YLT: Town Hall Meeting and Elections of North American Rep
This week, the ECYI is holding an online Town Hall Meeting and Election to fill the vacancy on the Youth Leadership Team (YLT) for a second North American Representative.
The two Candidates for the role are Anna Duhon of Massachusetts, USA, and Yongjie Yon of British Columbia, Canada. Both are committed to the vision of the Earth Charter and youth empowerment, and enthusiastic to take on YLT responsibilities. The elected Candidate will work closely with Lisa Jokivirta, the current YLT Rep for North America.
This Town Hall Meeting, which start today and ends on Wednesday, 20 February, is a chance for you, the Voters, to get to know Anna and Yongjie better: read their Candidate Statements and CVs, view their photos, and, most importantly, ask them questions by posting comments. Please list your name and country in all comments. Candidates will respond to your questions, or risk losing your vote!
Eligible Voters must:
* have endorsed the Earth Charter before voting;
* have completed the ECYI Membership Application
(or send it in with your vote);
* have been born in or have permanent residency in North America (Canada, Greenland, and USA); and
* have been born on or after 1 January 1978 and on or before 31 December 1991.
After you learn about the Candidates and engage in dialogue with them, cast your vote anytime before midnight Central Standard Time (CST) on Wednesday, 20 February by sending an e-mail to youthcoordinator [@] earthcharter.org. Each eligible Voter may cast one vote. Late votes will not be accepted.
Your vote e-mail must:
* include your full name, country, and date of birth;
* include the name of the Candidate who has earned your vote; and
* have "NA YLT Vote" in the subject line.
Please click below to see photos of Anna and Yongjie, read their Candidate Statements, peruse their CVs, and post comments and questions!
Good luck to both Candidates!
Anna Duhon, Massachusetts, USA
Read Anna's CV
1. Please write a 1-paragraph biography of yourself.
My sense of home is grounded in the hills, small towns and farmlands of Western Massachusetts. I’ve studied anthropology, community and the environment, and am currently a Master’s student in “Natural Resources and Peace” at the University for Peace in Costa Rica. Some of my most defining moments have been spent living in community, or working at the intersection of human and environmental needs and wellness. It is also my great joy and privilege to have worked with many different animals, from goats to box turtles. I particularly love to farm!
2. What inspires you most about the Earth Charter?
I am most inspired by the Earth Charter’s possibility to be a force for transformative change that bridges the personal and the global – acting both within people’s individual lives and larger international processes, and linking the two. I particularly like the all-encompassing concept of Earth Community.
3. What inspires you most about the ECYI?
Its potential to nurture the expansiveness of heart, care for the earth, and empowerment to action that is so needed to realize Earth Community. Also, the connective role it plays between people, organizations, movements, etc.
4. What innovative – and cost effective – ideas do you have for expanding ECYI membership and diversity in your region and creating a strong regional network?
Drawing upon the artistic and passionate voices of people committed to the Earth Charter to share and express its spirit and principles. This could take many different forms (youtube, poetry, graffiti murals) and happen at many different scales and venues. I think tapping into the energy of those who are moved by the Earth Charter is one of the surest ways to spread it, both far and deeply.
5. What special skills, knowledge, or experiences will you draw upon in this work?
I’ve lived and worked on environmental and social issues in many different parts of the States (from Alaska to Massachusetts) and thus have a good overarching sense of networks, organizations, attitudes etc. in my region. I’m accustomed to international settings and interactions, but also firmly grounded in local scale change. I enjoy writing and organizing.
6. What challenges do you foresee encountering in your work as a YLT member?
Integrating both personally, and as a larger movement, the embodiment of Earth Charter values with the advocacy of its principles. Also, finding the way that the Earth Charter and ECYI can be most meaningfully shared in the context of North America.
7. Realistically, how much time do you have to dedicate to your YLT duties each week?
Several hours a week.
8. When did you first learn about the Earth Charter?
Fall, 2006.
