Monday, May 7, 2012

What's Happening In Your Youth Development

Youth Employment Initiative Launched in South Africa
 
Caterpillar Foundation and the International Youth Foundation 
Join Forces to Improve Job Prospects

Johannesburg, South Africa  - To address the challenges young people face in South Africa when entering the labor force or starting their own business, the International Youth Foundation (IYF) and the Caterpillar Foundation have launched EquipYouth, a program that will provide 720 local youth with a package of services that includes technical job and life skills training as well as post-training support. The program, which is gaining valuable corporate support from Barloworld Equipment South Africa (the local Cat® dealer), will be implemented through St. Anthony’s Education Centre, a South African organization established to address the educational and training needs of vulnerable youth and adults in the community.

Through EquipYouth, participants will receive 24 weeks of hands-on training focused on preparing them to acquire certification as electricians, welders, automotive mechanics, bookkeepers, and plumbers. Youth will also receive a life skills training component that includes such issues as workforce readiness, community engagement, and strategies to become self-sufficient. Upon graduation, trainees will register with the job and career counseling office at St. Anthony’s Education Centre where they will receive ongoing support in finding internships and employment opportunities.

"We are excited about the tremendous possibilities EquipYouth will create for these young people," said Caterpillar Corporate Public Affairs Director Jim Baumgartner. “Giving unemployed youth options for a sustainable employment future closely aligns with the Caterpillar Foundation focus on access to education. We are proud to support IYF in its efforts to reach young people with technical training and life skills." Terry Dearling, Executive Director, Human Resources at Barloworld Equipment, added: “As a leading South African company, Barloworld has a responsibility and a desire to help build our nation. That means helping its citizens to obtain the skills they need to become active in the economy – particularly those who simply don’t have the means or the support to achieve their dreams.”

The South Africa program is part of a global EquipYouth three-year partnership between IYF and the Caterpillar Foundation that will provide 8,000 young people in Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Russia, Singapore, and South Africa with market-relevant life and job skills training along with internships, on-the-job training and employment placement services.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

4th ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON YOUTH AND INTERFAITH DIALOGUE

4th ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON YOUTH AND INTERFAITH DIALOGUE                              

Welcome to the website of the 4th Annual International Conference on Youth and Interfaith Dialogue. This year’s International Conference will be held at the ELIEL CENTER, Gold and Base, Jos, Nigeria, from 25-27 October 2012. The Conference will be hosted by New Era Educational and Charitable Support Foundation, in collaboration with The Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions, the United Religions Initiative, and the Jewish-Palestinian Living Room Dialogue Group.
The Conference brings together citizens, including representatives of CSOs and Faith-based Groups within Nigeria and around the world to promote and improve mutual respect between faiths and cultures and to support civil society and individuals who intend to reject violence and build our common future. Since its launch in October 2009, the annual International Conference on Youth and Interfaith Dialogue has introduced and supported actions expanding mutual perceptions among individuals of different religions, cultures, genders, and ethnicities.
The Conference will offer new tools of a successful Interreligious and Intercultural Model for Dialogue and Peaceful coexistence in Nigeria, and Strategy for overcoming the misunderstandings and stereotypes which affect relations between and within the societies.  The women and men will provide recommendations to decision-makers, institutions and individuals for dignifying everyone and our shared values. In a safe space, the Conference will be a living model for creating prosperity, coexistence beyond war, and restoring friendships and trust. This year, we are newly partnering and working very closely with the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions and the Inter-Faith Action for Peace in Africa (IFAPA) to host a pre-parliament event to create awareness about the global interreligious movement and mobilize towards The Brussels, Belgium 2014 Parliament Event . New Era Educational and Charitable Support Foundation is an active NGO Participant of the United Nations Global Compact.
             
