International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

August
2009

Dear friend,

You may have noticed that you have not received a copy of our e-newsletter in some time – over the past weeks, we have used the opportunity to think about what this newsletter is for, and we think that it should be your message, your ideas and your stories. We need you to let us know what you would like to read about, and let us know if you have something you want to shout about! Your actions, no matter how small, deserve to be shared! If you let us know what you are doing, we can share it with youth the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement throughout the world. Your short e-mail could give someone an idea that will help them change the community in which they live, so don’t be shy about what you do – let us know!

We hope that you like the new layout and style of the e-newsletter, and we welcome comments! Please read as much of it as you can, and pass it on to anyone you know who is interested in youth and its development, even if they are not yet involved in the Red Cross or Red Crescent. We are also seeking National Society volunteers to work with us – we need help in gathering articles, and so need to grow our group of online ambassadors. We also need help with translating what we produce into other languages? Can you help us each month by sharing stories and news with us, or by translating some content? Remember, our success is up to you!

 


Upcoming events


International Youth Day
12 August
Worldwide

World First Aid Day
12 September
Worldwide

Youth Commission meeting
28-29 August
Geneva, Switzerland

IFRC General Assembly
18-21 November
Nairobi, Kenya

 

 

Recent activities

Opening ceremony of Youth on the move. Photo: Stephen Ryan/International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Romain Lare, Youth Commission at the opening of Youth on the move. Photo: Olivier Berten/Belgium Red Cross

Bekele Geleta, IFRC Secretary General, during a chat with Red Cross and Red Crescent Youth volunteers. Photo: Jean-Charles Chamois/International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

 

Youth on the move

Hundreds of young people from National Societies right around the world have by now returned to their home countries and communities following Youth on the move. They have brought with them memories which will last a lifetime and true friends from more countries than they could imagine. That is not all they have carried home with them though. They have also brought the skills and knowledge gained, and will go on to share them with their peers. Youth on the move was and is far more than just a youth meeting in one single country. The measure of the success of this move is how youth of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement can do more, do better and reach further throughout their local communities across the world.

We have already taken an important step – we have a plan and a guide – through the Solferino Youth Declaration, we can already know what has been identified as the areas in which there are the greatest needs, and how we can work together to have the greatest impact. The next steps are up to you(th)!

Even if you were not lucky enough to take part in the world youth meeting in Italy, you can still be a part of Youth on the move. Read the declaration, and find inspiration from the blog stories and videos of prepared by the youth representatives that were there.


The Journey of an idea. Photo: Wiebke Uhmeyer / Swiss Red Cross  

The Journey of an idea

150 years ago, Henry Dunant had a visionary idea when he took action in Solferino to help those in the greatest need, but what would it be today other than just an idea if he had not presented the idea to the world? Thanks to the Swiss Red Cross, over 200 young people had the opportunity to follow the example of Dunant in bringing their idea and vision to the world. You can read about the journey by visiting this news page. Photos will be available shortly on the Swiss Red Cross Facebook page.


 

New blood for the world

By now, most of you are all well aware the world youth meeting that was held in Solferino in June, but did you know that there was another world meeting held in June that also important for youth? Those of you who are involved in Club 25 are certainly aware that Nairobi, Kenya played host to the International Forum: Club 25 and health promotion from 24–27 June. Eighty participants representing youth of 43 countries used the opportunity to discuss social responsibility among young people through voluntary blood donation and related activities, promotion of healthy lifestyles and development of leadership skills as well as sharing case studies and good practice related to Club 25. Read about the event here.


 

International Youth Day 2009

The world youth meeting may be over, but you can tell that its spirit has not died. Youth right around the world are on the move, doing more, doing better and reaching further. Today, 12 August, the world celebrates International Youth Day 2009, and this year’s theme is sustainability. What will you do to mark this special day? How will you start the discussion with your peers, in your community and around the world, on how to make youth action more sustainable in the days and weeks to come? You can read more about the event here.