9. When did you join the ECYI?
January, 2008
10. What is your date of birth?
November 18, 1981
11. Do you have good spoken and written English skills?
Yes.
12. Do you have good access to the Internet?
Yes.
13. Have you read the entire text of the “YLT Guidelines” carefully?
Yes.
14. Are you prepared and willing to fulfill all of the responsibilities required of YLT Representatives as detailed in the “YLT Guidelines?”Yes.
Yongjie Yon, British Columbia, Canada
Read Yongjie's CV
1. Please write a 1-paragraph biography of yourself.
Yongjie Yon is a 27 years old Masters Gerontology student. He is doing research in the area of elder abuse and ageism among youth and seniors. Yongjie is a founding member of a number of organizations including the SGI Canada Youth Earth Charter Committee in 2003 and the Intergenerational Centre for Action Learning (ICAL). He is also a member of the youth advisory committee for the Fraser Basin Council that contributes to the understanding of sustainability to specific target audiences including youth and the private sector. Furthermore, Yongjie has spoke at a number of local and international conferences and helped facilitated many local and regional sustainability projects.
2. What inspires you most about the Earth Charter?
The comprehensiveness of the Earth Charter in providing opportunities for individuals to make a difference in their communities has inspired me to collaborate with individuals and organizations towards a sustainable future.
3. What inspires you most about the ECYI?
Having participated in the global network of youth, who have come from all corners of the world, to share their successes, resources and innovative ideas has greatly encouraged and inspired me to take action at the local and regional levels.
4. What innovative – and cost effective – ideas do you have for expanding ECYI membership and diversity in your region and creating a strong regional network?
I am currently collaborating with a several organizations to create a B.C.-wide Youth Congress to: 1) reach out to disempowered youth; 2) connect with existing youth groups who are actively involved in all aspects of sustainability; 3) provide a stronger and unified youth voice in B.C. The youth congress will meet on existing conferences throughout the region to reduce our ecological footprint and use existing technology and infrastructure to share resources.
5. What special skills, knowledge, or experiences will you draw upon in this work?
My experiences in coordinating conferences, workshops, seminars and community projects as well as speaking at numerous public events have gave me the experiences and encouragements to become a YLT member. Through these experiences I have acquired many personal contacts at the local and regional level as well as developing the skills to write grants and proposal for funding opportunities.
My academic interest in aging population and youth engagements provide me with the knowledge based to reach out to the key demographic populations within aging society. Both age groups are actively involved in sustainability and I have experiences working with both groups.
6. What challenges do you foresee encountering in your work as a YLT member?
Time management will be my challenge as a YLT however I have very good support systems in which the committees and organizations that I have co-founded have capable successors.
7. Realistically, how much time do you have to dedicate to your YLT duties each week?
3-5 hours per week
8. When did you first learn about the Earth Charter?
March 2003
9. When did you join the ECYI?
September 2004
10. What is your date of birth?
June 6, 1981
11. Do you have good spoken and written English skills?
Yes. I am also fluent in Mandarin.
12. Do you have good access to the Internet?
Yes.
13. Have you read the entire text of the “YLT Guidelines” carefully?
Yes.
14. Are you prepared and willing to fulfill all of the responsibilities required of YLT Representatives as detailed in the “YLT Guidelines?”Yes.
Post your comments and questions for Candidates, below, including your name and country. Then, return for their answers!
Comments
Dear Anna,
Congratulations on announcing your candidacy for the North American vacancy on the YLT.
I am very glad that we are both running because, regardless of the voting results, I think we will be working very closely together as we share similar vision.
Could you share some insights to why you are running for the YLT?
Thanks,
Yongjie Yon
ECYI Member and YLT Candidate
Canada
Posted by: Yongjie Yon | February 14, 2008 12:45 AM
Dear Friends,
I must comment that both the candidates have a very strong profile to be on the YLT. I wish them the best!