REGISTRATION AND PARTICIPATION
Everyone attending the conference is required to complete an official registration form. As space is limited, participants are strongly encouraged to register for the conference as soon as possible. Registration for the conference opens January 1, 2012 and closes October 15, 2012. There will be no extensions and Registrations sent in after this closing date will NOT be considered. All completed Registration Forms MUST be accompanied by the appropriate Registration Fees to be considered. Click to Download and Complete the 2012 INTERFAITH CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEE 
All registrants must pay the registration fee to be confirmed as a participant for the conference. The registration fee provides for a conference program, accommodation, entrance to all conference sessions, including workshops, entrance to the exhibition hall, daily tea break, and all official conference meals. The Conference Registration Fee for Nigerian and International Participants is stated below.  Each participant is responsible for making and paying for their own travel to the conference.

Early Registration ((Jan. -July 2011)     
Late Registration (After July –Oct.15)
Nigerian Participants -       N9,000
N12, 000
International Participants - $300
$350

METHODS OF PAYMENT OF REGISTRATION FEES FOR NIGERIAN PARTICIPANTS 
By Direct Bank Deposit for Nigerian Participants (In Nigerian Naira)
Participants based in Nigeria should pay their appropriate Registration Fees, using the following Bank Account Details:
Account Name:            New Era Educational and Charitable Support Initiative
Account Number:        1012019497
Bank Name:                  Zenith International Bank Plc (ZENITH)
                                        Jos II Branch, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

METHODS OF PAYMENT OF REGISTRATION FEES FOR INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPANTS
a.      Payment of Registration Fees by Electronic Wire Transfer (In US Dollars)
Account Name:                     New Era Educational and Charitable Support Initiative
Account Number:                5070092919
Swift Code:                            ZEIBNGLA
Bank Name:                          Zenith International Bank (Jos II Branch)
                                                Terminus, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

b.       Online Payment, using Credit Card for International Participants (In US Dollars)
International Participants wishing to make Online Registration payments can do so at
SECURE AMMADO ONLINE REGISTRATION CENTER . Please, kindly note that all Bank and Credit Card charges will be borne by participants.

CONFIRMATION AND ACCOMODATION
Registered participants, who have fully paid the appropriate Registration Fees and completed the Online Registration Form, will receive a Customized Confirmation ID (CCID) by email and phone. 

Conference Venue:
The October 2012 International Conference on Youth and Interfaith Communication will be held at the 250-capacity, air-conditioned, multi-purpose Conference Hall of the ELIEL CENTER, located at GOLD AND BASE, behind Nigeria Air force Base, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

The City of Jos: 
Jos, the Capital City of Plateau State, Nigeria’s “Home of Peace and Tourism” was established in 1915, as a tin transportation camp. Its early history was closely linked to the prosperity of the mining industry. In 1967, Jos became the capital of the defunct Benue-Plateau State and was transformed into the capital city of Plateau State in 1975, thus becoming an important administrative and commercial center. With a population of over 1,000,000, Jos remains one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Nigeria today, with people of different religious and cultural backgrounds living together. It is adjudged the “Home of Peace” and the safest city to live in Nigeria.

Jos is situated almost at the geographical center of Nigeria and lies less than 300 km from Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital. Jos is linked by road, rail and air to the rest of the country. It has an equable climate with its average monthly temperatures ranging between 210 and 250 C, average humidity of 60%, and average rainfall of 1,400mm (56”). Other points of interest in Jos include an open–air museum of traditional architecture, and the Jos Museum, which displays artifacts of the Nok Culture. In the early 1900s Jos was built by the British at the site of the pre-existing village of Geash. Tin mining began in the area in about 1907, and developed rapidly following the completion of a railroad in 1914. Jos also grew as a resort town, attracting tourists to its cool climate.
                              
Contact UsWe would love to hear from you! Just send us an email, phone call or fill in the form below and we'll try to get back to you as soon as possible.
CONFERENCE HOST AND SECRETARIAT
Emmanuel Ande Ivorgba, Ph.D, Msc.D
Executive Director,
New Era Educational and Charitable Support Foundation,
RABO HOUSE,
#1 Mazaram Road, Rayfield
P.0.B0X 6451,
Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
Tel: +234-8052627310, +234- 7098811356  

CONTACT INFORMATION IN THE USA
Len and Libby Traubman,
Co-Founders 
Jewish-Palestinian Living Room Dialogue Group, California, USA 
Conference Facilitators and Co-Sponsors 
Email:  ltraubman@igc.org 
Bartholomew Shepkong,Research and Outreach Intern,
Council For a Parliament of the World's Religions
70 East Lake Street, Suit 205
Chicago, IL 60601
Ph. 312.629.2990   Fax 312.629.2991
T


Thursday, March 1, 2012

Call for Applications to form Working Committees!

