• a brief introduction and welcome to e-GLO,
• participant work, including their own blogs, videos, animation, photos, and interviews,
• participant’s commentary on their work and the course,
• the presentation of certificates, and
• an interactive “Lobby Chat” between participants and guests.

Participants are inspiring young people from 23 different countries, engaged in local grassroots projects and global initiatives.

To join us, click here at 14:00 GMT on Saturday …and click on “Enter as a guest.” No password is required. Just type your name, organization, and country. Then wait to be accepted into the room. Only the first 200 people may enter, so arrive on time!

To learn more, visit the e-GLO Facebook group.

The book Interwoven Stories: The Fabric of Community was launched amid a clamour of excitement at the University for Peace in Costa Rica (UPEACE). On 30 April, the outdoor cafeteria became alive with music and bodies as students, staff and faculty members of the UPEACE community piled in. A neat pyramid of shiny books adorned the scene – when the cover was pulled back, a beautiful creation that had been months in the making was unveiled.

A buzz was truly in the air as I stood nervously at the microphone. On several occasions the energy welled up and erupted into an enthusiastic outburst of cheering and clapping. Everyone wanted to celebrate our friends and colleagues who had ventured to contribute their stories and ideas. We invited a few authors to read their pieces. The readings were powerful. These were the brave voices of people with whom I interacted every day; to hear their voices strong with conviction and wavering with emotion made the depth of our relations so much more apparent. Whether from Kenya, Costa Rica or the United States, we have stories to share. What a beautiful celebration of our community.

And celebrate we did! After the presentation and readings wound up, we distributed the books to eager hands, and unveiled another surprise – a spherical Earth cake deliciously flavored in lime and vanilla. In all, the book launch was absolutely memorable; a great afternoon powered by the incredible energy of our caring and creative community.

Click below to view PDFs of each section of the book. Make sure to leave a comment for the authors and editors, Lisa Jokivirta and Jessica Moe, at right.

Introduction

I. Connectedness

II. Walls and Borders

III. Rituals

IV. The Earth, Our Home

V. Community in Action

VI. Musings

Appreciations and Acknowledgements

Enjoy this moving, humorous, and thought-provoking collection! Then, leave comments below!

Groundwork Lawrence employs youth, ages 14-18, in a yearlong program, called the Green Team, which supports their development into committed and knowledgeable stewards of their urban environment. This year’s Green Team has been engaged in city-wide clean-ups, urban gardening, water quality testing, and organizing and leading an environmental expo that covered such topics as diesel pollution, and alternatives to toxic household cleaning agents.

On Earth Day, I brought the Green Team to attend a speech at Tufts University by Van Jones, a dynamic Green Jobs activist and founder of Green For All based in Oakland, California. His words were truly inspirational. In front of an audience of approximately 400 people, the Green Team had the chance to engage Van Jones in a dialogue about maintaining hope in the face of adversity. We also wanted to know more about the role youth can play in making a difference in the world.

Click here to watch the entire video address by Van Jones. If you click on “Audience Questions” you will hear the first question posed by Wanny Muñoz, one of our articulate Green Team members!

For more on Groundwork Lawrence, click below.

If so, then apply for the "Buddy Experiment" we have helped organize between individual youth from our networks and Members of IUCN's CEC. The Buddy Experiment is intended to show Intergenerational Partnership for Sustainability (IPS) in action. The commitment is minimal and the potential for mutual learning and fun is high!

Read the full invitation and apply here. The deadline is 13 April 2008, so act now!

In peace and intergenerational solidarity,
The IPS Coordination Team

Earth Charter Youth Initiative * Global Youth Action Network * TakingItGlobal * Peace Child International * Peace Child Peru - Embajodores del Desarrollo *
Youth Action for Change * UNEP South Asia Youth Environment Network

Learn more: Campaign for Intergenerational Partnership for Sustainability.

The United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY or, alternatively, "you know why") organized a study session entitled “Applicability of peacebuilding in youth work.” This study session was organized in cooperation with the Earth Charter Youth Initiative (ECYI), Peace Action Training and Research Institute of Romania (PATRIR), and Youth Action for Peace (YAP). The study session was supported by the Council of Europe (COE). The study session took place from 2-9 March 2008, at the European Youth Center of the Council of Europe in Budapest, Hungary.

Click below to read the full report and leave comments!

“Dealing with conflict situations and stress, young peacebuilders often do not have enough time to reflect upon their highly valuable work, which can be crucial for improving their work. Additionally it is very useful to exchange experiences with other people who work in the same field and share similar interests, as it illustrates how practices differ and what can be effective and thus applicable. At the study session we had the chance to explore and see how different methods, theories and practices can have different effects in different cultures and conflicts.”

The overall aim of the study session was to enhance applicability of peace building practices in youth work. Enough space was left for participants to present and share their experiences and in that way to broaden perspectives and exchanging ideas of best practices.

The Earth Charter Youth Initiative also had a chance to present it’s work and campaigns, through a special workshop, called “Calling Youth Leaders to Action: Earth Charter Values for Sustainable Development and Peacebuilding." The discussion was on challenges to peace and life on Earth, from the environmental, social, and economic point of view and on experiences of the Earth Charter in dealing with these important issues.

Campaigns that ECYI and Youth Leadership Team are in the process of implementing, and one that already exists: the e-GLO course on digital storytelling and community development, were presented during an organisation fair. Furthermore, they were also discussed informally during the week and formally during the follow-up session. Concrete follow-up ideas were formed during this day, which will possibly promote cooperation among different youth organizations and networks in the future.

Click here to read about other UNOY/ECYI collaboration.

The Earth Charter Youth Initiative (ECYI) grew significantly and undertook meaningful work last year. Personally, I am inspired everyday by the efforts of ECYI Members to bring about a more just, sustainable, and peaceful world. Thank you for your dedication and many kindnesses.

