groups to discuss the power of youth to promote social change, including students completing service-learning projects at several schools, members of the Pakistan-U.S Alumni Network Youth Group and the inspiring youth organization <a href="http://www.bargad.org.pk/default.asp">Bargad.</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Bargad clearly demonstrates what is possible when youth come together. Founded by a group of college students in 1997, Bargad works to promote youth development and engagement in Pakistan, especially among women. The group has completed dozens of projects, and is currently working on empowering girls in Gujranwala, promoting democratic values in Lahore, improving waste management across the country and many other ventures.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaiyyrreRe-hVVBVvGw1DGr7yG-HffPYuoam0OEdToy953fkU1EK6yE3LZSolGJkfJSgUIDK0i18yRSwHbarljQDeTqHN0_5dxOahWrNtaQWcX2ZWCEpHlxqxqUm8ZdYHuIhzYnbBtu0/s1600/P1040218.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaiyyrreRe-hVVBVvGw1DGr7yG-HffPYuoam0OEdToy953fkU1EK6yE3LZSolGJkfJSgUIDK0i18yRSwHbarljQDeTqHN0_5dxOahWrNtaQWcX2ZWCEpHlxqxqUm8ZdYHuIhzYnbBtu0/s320/P1040218.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566539260103967874" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Susan also spoke with the press, and had a guest spot on the popular Pakistani TV show <i style=""><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:intern" datetime="2011-01-26T10:22"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/InnovatInCivPartic?feature=mhum#p/a/f/0/JCN-pp_ZBHc">Witness with Quatrina</a></ins></span></i>, where she discussed methods to increase youth civic engagement.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">In addition, Susan gave a keynote address at the <a href="http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011%5C01%5C26%5Cstory_26-1-2011_pg11_4"><i style="">Youth in Action for Global Change</i></a> regional symposium, which was organized by the <a href="http://www.britishcouncil.org/pakistan-active-citizen.htm">British Council, Pakistan</a>. <span style=""> </span>The goal of the symposium was to develop a workable strategy for promoting engagement and global citizenship in order to combat youth radicalization. Youth activists, policy makers, and government officials from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Afghanistan, Qatar, the United States and the UK were in attendance. <span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:intern" datetime="2011-01-26T10:38"></ins></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In her speech, Susan emphasized the importance of global citizenship and the tremendous impact young people can have on development. ”Harnessing the energy of young people to work with people of other nations will strengthen our ability to tackle global challenges and lead to a more secure world” Susan said.<i style=""> </i>“Through global citizenship we can create better-educated citizens from many countries, greater opportunities for prosperity and a foundation for a more peaceful world”.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGvm2WY48ptKxaRdT3TQMa9ROF-tSEQeunrXQkotjKhGwwwJFCLj1sGreJeUrqFMDkxN9Ry5sdOw2Lz4wAp9-waePMBEkdOKOHdR61qTsvI-qmAAzUYV9BHH9zegkszJeZ-odvehHJsc/s1600/P1040183.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGvm2WY48ptKxaRdT3TQMa9ROF-tSEQeunrXQkotjKhGwwwJFCLj1sGreJeUrqFMDkxN9Ry5sdOw2Lz4wAp9-waePMBEkdOKOHdR61qTsvI-qmAAzUYV9BHH9zegkszJeZ-odvehHJsc/s320/P1040183.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566539675750875730" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Susan mentioned several organizations that were working towards a more global citizenry, including well known organizations such as the <a href="http://www.peacecorps.gov/">Peace Corps</a>, as well as smaller organizations such as <a href="http://www.schoolgirlsunite.org/">School Girls Unite</a> (which was one of 22 organizations highlighted in ICP’s <a href="http://www.icicp.org/ht/a/GetDocumentAction/i/1451">Innovations in International Volunteering</a> report produced for <a href="http://vinspired.com/">v</a> in 2008). The young people in these groups, and the millions more like them, are demonstrating how powerful the forces of change can be when wielded in the hands of youth.<span style=""> </span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:chammelman" datetime="2011-01-26T10:01"></ins></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Young people across the globe, from Pakistan to Zambia, the UK to Chile, are connecting to wield this power. What are you doing? Let us know in the comments!</p>ICPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234030420192625070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307904504710134508.post-29257934556289534312011-01-03T12:17:00.002-05:002011-01-03T12:20:48.183-05:00Youth Service Policy and Education in ArgentinaIn 2006, the Government of Argentina passed a law obliging the inclusion of youth volunteer activities in education. Listed under article 32, the law requires “the organization of youth volunteering activities and service educational projects, to cooperate in community development, in the frame of the institutional education project.”<br /><br />Similarly, article 132 calls on educational programs for “maintaining regular and systematic bonds with the local environment, putting into action extension activities, such as service-learning actions.”