Regardless of the results, they should continue with their efforts and vision for making this planet a better place and a gift for future generations.
I send my good wishes. God bless us all.
Best of luck!!!
Regards,
Anantdeep Singh
ECYI Member
India
Posted by: Anantdeep Singh Dhillon | February 14, 2008 3:01 PM
Dear Anantdeep,
Thank you very much for your well wishes! You have a very impressive profile yourself as well.
I am very encouraged that you are also a member of the Interfaith-Community. You may already know this, but there is a section within Earth Charter on “Religion and Sustainability” through which I hope you are able to extend your support, particularly from the youth perspective.
I am member of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) who practices Nichiren’s Buddhism and often participated in inter-faith dialogue on sustainability. I’ve learned to appreciate the rich spiritual foundations of Sikhism and notice the similarity with Nichiren Buddhism on the view of inter-dependency and the idea of transforming the individual self as key to transformation of our environment. I agree with you that spirituality is an important component of sustainability.
As 80% of Canadians reported religiosity and spirituality is an important component in their lives, I will continue to engage in dialogue within my region especially with the youth groups/divisions within the different faith traditions.
It is also coincidental that you mention about the potential challenge in reaching out to the seniors on sustainability issues. Based on the recent Hoggan Report in British Columbia, it revealed that 66% of the BC population recognize sustainability issues as an important area. Among the demographic characteristics of this 66% are older people and youth! However, although they recognize sustainability as an important, the majority of them reported not knowing what they could do. Therefore the challenge for us is to reach out to this 66% of the population. I hope my degree in Gerontology (study of older population) and experiences in youth engagement could provide the background for me to fulfil my role as a YLT Rep.
This is a very exciting and crucial time for North America. We are literarily “[standing] at a critical moment in Earth’s history, a time when humanity must choose its future…”(Earth Charter Preamable).
Thank you very much,
Yongjie Yon
ECYI Member and YLT Candidate
Canada
Posted by: Yongjie Yon | February 14, 2008 7:46 PM
Dear Yongjie,
I thank you for your comment, and have enjoyed very much reading about your interests, ideas and many involvements on behalf of the Earth Charter vision.
As for your question, I think my path to running for the YLT may be a little unusual. I haven't previously been involved in international or youth organizations, and have tended to focus at the local and personal level of change, even if in global contexts.
However, being at the University for Peace [in Costa Rica] and getting to know the Earth Charter staff here, and particularly what the YLT is embracing with its emerging Plan of Action (such as the very inspiring youth publication), has energized my desire to become involved at this more global level. It is new ground for me, but very exciting.
There are many ways of connecting, but being part of a global team of thoughtful, committed, passionate people enacting their vision for a better world is what I would wish for everyone, as it is an embodiment of global community. As you mentioned in your statement, there is a possibility of very rich interchange between involvement in global networks and local actions. I realize this, and am excited about cultivating such interchanges in my life.
I hope that answers your question. I was also wanting to know a little more about your experience with religion/spirituality and the Earth Charter, as it is also my deep interest.
Many thanks,
Anna Duhon
ECYI Member and YLT Candidate
USA
Posted by: Anna Duhon | February 15, 2008 12:30 AM
Dear Anantdeep,
Thank you for your kind comments and wishes. I also like to think of the world as a gift - one that we are ever-receiving, and must care for and pass along.
Peace,
Anna Duhon
ECYI Member and YLT Candidate
USA
Posted by: Anna Duhon | February 15, 2008 12:54 AM
Dear Anna,
Thank you for your response. I also enjoyed reading your work experiences in your CV. You are very accomplished and it is quite a challenge for me to compete with you. I admire your enthusiasm to run for the NA-YLT and, in particular, your focus on the local and personal level because this has also been the focus within the SGI Canada Youth Earth Charter Committee both within my region (Western Canada) and across the nation.