Peace,

Dominic Stucker
International Youth Coordinator

Please click below to read more and post your comments.

The ECYI has a rapidly growing online presence, with a more informative, interactive, and innovative website. For example, an ECYI Blog was initiated, with 25 articles and stories posted, plus 120 comments received from around the world. Significantly, 70% of these comments were directly associated with the online “Town Hall Meeting and Election” of the Youth Leadership Team in September. Activity on the ECYI website made a clear jump in September as well, remaining at an average of 1,708 visits / month through the end of the year. This was more than 2.5 times the average activity seen before September (665 visits / month).

Furthermore, the number of engaged and connected ECYGs has more than doubled in the past year, now totaling 28 from all around the world. These groups have been active in a variety of ways, including:

* translating the Earth Charter into Finnish and Belorussian;
* holding youth conferences on the Earth Charter in Belorussia, Latvia, and Ethiopia;
* promoting sustainable livelihoods on Lake Victoria and in the slums around Nairobi, Kenya;
* promoting organic agriculture in China;
* cleaning up beaches in the Philippines;
* providing humanitarian assistance after the August 2007 earthquake in Peru; and
* campaigning for renewable energy on university campuses in the USA.

In collaboration with the former Core Group, the ECYI Handbook was developed, with a special focus on ECYGs. This is to be translated, published and disseminated in 2008.

In 2007, ECYI members also participated in various international events, taking on leadership roles throughout:

* UPEACE’s International Conference on Climate Change and Vulnerability, The Hague, Netherlands;
* Global Youth Service Day;
* Earth Charter International Council Meeting, Sao Paulo, Brazil;
* United Nation’s Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-16) in New York City, USA,;
* CIVICUS Youth and World Assemblies in Glasgow, Scotland;
* UNEP’s Tunza Conference in Leverkusen, Germany;
* International Youth Forum in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt;
* Commonwealth Youth Forum 6 in Entebbe, Uganda;
* 4th International Conference on Environmental Education in Ahmedabad, India,; and,
* UNFCCC’s Conference of the Parties in Bali, Indonesia.

For the purpose of promoting youth participation in such international processes, Leah Wener, a World Leadership Corps Fellow interning with ECI, and Dominic Stucker, ECYI Coordinator, researched and drafted “Youth in Global Governance for Sustainability: An ECYI Guide,” to be translated, published and disseminated in 2008.

As mentioned above, the ECYI elected a Youth Leadership Team (YLT), with 12 representatives from all the world’s regions. The former Core Group helped to develop an inclusive, participatory, and democratic election process, which included an online “Town Hall Meeting” and voting in September 2007. The elected YLT Representatives met in November at the 4th International Conference on Environmental Education (ICEE), where they drafted the YLT Plan of Action for 2008-2009; participated in numerous working sessions and plenaries; contributed to the drafting of the Ahmedabad Declaration, which mentions youth and the Earth Charter specifically; and formed strong working relationships with UNEP’s South Asia Youth Environment Network (SAYEN) and the China-India Forum. The YLT works very closely with the International Youth Coordinator on their goal of “engaging, expanding, and empowering the ECYI.”

An important project for ECYI - the creation of an Alliance for Intergenerational Partnership for Sustainability - was launched at the ICEE Conference in Ahmedabad, with the drafting of the “Framework for Forming Intergenerational Partnerships for Sustainability” (IPS). This Framework is intended to become a practical mechanism for forming effective working relationships between people of all ages in the pursuit of justice, sustainability, and peace. The Framework was translated into numerous languages and will be posted on a Wiki site, enabling people from around the world to comment and offer suggestions. An Alliance for IPS will also be formed in a decentralized way using the same Wiki site. At strategic events, the Framework draft will be revised until it is submitted to the World Conservation Union (IUCN), as part of a motion on the importance of intergenerational partnerships for achieving justice, sustainability and peace.

In 2007, the ECYI also continued to collaborate with its partners around the world, including:

* Global Youth Action Network (GYAN);
* TakingItGlobal (TIG);
* United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY);
* Youth Action for Change (YAC);
* Peace Child International (PCI);
* Beat Board and
* Plan Netherlands.

These partners represent a wealth of resources and skills, as well as large international youth networks. They will play important roles in the initiatives that ECYI will launch in 2008. Plan Netherlands provided generous funding for the ECYI.

Please leave your comments, below, both on successes of 2007 and plans for 2008!

"We must deepen and expand the global dialogue that generated the Earth Charter, for we have much to learn from the ongoing collaborative search for truth and wisdom."

This sentiment moves us away from seeing the Earth Charter as a final product, and focusses on the ongoing process that created it. Indeed, it falls primarily to the younger generation to continue this global dialogue, review the Earth Charter, and make suggestions for revision that ensure the applicability of the document to our present-day realities, while maintaining the principles at its heart.

Therefore, I encourage you to review the Earth Charter and make your own constructive suggestions for revision, below.

To start our conversation, Josef Major, an ECYI Member from Israel, writes:

One basic human right is the right to move freely. [However], I found no specific mentioning of people's freedom of movement in the Earth Charter.

Nowadays, huge resources are intentionally directed to prevent people's right to travel, mostly on the behalf of national security (human security for inhabitants of a country and security for a country's organizational system). While it is clear that human - and therefore national - security comes from empowerment and cooperation, defense and security systems are acting with discrimination and on behalf of governments, showing signs of un-just governance.

Realizing that there is a conflict between people's right to own property and people's right to travel upon the Earth freely, I call for a further discussion in this matter."

I encourage you to add your thoughts and respond to others' suggestions below.

