The Price of Indifference
Russia’s Young Are Too Focused on Attaining Material Well-Being to Partake in Human Rights Activism On a grey, dreary Monday evening in Moscow, pre-autumnal rain dully patters down as a group of human rights supporters convene to solemnly remember a champion of their cause. Activist and lawyer Natalia Estemirova’s body was found in the Republic...
World Youth Congress: Global Perspectives
About 600 young people from around the globe gathered in Scotland earlier this month to attend the World Youth Congress. Frederick Bernas finds out why the event was held and what it achieved. “Each and every one of you has the capacity to make a difference for the better and all I can do is...
Uncategorized
Project notes: Peer Support Project, Manchester
What it is: Peer Support Project, Manchester Goals: To provide advocacy and peer support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning young people who are not in education, employment or training Funding: Provided by Manchester City Council, Connexions, the community budget and other funding streams Manchester’s Peer Support Project offers excluded lesbian, gay and bisexual...
World Youth Congress Big Brother
A short video I produced with a friend at the World Youth Congress, August 2005.
Uncategorized
Decorating in Dundee
World Youth Congress delegates worked in Dundee on a project to transform a run-down communal area and football pitch on a housing estate. They were assisted by youth workers, professional artists and local young people in creating a vibrant, innovative and inviting spray-painted mural on surrounding walls. Styles varied from jungle landscapes to architectural constructions,...
Uncategorized
Flat out in Neilston
One of the most productive action projects looks to be the community flat in Neilston, Glasgow. Number eight, Madras Place is located in a housing estate. The property has been given by East Renfrewshire council to local residents to transform into a community base, specifically for young people. World Youth Congress delegates are involved in...
Uncategorized
Project notes: Magic Matrix, north Norfolk
What it is: Magic Matrix, north Norfolk Goals: To bring together looked-after young people from rural or isolated communities Funding: Finance is provided by Norfolk Children’s Services. The young people are considering applying for a YouthBank grant As Norfolk moves towards the development of integrated children’s services, the youth sector will have to work more...
Delegates arrive as World Youth Congress gets into full swing
Stirling University – a quiet, scenic and picturesque setting, albeit a little dark and gloomy weather-wise. But not for long; today, Friday July 29, it bustled with activity, becoming overwhelmed by a mass influx of young people from across the globe assembling for the third World Youth Congress. Designed to give young people their chance...
Nip voter apathy in the bud by involving teenagers
The national dilemma of political apathy amongst this country’s youth is an issue widely covered in many branches of the media, especially at election time. Politicians are the first to complain about it, but seem the last to take action to improve the situation. I believe that simply including young people more in the political...
Can the power of publicity swing Cameron’s hand?