The committee that I co-founded started five years ago with simple projects like street cleaning and workshops at elementary schools on the Earth Charter, which eventually led to bigger projects, initiatives and conferences. We are very fortunate to connect with SGI-USA and held several regional dialogues on sustainability as well as joining the ECYI in 2004. Immediately we are able to see the importance for the emergence of a North American Youth Network that could share resources and encourage one another to take local actions. I hope that together with Lisa Jokivirta we could all work together with the many youth groups in America, Greenland and Canada.
Regarding my experience with spirituality and the Earth Charter I am very glad that you gave me this opportunity to share my experiences and how it ultimately guided me towards running for the NA-YLT. I am a member of the SGI which is a global Buddhist network of people that actively promotes peace, culture and education through personal change and social contribution.
There is a saying “All the happiness in the world comes from thinking of others; all the suffering in the world comes from thinking of only oneself.” When I first started with the Earth Charter activities I did not have a sense direction but through practicing Buddhism I begin to engage in dialogue with many youth within SGI and the broader community on the topic of “Life” and “Sustainability.” Through this I begin to realize that my own challenges had become diminished and that perhaps other people have more serious obstacles than mine.
I came to profound appreciation of many individuals like Dr. Wangari Maathai (Founder of the Greenbelt Movement) and our very own Sylvanus Murray, Coordinator of an ECYG in Sierra Leone, who despite of adversities created global and local movements for the sake of Peace and Sustainability. Talking with these individuals and many others have inspired me to move beyond my own difficulties and whole-heartedly work towards a happier and sustainable future. Being a member of SGI Canada provided me with the spiritual foundation to see the unlimited potential in myself and other people. Based upon these experiences, I hope to serve the youth in North America and Greenland by first engaging in mutual dialogue.
There are many wonderful “golden memories” about working with the Earth Charter which I hope to share with you in the coming years. I’m sorry for the long response and want to thank you, sincerely, for your kind attention.
Sincerely yours,
Yongjie Yon
ECYI Member and YLT Candidate
Canada
Posted by: Yongjie Yon | February 16, 2008 4:52 AM
Dear Anna and Yongjie,
Congrats to you both for applying to be the North America Rep on the YLT! I can't tell you how excited I am to work with such inspiring and passionate individuals such as yourselves!!
Just two quick questions. Having reviewed the Plan of Action that the YLT drafted during our time in India:
(1) What are your initial thoughts on resource mobilization and partnerships? For example, are you aware of any potential partner organizations, youth networks or donors within the North American context?
(2) How might we best engage young people globally to contribute to our two global initiatives (i.e. radio campaign and international youth-led publication)? Do you have any specific 'visions' for either one of these efforts?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts, and best of luck to you both!!
Lisa Jokivirta
YLT Representative
Canada
Posted by: Lisa Jokivirta | February 17, 2008 7:54 PM
Dear Anna and Yongjie,
Please accept my gratefulness for your application to and interest in the Earth Charter Youth Leadership Team. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your profiles and learning more about each of you.
Best to you each as you explore this new venture in life.
In peace,
Marissa L. Bond
Earth Charter International Intern
ECYI Member
USA / Costa Rica
Posted by: Marissa L. Bond | February 19, 2008 5:38 AM
Hi everyone,
As a former Core Group Member, I want to thank both Anna and Yongjie for putting their names forward to fill the second North American YLT position.
This is an exciting time for the ECYI to bring the Earth Charter into the fore with issues like climate change and poverty becoming relevant to the general public in North America. There are so many like-minded organizations in our respective communities that are looking to work together towards dealing with these global issues from a local perspective.
Having worked with Yongjie on many community projects with elementary and high school students, with community youth organizations, and other non-governmental organizations, I know that a demand exists for youth involvement in these key issues that are addressed in the Earth Charter.
I certainly hope that this election process will further heighten youth interest in the Earth Charter and the ECYI in North America, and that we can create a strong foundation for youth engagement in the community with the Earth Charter as our guide and tool for constructive change. I hope that everyone will be able to develop strong connections with each other towards this goal.