 
Youth opportunities
Hannington Segirinya accepting the Youth Award on behalf of the Uganda Red Cross at the General Assembly in 2007. Photo: Jorge Perez/International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies  

IFRC Youth Award 2009

Do you know about the Youth Award? We will soon be accepting applications for the International Federation Youth Award 2009. The award aims to promote youth action to do more, do better and reach further. In communities right around the world, youth are already acting as agents of change and with the innovation and insight that they bring, will effectively address the humanitarian challenges of today by working with and for vulnerable groups in local communities. Through this award, you have the chance to show the difference that youth can make, and if selected, your project will receive the support needed to make the changes that you want to see in the world. You can find more information on the Youth Award pages, and you should contact your National Society now so you can make your proposal


 

Your commission needs you(th)!

Do you feel that the voice of youth is well heard within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement? Why not be the change you want to see in the world? At this year’s General Assembly there will be three open positions on the Youth Commission, the body that represents the voice of young people within the International Federation. The commission advises the General Assembly and Governing Board on all matters related to youth. If you are between 18 and 31, motivated, committed and interested, perhaps this is the role for you. For more detailed information, please visit this page.


Gerard McHale, Irish Red Cross, raising issues related to youth during the General Assembly in 2007. Photo: Stephen Ryan/International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies  

Decisions - youth are needed for the General Assembly

The highest level meeting for decision making within the IFRC, the General Assembly will be held later this year in Nairobi, Kenya from 18–21 November. As for all statutory meetings, National Societies are again encouraged to include a youth representative in their delegation. As in past years, there will be also a separate youth meeting held on 17 November, prior to the main assembly. We would like as many young people as possible to attend, and speak on behalf of millions of other youth volunteers. This means that YOU need to take action now. Read the background information, and then contact your society’s leaders immediately to ensure that they have included a youth delegate in their registration.


Our world is in a mess. It's time to make your move - visit www.ourworld-yourmove.org  

Our world. Your move.

All over the world, young people are stepping forward and making their move. These actions often go unnoticed, and we miss an opportunity to inspire others to make their move, and be the change they want to see in the world. We would like to take this opportunity to encourage you to share your move. You can do so by visiting the “Our world. Your move.” web page, and leave a short message or blog posting, but you can also let us know what your move is by emailing us, so that we can feature it here. You only need write a short line or two, but your message could inspire others to do the same. It will only take a moment, so email us now!

 
Youth resources
YouTube  

Youth views

Youth on the move video
Watch the video that opened the event in Solferino, listen to the music that got everyone so motivated!
Solferino video diary
Follow the events in Solferino by watching these four daily video updates

Youth videos from Solferino
Short videos created by Youth on the move’s “Online ambassadors”. New videos are still being added.
Non-discrimination in disaster response
This 11 minute video chronicles the relief efforts following flooding in Mexico in 2007, focusing on non-discrimination.

Visit the IFRC YouTube channel to see more Red Cross and Red Crescent related videos. Do you have a Red Cross or Red Crescent video that you think should be featured? Let us know.


Solferino Youth Declaration. Copyright: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies  

Youth documents

Solferino Youth Declaration
Download and read the full text of the Solferino Youth Declaration
August e-newsletter
You can download this newsletter in a format that is easy to print and distribute. Please remember the environment and avoid printing excess copies.

Strategy 2020
Comments are still being invited on Strategy 2020, currently at draft five and available on FedNet. Email comments before 31 August.

Does your National Society have interesting documents that you think should be featured? You can easily have them shared by emailing the editor.


 

 


Links


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Photography competition
UNDP is running a photography competition on humanizing development.
Find out more

 


Contact us


E-mail:
youth@ifrc.org

Web:
www.ifrc.org/youth

 


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The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, with 186 member National Societies.

Our work is guided by seven Fundamental Principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.