World Youth Alliance Europe

A delegation of World Youth Alliance Europe at the March for Life in Paris, 22nd of January 2012

2012-01-27T02:48:00.000-08:00

A delegation from the WYA Europe was present at the French national March for Life which was held on January 22, 2012 in Paris. Around 30,000 persons participated to the march this year, in a friendly yet committed atmosphere, to call on the Government, the Parliamentarians, but also all the candidates to presidential elections (which will be held in May 2012) to include laws protecting life and the family in their political agenda. France is one of the first European countries having enacted a law to legalize abortion. The debate that raged in the early 1970’s is still present today and it seems that more and more young people are taking on this issue and engaging themselves to give a voice to the voiceless. According to the organizers, the number of participants to the march increased by one third since last year.

In this context WYA Europe's delegation came to meet French youth, to spread the word about World Youth Alliance’s work, and to invite them to join the movement and add their voice to all members represented by WYA Europe at the European Institutions, Council of Europe, United Nations and OSCE through signing the WYA charter. More than 100 young people signed up this time!

It seems clear that today's French youth is waiting for a solid education on issues surrounding the respect for life, family, freedom and dignity. Therefore WYA would like to develop its work in this country in order to participate in the effort of establishing a culture of life. If you are interested in getting involved and participating in the establishment of a chapter in your school, college, please contact us at europe@wya.net!

WYA Europe at the March for Life in Paris, January 22nd

2012-01-19T08:56:00.000-08:00

WYA Europe à la Marche pour la Vie le 22 janvier

14:30 – 17:30

Venez signer la charte de la WYA!

Une délégation de la WYA Europe sera à la Marche pour la Vie pour inviter les jeunes présents à signer la charte.

Intéressés de connaître l'Alliance Mondiale de la Jeunesse?
Nous sommes à Paris du 21 au 23 janvier et réservons du temps pour vous rencontrer.
Contactez nous par email : europe@wya.net

“Nous reconnaissons que la dignité intrinsèque de la personne est le fondement de tout Droit de l'Homme. Nous croyons que cette dignité est indépendante de toute situation individuelle et qu'aucune communauté humaine ne peut l’accorder ou la retirer.

Nous sommes convaincus que la dignité intrinsèque de chaque être humain, de la conception à la mort naturelle, est le fondement du droit de chacun à la vie. Nous croyons que ce droit inaliénable à la vie est le fondement d'une société libre et juste et nous croyons que la société, par le biais de la justice et la culture, a pour obligation de protéger la dignité de la personne et par conséquent le droit à la vie.”

Charte de la WYA

********

WYA Europe at the March for Life in Paris

January 22, 2012, 14:30 – 17:30

Sign the Charter in Paris!

A delegation of the WYA Europe will be at the March for Life, inviting young people to sign the Charter.

We would love to share WYA with your school or youth group!

Interested? Email europe@wya.net

« The members of WYA recognize that the intrinsic dignity of the person is the foundation of every human right. We believe this dignity is independent of any individual condition and that no human community can grant or rescind that dignity.

We are convinced that the intrinsic dignity possessed by every human being from conception to natural death is the foundation of everyone's right to life. We believe that this inalienable right to life is the basis of a free and just society and we believe that society through law and culture has an obligation to protect the dignity of the person and thus protect the right to life. »

WYA Charter

WYA Austrian National Chapter goes Poland..

2011-12-22T06:07:00.000-08:00

Od 29 grudnia 2011 do 2 stycznia 2012 austriaccystudenci i absolwenci będą razem z polskimi znajomymi z WYA Polska poznawaćpolską historię oraz kulturę.
Główne punkty programu to: Warszawa, Kraków oraz Sylwester Party na krakowskimKazimierzu.
Wizyta w Warszawie będzie czasem poznawania przez austriackich gości polskiejhistorii, tradycji oraz społeczeństwa. Kraków to czas na odkrywanie polskiejkultury oraz zabawę sylwestrową.

Jeśli chcesz dołączyć do któregoś z punktów naszego programu, napisz na adres

europe@wya.net lub bezpośrednio martaponikowska@gmail.com

Happy New Year!
Ein fröhliches Neues Jahr!
SzczęśliwegoNowego Roku!

World Youth Alliance National ChaptersAustria i Polska

Polen und dieSolidarnosc-Bewegung kennenlernen - und gemeinsam das neue Jahr feiern.

Von 29. Dezember 2011 bis 2. Jänner 2012 werdenStudenten und Young Professionals aus Österreich Polen von seinenverschiedensten Seiten erkunden - mit Unterstützung derer polnischen Freunde.

Drei Höhepunkte kennzeichnen das Programm:Warschau, Krakau und die dort stattfindende Silvester-Party.

Während unserer ersten Etappe in Warschau werdenwir mehr über Geschichte, Kultur und Traditionen Polens erfahren. FachkundigeGäste und Begleiter werden uns in die Geschichte der Solidarnosc-Bewegungeinführen. Dieses Wissen können wir dann während der zweiten Etappe unsererErkundungsreise in Krakau vertiefen.

Ihr seid ganz herzlich dazu eingeladen, an unseremProgramm und auch an der Silvester-Party teilzunehmen!

Für weitere Informationen wendet Euch bitte an

europe@wya.net odergleich direkt an martaponikowska@gmail.com

Happy New Year!
Ein fröhliches Neues Jahr!
Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku!

Eure World Youth Alliance National ChaptersÖsterreich und Polen

to learn more aboutPoland, Solidarnosc - and to celebrate New Year.

From December 29th 2011 to January 2nd 2012, Austrian students and youngprofessionals will discover Poland on various levels with the guidance of theirPolish friends.
Their programme will consist of the three highlights: Warsaw, Cracow and NewYear celebrations in latter city.
The days in Warsaw will allow them to to learn more about the history ofPoland, it's culture and traditions. Polish experts will give an introductionto the Solidarnosc movement, that will be later profounded during theirdiscovery trip in Cracow.

Feelwelcome to join them to their programme, as well as the New Year celebrations!
For more detailed information, please don't hesitate to contact
europe@wya.net or directly martaponikowska@gmail.com

Happy New Year!
Ein fröhliches Neues Jahr!
Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku!

Welcome Baby 7 Billion! Message from Marion, WYA Europe's Member, France - send us your own personalized message!

2011-10-29T11:06:00.001-07:00

The Countdown to Baby 7 Begins! Further to our last post, we are showcasing 7 members from 7 different regions around the world that have a message to pass on to Baby 7 Billion.

Here is the first one shared by a European Member, Marion, who is also an alumni of the WYA Europe office and represented us several times at the occasion of advocacy, training and cultural projects over the last months.

Please enjoy and be sure to visit our Facebook Page and Twitter (@WYAEurope) to send your own personalized message!

You can also find all informations on World Youth Alliance's website here.

Welcome Baby 7 Billion! WYA Members from Accross The Globe Share Their Message

2011-10-29T10:45:00.000-07:00

The Countdown to Baby 7 Begins! Over the next seven days, we'll be showcasing 7 members from 7 different regions around the world that have a message to pass on to Baby 7 Billion.

Be sure to visit our Facebook (Africa, Asia Pacific, Carribean, Europe, Latin America, Middle Eastand North America) , Blogs, and Twitter to send your own personalized message!

Read the article published by Christopher White, WYA International Director of Operations, on Public Discourse and an interview with WYA Founder, Anna Halpine on National Review Online.

And Find All informations updated in live on World Youth Alliance's website!