I look forward to continue working with Yongjie in strengthening our wide network of organizations in the Pacific Northwest to utilize the Earth Charter in this exciting time regardless of the outcome of this election process.
And, I certainly hope to work with Lisa and Anna in developing our common goal of strengthening the North American ECYI network.
Richard Chu
Former ECYI Core Group Member
ECYI Member
Canada
Posted by: Richard Chu | February 19, 2008 8:31 AM
Dear Lisa,
Thank you for your questions. I’m happy that you’ve made references to the Global Plan of Actions as the process of contributing to these initiatives can help strengthen our relationships and networks with other like-minded organizations within North America and Greenland.
(Note: Plan of Action was created by the YLT during the recent 4th International Conference on Environmental Education in India. The plan of action consists of regional and global action plans with specific objectives and timelines – the YLT Plan of Action is available upon request.)
Here are my two “quick” responses:
(1) Regarding the issues of resource mobilization and partnerships I am very impress by the exciting plans for implementing the radio campaign and youth-led publication. As stated in the North American overview and regional objectives we are engaging existing and new partnerships as well as contributing to the two global initiatives. I think it is very important to adapt the initiatives to the contexts of North America and Greenland. By adapting the initiatives to the issues pertaining to our region and local communities we can better engage and encourage existing and new partnerships to come on board as well as securing long-term funds. My experiences in fund-raising and proposal writing are that many organizations and potential donors expect specific outcomes that benefit the local community. Hence by adapting the initiatives to our region not only we could secure local funding but also we could gain support from the communities due to its relevancy.
My committee and I have been actively involved in local and regional dialogues and sustainability projects. We have cultivated a number of good relationships with several organizations and are aware of the possible funding opportunities.
(2) In terms of engaging young people to contribute to the global initiatives I think it is extremely important to develop the mindset of “Think Globally and Act Locally”. One piece of guidance and encouragement from Dr. Maathai, Earth Charter Commissioner, that resonate in my heart is her comment: “It’s very, very important for us to take action at the local level. Because sometimes when we think of global problems, we get disempowered. But when we take action at the local level, we are empowered.” I was very inspired by Dr. Maathai's comment the focus on local actions has always been the objectives within the SGI Canada Youth Earth Charter Committee.
I am aware of the radio campaign initiated by Namir a few years ago and feel excited about this campaign. In addition to raising awareness of the Earth Charter, I think that both the radio campaign and the international youth-led publication are excellent tools to encourage youth in our region and local communities to share their successes and, at the same time to, celebrate youth engagement. From this perspective we are helping the youth to develop the confidence and assurance that their individual actions towards sustainability are an important component to global change.
As an engaged youth I have participated in a number of media consultations on the value of community engagements. These experiences gave me the opportunity to see the significance of using media as communication tools. Within the SGI Canada Youth Earth Charter Committee we have contributed a number of articles in our National Publication entitled “New Century” as well as the international publication entitled “SGI Quarterly” on various aspect of Earth Charter.
Thank you for your looong attention. I will try to be concise in the future.
Sincerely yours,
Yongjie Yon
ECYI Member and YLT Candidate
Canada
Posted by: Yongjie Yon | February 19, 2008 10:07 AM
Hola Lisa,
Thank you for the very good questions. They deserve much consideration and discussion…I can at least offer some initial thoughts.
Several potential partner organizations and youth networks come to mind from my own experience. The Orion Grassroots Network is a wonderful existing resource based in the US with over 1,000 grassroots member organizations engaged in "ecological, social and cultural change." Though it is focused around organizations and not youth per se, it is quite geared towards youth in its listings of opportunities to get involved in. You can find more information at http://www.orionsociety.org/pages/ogn/index.cfm.