The closure of the Town Hall Meeting also means that all the votes are in and counted. Thanks to those who voted - your voice has been heard! The successful Candidate will join Lisa, North American Representative (3rd from left), and the Youth Leadership Team (pictured here, minus Timmy and Yuyun) in realizing their ambitious Plan of Action for 2008-2009.

Regardless of the results, I am pleased to see that Anna and Yongjie are highly committed to the Earth Charter and will surely work closely together to help expand and empower the ECYI. Congratulations to both Candidates for being such dynamic, passionate, and bold ECYI Members.

Click below to see the complete Youth Leadership Team and to welcome its newest Representative!

In peace and gratitude,

Dominic Stucker
International Youth Coordinator

Ms. Hind Ottmani, Morocco

I am a 25 years old Moroccan architect. For the last 5 years, I have been involved in a range of organizations and activities promoting gender equity, sustainable development, trade justice, youth participation and the culture of peace. And during these years, I have been working on linking my professional career with my passion for development, which explains my deep interest in urban sustainability. I have been trained in sustainable development, sustainable landscape design, and ended up working on youth friendly urban spaces as a graduation project. [I also participated in EC+5 in Amsterdam, 2005.] On a much less serious note, I am also a chocolate fan.

Mr. Samer Eid, Palestinian Territory

Read Samer's CV

My Name is Samer Eid, I am a Palestinian. I was born in Jerusalem but I grew up in Ramallah. I finished high school in 1997 then I attended Birzeit University where I got my B.Sc. in Chemistry. Due to the bad political and economic situation in Palestine, my family didn't have the ability to pay for my education, so I had to work while I was studying. When I finished from the University, I worked as a quality control supervisor at a pharmaceutical company in Ramallah for one year. Then I have gone for teaching Chemistry in the Al-Mustaqbal School in Ramallah for two years. While I was working in the pharmaceutical company and in the school, I also worked afternoons as a cosmetics salesman. After that I went to the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies to continue my M.Sc. and now I am an M.Sc. student at the Ben Gurion University of the Negev studying the environment.

Mr. Timothy Ogene, Nigeria

Read Timothy's CV

I am Timothy Ogene from Nigeria, a development and youth empowerment advocate with special interest in poverty reduction, ICT and peacebuilding. Having volunteered for a good number of youth-led organisations, I have acquired skills in the areas of advocacy, communication, networking and personnel management. I pioneered Young & Speed Africa, a youth-led organisation that is committed to building partnerships for the sustainable development of Africa and empowering youths to be change leaders in their communities. I also initiated the Youth Action Partners for Development, an online interactive community for youths who are dedicated to community development. My mission is to support people in supporting themselves. And I dream of a peaceful world where man respects his fellow man and the environment.

Asia and the Pacific

Ms. Aparna Susarla, India

Read Aparna's CV

I have completed my post graduate education in Environmental Sciences in May 2007 and I am working as a Programme Officer in the Youth Environment Network in the Center for Environment Education, Ahmedabad, India [an Earth Charter Affiliate. My resume, above, provides more details on my qualifications and the projects I worked with. I like experimenting and achieving what others think is impossible, and I believe in practicality more than anything else. I am interested in traveling and interacting with people, knowing more about their cultures and traditional patterns. My experience of working with several eco-friendly organizations as a supporter, volunteer and intern has helped me develop interest in sustainable living for sustainable development and taught me to be open minded and adaptable. I have a keen interest in conserving nature and its invaluable resources. I am a very good team player, amicable and adapt myself to the environment I am in. I believe in learning practically from my experiences and in improving the quality of my work.

Mr. Yuyun Harmono, Indonesia

Read Yuyun's CV

I am Yuyun Harmono from Indonesia. I am 24 years old. Now, I work as an Outreach Officer with the Anti Debt Coalition (ADC), based in Jakarta. My 2 years of work experience with ADC has helped me learn how to use technology for campaigning. I am also an Action Partner with the Oxfam International Youth Partnership for 2007-2010. I am inspired by the Earth Charter because it is an effort to build a peaceful and sustainable world, and supports to reach the Millennium Development Goals.

Mr. Niu Kejia, China

Read Niu's CV

I am a a fourth-year undergraduate student in the Biomedical Engineering Department, Sichuan University, Sichuan Province, China. During my three years in university, I became especially interested about the environment problems in China, especially the improvement of environmental consciousness. I have been in the green group at our university for 3 years and now I am the General Coordinator of GreenSOS which is a non-governmental organization aimed to help other green groups in China and promote the green movement of the youth. [GreenSOS is also an Earth Charter Youth Group.] I am quite familiar with the situation of green groups in universities in China. And I have a close relationship with the green groups' leaders in China. I, with my friends in GreenSOS, created many projects about environmental protection which are often imitated by other green groups.

Europe and Central Asia

Mr. Didier Gleyzes, France

Read Didier's CV

Born in the city of Annecy in the French Alpes in 1984, I will obtain my master’s degree in International Organizations at the end of October. Currently working as an intern at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on their sustainable lifestyles and climate change communication campaign, I am looking for employment in either NGOs/IGOs or CSR for November. [I am also a member of the Core Group, 2005-2007.] I am firmly committed to the cause of sustainability, and my main hobbies are sport, traveling, philosophy and music.

Ms. Jana Kovandzic, Serbia

Read Jana's CV

My name is Jana Kovandzic. I am from Serbia. I am a fourth year student of Belgrade University, Faculty of Political Sciences. As one of the top students, I attended a program at Belgrade Open School, Department for Advanced Undergraduate Studies. Here I learned about the EU and the Balkans. I did an internship program in the Serbian European Integration Office, a governmental body. I attended summer school at the University of Graz - subject European Culture(s). I am a journalist for VOX – a student newspaper. In the Anti-Corruption Student Network in SEE, I did research on financial flows through Serbian universities. I am a member of the UN Association of Serbia. In this organization, I did a project called "Participation of young people in the UN bodies." In this organization, I am also a coordinator of UNESCO club, "Center."