<br /><br />In November 2010, the Latin American Center for Service-Learning (<a href="http://www.clayss.org.ar/ingles/index.htm">CLAYSS</a>) released an update on the implementation of these policies. The update states that, in November 2009, the Federal Council agreed that new high school programs will include mandatory Projects of Socio-Community Service. These projects will give all students the opportunity to get involved in service actions at least once during their school years, to learn from the active exercise of their citizenship, and to put into action their knowledge and capacities to serve their communities. <p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">The new requirement was created in response to <a href="http://csd.wustl.edu/Publications/Documents/RP05-21_CLAYSS_Research_Report_English.pdf">research</a> conducted by CLAYSS and Washington University in St. Louis, which analyzed the efficacy of pilot programs that have been in place in Argentina since 2000.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">CLAYSS’s announcement stated that about 15,000 Argentinean educational institutions have developed service experiences in the past few years, prior to the call for the creation of mandatory programs. Their research also shows that practices which articulate service-learning have contributed to their learning and school retention and strengthened citizenship of involved students, as well as diminished the amount of students who repeat a year in school. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">Here at ICP, we are well aware of the benefits that service-learning can have on students in school. For years, we’ve been working with governments around the world to build new, or improve existing, national youth service policies (NYSP), like Argentina’s. For example, in 2006, we published a <a href="http://www.icicp.org/ht/a/GetDocumentAction/i/1677">policy scan</a> on NYSP in 19 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. We hope that, with the help of this and other ICP resources, many more governments will include service-learning in their educational systems, as Argentina has successfully done.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span></p>ICPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234030420192625070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307904504710134508.post-75692754926233110562010-12-21T15:24:00.002-05:002010-12-21T15:28:37.616-05:00A new look for Service News Worldwide<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> 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name="Colorful List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="19" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="21" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">For over four years, ICP’s <a href="http://www.icicp.org/ht/d/sp/i/1274/pid/1274">newsletter</a> <i style="">Service News Worldwide </i>has been providing readers with key news from the youth service and national youth service policy worlds. Historically, this newsletter has been released bi-monthly, featuring a detailed, in-depth look at a few key news stories and events from around the world.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">On <a href="http://www.icicp.org/ht/a/GetDocumentAction/i/14792">December 15</a>, we launched the first edition of a new format for the newsletter, which will be released every two weeks. By releasing the newsletter more frequently, we are able to include more information while it's still new, and we seek to expose readers to more youth service events, news and resources than ever before. The bi-weekly newsletter will be complemented by a less frequent version that will mimic the style of the old, providing a deeper look at particularly compelling topics. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The new format includes a note from our Executive Director, upcoming events, brief updates from our networks, featured youth service resources/publications and news from both ICP and the youth service field in general. We also welcome submissions and feedback. Please feel free to share your news, resources and events with us by emailing info [@] icicp.org.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">With this new format we strive to keep our subscribers up to date on recent news, resources and events to help further promote youth service around the world. To view the December 15 issue or archives of <i style="">Service News Worldwide</i>, or to subscribe, please visit the newsletter <a href="http://www.icicp.org/ht/d/sp/i/1274/pid/1274">website</a>.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span></p>ICPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234030420192625070noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307904504710134508.post-21796965093702659782010-12-16T12:14:00.000-05:002010-12-16T12:14:40.826-05:00Engaging our Wild SideBy Soren Graae<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">It is clear that many young people through the US and world are interested in engaging with the environment. It is our responsibility to provide young people with opportunities to develop and express this potential. Encouragingly, studies show that many young people have no lack of desire to engage in environmental preservation, education or other outdoor activities. Instead, a number of obstacles stand in the way of participation, including a lack of opportunity, poor infrastructure and lack of support. These are barriers we have the capability to control and therefore should be working to remove. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwLBn7xyapFVaNR5WviRiXZlwTB4A6UorGJhyphenhyphenk3Yh5E3jUjO8z0UBCoZm4j5_2LtEYGiBG7N9goapSKJ5pso_kcYX5F6sWZPW9IrhleDGjPefYKxvUCgTa_Q-lvhM_WYdHTAhtuVRON3t/s1600/National+Public+Lands+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwLBn7xyapFVaNR5WviRiXZlwTB4A6UorGJhyphenhyphenk3Yh5E3jUjO8z0UBCoZm4j5_2LtEYGiBG7N9goapSKJ5pso_kcYX5F6sWZPW9IrhleDGjPefYKxvUCgTa_Q-lvhM_WYdHTAhtuVRON3t/s320/National+Public+Lands+Day.