Réunion plénière de haut niveau sur la jeunesse aux Nations Unies : occasion de rayonner pour l’Alliance Mondiale de la Jeunesse

2011-07-28T08:44:00.000-07:00

New York, le 26 juillet 2011 – Trente jeunes de l'Alliance Mondiale de la Jeunesse (World Youth Alliance - WYA), venus de près de vingt pays, ont participé au sommet de haut niveau sur la jeunesse qui s’est tenu au siège de l'Organisation des Nations Unies à New York, ces 25 et 26 juillet 2011. Beaucoup de membres de l’Alliance avaient été admis dans les délégations officielles de leurs pays. Cela a été une expérience forte pour de nombreux délégués de l’Alliance, principalement pour ceux qui se sont retrouvés assis parmi les chefs d'Etat des quatre coins de la planète lors de l'Assemblée générale des Nations Unies. Pour Bernadette, française, une courte phrase résume l’atmosphère : « C’est très impressionnant et excitant! ». La WYA se réjouit de la possibilité de faire entendre la voix de jeunes promouvant la dignité, la famille, et le développement authentique.

L’Alliance mondiale de la jeunesse a parallèlement co-parrainé ce 26 juillet une conférence intitulée « Nos voix, nos aspirations : un dialogue de la jeunesse sur le développement durable », avec la Communauté internationale Bahá'í, à laquelle ont assisté plus de quarante personnes. Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, membre nigérien de l’Alliance, a prononcé un discours lors de l'événement, exposant sa vision du développement durable des jeunes. Iyinoluwa a souligné le « contexte » dans lequel le développement durable doit prendre place, à savoir « les familles et les communautés » avant tout, et non les gouvernements. Il a reconnu que le document final de la réunion onusienne sur la jeunesse contenait un paragraphe stipulant que « la responsabilité principale pour le développement des jeunes incombe aux Etats », et que ceci est contraire à ce que nous savons du développement authentique. La responsabilité première du développement des jeunes incombe aux familles et aux communautés! L’Alliance remercie et salue les délégations de l'ONU qui ont inclus ses recommandations sur la famille dans leurs adresses à l'Assemblée générale le mardi 26 juillet.

Pour l'Alliance Mondiale de la Jeunesse, la réunion sur la jeunesse a été une occasion de mettre en avant ce que les jeunes ont de meilleur à offrir aux institutions internationales. Les délégués de la WYA, en se prononçant sur la rédaction du document final, ont contribué à faire entendre la voix des jeunes au sein de l'ONU, une voix trop souvent orientée vers la garantie des « droits sexuels et reproductifs », plutôt que sur les besoins réels des jeunes en termes de développement, comme la nutrition, l'éducation, la santé, l'assainissement, un travail décent et une culture vivante.

Consciente de l'importance des arts et de la culture dans la vie des jeunes, l’Alliance Mondiale de la Jeunesse a également organisé l’évènement intitulé « Quand l'art parle : une passerelle pour comprendre la personne humaine », qui présentait de jeunes musiciens, acteurs, cinéastes et sculpteurs. 130 membres, amis et délégués de l’Alliance nous ont rejoints au siège de l’association pour profiter de cette soirée de spectacles et d'expositions d'art visuel.

United Nations High-level Meeting on Youth: Occasion for World Youth Alliance to Shine

2011-07-28T02:19:00.000-07:00

New York City, July 26, 2011) --
The World Youth Alliance (WYA) brought thirty young people from almost twenty countries to the United Nations High-level Meeting on Youth, held July 25 -26, 2011 at UN Headquarters in New York City. Many of the WYA members were accepted onto the official delegations of their countries. This made for a heightened experience for many of the WYA delegates, especially those who found themselves sitting on the floor of the UN General Assembly amongst heads of state from all over the world. For Bernadette, from France, one short sentence summed it up: “This is awesome.” WYA welcomed the opportunity to present the voices of young people by promoting dignity, the family and authentic development.

WYA co-sponsored a side event at the meeting on July 26th called “Our Voices, Our Aspirations: A Youth Dialogue on Sustainable Development” with the Bahá’í International Community and attended by over forty participants. Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, a WYA member from Nigeria, delivered a speech at the event, outlining his vision of sustainable youth development. Iyinoluwa pointed to the “context” in which sustainable development takes place, which is always “families and communities” first, and not governments. He acknowledged that the outcome document of the HLMY contains a paragraph which states that the “primary responsibility for youth development lies with the States,” and that this is contrary to what we know about authentic development. The primary responsibility for youth development falls to families and communities. WYA thanks and commends UN delegations that included its recommendations and the language of families in their addresses to the General Assembly on Tuesday July 26th.

For World Youth Alliance, the HLMY presented an opportunity to highlight the best of what young people have to offer at the international institutions. WYA delegates drafted newsletters, statements on the final outcome document and contributed to the “youth voice” at the UN, a voice which is too often oriented around guaranteeing “sexual and reproductive rights” rather than focusing on the real needs of young people in terms of development, like nutrition, education, basic healthcare, sanitation, decent work and a vibrant culture.

Recognizing the importance of the arts and culture in the lives of young people, WYA also hosted an evening event called “Art Speaks: A Gateway to Understanding the Human Person”, which highlighted young musicians, actors, filmmakers, and sculptors. 130 WYA members, friends and delegates joined us at WYA Headquarters to enjoy the evening of performances and visual art exhibits.

For more information:
Rebecca Marchinda, WYA Director of Advocacy
Email: becky@wya.net Phone: +1 212 585 0757 Website: www.wya.net

Esperanza! Working Towards Dialogue and Mutual Understanding Among Youth as Agents of Development, Social Inclusion, Tolerance and Peace

2011-07-26T02:15:00.000-07:00

This year’s High Level Meeting on Youth, concluding the UN International Year of Youth, will be dedicated to Dialogue and Mutual Understanding. The United Nations has invited a limited number of youth delegates to dialogue on issues they are facing today, so as to foster “mutual understanding,” among youth but also between authorities and youth. The World Youth Alliance and its members also prepared for the meeting and ensured that the voice of the world’s young people would be heard by representatives of Member States and the Secretariat of the U.N. In order to accomplish this, we proposed a series of amendments to the outcome document, and I was in charge of doing the initial analysis and creating an outline of our proposals.

In preparation for this meeting, the UN Secretariat issued a draft outcome document that Member States were invited to amend and develop. This document heavily drew upon the World Programme of Action on Youth (WPAY), drafted and signed by the General Assembly in 1995. But it also refers to other international texts–including the Millennium Development Goals. Draft amendments were proposed, accepted, altered or refused; paragraphs were deleted and moved; new issues were added. All in all, keeping a clear head while following this process and drafting our own amendments and proposals has been challenging.

There are ten priority areas addressed by the international community in the WPAY. These are all reflected in the final outcome document of this week’s High Level Meeting. The title of the document implies that the HLMY is about dialogue and mutual understanding. However, besides a few introductory paragraphs, only Paragraphs 18 and 26 specifically mention the official theme of the conference. The following title would have better mirrored the substance of the draft: “Involving youth with a view to more effective and better focused development.” The current draft combines the MDGs with the WPAY and focuses mostly on development issues: fostering “development,” enabling “youth development” and implementing the Millennium Development Goals. Therefore, the World Youth Alliance has strong hopes that young people from developing countries will be well-represented.

The World Alliance proposed three amendments to the draft outcome. The first emphasized respect for the dignity of the human person as the foundational principle underlying human rights. The second stressed the special vulnerability of young people to the multiple challenges that the world at large faces. The third added a dimension that is too often forgotten: the family plays a very important role of the life of all young people, since it is the first setting in which a youth learns how to dialogue, understand and compromise with the persons closest to him.