Latin America and the Caribbean

Ms. Gabriela Monteiro, Brazil

Read Gabriela's CV

I graduated in International Relations and my dream is to work with development and environment. At their August 2007 meeting in Leverkusen, Germany, I was elected to be the TUNZA Youth Adviser of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for Latin America and the Caribbean from 2007 to 2009. I am currently conducting an internship with an NGO in Romania. I’m looking forward to start to work on social/environmental projects in my community and strengthen the TUNZA and ECYI networks.

Mr. Namir Nava, Mexico

Read Namir's CV

I was born in Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico on March 26th 1980. I come from a middle class Christian family. Since my father was murdered in 1983 by the political and corrupt system of those years, my mother has become a defender of human rights with local NGO’s, especially from women. Since I studied communications, my interest has become on peace processes and social changes. For seven years, I have been part of projects or NGO’s involved on human and sexual rights defense. I have encouraged many youth from my region to become part of this group that I had founded in 2003, named Multidisciplinary Group of Youth in Michoacan [an Earth Charter Youth Group]. From that group, we have spread the Earth Charter principles and we have made recommendations for the government through documents such as the Declaration of Youth for Sustainable Development. Also, we have raised social consciousness through radio campaigns and workshops to prevent homophobia and promote the respect for the construction of diverse families. I consider myself a promoter of peace and respect in my community. [I also participated in EC+5, a large Earth Charter conference in Amsterdam in 2005.]

North America

Ms. Lisa Jokivirta, Canada

Read Lisa's CV

As a Finnish Canadian with significant international experience, I am a strong advocate of the importance of sharing knowledge across cultures to strengthen the development of individuals and the societies in which they live. First, just a few words about myself: I am the founding member of the first-ever Earth Charter Youth Group (ECYG) in Finland, and am currently undertaking a six-month placement at the EC Center in Costa Rica as part of my Master’s program. As a member of the Youth Leadership Team, I hope to offer some of the insight gained from 6-7 years of involvement in various international and youth organizations. I would also hope to bring a "fresh pair of eyes" to the ECYI table, as a relative newcomer having experienced both the rewards and challenges of setting up an ECYG.

Anna Duhon, USA

Read Anna's CV

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!

Welcome Anna onto the YLT by posting a comment, below!

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!

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!

We look forward to getting your application!

Peace,
The e-GLO Team

Dominic Stucker, e-GLO Program Director (Costa Rica / USA / Germany)
Mike Sheehan, e-GLO Program Manager (Canada)
Leah Wener, e-GLO Advisor (Thailand / USA)
Camila Godinho, e-GLO Advisor (Brazil)

The 4th International Conference on Environmental Education (ICEE) was held in Ahmedabad, India. From November 24th to 28th, 2007, representatives from all sectors and regions of the world gathered to share information, experiences and best practices about ongoing and planned initiatives in the field of Environmental Education (EE) and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).

ECI activities within ICEE:

• Facilitation of the working session: “Integrating Values of Sustainability into Education: The Promise of the Earth Charter”
• Joint coordination of the working session “Youth: Trendsetters of ESD”
• Launch meeting of ECYI’s recently elected Youth Leadership Team (YLT)
• Launch of the Intergenerational Partnership initiative.

Personal day-to-day reports from YLT Representatives:

• On the Road: the YLT Meets in India, by Jana Kovandzic and Samer Eid
• YLT Rockin' Second Day in India, by Gabriela Monteiro and Lisa Jokivirta
• Youth: Agents of Change, by Aparna Susarla and Namir Nava
• Great Contributions from the YLT on Fourth Day, by Hind Ottmani and Didier Gleyzes
• Day 5, by Niu Kejia and Dominic Stucker (coming soon)

Check out this video by Gabriela Monteiro!

The working session: “Integrating Values of Sustainability into Education” aimed to explore the role of values education in ESD efforts and the Earth Charter as an ethical framework and educational tool for the operationalization of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. It also offered a space to exchange views and reflect the values and principles that should be integrated in educational practices. This Working Session, facilitated by Mirian Vilela Director of the Earth Charter Center of ESD, was held from 24 to 27 November. It included presentations, exercises, games, and open discussions. The number of participants that attended each day ranged from 15 to 30 people, coming from universities, government departments, research institutes and a variety of non governmental organizations, representing 10 countries.

Interesting thoughts were generated, the most prominent of them emphasizing that efforts to incorporate values of sustainability should:

• Be contextualized. Much will depend on the cultural context and therefore we need to be sensitive to that.
• Avoid indoctrination. Use educational settings to stimulate ethical reflection so that students will deepen their sense of responsibility for decisions made.
• Consider the use of the Earth Charter as an instrument to stimulate such critical questions and understanding of sustainability, as well as to stimulate a dialogue about the meaning and interpretation of its Principles.

Youth: Trendsetters of ESD

The working session for and by youth was jointly coordinated by UNEP’s South Asia Youth Environment Network (SAYEN) and ECI’s Earth Charter Youth Initiative (ECYI). Members from these two networks played especially active roles, representing countries from around the world. Through an inclusive and collaborative process, this session produced an holistic definition of sustainable development coupled with a call to action to people of all ages, and – gleaned from engaging presentations by youth on their local projects – a set of guiding principles for youth and ESD.

Instead of producing a parallel “Youth Declaration,” as was initially envisioned, the group decided that some young participants should integrate themselves into other working session based on their own expertise and experience, while others should stay behind and produce youth recommendations. In this way, and through direct participation on the Drafting Committee, a strong and diverse youth voice emerged in the final Ahmedabad Declaration. Young people also participated on conference-wide plenary panels (Setting the Tone, Climate Change, Water and Sanitation, HIV/AIDS, and Valedictory Panels).

