Afghanistan Youth Action Network AYAN


Afghanistan Youth Action Network AYAN
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Afghanistan Youth Action Network AYAN has been created by Afghan youth to provide development and support for youth and youth-led organizations operating in Afghanistan. AYAN is working to support meaningful participation of young people in decision making and solution building in national, regional and international level. Membership of AYAN is voluntary and free for young people and all organizations which have committed to achieving its vision and mission and agreed to its principles of collaboration.

Vision: Realizing the potential of young people as leaders and supporting their active participation in decision making and solution building toward sustainable development in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goals set out by the United Nations.

Mission: Improve the coordination and harmonization of efforts to achieve the following objectives:

Ensure the meaningful participation of young people in decision-making and solution-building at regional and national and international level.
Support involvement of young people in policy making and development projects
Promote continuous leaning through facilities of a global community of young people working on youth participation in policy making.

The Global Youth Action Network is an incubator of global partnerships among youth organizations; its mission is to facilitate youth participation and intergenerational partnership in global decision-making, to support collaboration among diverse youth organizations, and to provide tools, resources, and recognition for positive youth action to change the world.

Global Youth Action Network

New!!!

Rotarians on the field:

Elementary school opens for hundreds of children in Afghanistan

Through the efforts of dedicated volunteers, a new elementary school is opening to serve the needs of up to 2,000 local girls and boys. The school in Jalalabad has been transformed from tents and dirt floors to new classrooms full of supplies, a library, and a health clinic all housed in a concrete building.

The project sprouted from the vision of San Diego Rotary member Fary Moini, who resolved to build a new school for children on the outskirts of Jalalabad. She has made a number of trips to Afghanistan, with supporting funds and supplies from her Rotary club, to work on the school. Working with her fellow Rotary club members at the La Jolla Rotary club, Fary raised more than $100,000 for the project.

Rotary International www.rotary.org

Lisbon, Portugal, 8-12 August 1998

Statement by a young person, Geena Gonzales who attended an international AIDS conference in Geneva

« I am 24 years old and I used to be a sex worker. A total twist in my life came when my friend got infected with HIV. I then decided to take action in further preventing the spread of HIV and STDs among my peers. I vowed to myself that I will forever be an AIDS activist. I joined an NGO of people living with HIV and AIDS as a volunteer giving care and support, HIV/ AIDS lectures, and testimonials. I have seen a lot of discrimination and human rights violations. I am calling on everyone, especially the young people, regardless of nationality, cultural differences, and colour. We need more collective action in order to fight AIDS. I believe that education is powerful but it is not enough. Young people must have their part and share responsibility and decision making. »

We must not only forge partnerships with young people; we must seek to learn from them, and to take on their characteristics.

Like them, we must be enthusiastic.

Like them, we must be creative.

Like them, we must be caring and remain optimistic.

Like them, we must be impatient.

And, with them, we must succeed.

Celebrate Global Youth Service Day April 16-18, 2004!

On Global Youth Service Day, millions of young people in countries everwhere will highlight and carry out thousands of community improvement projects. This day will be a way for local, national, and international organizations to:

BUILD the capacity of an international network of organizations that promotes youth participation, service, and learning;

EDUCATE the public, the media, and policy-makers about the year-round contributions of young people as community leaders around the world;

MOBILIZE youth and adults to meet the needs of their communities through volunteering; and

LEARN and share effective practices in youth service, youth voice, and civic engagement in the world today.

GYSD 2003!

If you want a World Fit for Children

A World Fit for Everyone then

You are cordially invited to attend

5TH Session of International Young General Assembly

Saturday, July 31, (arrival day) through Sunday August 8, (departure day) 2004

at the National Centre for Women's Development

in Abuja, Nigeria

Hosted by General Action Against the Violation of Human and Childrens Rights

This exciting meeting offers participants a balance of productive time in working committees and time to relax and enjoy new friendships with like-minded young people from all over the world. It is set in the heart of western Africa. The main meeting goal is to write a booklet of 105 project plans that young people can do to implement A World Fit for Children 21 targets and to conduct Young General Assembly business so the organization involving more than 2 and ½ million young people worldwide can operate more effectively in the future. The schedule contains stimulating working days, fun filled nights, and the opportunity to experience the rich culture of Nigeria and aims to:

1. Build an avenue for children and youth to come together to share ideas, information and experiences;
2. Provide an opportunity for young participants to gain new skills, build networks, and develop new projects;
3. Focus on making Child Participation vital and effective, and setting global priorities for children in every area;

4. Continue to develop an international network of childrens and youth groups to support United Nations goals.

A World Fit for Children (WFFC) is the outcome document of the May 2002 United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Children. Governments who signed the document have national plans of action to implement the 21 WFFC targets by the year 2010. Children want these targets to be met fully. The Young GA created its Global Plan of Action so Child Participation will assist governments in achieving the 21 WFFC targets. Now a booklet of WFFC project plans is needed to give children ideas about how they inexpensively implement their governments national plan of action.

Peaceways-Young General Assembly (Young GA) was created, developed and is run mainly by people under the age of 18. It serves as a respected voice for people under 18 in international affairs and unites the worlds young people in responsible action through its project plans and activities that bring United Nations goals to life in local communities. It holds consultative status with ECOSOC and UNICEF and NGO status with UN DPI.

Each organization can send one delegation to Abuja. Each delegation can consist of no more than 3 people: 2 people under the age of 18 and one person over 18. People under 18 can attend alone, however, people over 18 cannot attend without being accompanied by 2 people under 18. Young General Assembly Member Organizations will be approved first. Its easy to join. Young GA Member Organizations pay no dues. If there is room, then other organizations may send delegates under 18. Registration for the Session closes June 30, 2004.

Participants are responsible for their own transportation costs to the international airport in Abuja. The Conference Fee of US$150 covers transportation between the Abuja airport and the conference venue, sleeping quarters for 8 nights, meals, and educational materials. The meeting is being hosted by General Action Against the Violation of Human and Childrens Rights (GAAVOCHR) under the leadership of its young founder, Temidayo, Israel-Abdulai, and supported by Save the Children U.K-Nigeria, UNICEF-Nigeria, and other partners.

REGISTER BEFORE JUNE 30, 2004 with: Peaceways-Young General Assembly Secretariat, 1950 Sunset Drive, Reedsburg, Wisconsin 53959 USA, Tel/Fax: +1.608.524.4608, peaceways@igc.org, www-Young-GA.org

AFTER REGISTRATION IS COMPLETED, for visas and travel information contact: GAAVOHCR, 22 Osholake Street, Ebute-Metta. Lagos. Nigeria, Tel: +234.802.327.2481, 805.544.6774, Fax: +234.1.269.0726. Youngga2004@yahoo.co.uk, dayo@afruca.org