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: <a href="http://www.publiclandsday.org/media/photos.htm">National Public Lands Day</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Recently, President Obama launched the </span><a href="http://www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/index.cfm"><span style="color: #000099; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">America’s Great Outdoors Initiative</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> (AGO)<span style="color: black;"> and proclaimed the month of September as </span></span><a href="http://www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&PageID=43455"><span style="color: #000099; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">National Wilderness Month</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">, a month to celebrate, explore, and preserve the vast history of our nation’s wilderness. Also during September, on one Saturday each year since 1994, is </span><a href="http://www.publiclandsday.org/"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">National Public Lands Day</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">—a day devoted to improving and enhancing America’s public lands. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">AGO recognizes the importance of fostering a bond between young people and their environment. The President called on government leaders, including the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality, to lead the initiative. AGO aims to take a leading role in confronting many of our nation’s most critical environmental concerns. Here are some other examples of US organizations connecting young people with nature. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Just this past November, the </span><a href="http://www.neefusa.org/"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">National Environmental Education Foundation</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> (NEEF), in partnership with HSBC Bank USA, </span><a href="http://neefusa.org/pdf/press-releases/11082010_HSBC_release.pdf"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">awarded grants</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> to three Washington D.C. area elementary schools to instigate water saving and environmental education projects. Students will learn about water conservation by installing a water efficient irrigation system in the school garden, employ rain barrels, track rainfall, and compare the data to previous water use habits. This grant will help children learn about water conservation while also making a lasting positive impact on the school itself. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">NEEF was established by Congress in the National Environmental Education Act of 1990 as a complimentary organization to the EPA to advance environmental knowledge and action. Its core goal is what it calls “environmental literacy” for America’s children while improving their overall success.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">In the San Francisco Bay Area, </span><a href="http://www.kidsforthebay.org/news/news_050405.htm"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Kids for the Bay</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">, a project of </span><a href="http://www.earthisland.org/"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Earth Island Institute</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">, has been teaching environmental science to children and teachers using pro-active hands-on learning experiences for over 17 years. In 2005, it was awarded the <a href="http://www.epa.gov/region9/awards/">EPA Environment Award</a>. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Kids for the Bay instructs teachers on how to use the local environment as an educational resource to stimulate learning, allowing the entire community to work together to achieve common goals for their environment. The Kids for the Bay program aims to empower children with the knowledge and skills necessary to make educated, environmentally friendly behavior changes and to help solve many local environmental problems. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvCsY-wJ8q6E3FGGUHFGGoiUmy1aJPu1wtOTymV9_nPvUrH4iMkZU6KzAO3PPeVwGcT5BNPduboC9X9pdXRgW-RhyphenhyphenKxY3iD_G5GQ9USR4wS9_6DMtNCYMu1LS_bTorL5tZdpsA2kEVrPr/s1600/Obama+quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvCsY-wJ8q6E3FGGUHFGGoiUmy1aJPu1wtOTymV9_nPvUrH4iMkZU6KzAO3PPeVwGcT5BNPduboC9X9pdXRgW-RhyphenhyphenKxY3iD_G5GQ9USR4wS9_6DMtNCYMu1LS_bTorL5tZdpsA2kEVrPr/s1600/Obama+quote.jpg" /></a></div><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">On the east coast, the </span><a href="http://www.cbf.org/servicelearning"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Chesapeake Bay Foundation</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> is also a strong advocate for service-learning for young people. The Foundation recognizes the increased interest being shown in environment-focused service and responded by developing the </span><a href="http://www.cbf.org/Page.aspx?pid=394"><span style="color: #7799bb; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Oyster Gardening in Maryland</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> program. Opportunities like the Oyster Gardening program offer young people a unique opportunity to learn about the qualities of a fascinating and vital species, while also contributing to its preservation and the marine environment they help to maintain—helping to solidify a connection between young people and nature.