After the conference, the ECYI was invited to give a presentation during SAYEN’s Core Group meeting on points for further collaboration between these two young sustainability networks. The future looks promising!

Youth Leadership Team Launch

The 4th ICEE played host to an historic moment in the Earth Charter Youth Initiative (ECYI). The Youth Leadership Team (YLT), democratically elected by the ECYI in September 2007, met for the first time in Ahmedabad. The current YLT consists of 11 Representatives, 21 to 27 years old, from Brazil, Canada, China, France, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Palestine, and Serbia. They are an intelligent, compassionate and fun team!

In preparation for their first meeting, the YLT reviewed key ECYI strategy documents, collected fresh ideas from ECYI members, and drafted a Plan of Action for the duration of their term, 2007-2009. Once in India, YLT Representatives participated in all facets of the Conference, including working sessions on the Earth Charter, Youth, Cities of the Future, Sustainable Consumption, and World Heritage Sites. Furthermore, they spoke on the Water and Sanitation, HIV/AIDS, and Valedictory plenary panels; one YLT Representative even contributed to shaping the final Ahmedabad Declaration as a member of the Drafting Committee. In addition to active participation in the Conference, the YLT’s primary focus was on refining their Plan of Action, which they will begin implementing in early 2008.

Intergenerational Partnership Initiative Launch

Already in August 2007, ECI’s International Youth Coordinator, Dominic Stucker, formed a partnership with the Global Youth Action Network (GYAN), TakingItGlobal (TIG), Peace Child International (PCI), and Youth Action for Change (YAC) that submitted a successful workshop proposal on Intergenerational Partnership to the IUCN for their World Conservation Congress to be held in Barcelona, Spain in October 2008.

The 4th ICEE provided the perfect platform to launch this year-long initiative, which seeks to collaboratively create a “Framework for Forming Intergenerational Partnerships for Sustainable Development” and to get this Framework adopted by the IUCN General Assembly as an official Resolution. The launch workshop that Dominic facilitated in Ahmedabad was a great success, attracting 50 participants from 21 different countries. They ranged in age from 14 to 63, with an average of 32, and were about half women and half men. The workshop produced the “Ahmedabad Draft” of the Framework, which participants volunteered to translate into 14 languages! The idea of forming an “Alliance for Intergenerational Partnership for Sustainable Development” was also born and will greatly enrich the initiative, bringing it to life long before the IUCN Congress.

In collaboration with their partners, the ECYI will be creating an open source IPSD Wiki page, featuring the Ahmedabad Draft and translations. People from all around the world can comment on the Draft and make suggestions, which will be reviewed at strategic events leading up to the IUCN Congress. Furthermore, membership in the Alliance will be outlined and an invitation will be made for organizations and individuals to join.

The Ahmedabad Declaration

An important aspect to highlight is the Conference’s final Ahmedabad Declaration and Recommendations, designed to support and guide the UN DESD. We are pleased to report that the Earth Charter is explicitly mentioned as foundational to building the educational processes that will help people find solutions to the pressing problems and challenges of the 21st century.

The international students’ conference ‘Let’s Live Together, Let’s Live Sustainably’ took place from the 16th till the 19th of October, 2007 in Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia. The target audience of the conference were students from all around Europe... students from Russia (Tula and St. Petersburg), Belarus, Lithuania and Latvia (Riga, Rezekne, and Daugavpils) participated in the conference.

On the first evening, the guest students introduced themselves while their hosts presented Latvia and Daugavpils. Students of Daugavpils University had prepared various games for getting acquainted which helped to relax the atmosphere. The evening was also enlivened by guitar music and singing.

On the 17th of October, the conference was officially opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Education and Management and the Director of the Institute of Sustainable Education, Professor Ilga Salite. Students of Daugavpils University had prepared a presentation on the Earth Charter since sustainability is firmly based on its principles. Students who were not familiar with the principles of the Earth Charter had a chance to learn about it during the presentation and thus better understand the main aim of the conference: to live in a sustainability-friendly environment that can be achieved by common effort. The presentation on the Earth Charter was followed by another presentation: ‘Students on Sustainability.’

Later that day a discussion about sustainability and problems of ecology in the participants’ countries was organised, during which we tried to discuss possible solutions to these problems. After that students were divided in several groups. Their task was to determine students’ understanding of sustainability and the ways it can be integrated in their schools. The groups also discussed features of a sustainable person that distinguished him/her from an unsustainable person. The results of the group work were displayed on posters and shared in group presentations.

The 18th of October was the day of presentations when students of Daugavpils University presented their research on sustainability. Maria Shilina from St. Petersburg presented her project featuring an island where a big oil terminal is about to be built. The aim of the project is to protect the ecosystem of the island from pollution that the oil terminal might cause. After the presentations students had to decide on particular methods and ideas through which they would successfully integrate sustainability in their respective schools and countries. The aforesaid methods and ideas were also presented. In addition to that, students contemplated what kind of sustainability research they could carry out.

Later that day the participants took a cultural tour to Latgale in order to get acquainted with Latgalian culture. They visited the most magnificent Latgalian basilica in Aglona. They also went to Jasmuiza, the memorial house of the famous Latvian poet Rainis where they learned about his life and had a chance to view Latgalian ceramics. The evening witnessed the closure of the conference and a concert given by the singers and hip-hop dancers from Daugavpils University. After the concert, Mr Elmar Rompczyk gave a presentation on globalisation and sustainability. Students eventually decided that they would continue to spread the ideas of the Earth Charter and sustainability in their countries as well as carry out projects and research the principles of sustainability and the Earth Charter.