Personally, I would have added much more: An emphasis on the best interests of youth, a more pronounced acknowledgment of the role men and boys play in respecting women and fostering gender equality, an encouragement to strengthen policies supporting family unity as a measure to prevent crime, a stated need for policies supporting the integral development of each person in order to bring about “youth development.” I trust, however, that despite the absence of these issues in the final document, representatives of States will keep them in mind by implementing the outcome according to the principle of subsidiarity. In the end, the main challenge of my work on amendments was the likelihood that with so many proposals, none of them would make their way into the next draft. I just had to restrain myself and keep to the most essential ones. I didn’t realize how much reading would have to be done just to analyze a UN outcome document, but I enjoyed every minute and gladly accepted the challenge.

Bernadette

WYA Member, France

Esperanza! UN High Level Meeting on Youth

2011-07-25T08:25:00.000-07:00

The Value of Family Promotion in Protecting the Intrinsic Dignity of the Human Person

The World Youth Alliance welcomes the General Assembly’s proclamation of the International Year of Youth: Dialogue and Mutual Understanding. Youth represent a significant proportion of the world and are therefore not only the future, but also the present. The World Youth Alliance recognizes that educating and empowering youth is integral to the improvement of social and economic conditions and the well-being and livelihood of future generations. The World Youth Alliance also recognizes that all persons have intrinsic dignity; it is only through respecting this dignity that the ideals of peace, freedom, justice, tolerance, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, solidarity and development can be effectively achieved.

With this as our foundation, it is clear that authentic human development begins with investment in the human person. This needs to ensure that the person is placed in the right conditions and environment to foster his well-being, fulfillment and productivity. Such investment must begin with the family, which the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares is the “fundamental unit of society.”

The family promotes a stable environment that is necessary for the person to flourish. Children with supportive parents are more likely to be engaged with their school education at home and receive help from their parents if faced with difficulties. Also, with the support of the family, children are encouraged to strongly value their education and are often guided to pursue post-secondary education. With a supportive family, an attitude of positive optimism and future ambition is cultivated. Indeed, the family encourages development of skills and concepts necessary for social change. For instance, the family plays an invaluable role in the child’s development of language and speech and the nurturing of cognitive abilities. This is consistent with the established relationship between language and power and the fact that language is fundamental to human agency and social transformation.

Discrimination, isolation and poverty are integrally linked. When the person is isolated from her family she is more susceptible to discrimination due to the associated vulnerability that comes with the absence of support and solidarity. The UN Committee on Educational, Social and Cultural Rights has correctly recognized that poverty is often caused by people having no access to existing resources because of who they are, what they believe or where they live. Especially in developing countries, belonging to a family provides more locus standi, and allows for easier integration into the wider community.

Statistics have shown a clear and consistent relationship between the ideal of united families and economic buoyancy. For instance, when compared to single adults, married adults have a significantly higher average household income. Likewise children of married parents in comparison to those of unmarried parents have been found to do better economically. The breakdown of the family unit goes against the world’s aspirations for forward strides to be made in social and economic matters. Research has shown that divorced adults, especially women, experience greater economic hardship.

Promoting the family is essential to providing the right conditions for the human person to develop and flourish. The simple and yet integral value of family promotion is often overlooked in international documents. Promoting the family would have far-reaching positive effects on education and empowerment of the human person. It will also work to negate the possibilities of discrimination and thus enhance dialogue and mutual understanding as well as increase the integration of youth within society at large. Strong family units lead to the development of strong young men and women, empowered and equipped to positively contribute to our world, and to ensure the dignity of every person is recognized. The World Youth Alliance recognizes that dignity is something shared by all human persons and therefore there must be solidarity in recognizing this immutable fact. The essence of family promotion is to promote solidarity in its most fundamental form.

A Call to Action!

Dear delegate,

I am an eighteen year old, and I have written this letter in hopes that some of the issues facing Saint Lucian youth may be alleviated. I believe that my homeland is blessed with many beautiful young persons, some of whom are not granted the necessary opportunities to nurture their God-given talents. I say this because most of the crimes committed in my country are committed by young persons between the ages of fifteen to thirty. Most of these individuals lack opportunities–either for education or opportunities which stimulate good impulses for instance, the importance of being a good citizen. I believe there should also be forums and development programmes on parenting as some youth may be poverty stricken and parenting as some youth may be poverty stricken and parenting as some youth may be poverty stricken and suffering from neglect from parents and the home, indeed is where it all starts.

I believe that young persons with so much energy to spend need to be channeled in the right direction. We need development programmes, more education opportunities, mentors, counselors. Young persons need help and guidance. We need to know that there is still hope despite any predicament, be it poverty, teenage pregnancy or parental neglect.

People in St Lucia are very critical of St Lucian youth because of all the crimes. We are considered to be lazy and fail in comparison to the generations that have gone before us, or so the adults say. Regardless, I do admit that it would be an amazing feeling to have a sense of security restored when walking the streets.

Sincerely,

Latonia

Age 18

Saint Lucia

Sir Arthur Lew Community College

Dear delegate,

Quality education is the gateway to the development of our world in order to impact our community; we must learn to harvest the infinite reserves of the human mind. Yet, millions of youth from around the work are constantly denied opportunities of self-awareness and realization. Human dignity is denied when education is withheld. In countless instances where education is provided it serves not necessarily to encourage brilliance and ingenuity of thoughts, but rather to dampen creativity and force conformity. Education must inspire us to grow and change to have the audacity to create.

To solve this issue the developing world must adapt comprehensive policies which recognize both the human and strategic importance of education. True education should be filled with both compassion and information. Teachers should receive adequate training so as to inspire their students. Students must be supplied with relevant and advanced materials which encourage them not only to accept conventional teaching, but also to discover the world around them. Measures should be implemented to build student confidence in order to produce emotionally intelligent and balanced world citizens. Inadequacies in teaching compromise both student self-esteem and ability to learn. We in the developing world grow weary of waiting. It is the hour for change.

Sincerely,

Jarnickae

Age 16

Saint Lucia

St Mary’s College

Letters from World Youth Alliance members in Saint Lucia

Film Screening Review | Resolution

2011-07-17T07:29:00.000-07:00

SATURDAY, JULY 9, 2011

Last week, Monday 27^th of June, the President and Interns of the World Youth Alliance (WYA) New York attended the film screening “Resolution” hosted by the Bohemian National Hall, 321 East 73rd Street, with Margot Wallström, the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence and Conflict.

The most insidious of crimes. One which stigmatizes the victim as much as it does the culprit. One which has deep and enduring physical, social and emotional repercussions, with permanent effects on both the victim and the victim’s family. This is the crime of sexual violence and more specifically the crime of sexual violence within conflict.

The proliferating body of data has exposed extremely worrying realities. For example in 1993 approximately 40000 cases of war related rape were documented in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in 1999 a sample of Rwandan women surveyed revealed that 39% had been raped during the genocide, likewise 23,200 to 45,600 Kosovar Albanian women are estimated to have been raped during the height of the war with Serbia (between August 1998 and August 1999). The list dishearteningly goes on.

In light of the seriousness of the issue the somewhat global silence on the matter may instinctively lead one to sneer with critical disappointment at the global institutions lack of action. More profoundly, one may instead see the lack of global action on this matter hitherto as unveiling how heart-wrenching, delicate and complex the issue of sexual violence is. After all, criminal matters are usually dealt with when the victim cries out. In issues of rape however, where for instance the woman has to choose between exposing the evil done to her or being permanently excommunicated from her community and her family, (and precedent also testifying that any hope of justice is a mere fantasy) crying out may not be such an obvious option. One thing is clear – action is needed. That’s why the screening of Resolution in New York last Monday as a means to promote awareness of sexual violence is welcomed by WYA.