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The EPA is actively seeking to incorporate more environmental learning activities into the lives of young Americans. In 2001, the EPA and NEEF conducted a </span><a href="http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/pdf/19-keyfindings.pdf"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">brief survey</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> to determine the “Environmental IQ” of the general public. The findings of the study concluded that most American’s know about certain environmental issues such as the significant impact of the loss of animals habitats or that the majority of carbon monoxide comes from automobiles. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">However, only about 25% of Americans surveyed knew what the main cause of water pollution is (surface water run-off from yards, city streets, and farm fields), and only 33% of respondents knew that the US’s primary form of generating electricity was burning coal, oil and wood. Encouragingly, however, most respondents felt that environmental protection and economic development can co-exist, and that the federal government should be spending more on environmental programs. Test your own knowledge about the issues facing our environment </span><a href="http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/pdf/18EnvrntQuiz.pdf"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">here</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Without a connection with nature, how can we expect young people to become responsible stewards of our planet? While many children are outdoors scoring goals, running bases, and exercising, it is important to recognize the need for a more intimate and tangible interaction with nature. Opportunities like the ones mentioned above, in which young people can spend quality time in nature; learning, touching, and contributing to its preservation, allow them to foster an essential bond and appreciation for the environment. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Teachers can weave environmental learning into the classroom curriculum and seek to make it fun and engaging. Policy makers can encourage and support these initiatives through funding, advocacy and coordination. Parents can take our children on hikes through our beautiful National Parks, or participate with along with them in programs like Kids for the Bay. It is the responsibility of our current leaders, policy makers, teachers, and mentors to properly equip those of the future by encouraging these experiential service opportunities in the environment.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div>Colleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00009813972377020459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307904504710134508.post-60543004823667596712010-12-10T11:08:00.004-05:002010-12-16T15:12:51.071-05:00Holiday Volunteering around the World<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >by Christina Malliet</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">The period surrounding the winter holidays – Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice – is one of the most popular times of year to volunteer. It can also be the time of year when the impact of volunteering is felt most significantly for those in need. Following is a sampling of some of the ways young people (and adults) from around the world volunteer during the holidays. Many of these programs are implemented through the European Voluntary Service (EVS), while others are done by individuals or independent organizations. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In <b style="">Szczecin, Poland</b>, children at <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/youth/evs/aod/hei_form_en.cfm?EID=58000748930">Public Preschool #5</a> “Magnolia” perform a Christmas Eve play for homeless people in the community. Not only do children provide Christmas cheer for play attendees, but they also gain sensitivity to people in need.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In <b style="">Cadca, Slovakia</b>, young people aged 4-30 are placed by EVS as volunteers at the <a href="http://www.en.keric.sk/">KERIC</a> European Youth Center. Volunteers present Christmas celebrations as they occur in their home countries for members of the Cadca community. This show promotes a broadened, international reach of the Christmas meaning.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Through <a href="http://www.icye.org/">International Cultural Youth Exchange </a><span style=""> </span>(ICYE), young volunteers in <b style="">Chisinau, Moldova</b>, run a stand at a Charity Christmas Bazaar, where they promote their efforts and those of the EVS, as well as raise money. The youth also learn about other volunteer opportunities in Moldova.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In the <b style="">United Kingdom</b>, <a href="http://timebank.org.uk/christmas-volunteering">TimeBank</a> coordinates several volunteer opportunities. Volunteers help at crisis centers for homeless people, providing necessary companionship, hot meals, warmth and other services. Otherwise, people volunteer to provide confidential emotional support over helplines, spend time with or deliver meals to the elderly, or participate in a caroling service for hospice care patients. Finally, families host international students at Christmas, promoting peace and worldwide understanding by sharing holiday traditions.