The 19th of October, the final day of the conference, featured a cultural tour to Latvia during which the participants visited some of the most magnificent Latvian castles and manor houses. They went to Cesvaine Caste and Cesis Castle as well as the Cesvaine Secondary School – the most modern school in Latvia. This school was built in place of the old one that had been severely damaged during the fire at the Cesvaine Castle. It is equipped with modern technologies, modern classrooms and does not resemble any other school in Latvia. Thus, the participants had a chance to get acquainted with the beauty and richness of Latvian culture and nature. Since the day was fair and sunny, the students’ first visit to Latvia proved to be a truly wonderful and unforgettable experience.

We hope that this conference will be the first of many because we have already designed a plan for future activities. We will invite students that took part in the conference to work out research on sustainability and its topical issues. The obtained results will be summarised in a collection of articles ‘Students on Sustainability.’ Similarly, we have decided to write projects for the 6th International Journal of Teacher Education and Training Conference ‘Sustainable Development, Culture, and Education’ that is to take place in Turkey (4-7 June 2007). In Turkey, we intend to present the collection of articles developed during the conference ‘Let’s Live Together, Let’s Live Sustainably.’

Our permanent endeavour is to promote international cooperation with an aim to attract new enthusiasts. Our future plans for the spring also include organisation of collective environment cleaning works which would involve other students. For next summer, we plan an active and intellectual open air recreation at ‘Ilgas.’ Next autumn, we intend to organise another international conference in Daugavpils University on the issues of the Earth Charter and sustainability. This time we expect to attract even more students from a broader range of countries. Our aim is to spread the ideas of sustainability and the Earth Charter, and create a broad international network that will unite students who care about the issues of sustainability.

For updated information about our activities, please write to our ECYG's contact person, Lolita Baranovska, at lolita.baranovska [at] gmail.com.

- Dominic Stucker, International Youth Coordinator

Article on workshop submitted by Dmitry Savelau, Coordinator, ECYG YIEC NEWLINE

On August 22, 2007 the Belarussian ECYG, Youth International Education Club NEWLINE, gave a two-hour workshop on the Earth Charter Initiative involving 60 students from various Belarussian universities interested in the issues of migration and integration. The meeting was held within a “Migration and Integration in Europe” Summer School, which YIEC NEWLINE’s team was organizing for the first time in cooperation with the UNHCR in Belarus, the Center for International Studies, the Institute of German Studies and the Internet portal “New Europe.”
The Summer School aimed at providing participants with as complete as possible an overview of international, European, and national policies on migration and integration, from the perspective of the governmental and non-governmental sectors. Here, the Earth Charter workshop was integrated into the program to discuss how these policies and legislation can be monitored and influenced in order to have a more just and sustainable society.

As a result, the first workshop on the Charter gathered over 60 participants willing to learn more about the initiative, activities connected to it and particular ideas on Belarussian impact to the development and realization of its main principles. Participants discussed the links between migration/integration issues and principles of the Earth Charter, mainly refering to social and economic justice, non-violence and democracy. This stimulated thinking about several major directions of work that they could handle independently in their home universities.

Though we did confirm that migration processes are important and might be considered as one of the top issues in the European context, we also came to the conclusion that, within Belarussian society, there is a broad spectrum of other more relevant goals to be focused on, such as democratization, civic participation, and human rights protection. These causes require the active and urgent participation of every young person.

The Earth Charter Youth Group has just started its activity in Belarus; to learn more about the group, visit www.newlineclub.net/earthcharter.

To see more information about the Summer School, visit www.newlineclub.net/summerschool.

Terveisiä (translation: "Greetings") from Jyväskylä! My name is Lisa Jokivirta, and I am the founding coordinator of the Earth Charter Youth Group (ECYG) in Finland. As the first-ever ECYG in the country, our initial and most pressing task has been to translate the Earth Charter into Finnish. I would like to take this moment to describe some of the rewards and challenges of the EC translation process, and share some tips for those of you interested in producing further translations. I would also like to share with you a few personal reflections on the Earth Charter, and outline some of the future initiatives of our Group.

Our ECYG was launched in December 2006 by a handful of students enrolled in the Master’s in Development and International Cooperation programme at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. The "D&ICs," as we tend to be known, might best be described as a microcosm of diversity - 21 students, representing 14 different countries from around the world, with each majoring in one of three distinct disciplinary fields (Environmental Sciences, Education, or Social Sciences). Our common denominator, quite simply, is an overarching interest in sustainable development issues and a genuine desire to affect positive change in this world.

Throughout my studies, a recurring theme that has emerged amongst my peers has been the need for a more inclusive and holistic approach to sustainable development. The Earth Charter directly responds to this need, as both an underlying set of environmental ethics and as an urgent call for action. It is hardly surprising, then, that the D&ICs have been excited about the added-value potential of the Earth Charter, or that a growing number of students from outside of the programme have also expressed interest in taking part.

Translation of the Earth Charter into Finnish
“Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things, I am tempted to think: there are no little things.” – Bruce Barton

As the first-ever ECYG in the country, our most pressing task has been to undertake a full translation of the Charter into Finnish. This proved to be no easy feat; however, in classic EC spirit, we decided to combine forces and tackle the translation process through a team effort involving eight translators and three editors.

Here is a list of tips to facilitate the translation process:

• Assign the various sections according to areas of student interest and expertise- e.g. knowledge of technical terms and jargon.

• Consistency is the key to success! Provide general guidelines in terms of stylistics, verb tense, etc - e.g. is the tone geared towards a formal audience or towards individuals acting in their everyday lives?

• Once the various sections have been submitted, undertake several rounds of editing for consistency, style, etc. We found it useful to involve both professional editors and students to maximize comprehensibility amongst different target audiences.