I think religious youth groups in general are also very important existing networks and potential partners. Specifically, I know about the Unitarian Universalist youth networks, which includes both a “youth” group for ages 14-20 and a young adult network, for ages 18-35. These are quite well established in North America and shaped around the UU principles - which very much echo the Earth Charter principles (i.e. "respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part"). Here is the link for the young adult network: http://www.uuyan.org/index_js.html.
Finally, there are a number of organizations that I don’t know much about but that seem quite promising partners, such as the Youth Environmental Network in Canada (http://www.yen-rej.org/), campus organizations (including IdealistOnCampus.org), and North American indigenous organizations such as Honor the Earth (http://www.honorearth.org/), which often have associated indigenous youth groups.
As for your second question, I’ll focus on the youth-led publication, as I am most excited about it. Since it is such a beautifully creative project, I think it could be very effective to launch the call for submissions in as creative a way as possible. I can envision having clips of artwork, photos and words written or being spoken by global youth as an invitation and example to the possibilities of such a publication, leading to a call for people’s own voices and expressions. The University for Peace [in Costa Rica, where I am a student] might be a good setting to gather such a creative assemblage because, as you know, it is engaged in a similar Earth Charter-inspired publication and has youth contributors from around the world, but all in one place! Once you have examples of creative, inspiring youth voices, these can be incorporated in many ways – in a Youtube video, on web networks, over the radio (a combination of the two actions!), etc.
Sorry for the very long response. These are both exciting projects with many possibilities, and I look forward to contributing in some way to them both.
Thanks,
Anna Duhon
ECYI Member and YLT Candidate
USA / Costa Rica
Posted by: Anna Duhon | February 19, 2008 5:26 PM
Dear Marissa,
Thank you for your comments! I'm sure your experience working with the Earth Charter Initiative will be an invaluable resource to us. We are counting on you for your continue support in the near future.
All the best,
Yongjie Yon
ECYI Member and YLT Candidate
Canada
Posted by: Yongjie Yon | February 19, 2008 7:10 PM
Dear Yongjie,
I wanted to thank you for your response, and sharing some of your personal story of involvement with the Earth Charter and a spiritual community. I enjoyed hearing more of your own path, and look forward to continuing our dialogue in some form - perhaps even getting to meet in person one day.
Peace,
Anna Duhon
ECYI Member and YLT Candidate
USA / Costa Rica
Posted by: Anna Duhon | February 19, 2008 7:56 PM
Dear Richard,
Thank you for your comments. It is great to hear from a long time friend. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all the Core Group Members from 2005-2007 for your esteemed efforts.
After the EC+5 Conference in 2005 I really witnessed the amazing growth of the ECYI. I feel proud to have met the Core Group Members and hope to continue working closely with all of you, the "pioneering" ECYI as well as the ever expanding ECYI network.
Cheers,
Yongjie Yon
ECYI Member and YLT Candidate
Canada
Posted by: Yongjie Yon | February 20, 2008 2:10 AM
Dear Anna,
Thank you Anna! Good luck tomorrow on the election. I truly look forward to have the opportunity to meet you in person.
I wish you success in your studies and all your sustainability endeavours!
Best,
Yongjie Yon
ECYI Member and YLT Candidate
Canada
Posted by: Yongjie Yon | February 20, 2008 4:29 AM
Congratulations to all of you for engaging in such a cooperative, soul-searching, and productive Town Hall Meeting. This is truly in the spirit of the ECYI!
Thanks to Anna, Yongjie, Anant, Lisa, Marissa, and Richard, as well as those of you who closely followed the discussion.
The Town Hall Meeting has come to a close, but I encourage continued dialogue.
Now, the votes will be counted and we will announce the new North American YLT Representative in the next ECYI Blog entry.
Regardless of the results, I am so pleased to see that both Anna and Yongjie are highly committed to the Earth Charter and that they will surely work closely together in the future.
In peace and gratitude,
Dominic Stucker
International Youth Coordinator
Germany / USA / Costa Rica
Posted by: Dominic Stucker | February 21, 2008 3:37 PM