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0QgaENidCcT88P-WXn0Rpc3OzW8OgXDTsE2v3_2edZCUQb32p3P7hOwMYniyPh042iafFBtLY-eLhFq1SQFtwmghKbLPltW3OTmqsjJJMTz3xwnEyoyWzq0NwAYmon13dV3YSx7bYF0/s1600/Christmas+dinner+2.jpg"><img style="text-align: left; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 231px; height: 154px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0QgaENidCcT88P-WXn0Rpc3OzW8OgXDTsE2v3_2edZCUQb32p3P7hOwMYniyPh042iafFBtLY-eLhFq1SQFtwmghKbLPltW3OTmqsjJJMTz3xwnEyoyWzq0NwAYmon13dV3YSx7bYF0/s320/Christmas+dinner+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549086693668617266" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Photo courtesy of TimeBank.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Volunteers at <a href="http://www.evs4u.ro/evs-opportunities/pensioner-day-care-centre">Pensioner Day Care Center</a> in <b style="">Rezekne, Latvia</b>, decorate and organize activities for Christmas. These volunteers are live-ins, placed in the community through EVS.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Parishioners from the US and Mexico travel to <b style="">Nogales, Mexico</b>, over Christmas through the <a href="http://www.carrythefireministry.com/navidadinnogales2010.htm">Navidad in Nogales</a> program. While there, volunteers play with, feed, give presents to, and present the Christmas gospel to local, impoverished children.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.vsi.ie/">Voluntary Service International</a> (VSI), of Ireland, hosts the “Stop Occupying Christmas Project” in <b style="">Bethlehem, Palestine</b>, over the Christmas period. Through such services as agricultural aid and rehabilitation, Irish volunteers prepare Palestinian youth to make positive contributions to their future and to society.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Also through VSI, in conjunction with the Irish Wheelchair Association, volunteers in <b style="">Donamon, Co. Roscommon, Ireland</b>, work at the <a href="http://www.cuisle.com/">Cuisle Holiday Center</a>. Disabled people stay at the center over Christmas, where they celebrate the holiday in comfort. Volunteers provide festivities for visitors.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">If you have any more information about holiday volunteerism around the world, or if you would like to share your own story, we welcome your feedback in a comment below!<o:p></o:p></p>ICPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234030420192625070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307904504710134508.post-30649371399192714162010-12-09T11:36:00.030-05:002010-12-09T14:33:33.655-05:00Recapturing our Wild Side<span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;">“Too many of our rivers and streams are becoming polluted, and we are losing our connection to the parks, wild places, and open spaces we grew up with and cherish. Children, especially, are spending less time outside running and playing, fishing and hunting, and connecting to the outdoors just down the street or outside of town.”<br />
</span><span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;"><br />
-President Obama</span><span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;"><br />
Presidential Memorandum: America’s Great Outdoors</span><span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;"><br />
April 16, 2010</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB35SAN0jDjN7gkI_Zm1D9ccGxOiLjXmNMQSL-37P1W7vB6lod8nWE12r-3DUEqeu9mXTok8SxGq38O5yHvm9WGzmQ-Kkdcpn507fd1k2MWqNiyb_azDxGRHhNGUkt3yWz_whP7FDmqzk/s1600/nankoweap-canyon_6516_600x450.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="151" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548752157737337378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB35SAN0jDjN7gkI_Zm1D9ccGxOiLjXmNMQSL-37P1W7vB6lod8nWE12r-3DUEqeu9mXTok8SxGq38O5yHvm9WGzmQ-Kkdcpn507fd1k2MWqNiyb_azDxGRHhNGUkt3yWz_whP7FDmqzk/s200/nankoweap-canyon_6516_600x450.jpg" style="float: left; height: 165px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 218px;" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Photo Credit: Ralph Lee Hopkins, <a href="http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/united-states-photos/#/nankoweap-canyon_6516_600x450.jpg">National Geographic</a>,</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Nankoweap Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">N</span>ature sustains our very existence and is the inspiration behind much of our modern science, medicine, technology and mathematics—not to mention that observing nature is also a fascinating pass-time.<br />
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Yet, despite the obvious importance of our natural environment, a growing number of young people are becoming increasingly detached from and apathetic toward nature. According to a <a href="http://www.kff.org/entmedia/mh012010pkg.cfm">study </a>from the <a href="http://www.kff.org/">Kaiser Family Foundation</a>, children ages 8 to 18 spend more than seven and a half hours a day consuming media on various types of electronic devices (cell phones, computers, television, mp3 players etc.), with links to poor performance in school, obesity, bad behavior or boredom often reported in the heaviest users.<br />
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As urban sprawl continues and our environment shifts from “natural” toward a more manicured, artificial environment, human beings’, and especially young people’s, connection to our natural environment has begun to diminish. Consequently, vital environmental issues tend not to be prioritized. In order to meet the environmental challenges we face, it is crucial to encourage an interest in and affinity for nature by providing better opportunities for young people to engage with nature in meaningful and lasting ways.<br />