• When the translation has been finalized, it might be worthwhile to disseminate the document in your home country. For example, we decided to send the Charter to a range of NGOs, universities, etc. across Finland to promote awareness of both our Youth Group and the EC at large.

Overall, the EC translation might best be described as both a means and an end onto itself. A number of students have commented that the translation process enabled them to directly engage with the text and further internalize the EC principles. Since its release, the translated document has been circulated both within and outside of our university circles, and we look forward to watching the Charter grow into a ‘living document’ as Finns react to and integrate the EC principles into their everyday lives.

On A More Personal Note…
“If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a closed room with a mosquito.” - African Proverb

On a more personal note, I am sometimes asked: what is the role of the Earth Charter in my own, everyday life? Above all else, what deeply inspires me about the EC is its testament to the power of individual action for change. The African proverb above perhaps best summarizes my motto in life-- it might be a cliché, but I truly believe in the ability of every individual to make a positive and lasting contribution to the betterment of the world. This is why I chose to complete the six-month internship component of our Master’s programme at the EC Center at UPEACE in Costa Rica, and particularly look forward to furthering my EC involvement as a member of the newly formed Youth Leadership Team!

Since the start of our Master's programme, my fellow D&ICs and I have come across a wide range of conflicting views on development issues and even some diverging interpretations of the Charter. However, just as the very survival of the biosphere depends on a multiplicity of life forms, isn't it also true that a diversity of beliefs, opinions and backgrounds only enriches our common understanding and experience? The D&ICs are currently undertaking their two- to six-month internships in various parts of the globe, but our ECYG looks forward to re-uniting upon our return to Finland. Plans are already underway to host a student-led conference on EC-related issues at our University, and to share some of the experiences, photos and ‘lessons learned’ from our respective internship placements in the ‘developing’ world.' We would also love to hear some examples of activities undertaken by other Youth Groups as both a source of inspiration and insight…

In the meantime, my fellow D&ICs and I are excited to be part of the broader ECYI Community, and look forward to joining all of you in the global mobilization of youth efforts towards a more just and sustainable world.

The YLT "Town Hall Meeting" and Elections were a great success! As you know, 21 highly-qualified and diverse Candidates stepped forward to participate. The week-long dialog that followed between Candidates and Voters was stimulating, constructive, and unprecedented in terms of the volume of comments posted to the ECYI Blog. Furthermore, the efforts of Candidates' campaigning - especially in Nigeria, Rwanda, Indonesia, Serbia, and Brazil - resulted in a wave of new ECYI Members and an attendant spike in Earth Charter endorsements.

A total of exactly 100 votes were cast for YLT Candidates. Each vote was carefully reviewed to ensure that it came from an ECYI Member who had endorsed the Earth Charter and was within the eligible age range. Furthermore, votes could only be cast within one's own region of origin or residence. Only one vote was allowed per person.

Congratulations, in particular, to the Voters in the regions of "Africa and the Middle East" and "Asia and the Pacific!" These regions cast the greatest number of votes, entitling them not just to 2, but 3 YLT Representatives.

As per the YLT Guidelines, within each region the male/female couple - one from each sub-region - with the greatest combined votes was selected first as YLT Representatives. Then, in the two regions above, third Candidates were determined based on who had the greatest number of individual votes.

As you know, the new YLT will immediately be busy preparing for their trip to Ahmedabad, India in late November, where they will participate in the 4th International Conference on Environment Education. They will review the Core Group Plan of Action 2005-2007 and write the YLT Plan of Action 2007-2009. Be ready to offer your YLT Representatives input for these efforts. They will also be helping to co-facilitate a working session focused on youth and be on some of the plenary panels throughout the Conference. They will have opportunities to meet other Earth Charter representatives, as well as members of UNEP's South Asia Youth Environment Network (SAYEN), with whom we will be signing a Partnership Agreement.

So, a warm thank you to all of the Candidates and Voters who participated in this historic, democratic process for the ECYI. I hope that you have enjoyed the experience and that all of you stay actively involved in the ECYI long into the future.

Without further ado, click below to view the ECYI's new Youth Leadership Team! Congratulations to all! Please post comments below!

Africa and the Middle East

Ms. Hind Ottmani, Morocco

I am a 25 years old Moroccan architect. For the last 5 years, I have been involved in a range of organizations and activities promoting gender equity, sustainable development, trade justice, youth participation and the culture of peace. And during these years, I have been working on linking my professional career with my passion for development, which explains my deep interest in urban sustainability. I have been trained in sustainable development, sustainable landscape design, and ended up working on youth friendly urban spaces as a graduation project. [I also participated in EC+5 in Amsterdam, 2005.] On a much less serious note, I am also a chocolate fan.

Mr. Samer Eid, Palestinian Territory

Read Samer's CV

My Name is Samer Eid, I am a Palestinian. I was born in Jerusalem but I grew up in Ramallah. I finished high school in 1997 then I attended Birzeit University where I got my B.Sc. in Chemistry. Due to the bad political and economic situation in Palestine, my family didn't have the ability to pay for my education, so I had to work while I was studying. When I finished from the University, I worked as a quality control supervisor at a pharmaceutical company in Ramallah for one year. Then I have gone for teaching Chemistry in the Al-Mustaqbal School in Ramallah for two years. While I was working in the pharmaceutical company and in the school, I also worked afternoons as a cosmetics salesman. After that I went to the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies to continue my M.Sc. and now I am an M.Sc. student at the Ben Gurion University of the Negev studying the environment.

Mr. Timothy Ogene, Nigeria

Read Timothy's CV

I am Timothy Ogene from Nigeria, a development and youth empowerment advocate with special interest in poverty reduction, ICT and peacebuilding. Having volunteered for a good number of youth-led organisations, I have acquired skills in the areas of advocacy, communication, networking and personnel management. I pioneered Young & Speed Africa, a youth-led organisation that is committed to building partnerships for the sustainable development of Africa and empowering youths to be change leaders in their communities. I also initiated the Youth Action Partners for Development, an online interactive community for youths who are dedicated to community development. My mission is to support people in supporting themselves. And I dream of a peaceful world where man respects his fellow man and the environment.