Very eminent guests...not least – the Secretary General

Amongst the eminent guests at the screening was Marika Griehsel, the film director ofResolution, Margot Wallström the newly appointed UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence and Conflict, and a special guest Dr Denis Mukwege, a Congolese expert gynecologist specializing on the repair of internal damage caused by gang rape. These eminent individuals also formed the panel which, after the screening, was fired upon with questions from an audience moved by a powerful, emotive and compelling film that had brought some to tears, and no doubt all to compassion. The crucial nature of the subject of the event was underlined by the presence of the newly re-appointed Secretary General, who introduced the event by making a measured speech highlighting the efforts of the UN under his leadership in tackling the matter, and giving his full support to Margot Wallström and her recent appointment.

Very compelling film...

The film began by demonstrating the hope brought by the appointment of Margot Wallström as the new Special Representative, yet unveiled the inner struggle she faced in trying to find the right words to convince the Security Council regarding the seriousness of the matter at hand, for which concerted international support was necessary for there to be any hope of success. Leaving her speech before the Security Council on a cliff hanger, the film then took the audience on a captivating yet painful journey with Wallström and her team as they met with rape survivors and front-line activists in conflict areas across the globe. A German survivor of rape (at the hand of Russian soldiers during WW2) recalled vividly her experience from several decades past. She told her story without emotion as if fully accepting the torturous reality of the ever-present pain and the impossibility of seeing justice being done for her. This was effectively juxtaposed to a passionate Congolese woman speaking, yelling and screaming at Margot Wallström, “You are the mother of the nations”, she said fervently, and then with trembling desperation she yelled “Help us!”, then she impetuously broke out into tears - soon followed by Wallström - and indeed members of the audience.

WYA we were there...

Central to WYA’s ethos is the fact that we all possess inherent dignity. This, inter alia, means that each person is an end in his or herself and should not be used as a mere means to an end. The sexual aggression that has become pervasive practice during conflict contradicts this universal principle head on. The film industry is a relevant and dynamic medium; excellent for effective communication. Films such as Resolution aiming to educate the global society about the inherent violation of women’s dignity caused through sexual violence are therefore strongly encouraged and in line with WYA’s aims.

Careful now...delicate care, extreme focus, no distractions

However some aspects of the film were slightly worrying.

To illustrate let us imagine a situation where a notorious serial killer has finally been cornered, police cars all around him, a helicopter above and the national media watching closely. The serial killer has a hostage strangled in his arms with a gun to her head and the threat that he will kill her. His past killings vouch that this is not a mere threat. The well prepared police force has well trained snipers at hand. The established consensus is for them to shoot the killer before he shoots the innocent hostage - but given the proximity of the innocent victim and the criminal this action must be done with delicate care, with extreme focus and without distraction.

WYA noticed a similar scenario at the screening on Monday. A part of the film had Congolese women liaise with Bosnian women. The former eagerly questioning the latter in their quest for empathetic wisdom from women from a country who in the past suffered what they were presently suffering. The Bosnian ladies ‘empathized’ with the Congolese, stating that, ‘at least in Bosnia when we suffered rape we didn’t have to keep the unborn child’, the Congolese women looked on in amazement, “That’s why you must fight for your rights!” she continued. Then in what appeared to be a skilful piece of editorial and directorial work that scene faded away... as if it were to be taken for granted that the Bosnian woman was right in this remark, as if the “right to abortion” is not still an internationally contested idea, and as if there are no alternatives to terminating the unborn child which respects the equal dignity of both the mother and the child, despite the extremely regretful circumstances surrounding his or her conception. In light of the noble goal of Resolution in fighting against sexual violence it is paramount that the delicacy of the issue is not forgotten. The subject matter of sexual violence is too vital and real an issue for its impact to be dangerously mixed (and therefore diminished) with a highly contested subject such as abortion.

The panel could perhaps be given the benefit of the doubt since there were numerous questions thrown at them. Nevertheless WYA heard loudly the silence of the panel to a lady in the audience who exhorted the film for promoting the normalization of abortion. Also when the President of WYA addressed the director at the drinks reception concerning this issue she denied that the film had sought to side track the main issue by purposely promoting abortion. All that can be said then is like the sniper, the international community, including Ms Wallström and the Director of Resolution, should in the future deal with this matter more unswervingly - without distraction, with extreme focus and with delicate care.

The film ended with Wallström’s speech persuading the Security Council unanimously to adopt a Security Council resolution aimed at strengthening the international artillery for combating this issue specifically. Let’s hope this major step does not end up being directed in the wrong direction...

--Gbemiro Gunnubole, 22

British Nigerian

WYA Europe gladly welcomes two new interns: Lukas Harta and Marion Dinand!

2011-07-15T03:51:00.000-07:00

WYA Europe gladly welcomes two new interns: Lukas Harta and Marion Dinand!

"Hello! My name is Lukas Harta. I was born in the south of Austria, my parents are from Germany and now we live in Vienna, where I study Law. I decided to apply for an internship for two main reasons: First of all, I believe that WYA's convictions about the dignity of the person, the importance of the family and solidarity between developed and developing nations are extremely important for our societies but are lacking support. In my internship, I would like to contribute to the promotion of these ideas. Secondly, I am looking forward to learn and make experiences, be it through WYA's training or through working and living in an international atmosphere including the European institutions."

Marion: "I am a 21 years old student of in Law and Political Science and come from Paris. I am there involved in the association "Etudiants Pro-Vie", which promotes respect due to the human person from conception to natural death.

I decided to do an internship at WYAE when I realized during my law studies how much power European institutions actually have in the orientation of national policies. I share Robert Schuman's wish: the European project "cannot and must not remain an economic and technical enterprise", disconnected with human rights and values. Politic is the implementation of a certain vision of the human person: a free and dignityfull being called to happiness through solidarity and self-gift.

In this context, the presence of the WYA at the European institutions is fundamental in recentering EU laws, simply by asking: "What about the person?" In Schuman's words, "Europe needs a soul, the conscience of its historical affinities and of its responsibilites in the present and in the future, and a political will at the service of the same human ideal".

The WYAE is here to never let Europe forget it!"

“Solidarity, Freedom, Democracy… The experience of the World Youth Day and its contribution to the European project”

2011-07-01T03:29:00.000-07:00

World Youth Alliance Europe’s public hearing on “Solidarity, Freedom, Democracy… The experience of the World Youth Day and its contribution to the European project” at the European Parliament:

MEPs and EU representatives count on youth!

In conjunction with the European Union Year of Volunteering and the International Year of Youth in 2011, World Youth Alliance (WYA) held on June 28^th a public hearing at the European Parliament, hosted by Mr Jaime Mayor Oreja MEP, Vice-President of the EPP group, on “Solidarity, Freedom, Democracy… The experience of the World Youth Day and its contribution to the European project.” Present MEPs and EU representatives, including the Hungarian and upcoming Polish Presidency of the EU, encouraged young people to take a role in the European project, and to participate in the positive changes that happen through volunteerism, active citizenship and cultural exchanges.