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The challenge of invigorating young people’s desire to respect and enjoy nature is a daunting one and at ICP we believe national service and service-learning are important avenues for accomplishing that goal. This blog entry is the first in a pair of entries that endeavors to discuss some of the most vital aspects in the larger strategy of fostering meaningful experiences with and preserving our great outdoors.<br />
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These strategies include: incorporating environmental education and service-learning into school curricula, engaging underrepresented young people in the cause, creating more opportunities for youth service in preservation and revitalization programs, and encouraging parents to allow their children to experience nature by utilizing America’s wonderful public lands.<br />
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Cultivating an affinity for nature in young people is a first and critical step toward safeguarding our environment. It is unrealistic to expect a person to care for something they have no appreciation for, or understanding of. Experiencing nature in meaningful ways is about more than just preservation, it offers young people a window into the beauty and complexity of nature that they might not otherwise have had, as well as an opportunity to learn about science, math, culture, history, etc. Compassion stems from empathy, and empathy necessitates a level of understanding.<br />
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Environmental education, both formal and informal, can be the first step toward a greater understanding of nature. The <a href="http://www.cbf.org/page.aspx?pid=687">No Child Left Inside Coalition</a> (NCLI) is a national coalition of over 1,800 business, health, youth and faith groups working to ensure that every student achieves “basic environmental literacy.”<br />
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The NCLI defines <a href="http://www.cbf.org/Page.aspx?pid=946">Environmental Education</a> as “the study of the relationships and interactions between dynamic natural and human systems.” Experiencing these interactions first-hand while also contributing to nature preservation is an important piece of that education. It is a component of a young person’s education that is critical to his or her own future, as well as that of the planet. NCLI is working toward incorporating environmental education into the curriculum of elementary and secondary schools throughout the United States.<br />
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Weaving environmental service-learning activities into academic curricula is a critical method of encouraging the development of valuable connections to nature. In September, the Maryland State Board of Education recognized this opportunity and <a href="http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2010-09-21/news/bs-md-environmental-education-20100921_1_graduation-requirement-environmental-education-board-members">voted unanimously</a> to make environmental education part of the public school curricula; something <a href="http://www.cbf.org/servicelearning">the Chesapeake Bay Foundation</a>, a strong advocate for environmental service-learning for young people, had been working toward. Maryland was also the first state to mandate <a href="http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/programs/servicelearning/docs/requirements.htm">service-learning participation as a graduation requirement</a> which first came into effect in 1997.<br />
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Recognizing the value that early interaction with science and nature holds is vital to creating environmentally conscious scientists and public servants of the future. I was fortunate enough to have teachers who recognized the advantages of interactive learning long before the Maryland State Board of Education inserted it into curricula.<br />
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My elementary school science teacher, and later my favorite high school biology teacher, both held several classes in a much larger and more interactive classroom environment—the great outdoors. We would take “nature walks” to learn about plant genus & species or take samples for further study back in the classroom. Unbeknownst to us, however, was that we were forging a valuable relationship with nature, something a student cannot glean from a textbook or computer screen.<br />
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My memories of these particular teachers and classes were some of my fondest and most informative as a child, and helped to create the affinity and respect for nature that I have today. <a href="http://www.education.com/reference/article/outdoor-education-science-math-diverse/">Research </a>also shows that the great majority of adults who are active in the environmental science, engineering and advocacy fields “had formative outdoor experiences during childhood or had role models who directed their attention to the environment.”<br />
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Similarly, at the Forest Hills Elementary school in Pennsylvania, Nola Barton, an AmeriCorps Environmental Education Specialist, is helping <a href="http://tribune-democrat.com/makingconnections/x519157642/Hands-on-nature-studies-help-students-in-PSSA-tests">teach a series of hands-on lessons</a> about animals, plants insects etc. She says that “without these firsthand experiences, children often have many misconceptions about animals and nature, so we try to dispel some of these myths.”<br />
