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The Third International Youth Summer School was organized by Summer School Ltd, and a non-profit initiative under the collaboration of the Centre for Innovation in Voluntary Action. The program was the cumulative effort of several other organizations: the British Council Wales, Save the Children UK and United World College of the Atlantic. The British Council was supporting participants of certain countries to attend the program. The Summer School was responsible for bringing together active young citizens from around the world to promote international understanding and co-operation, as well as to encourage further participation in community development projects. This project was held at Atlantic College in South Wales, UK from 10 to 17 July 2004.
Atlantic College is located in a wonderful and beautiful area of South Wales. There is a slope, on the right of which lies a jungle; and on the left, is a small hill on which people play and slide down. At the bottom of the slope lies the historic Atlantic Ocean. At the top, is a residential area. The classroom buildings are situated below that. As we go a step down, there is a garden and park, as well as a swimming pool and two big football grounds which lie at the bottom.
Two youth campaigners from Nepal, Mr. Subas Darnal and I, participated in the program. We were introduced to eachother just two days before we left for the UK. I was really excited and at the same time worried, as this was my first trip to Europe. But my friend Subas was a great company, so l started to relax. Today I can say that the experience was fabulous.
I found out about the program from the internet on a website called Taking It Global. The motto of the program was, “Young People Can Change the World”. Groups of young people from all around the world had been invited to the program: 300 participants from 40 different countries actually participated.
Youth discussed among themselves about current issues relevant to them. Their common goal was to make a contribution towards the social, environmental and developmental problems/issues that were faced by their communities, their country, or in a wider sense, the world. The program was built around skills & theme based workshops as well as group discussions; all of which led into practical group projects. All of the outcomes from the discussions were presented on the final day of the event.
Similarly, the program also served as a forum for youth to explore issues; to build new friendships and collaborations. The program wasn’t all work and no play; there were plenty of opportunities where we had lots of fun.
I really enjoyed the program as it helped me to explore my qualities and skills. I personally felt that the themes were eclectic, ranging from current issues, games, music, ICT and challenges, to international relations and networking. It helped me discover and strengthen my potential in areas I wasn’t aware of. The summer school was a fantastic cultural exchange among youth with the opportunity to work on ideas.
These kinds of events provide young people with the opportunity to build their skills and knowledge through activities that encourage active participation with the outside world. This leads to enhancing their understanding of global citizenship and the qualities of good leadership. It is of hope that these youth will be able to start putting their newly acquired skills into action and I wish them every success in the future.
We believe that community building is only possible when youth can contribute their valuable time, energy and expertise. Community reconstruction is only possible when the youth can organize a single forum, interact, network and partnership with each other. They should establish themselves as capable human powers of the nation, and should develop a community leader. The summer school was part of that, where young people worked for their local community and the organization acted as a platform from which to find resources and opportunities at a local as well as international level.
Principally, this program also aims towards providing an opportunity for young people from the UK and many other countries to share their ideas, views and experiences about improving their communities and working towards a better world.
Of course different minds have diverse objectives. In the workshop, I had observed the differences among youths. The youth of the developed countries mostly chose culture, movie making & photography and sport workshops; where as, the youth of the developing countries chose human rights, conflict and fundraising related workshops.
I had signed up for the 'fundraising workshop'. In the workshop, the organizer puts 20 pounds on the table as a cash prize for a person with a good proposal to spend the money the right way.
"I will implement this 20 pounds for organization of a capacity building project", one Indian participant expressed as her view. A Russian friend drew an image of an old woman and a plan. One of the African friends displayed some photographs that reflected a very serious livelihood of the people of Africa, pinching the organizer's heart, and he won the 20 pounds. Defiantly, I am still encouraged to fundraise workshops.
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International Summer School for Young Africans Temidayo Israel-Abdulai | May 15th, 2006
Hi Everyone,
Compliments and Best Wishes.
I am writing to inform you about the 1st International Summer School for Young Africans being organized by the Africa Diaspora Youth Forum (UK) in Nigeria from the 23rd – 30th July 2006. The Summer School would be held for a week would draw speakers and trainers from all over Africa and its Diaspora and is being supported by Virgin Nigeria, Africa Leadership Forum, London Metropolitan University and a lot of other International Organizations in Africa and its Diaspora.
The Summer School would be focused on building the capacities of Young Africans in Africa and it’s Diaspora and would be an opportunity for Empowerment and Capacity Building for Young Africans. The event which would be held in Nigeria would be declared open by the President of Nigeria and the Closing Ceremony would be attended by the President of Malawi and Kenya. We have specially selected and invited seasoned trainers and speakers from all over Africa and its Diaspora to teach, train and inspire the over 300 delegates expected at the event.
Our last weeklong Leadership Training for the West African Sub-region in March 2005 was rated excellence and was supported by the Lagos State Government, British Council, Africa Leadership Forum, Air France, and AREF; Nevertheless the 1st International Summer School would be great as it would not only bring together Young Africans from Africa and it’s Diaspora for the whole week but would also create a platform for a Strong Partnership between Africa and its Diaspora.
Some of this years Speakers and Trainers includes and the list are increasing daily:
• Dr. Dapo Oyewole – CEO CAPPS UK www.thinkafrica.org
• Richie Dayo Johnson – CEO Richmond Academy UK www.richmondjohnson.com
• Dr. Ajayi – Africa Leadership Forum Nigeria www.africaleadership.org
• Ambassador Segun Olusola AREF www.aref.org
• Dr. Keem Bello Osagie
• Gbenga Sesan – Africa Digital Divide www.gbengasesan.com
• Lanre Suraj – HEDAGENDA www.hedagenda.org
• Dr. Titi Banjoko – Africa Recruit UK www.africarecruit.com
• Ndidi Okwonkwo – LEAP Africa www.leapafrica.org
• Hafsat Abiola – Kind Nigeria www.kindnigeria.org
• Ellen Brogren – Young General Assembly www.youngga.org
• Dr. Fola Adeola – UK Commission for Africa www.cfa.org.uk
• Dr. Firmino Mucavale – NEPAD www.nepad.org
• Dr. Man Joof – ECOWAS www.ecowas.org
Some of the objectives of the Summer School include:
• To create an avenue for Empowerment and Capacity Building for Young Africans in Africa and its Diaspora.
• To promote Citizenship Education amongst Young Africans
• To create an opportunity for delegates to meet other Young Leaders from all over Africa to discuss issues relating to Africa’s Development, Share Ideas, Build their capacities and network with one another
• To establish an avenue for Young Africans in Africa and its Diaspora to engage in the actualization of the MDG’s and the NEPAD Framework for Africa’s Development.
Sessions would be focused on themes such as Human Right and Democracy, Leadership, Good Governance and Accountability, Youth and Leadership in Africa, Environment and Sustainable Development amongst others.
Skill Training would cover Leadership Skills, Effective Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Vocational Skills, Public Speaking Skills, Project Management, Fundraising Skills, Employability Skills, Conflict Management, and many more. There would also be IT Training Sessions to train delegates on How to make effective use of the Internet/Web.
There are many opportunities and ways you could be involved in the Summer School for Young Africans, either by:
• Attending the Summer School as a delegate
• Making a Presentation at the Summer School either as a Professional or as a Young Activist with experience (Youth Leader/Trainer)
• Sponsoring a Delegate to attend
• Sponsoring a Session at the Summer School
• Exhibiting at the Summer School and many more
For all correspondence, please email summerschool@youngdiaspora.org or dayo@youngdiaspora.org. Tel: +44-208-331-3887 and +44-79-3024-7915. www.summerschool.youngdiaspora.org and www.youngdiaspora.org
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