A life-changing experience for millions of young people, at the service of Europe

After the screening of a short film entitled “26 years of World Youth Day”, EU representatives heard the testimonies of two young persons, working now inside and outside of the European Parliament, about the impact of this experience in their life and career. Participants at the hearing could hear that “Coming from a family with a great social and even political engagement and in the same time living in the mediatized world, the message of trust and confidence [John Paul II] had for us, young people, was almost unheard. It seems to me that he, and Benedict XVI with him, encouraged us young people that we can make a difference, that the future is up to us”. “Since then, I have gone to WYD not for myself but to able to give this message of hope.”

Yet, since the first World Youth Day gathering were launched on the occasion of the United Nations International year of Youth in 1985, millions of Europeans have participated in the event and taken this experience back home. It is by far the largest youth gathering in world history and the largest youth grassroots individual and collective experience for the past 30 years. In this regard, this specific example can point to religion’s unique contribution to building European citizenship.

Youth have a role to take to shape the European Union of tomorrow

In response to these testimonies, MEPs and representatives of the EU Presidencies were unanimous in highlighting that “If we invest in young people we can get out of the crisis" (Vice-President of the European Parliament Gianni Pittella).Vice-President of the EPP group Jaime Mayor Oreja advocated “World Youth Day is an event of freedom. […] Second, this event reaffirms a commitment to society.” While MEP Alojz Peterle insisted that: “We count on you… and you can count on us”, MEP Lázló Surján emphasized that “It is up to the youth to change things”.

On behalf of the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community, General Secretary of the COMECE Fr. Piotr Mazurkiewisz highlighted the interesting difference of perception of religion’s role in the public sphere, recalling that in Eastern Europe religion is still connected with the idea of freedom, as John Paul II’s first pilgrimage in Poland contributed to bring people in solidarity again while the communist regime had caused the atomization of society.

In conclusion, after Representative of the Hungarian Presidency of the EU Balázs Márton recalled that non formal learning, volunteerism and active citizenship were yet at the core of the priorities of the trio, a Representative of the upcoming Polish Presidency encouraged youth to take part of Polish theme of “Youth in the world.”

Speakers present at the hearing:

· Mr Jaime Mayor Oreja MEP, Vice-President of the EPP group

· Mr Gianni Pittella MEP, Vice-President of the European Parliament

· Mrs. Doris Pack MEP, Chair of the EP Committee on Culture and Education

· Mr. Alojz Peterle MEP, Member of the European Parliament

· Mr. Lázló Surján MEP, Member of the European Parliament

· Fr. Piotr Mazurkiewicz, General Secretary of the COMECE

· Mr. Balázs Márton, Chair of Council Working Group for Youth, on behalf of the Hungarian Presidency of the EU

· Ms. Joanna Doberszyc-Toulsaly, First Secretary and Head of the Research, Education and Culture Section Permanent Representation of Poland to the EU

World Youth Alliance at World Youth Day 2011: Young people SHARE SOLIDARITY

As the World Youth Alliance gathers young men and women from every cultural and religious backgrounds, the NGO is going to be present at World Youth Day from 16th to 21th of August this year in Madrid, with the aim of reaching out to the active and involved youth present at this global event.

WYA invites all interested young people to join its “Solidarity Excursions” at World Youth Day, which is an opportunity to join young members from around the world to promote human dignity and the family, and share in solidarity with one another. WYA solidarity excursions will leave daily from WYA booth sites in Madrid, led by a team of over thirty WYA staff and members. More information on how to join is available at wyaatwyd.com.

For more information on this public hearing or on the World Youth Alliance and our advocacy at the European Parliament, please contact WYA Europe Director, Marie-Caroline Leroux at mariecaroline@wya.net. To view a PDF version of this press release, click here.

WYA's action to stop coercive family planning programmes is mentionned in the media!

2011-06-20T02:22:00.000-07:00

Christian News Wire, June 17, 2011

Forced Abortion in China -- Activist's Wife Cries for Help

Contact: Reggie Littlejohn, President, Women's Rights Without Frontiers, 310-592-5722

LINYI, SHANDONG, China, June 17, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- In a letter released by China Aid yesterday, the wife of blind activist Chen Guangcheng tells the story of their torture under house arrest. Yuan Weijing writes:

They beat and tortured my husband Chen Guangcheng and me for more than 2 hours . . . I saw more than ten men surrounded Chen Guangcheng, torturing him. Some of them twisted his arms forcefully while the others were pushing his head down and lifting his collar up tightly.

Yuan's letter also states that the police sealed their windows with sheets of metal, seized their computer, confiscated their books, stole Chen's blind cane, and grabbed toys belonging to their young daughter. Further, Chen has been denied medical treatment and his health is in jeopardy. Yuan's letter ends with a plea for legal action to protect her family.

Why is the Chinese Communist Party determined to crush Chen? The CCP wants the world to think that its One Child Policy is voluntary. Chen, however, exposed the systematic use of forced abortion and involuntary sterilization in implementing this policy. Time Magazine named him in its list of "2006's Top 100 People Who Shape Our World." The Chinese Communist Party, however, handed him a four year jail sentence. His family has been languishing under house arrest since his release in October, 2010.

Chen Guangcheng is the "Tank Man" against China's One Child Policy. Impoverished, beaten and blind, Chen nevertheless possesses the surpassing backbone to stand alone against the grinding juggernaut of this totalitarian regime. The CCP apparently perceives in Chen a real threat to its crumbling legitimacy.

In pressing for justice for Chen and his family, let us not forget those for whom he has sacrificed his freedom: the families of China who are being shattered daily by forced abortion, forced sterilization and infanticide. The coercive enforcement of China’s One Child Policy causes more violence against women and girls than any other official policy on earth. It is the greatest women's rights issue in the world today. No one supports forced abortion, because it is not a choice.

Women's Rights Without Frontiers condemns the house arrest of Chen and his family. We demand their immediate release and medical attention.

Sign a petition to free Chen (with the World Youth Alliance):
www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/index.php?nav=chen-guangcheng

View a four minute video, "Stop Forced Abortion in China!":
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjtuBcJUsjY

See Yuan's full letter:www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/blog/?p=242

Link on Christiannewswire:

http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/9075017200.html

World Youth Alliance meets Munich!

2011-05-10T05:47:00.000-07:00

(English version below)

Dein effektiver Einsatz für die Würde des Menschen in Politik und Gesellschaft : WYA zeigt wie!

Hast Du Lust daran teilzunehmen?

Liebe Freunde,

Die Welt Jugend Allianz ist eine globale Jugendorganisation, die sich für die Förderung und den Schutz der Würde jedes Menschen in Politik und Kultur, sowie für die Solidarität zwischen Entwicklungsländern und Industriestaaten, einsetzt. Gegründet im Jahr 1999 ist die WYA eine von jungen Leute geleitete globale NGO die ständig in der UNO und den Europäischen Institutionen vertreten ist.

Marie-Caroline Leroux, Direktorin des Europäischen Büros der Weltjugendallianz in Brüssel und Imre de Habsbourg-Lorraine, WYA Praktikant, werden die Ziele und Veranstaltungen der Organisation präsentieren und darstellen, wie du daran teilnehmen kannst - in München und anderswo.

Wir erwarten Dich am 27. Mai 2011 um 19 Uhr bei dem “St. Georgs Club”, Türkenstraße 106, 80799 München

Verbreite das Wort und kommt zahlreich! Du wirst es nicht bedauern!

Auch wenn Du zu diesem Event nicht kommen kannst, laden wir Dich ein die WYA Charta zu unterschreiben und dadurch Mitglied der WYA zu werden. Dies impliziert keine weiteren Verpflichtungen und ermöglicht Dich Angebote der WYA zu nutzen. Weitere Informationen sind in den beigefügten Dokumenten zu entnehmen.