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Interactions such as these, seeing physics in action or examining first-hand how a mammal differs from a reptile, are the types of memories and experiences which could help spark much needed interest in science, mathematics and nature; and help to solidify an important bond between a young person and his or her environment.<br />
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A recent <a href="http://news.uns.purdue.edu/x/2009a/090128DarkStudy.html">Purdue University</a> study of 10 eighth grade science classes serves as a more tangible example of the success of interactive learning. This study involved conducting science classes in two distinct teaching methods. Five classes were taught in the traditional manner using textbooks, lectures and tests while the other half were taught using experimental interactive teaching methods including a design/engineering challenge. The researchers found that the students taught using the interactive teaching methods were more engaged in the learning process and more successful in grasping the material.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSq-RITEqs0mJkwKAN6jxnJ88zgXK-Q-L2C5FF_oW8z5DN0RGL-4Ik_as-C2TP4_-Fk0Wq9IS8OrMTviz2C_8mV2XPyndF-WrEpfGfveJALft-zgOXlNxuSnurDpEmEjPqZuc-Gf4IRPU/s1600/arizona-valley_6510_600x450.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548752804299069330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSq-RITEqs0mJkwKAN6jxnJ88zgXK-Q-L2C5FF_oW8z5DN0RGL-4Ik_as-C2TP4_-Fk0Wq9IS8OrMTviz2C_8mV2XPyndF-WrEpfGfveJALft-zgOXlNxuSnurDpEmEjPqZuc-Gf4IRPU/s320/arizona-valley_6510_600x450.jpg" style="float: left; height: 182px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 243px;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Photo Credit: Guido Tramontano Guerritore,</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Monument Valley, Arizona/Utah,</span><br />
<a href="http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/united-states-photos/#/arizona-valley_6510_600x450.jpg"><span style="font-style: italic;">National Geographic</span></a></span></td></tr>
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The researchers concluded that through hands-on learning and direct experiences young people exhibited a deeper understanding and higher level of interest in the material being taught. Furthermore, researchers at Purdue also observed that while all students in the experimental learning classes made gains, these gains were especially evident in students whose native language is not English.<br />
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<a href="http://earthforce.org/section/aboutef">Earth Force</a>, an advocate of environmental education for young Americans, states on their website that incorporating interactive environmental learning activities into education is vital to “fostering young people’s ability to critically assess environmental information and use it to make sound choices.”<br />
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Developing relationships with nature among young Americans through environmental education is an important step in providing them with the experience necessary to take on the immediate environmental responsibilities of our world. Planting the seed of this important bond with nature at a young age will help to solidify this key relationship.<br />
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With studies like the one completed at Purdue University exemplifying the benefits of hands-on learning, and government institutions such as the Maryland State Board of Education recognizing the importance of environmental education, the initial steps toward an environmentally responsible future are being taken. However, if we are to succeed in these goals, we must continue to encourage young people’s thirst for knowledge, exploration and a concern for in the environment.<br />
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A subsequent blog entry will follow next week, outlining some of the programs underway in the United States and globally whose aim is to help achieve these goals, as well as how and where you can get involved.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307904504710134508.post-53059224855628223662010-12-03T16:05:00.004-05:002010-12-16T15:13:44.021-05:00Celebrating International Volunteer Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWDoNNFxZw2DHu21fSUbSO3rGHKYBt7tSf2elvDRWhfZWaatZZ53SyJ07A5EsZepq9JrtDX-qjEaJGADHSyF-GGUQvV44YJRMOEffU9L7RvB21DvNe8-WIBV4-lkNk-LwP9vC970VCn0/s1600/New+Orleans+CGIU+086.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 203px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWDoNNFxZw2DHu21fSUbSO3rGHKYBt7tSf2elvDRWhfZWaatZZ53SyJ07A5EsZepq9JrtDX-qjEaJGADHSyF-GGUQvV44YJRMOEffU9L7RvB21DvNe8-WIBV4-lkNk-LwP9vC970VCn0/s320/New+Orleans+CGIU+086.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546566361647461186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">by Christina Malliet</span><br /><br />This Sunday, December 5, is International Volunteer Day (IVD) 2010. Celebrated annually since the UN passed the resolution in 1985, IVD is observed in many countries around the world. Each year, people celebrate in more than half of the world’s countries, from </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1012/S00103/volunteer-time-is-worth-more-than-money.htm">New Zealand</a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> to </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=121961#axzz174Lpyk9D">Lebanon</a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> to the </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/dec/01/leading-questions-liz-burnley-girlguiding-uk">UK</a><span style="font-family:verdana;">. IVD focuses on celebrating the efforts of volunteers and organizations, increasing their visibility and offering them thanks. Typical activities surrounding this day include rallies, parades and campaigns that promote volunteerism.