Today is the official launch of the call for applications to form part of the Working Committees of the Washington DC YouthForce. As you may know, The Washington DC YouthForce 2012 is a coalition of International and community based organizations: Advocates for Youth, CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality, dance4life, Espolea, Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS, LetsStopAIDS, MSMGF - YRG, Y+ Programme GNP+, Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Youth Peer Education Network (Y-PEER) and Youth RISE. These organizations are working together to ensure that youth is meaningfully involved and represented at the XIX International AIDS Conference (IAC) AIDS 2012.

Committees
To realize its objectives and better represent the voices of all young people, the Washington DC YouthForce is seeking members to join the 4 different organizing committees:

- Pre-Conference
- Advocacy and Media
- Youth Pavilion and Reception
- Main Conference

Selection Process
The Washington DC YouthForce is co-chaired by members of youth organizations, civil society or networks and/or core partner organizations. Committee Co-Chairs will review applications and select the top 10 to 12 candidates for each committee.

Although efforts will be made to provide assistance to committee members to find funding to attend the Conference, we cannot guarantee funding and have no input into the IAS scholarship decision process. Committee Co-Chairs reserve the right to replace committee members who do not contribute according to the agreed upon work plan and timeline for delivery, after discussing the situation with them privately and in advance of taking any decisions.

Criteria
- Fluency in English absolutely necessary;
- Frequent Internet access;
- Ability to attend monthly teleconference calls from March 2012 to May 2012 and weekly calls from June 2012 onwards;
- Commitment to a rights-based approach (including evidence-based information and services, condoms, sexual and reproductive rights, harm reduction, etc.);
- Skills and/or organizational capacity that is relevant to the Committee you are applying for;
- Permission from the organization you work with to contribute your time (approx. 2-3 hours/ week) on a voluntary basis;
- Motivation, pro-activeness, flexibility, reliability and a good sense of humor!
- Young People Living with HIV and young people from key populations affected by HIV are strongly encouraged to apply and get involved in the Washington DC YouthForce.

How to apply?
1. Go to http://bit.ly/z3yqFV
2. Fill out the application
3. Upload your CV by clicking the “Upload” button. You will receive a confirmation message.

The deadline to submit the application form is the 12th of march 2012 .

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Nigeria records 281,000 case of HIV annually – FG

 The Federal Government on Monday in Abuja, Nigeria expressed appreciation on the significant progress made in the fight against HIV/AIDS, but declared that the country records 281,000 new infections yearly.
According to the Federal Government, only 400,000 persons living with the disease are receiving drugs out of the 3 million people currently affected. About 1.5 million people are required to be on life saving anti-retroviral drugs.  The Director-General of the National Action Committee on AIDS, Prof. John Idoko, stated this at the zonal consultations on ownership for sustainable HIV response where he also attributed the irregular funding of NACA by donor agencies to global meltdown in the past three years.

He said, We have seen very significant progress in the fight against HIV and AIDS in Nigeria  more than 25 per cent HIV decline between 2001 and 2009. However, we still have very significant gaps.Nigeria has the largest burden of transmission of mother child of HIV in the world  30 per cent with about 70,000 children born every year with HIV. These children hardly live to see their third birthday without treatment.Idoko said much remained to be accomplished if future generations were to live in a world in which the threat of AIDS had been overcome.He said, If we are to transform the landscape of AIDS, it must remain highon the national and global agenda.We must move to a response that is long-term and sustainable-one thatmakes full use of the knowledge and resources developed over the past three decades, yet continues and respond to a changing world that is constantly influencing the future of AIDS.The NACA boss also called on donor agencies to ensure regular funding of the agency.He said, Funding remains largely externally driven and this is unsustainable. Over 80 per cent of our funding for the AIDS response is
from donors.