Um mehr über die WYA zu lernen, bitte klicke hier und hier, und besuche uns mal über Facebook, Twitter und unseren Blog.

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Your effective commitment towards human dignity in politics and society: WYA shows how!
Do you like to participate?

Dear Friends,

The World Youth Alliance is a global coalition of young people committed to promoting and defending the dignity of the person in politics and culture, as well as building solidarity among youth from developed and developing nations. Founded in 1999, WYA is a global NGO led by young people, and permanently represented at the UNO and European institutions.

Marie-Caroline Leroux, Director of the European Bureau of the WYA in Brussels, and Imre von Habsburg-Lothringen, WYA Intern, will present the philosophy and the various activities of the organization.

Anyone who wants to commit himself/herself to the dignity of the person, WYA shows the possibilities to get involved - in Munich and elsewhere!

We expect you on May 27th 2011 at 7pm at the “St. Georgs Club”, Türkenstraße 106, 80799 Munich

Please, spread the word and come all! You will not regret it!

Even if you cannot come to this event, we invite you to sign the WYA Charter and thereby become a member of the WYA. This implies no obligations and enables you to take advantage of all WYA’s offer. More information can be found in the attached documents.

Please do not hesitate to click here and here, and come visit us on Facebook, Twitter and our Blog.

Population regulation: the key to economic flourishing?

2011-04-21T09:37:00.000-07:00

Let me tell you about my trip to New York last March. I had the great pleasure to be sent by the European office of the World Youth Alliance to attend the 8^th International Solidarity Forum (ISF), hosted by the WYA in New York City. The event lasted 4 days and took place in various locations in NY City but mainly at the WYA Headquarters and at the UN.

We were about thirty young certified WYA members, coming from different regions of the world (Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America), and thus representing diverse ethnic, religious, cultural, and economic backgrounds, but nevertheless all sharing the same concern: how does population growth impact economics? The actual tendency in politics and in the medias actually suggests that population management is a fundamental necessity to cope with population growth and to enable economic development. Is that true? And if not, are there strong arguments based on social sciences that may offer another perspective?

I personally had many conversations about these legitimate questions with friends and always had a hard time to expound what a person centered approach to economics means; I was therefore very interested to attend lectures given by policymakers and scholars from different colleges who especially came to give us an insight on the complex relationship between economics and population.

Policymakers all over the world (at the UN and Governments) promote the idea that global populations levels are too high and must therefore be stabilized. Nicholas Eberstadt, in his essay Too Many People, shows how global living standards have improved all over the world over the past century despite a near-quadrupling of human population.

We often hear that “overpopulation” is a reality nowadays. But it is actually widely misunderstood, often linked to hungry children, diseases and low living conditions. In reality, there is no evident negative link between population and development. During the past century, life expectancy increased, people lived healthier and were wealthier, food production had steadily outstripped population growth, and generally all natural resources are now more available than in the past. These are facts based on serious scientific researches and scholars were there to affirm and confirm it.

An important part of the forum was the negociation of the new WYA Declaration on Population and Economics. Divided by regions, each committee had to submit resolutions for amendments. These were then discussed and debated, sometimes very strongly, between all the participants. It was impressive to see how sentences, sometimes even words, were subject to endless discussions. Everybody was strongly committed to this important work, pursuing our understanding on the matter even further.

Even though fertility rates dropped during the last century, proponents of “population stabilization” still ask governments to regulate populations through family planning programs. But thanks to the ISF, I was able to deepen my understanding on the fundamental role played by families in a society. The family represents in fact the very first unit of a society, a place where children can develop themselves the best. Protecting the family and thus future generations is essential to societies and their economic flourishing.

By Imre de Habsbourg-Lorraine, Intern at the WYA Europe

UN conference on Population and Development: Expressing my concerns directly to decision-makers

2011-04-16T05:10:00.000-07:00

As a WYA member and fellow, I am not that young, so I have already had the occasion to sit in international assemblies –European Union (27 states), Council of Europe (47 states) – where states and NGOs make their principled statements. Witnessing a global assembly is even more impressive, as it globalizes your political perspective, and helps you think of the “big picture”. In regards to development issues, you can hear concerns of developing countries directly. You know the latter are at a later stage of demographic transition, but you want to help them avoid your region’s mistakes.

As it is, I was never so directly in contact with the way cultural and wealth differences can affect policy in such assemblies. As the least developed countries are looked upon as too fertile, and encouraged to lower their fertility, the wealthiest countries struggle over the consequences of a fertility that is too low. Nonetheless, very few stress that the goal should be to find a balance in all this. The common idea remains that the more we are, the less we have, rather than the more we are, the more we can produce.

What strikes me most in all these statements is to hear China praise its population policy and family planning programs that many know to be coercive and burdensome on its citizens: China has succeeded in lowering its fertility in the last four decades. On the other side Sweden praises itself for its “pragmatic policies” enabling people to have all possible choices, and broad access to “modern contraceptives”. In all this, non-chemical ecological means of family planning are not deemed modern.

We hear a lot about population targets, and at the same time about the possibility to have choice. Apparently, both are compatible, thus investing in family planning and permitting broad access to modern methods of contraception would be the best investment a state could make. But for this, you would need to subsidize contraception so that people will use it. If the cost of a child is higher for a woman than contraception, will that woman not buy contraceptives herself? Is the cost of subsiding modern contraceptives not too high for these states : transportation, distribution, and subsidizing have costs too. What kinds of contraceptives can developing countries afford to subsidize? The most modern and safest ones? Are we Westerners, going to make them generous offers? Already in Europe, only the cheapest – and thus least secure – contraceptives are reimbursed by social security. Thus my question is: is the long-term cost of these policies taken into account? Are there better investments? Are there not more urgent needs to cover?

All these thoughts occupy my head while listening to statements. In the mean time, we try to find who in the room would be open to hear our concerns and arguments.

Lobbying ambassadors and ministers is not easy, but you get to enjoy and like it. Go to them, address our concerns, our wish to work with them to design long term policies. Thoughts turn fast in my head. Who should I address? What should I say? Is he open? Will he listen? Should I go to him again? Will I disturb? After trying, you get there. You find out that after all, these people, like you, lack some information and are always glad to discover an aspect of the problem nobody told them about. You remember that because you are the future, your future depends on expressing your thoughts to the people who decide. This is an incredible opportunity, and you must seize it. As it goes, you try, you fail, you learn and your fears progressively disappear.

So what am I going to tell him? Simply this. We are young, but we know the costs and opportunities life gives us. And like everybody else, we are happy to be able to make our own choices. But we do not want to be pushed into believing that having more than a given number of children is a burden on the community, and that we are guilty if we wish for more. If there is choice, there should be a choice to have children too, while being educated and working, and not only a choice to have fewer children. And we certainly do not wish that developing countries later face our current concern: that we may have to overwork all our life to pay the bill of our aging parents and the underrepresentation of our generation.

Bernadette Joyeux, European WYA Advocacy Fellow in NYC

Esperanza! Investing in the Human Person - WYA Declaration on Population and Economics

2011-04-15T01:16:00.000-07:00

Investing in the Human Person

The World Youth Alliance supports the work of the Commission on Population and Development in their efforts to promote the human person as the central subject of development. The World Youth Alliance recognizes that all persons have intrinsic dignity; it is this dignity that provides the basis for all human rights. This reality should drive and order the work that is pursued here, and precipitate the question, “How can we best serve the needs of the human person?” Only with a full understanding of the human person, with his or her physical, mental, spiritual, social and emotional needs, can we pursue policies that lead to integral human development.