<br /><br />Sunday also marks the launch of </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.worldvolunteerweb.org/iyv-10/doc/media-release-organizations-worldwide.html">IYV+10</a><span style="font-family:verdana;">, a year-long campaign by international volunteer-based organizations worldwide aimed at better understanding, promoting and supporting volunteerism. Celebrating the 10</span><sup style="font-family: verdana;">th</sup><span style="font-family:verdana;"> anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers, these organizations, led by UN Volunteers (UNV), seek to claim recognition for volunteers throughout the year which will culminate in two UN General Assembly sessions dedicated to volunteerism in December 2011.<br /><br />This year, UNV also hopes to highlight its efforts toward the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) during IVD activities. The MDGs are a set of eight major goals, which address human rights issues like health, poverty and peace, that UN member states agreed to achieve by 2015. In honor of this Sunday’s holiday, UNV is asking for participation in an online community forum for its </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.unv.org/en/what-we-do/intl-volunteer-day/ivd-2010-volunteering-for-the-mdgs.html"><i style="">Share the Story</i></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> campaign.</span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Of course, a day recognizing volunteerism wouldn’t be complete without the activity itself, so many cities and groups are organizing community volunteer projects, hoping to excite people who may not volunteer regularly. </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.unv.org/en/what-we-do/intl-volunteer-day/ivd-2010-volunteering-for-the-mdgs.html">UNV</a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> and many </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://world.edu/content/5-ways-part-international-volunteer-day/">other websites</a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> also offer many resources for finding your own activities. It can even be as easy as volunteering </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.onlinevolunteering.org/en/vol/">online</a><span style="font-family:verdana;">. For even more resources, please refer to our Thanksgiving </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://icicp.blogspot.com/2010/11/volunteer-on-thanksgiving.html">post</a><span style="font-family:verdana;">!</span></span><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><p></p>ICPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234030420192625070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307904504710134508.post-17515645566311892842010-11-23T15:38:00.002-05:002010-11-23T15:48:05.006-05:00The end of military conscription opens new doors for service in GermanyThe German government has decided it’s time for a change. Since 1957, the German military (called the Bundeswehr) has used conscription to keep the military in a close relationship to civil society. Championed by defense minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg and passed by the conservative governing parties, a new plan for reform overhauls a large, inefficient military bureaucracy and replaces it with a smaller and more modern <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/28/world/europe/28iht-germany.html">professional defense force</a>—not to mention a budget savings of around <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/22/germany-abolish-compulsory-military-service">8 million Euros</a> ($10.7 million). <br /><br />But not everyone is happy about the changes to the system. Major opposition to the reforms has come from the social services sector. The end of conscription signals the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/nov/22/germany-national-service-changes-voluntary-sector">loss of a significant source of social labor</a>. Young Germans who object to military service for religious, health, or ideological reasons have historically been given the option to participate in civic duty – a program (the Zivildienst) that attracts as many as 90,000 participants each year. Under the new system, social welfare programs may lose these young men who served community needs in hospitals, at nursing homes, and in schools instead of joining the military. (For more information about Germany’s Zivildienst, please see ICP’s recent publication <a href="http://www.icicp.org/ycpworldwide2010">Youth Civic Participation in Action: Meeting Youth and Community Development Needs Worldwide</a>)<br /><br />For those concerned with the future of Germany’s civil service sector, the end of conscription does bring some positive results as well. In response to the strong protests of social service groups against the decision, the government has unveiled plans to bolster the voluntary sector. Family Minister Kristina Schroeder proposes national voluntary community service to replace the lost work force. This new program could provide new advantages such as <a href="http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5934547,00.html">expanding service opportunities for women</a>, who were not eligible for conscription and did not serve civic duty assignments. Service stints would last up to 24 months, with some subsidization provided by the government. The new program could result in a more inclusive voluntary sector with better funding to pay for volunteers, and effectively replace the personnel lost with the end of conscription.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1