YOUTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

Hello Delegate,
This is a Call for Participation in an INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF NGOs(Non-Governmental Organizations) holding in on the 27th to 30th June 2011 in Guine-Bissau, 11th to 14th July 2011  in Califonia USA where as many as 2000 participants from across the world including Health Practitioners, Professionals in relevant fields, Lawyers, Psychologists, Women and Youth Development Groups, Government Officials, Donor Agencies and participating NGOs will meet to discuss issues pertaining to the Welfare of NGOs...and also to meet others like yourself; to learn, teach, inspire and being inspired.

This event will be exploring the potential of a practical approach that will unleash and nurture the human capacity to create,collaborate and change positively, the world at large.

What are the objectives of this meeting? The meeting will provide a medium where participating individuals and NGOs will convene to address and discuss ways of improving key Humanitarian issues and
 topics with much emphasis on Human Rights, Gender Equality, Peace and Security,Social and Economic Development, Youth and Children, Health Education,Ethics and Value and Environmental Protection. Participating NGOs will have direct access to grants by International Donor Agencies. 

Encouraging countries with a longer experience in implementing trategies.

The opening Lecture will be held by Dr.(Mr.) Jay Chou who is the President of the Center for Human Rights Research and Development, Hong-Kong  The program will include:
* Thought-provoking plenary
* In-depth breakout and dinner sessions for strategy-development
* Capacity and skills-building sessions; and * Debates to stimulate discussion.
In addition to the main program, the meeting will also host book launches, artistic and cultural activities, exhibitions, plenty of space and opportunity for informal networking and alliance building.
 All plenary and selected breakout sessions will have interpretation into English,Arabic,Spanish,French.

Who can participate? What happens if more than 2000 participants apply?
 Anyone who is a member of an NGO, Professionals in related fields, Students Unions, Lecturers of Universities and Community based organizations, the Clergy as well as women and youth development groups can apply to participate.

If more than 2000 people apply (as we anticipate), a global selection committee will select a representative 2000 from among the applicants.
 This committee will ensure that the participants at the meeting are truly international and represent a diverse range of interests, issues, and regions. The events will take place at International Youth Fundation Conference Hall Florida , Victoria Inn Hong Kong and Morarre Hotel London.

I can't afford the cost - Can you help? Richard Dolls Foundation has set up an Access Fund to support the travel costs for all qualified participants. How do I apply, and when is the deadline? All Interested
 organizations should send an email to the Local Organizing Committee.
 Participants MUST be a group of 1-3 persons to qualify for
 registration.

Contact Person:
Rev.(Dr.) George Solomon
Regards,
Local Organizing Committee
Richard Dolls Foundation

2009 Youth Conference

New members of Youth Foundation are likely to hear about  Youth Conference from more experienced members. World Youth Conference, which has been held for 90 years, is open to Youth Foundation members in 7^th-10^th grade. The 2011 World Youth Conference will held on the 27th to 30th June 2011 in Guine-Bissau, 11th to 14th July 2011 in Califonia USA.

Around 2000 people from all around World were at Youth Conference this last year. As in years past, youth attended daytime seminars, heard from keynote speakers, enjoyed performances by the World Youth Drama Company and Showcase Singers and had a chance to experience dorm life for a few nights. Youth Conference is also designed to help youth strengthen their communication and leadership skills to help them better serve their home communities and Youth clubs.

The 2011 Youth Conference offered something different, though. In addition to the usual range of seminars about radio and video production, public speaking, STEM activities and water seminars like sailing and windsurfing (which, I’m told, are perennial favorites), everyone attending Youth Conference this year was required to take a service learning seminar. Many of the seminars addressed the conference’s theme – WYFC…We’ve Always Been Green”—and focused on environmental issues. These seminars taught lessons on conservation and healthy living that youth will bring back to their home communities and countries; with everyone participating, World Youth Conference donated over 800 hours of community service to youths in the process.

2009 Youth Conference seminar at Dream Bikes

Seminars at the WYFC had youth doing some damage control on invasive species in both areas. They pulled out invasive plants and helped restore the areas’ natural ecosystems—in the process, they learned how to address invasive plant issues in their own communities and countries. In another weeding-related seminar (taught by Youth Community Gardens), youth tended to community gardens that serve low-income populations in the world. While there, they learned about cultural differences in gardening, and how to plan a community garden to include culturally sensitive foods—for instance, planting bok choy rather than iceberg lettuce.

In a seminar meant to address healthy living and the environment, youth hopped on bikes to  west side to Dream Bikes, a non-profit staffed by the Boys & Girls Club. They helped repair used bikes for youth children while learning bike safety and some of the benefits of biking versus driving.

2009 Youth Conference Drama Company

Drama Company even got in on the go-green action with their Tuesday night presentation. What started out as a whirlwind history of important trees (think George Washington and the cherry tree, activists in redwood forests and others) ended with a strong message about human impacts on nature. Using a combination of jokes, facts and literary quotes, they imparted lessons about conservation, activism and the importance of trees to the world today.

All week, the atmosphere at Youth Conference was crackling with excitement and enthusiasm, and youth seemed genuinely happy to be in Florida, learning new skills and making connections with new friends from around the World. Even after 90 years, Youth Conference remains an exciting, educational way to forge connections and find ways to enrich local communities with lessons learned at the state level.