With this as our foundation, it is clear that authentic human development begins with investment in the human person. What does it mean to invest in the human person? This can only be accomplished within a holistic paradigm that respects the dignity and complexity of each human being. It begins by investing in the things that human beings need for fulfillment and productivity; the most basic of these are healthcare and education.

Adequate healthcare promotes a healthy population and is essential to the ability of a person to live up to their potential. Women’s access to health care is a key indicator of development, impacting both maternal and child health. High maternal and infant death rates are indicative of social and medical failure, and each death has a devastating impact on the family, the community, and economic and social development. Women should be able to live happy, flourishing lives; however maternal health policies that focus primarily on family planning do not ensure healthy pregnancies and deliveries. These are ensured through investment in skilled birth attendants, prenatal and postnatal care and provision of health education for women and families.

Education addresses the intellectual and social needs of the human person; it is one of the most important means of empowering persons with the knowledge, skills and self-confidence necessary to participate fully in the development process. Investing in the human person through education is a multi-dimensional task. It not only entails an adequate educational system with trained, uncorrupt teachers but also the elimination of barriers which prevent attendance, especially for the girl child. Investment in infrastructure, including roads and means of transportation, fosters student access. Systems should be developed to retain boys and girls in school, such as adequate record-keeping and provision of hygiene supplies for adolescent girls as they begin menstruation.

Investment in the human person fosters integral human development and thus greater economic and social flourishing. Educated, healthy persons enter the labor force at a higher level and are retained longer, leading to greater economic productivity. When persons have their basic needs met and are equipped through education, they can invest their time in intellectual, social, and cultural activities. The human person, with his or her capacity and creativity, can develop new ways of engaging the world, effecting areas of resource management, distribution and sustainability.

Healthy and educated parents can raise healthy future generations, perpetuating societal and economic growth. The promotion of healthcare and education is not only critical to achieving authentic, sustainable development, but more importantly is fitting to the dignity of persons. The World Youth Alliance recognizes that human dignity and a holistic understanding of the person is the only foundation on which appropriate and effective programs and policies can be developed.

WYA Declaration on Population and Economics

New York, March 2011

The economy is the system of production and management of material wealth in a given society. Proper social and cultural development is a necessary condition for, rather than a result of, a thriving economy. When societies are built upon respect for human dignity and the family, sustainable economic growth follows, demonstrating that cultural and human capital are the primary resources driving overall human development.

The intangibility of human capital makes the relationship between population and economics complex. The potential of the human person to generate wealth using knowledge, skills and creativity is unique and reflects an aspect of human dignity. Therefore, investing in the human person, in a climate of freedom and respect, leads to integral human development and economic growth. Investing in the human person requires investing in healthcare and education, as healthy and educated persons can reach their potential in the workplace, engage civilly and raise healthy families, thus contributing to the economy. A society that recognizes, supports, and encourages the value of occupations that respect human dignity, including informal care-giving, allows for the maximization of human capital and economic growth.

Since human capital is our most important resource, responsible stewardship is a necessary condition of sustainable economic development. Population management programs categorize human beings, especially vulnerable populations, as burdens instead of essential participants in long-term economic development. The premise that fixed resources and equitable distribution require fewer individuals is not only flawed but inconsistent with human dignity. Population management programs ignore the real causes of economic growth: anti-corruption policies, protection of basic human rights, access to education and investment in infrastructure.

Human capital is first and best developed within the family, the basic unit of society. It is within the family that children first understand their dignity, realize their potential and are prepared to be responsible agents of economic and social development. We recognize that both the role of the mother and the father are significant to the child’s development. Civil society, governments, and international institutions can play an important role in the development of human capital by creating supportive environments in which families thrive.

Esperanza! Does population really get older?

2011-04-13T01:08:00.000-07:00

When Populations Age

The World Youth Alliance recognizes that regions of the world are at different stages of demographic transition. Regions in an advanced stage of demographic transition are aging. Population aging is caused on the one hand by a decrease in fertility and on the other hand by overall progress in global health. The latter has permitted a drop in child and maternal mortality; it has also enabled the population at large to remain healthy and active up to a more advanced age.

Over the years, a global population growth has given rise to the concern that demands – especially demands for food – created by large young populations could not be fulfilled. This concern has been the justification for encouraging people to reduce family sizes. This has been the rationale behind population management policies such as Chinas’, where people are allowed only one child per family. More recently, the government of the Philippines has debated a law proposal in which it encouraged its population to make responsible choices in family planning, and expressly favored two-child family size.

Population management policies that coerce parents to have a certain number of children are not only contrary to the basic right of all couples to decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing and timing of their children. They are also based on the faulty assumption that overall population growth is caused by families who have more children than a given ideal number. This assumption unduly puts the burden of culpability on the shoulders of these families.

The World Youth Alliance believes that high fertility and lack of family planning are not the only causes of global population growth. Rather, this growth has been caused by increased life expectancy. In the last decades, the overall fertility rate has dropped. However, this fertility drop has not prevented overall population growth: In Europe, it is population aging that creates concern, now that the region is under the replacement rate required for stabilization.

The World Youth Alliance recognizes that young populations do not hinder development but can facilitate it. Post-War Europe was reconstructed by a young population and reached a high standard of living. In a similar way, the young population of Hong Kong did not hinder the economic miracle in the region but facilitated it. Therefore equating young populations with underdevelopment is untrue. Development depends on access to education and healthcare.

Policies aimed at reducing population growth through mainstreaming family planning practices / use of contraceptives should be attentive not reach the excessive adverse results. A dramatic decrease in fertility has already led to an insufficiently low fertility rate in Western Europe, where populations age with a sparse young population taking over. Such policies do not ultimately serve new generations: Where social security systems are not able to overcome social costs related to aging i.e. youth unemployment, retirement and health care for the elderly, youth has to face disproportional simultaneous burdens of work and care for their elderly. Moreover, such contexts generate an environment prone to potential intergenerational conflicts.

As a global coalition of young people, we urge governments to focus their resources on providing education and health care information to their young populations, and to associate their experienced citizens to direct their resourceful youth on the path of long-term development.

WYA Declaration on Population and Economics

New York, March 2011

We call on civil society, governments and international institutions to invest in the human person, and to work with us to build societies which foster economic and human flourishing.

Esperanza! Economics= essential for humans?

2011-04-13T01:05:00.000-07:00

Population and Economics: A Complex Relationship

It permeates everything we do at the Commission on Population and Development. It’s an automatic assumption. Presumed to be so. It’s the premise we rely on to make policy decisions. The formula is simple: in order to achieve economic growth and human development, there have to be fewer people so that our finite resources can be distributed equitably. This doctrine, so unequivocally determined that it cannot be questioned, seems to make sense. We have a limited number of resources. People keep on living longer and having children, so population is growing exponentially. Since resources need to be spread out, and don’t multiply exponentially, the only solution is to have fewer people to consume them. The alternative is what Malthus predicted: poverty and then death.

Well there’s a problem with the simple formula: people are complex. They’re wildcards. They’re not always predictable. And the best part? The creativity of the human person, manifesting itself in a myriad of ways across the generations, has inestimable value and the potential to bring society out of poverty.

You see, even if resources are tight, the human person is capable of spreading them around so that everyone gets his share. After all, it is the human person who has developed the medical knowledge and tools to increase life expectancy by leaps and bounds across the developed and developing world in the last century. The point is, we have the resources, but the resources just don’t get to everyone. That’s where the genius of the human person, applying the knowledge and skills he has developed through education, can transform the world.