Asia and the Pacific

Ms. Aparna Susarla, India

Read Aparna's CV

I have completed my post graduate education in Environmental Sciences in May 2007 and I am working as a Programme Officer in the Youth Environment Network in the Center for Environment Education, Ahmedabad, India [an Earth Charter Affiliate. My resume, above, provides more details on my qualifications and the projects I worked with. I like experimenting and achieving what others think is impossible, and I believe in practicality more than anything else. I am interested in traveling and interacting with people, knowing more about their cultures and traditional patterns. My experience of working with several eco-friendly organizations as a supporter, volunteer and intern has helped me develop interest in sustainable living for sustainable development and taught me to be open minded and adaptable. I have a keen interest in conserving nature and its invaluable resources. I am a very good team player, amicable and adapt myself to the environment I am in. I believe in learning practically from my experiences and in improving the quality of my work.

Mr. Yuyun Harmono, Indonesia

I am Yuyun Harmono from Indonesia. I am 24 years old. Now, I work as an Outreach Officer with the Anti Debt Coalition (ADC), based in Jakarta. My 2 years of work experience with ADC has helped me learn how to use technology for campaigning. I am also an Action Partner with the Oxfam International Youth Partnership for 2007-2010. I am inspired by the Earth Charter because it is an effort to build a peaceful and sustainable world, and supports to reach the Millennium Development Goals.

Mr. Niu Kejia, China

Read Niu's CV

I am a a fourth-year undergraduate student in the Biomedical Engineering Department, Sichuan University, Sichuan Province, China. During my three years in university, I became especially interested about the environment problems in China, especially the improvement of environmental consciousness. I have been in the green group at our university for 3 years and now I am the General Coordinator of GreenSOS which is a non-governmental organization aimed to help other green groups in China and promote the green movement of the youth. [GreenSOS is also an Earth Charter Youth Group.] I am quite familiar with the situation of green groups in universities in China. And I have a close relationship with the green groups' leaders in China. I, with my friends in GreenSOS, created many projects about environmental protection which are often imitated by other green groups.

Europe and Central Asia

Mr. Didier Gleyzes, France

Read Didier's CV

Born in the city of Annecy in the French Alpes in 1984, I will obtain my master’s degree in International Organizations at the end of October. Currently working as an intern at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on their sustainable lifestyles and climate change communication campaign, I am looking for employment in either NGOs/IGOs or CSR for November. [I am also a member of the Core Group, 2005-2007.] I am firmly committed to the cause of sustainability, and my main hobbies are sport, traveling, philosophy and music.

Ms. Jana Kovandzic, Serbia

Read Jana's CV

My name is Jana Kovandzic. I am from Serbia. I am a fourth year student of Belgrade University, Faculty of Political Sciences. As one of the top students, I attended a program at Belgrade Open School, Department for Advanced Undergraduate Studies. Here I learned about the EU and the Balkans. I did an internship program in the Serbian European Integration Office, a governmental body. I attended summer school at the University of Graz - subject European Culture(s). I am a journalist for VOX – a student newspaper. In the Anti-Corruption Student Network in SEE, I did research on financial flows through Serbian universities. I am a member of the UN Association of Serbia. In this organization, I did a project called "Participation of young people in the UN bodies." In this organization, I am also a coordinator of UNESCO club, "Center."

Latin America and the Caribbean

Ms. Gabriela Monteiro, Brazil

Read Gabriela's CV

I graduated in International Relations and my dream is to work with development and environment. At their August 2007 meeting in Leverkusen, Germany, I was elected to be the TUNZA Youth Adviser of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for Latin America and the Caribbean from 2007 to 2009. I am currently conducting an internship with an NGO in Romania. I’m looking forward to start to work on social/environmental projects in my community and strengthen the TUNZA and ECYI networks.

Mr. Namir Nava, Mexico

Read Namir's CV

I was born in Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico on March 26th 1980. I come from a middle class Christian family. Since my father was murdered in 1983 by the political and corrupt system of those years, my mother has become a defender of human rights with local NGO’s, especially from women. Since I studied communications, my interest has become on peace processes and social changes. For seven years, I have been part of projects or NGO’s involved on human and sexual rights defense. I have encouraged many youth from my region to become part of this group that I had founded in 2003, named Multidisciplinary Group of Youth in Michoacan [an Earth Charter Youth Group]. From that group, we have spread the Earth Charter principles and we have made recommendations for the government through documents such as the Declaration of Youth for Sustainable Development. Also, we have raised social consciousness through radio campaigns and workshops to prevent homophobia and promote the respect for the construction of diverse families. I consider myself a promoter of peace and respect in my community. [I also participated in EC+5, a large Earth Charter conference in Amsterdam in 2005.]

North America

Ms. Lisa Jokivirta, Canada

Read Lisa's CV

As a Finnish Canadian with significant international experience, I am a strong advocate of the importance of sharing knowledge across cultures to strengthen the development of individuals and the societies in which they live. First, just a few words about myself: I am the founding member of the first-ever Earth Charter Youth Group (ECYG) in Finland, and am currently undertaking a six-month placement at the EC Center in Costa Rica as part of my Master’s program. As a member of the Youth Leadership Team, I hope to offer some of the insight gained from 6-7 years of involvement in various international and youth organizations. I would also hope to bring a "fresh pair of eyes" to the ECYI table, as a relative newcomer having experienced both the rewards and challenges of setting up an ECYG.

Please post comments below!