This all brings us to the present Commission, where we are reviewing the ICPD Programme of Action within the context of “fertility, reproductive health and development.” What could we possibly say that is new, if the assumption is that lowered fertility will increase economic prosperity and human development? As young people, we hope that a reevaluation of the relationship between population and economics can occur, so that together we can find person-centered approaches to development.

The first step towards a person-centered approach is to recognize that people are drivers of development and not hindrances it. It is people who discover, through developing new technologies and systems of production and management, how to interact with the world in a more efficient way to promote human flourishing. In order to encourage this activity, it is necessary to invest in human capital by investing in the things that human beings need for fulfillment and productivity: education, healthcare and families.

Education is necessary for human beings to further economic growth. And educated citizen can educate future generations, contribute more in the workplace, and engage society politically, thus contributing to economic growth. An educated citizen is an empowered citizen.

Healthcare is an absolute necessity if human beings are to fulfill their potential in all spheres of society. If parents are not healthy, their children are not healthy. If employees are not healthy, productivity goes down. Healthcare allows citizens to spend a longer time in employment. All of this is a prerequisite to economic and human development.

When governments strengthen and support families, the place where all people first understand their potential to contribute to society and their roles in economic and social development, they support economic growth. For many, families are the means of staying out of poverty, so when they thrive, future generations thrive.

It’s time to reexamine what we think about the relationship between people and economics. The young people of the world are waiting for this conversation.

WYA Declaration on Population and Economics

New York, March 2011

We call on civil society, governments and international institutions to invest in the human person, and to work with us to build societies which foster economic and human flourishing.

Exhibition on Women's modesty and anger

2011-04-08T05:54:00.000-07:00

WYA is committed to promote human dignity through advocacy, culture and education.
Referring to the cultural aspect of this mission, WYA organised a visit of the exhibition on “Women’s modesty and anger” at the Villa Empain, to reflect on women’s role in the world; especially in how far challenges of women in the West differ from ones in the East. Click below to read more about the event!

The visit of the exhibition took place in the content of WYA’s mission.
We believe culture is the manifestation of our spirit, of our experiences and reflections. “The talents of woman foster and preserve the beauty of each culture
When woman exercises a key role in building, designing and protecting societies, her participation enriches and sustains the culture for herself, her family and community and for all generations to follow(…)”WYA declaration on Women”

Declaration on Population and Economics

2011-04-07T06:54:00.000-07:00

We are young people of diverse ethnic, religious, cultural, and economic backgrounds from every region of the world. Many of us are from the developing world, which has large, young populations capable of innovation and creativity, a driver of economic growth. Some of us are from the developed world, which currently has lower fertility rates, ageing populations and in some cases stalled economic growth. As young people, we are concerned about the relationship between population and economic prosperity. A proper understanding of this relationship is necessary in order to propose policies that will reduce poverty and lead to both human and economic flourishing.

The economy is the system of production and management of material wealth in a given society. Proper social and cultural development is a necessary condition for, rather than a result of, a thriving economy. When societies are built upon respect for human dignity and the family, sustainable economic growth follows, demonstrating that cultural and human capital are the primary resources driving overall human development.

The intangibility of human capital makes the relationship between population and economics complex. The potential of the human person to generate wealth using knowledge, skills and creativity is unique and reflects an aspect of human dignity. Therefore, investing in the human person, in a climate of freedom and respect, leads to integral human development and economic growth. Investing in the human person requires investing in healthcare and education, as healthy and educated persons can reach their potential in the workplace, engage civilly and raise healthy families, thus contributing to the economy. A society that recognizes, supports, and encourages the value of occupations that respect human dignity, including informal care-giving, allows for the maximization of human capital and economic growth.

Since human capital is our most important resource, responsible stewardship is a necessary condition of sustainable economic development. Population management programs categorize human beings, especially vulnerable populations, as burdens instead of essential participants in long-term economic development. The premise that fixed resources and equitable distribution require fewer individuals is not only flawed but inconsistent with human dignity. Population management programs ignore the real causes of economic growth: anti-corruption policies, protection of basic human rights, access to education and investment in infrastructure.

Human capital is first and best developed within the family, the basic unit of society. It is within the family that children first understand their dignity, realize their potential and are prepared to be responsible agents of economic and social development. We recognize that both the role of the mother and the father are significant to the child’s development. Civil society, governments, and international institutions can play an important role in the development of human capital by creating supportive environments in which families thrive.

We call on civil society, governments and international institutions to invest in the human person, and to work with us to build societies which foster economic and human flourishing.

Consensus on the Declaration was achieved among over twenty Young WYA Certified Members on March 24th, 2011 at World Youth Alliance Headquarters in New York City.

Share your thoughts for the 8th Annual International Solidarity Forum

2011-03-23T03:09:00.000-07:00

Share your thoughts for the 8th Annual International Solidarity Forum

The World Youth Alliance will welcome members from almost twenty countries to participate in our 8th Annual International Solidarity Forum from March 21st-24th at WYA Headquarters and the United Nations. This year’s theme, “Population and Economics: Investing in the Human Person,” will focus on what a person centered approach to economics means and how populations affect economies. Lectures will be given by Brad Wilcox (University of Virginia), Henry Schwalbenberg (Fordham University), Sophia Aguirre (Catholic University of America) and John Mueller (Ethics and Public Policy Center).

The ISF brings together WYA members from each of the five regions, international advisors to the World Youth Alliance, and members of the UN diplomatic community. Each ISF examines particular themes of global importance through lectures, workshops, and cultural activities.

If you would like to contribute your thoughts and participate in the negotiation of our draft declaration below, please visit our discussion board on Facebook here.

DRAFT: Declaration on Population and Economics

We are young people of diverse ethnic, religious, cultural, and economic backgrounds from every region of the world. Many of us are from the developing world, which has large, young populations capable of innovation and creativity, especially in the workforce. Some of us are from the developed world, which currently has lower fertility rates, ageing populations and in some cases stalled economic growth. As young people, we are concerned about the relationship between population and economic prosperity. A proper understanding of this relationship is necessary in order to propose policies that will lead to both human and economic flourishing.
The economy is the system of production and management of material wealth in a given society. A thriving economy is normally the result, not the driver, of proper social and cultural development. When societies thrive due to strong families and respect for human rights, economic growth follows, demonstrating that cultural and human capital are the primary resources that drive overall human development in a society.

Intangible or human capital is the driver of development and that makes the relationship between population and economics complex. An educated and physically healthy society, existing in a climate of freedom and respect for the human person, can lead to economic growth. An educated citizen will not only be able to enter the formal workforce, but can use his or her education to raise healthy families. An educated citizen can access healthcare, and healthy citizens can work harder and longer, thus contributing to the economy. The potential of the human person to generate wealth using knowledge, skills and creativity is unique and reflects an aspect of human dignity.
Population management programs rely on the assumption that resources are fixed, and equitable distribution requires fewer individuals. This assumption not only violates the dignity of the person by treating individuals as means and not ends, but also ignores the real causes of economic decline. Economic growth is directly related to low levels of government corruption, and high levels of investment in education and infrastructure, which is ultimately investment in human and cultural capital. Historically, regimes that have relied on coercion and violations of human rights to achieve their goals collapsed, while those that have invested in the human person thrived.
People are the drivers of development, and government must support – and not hinder – the development of policies and environments that nurture and encourage creativity, enterprise, and participation in the common good. Stable families, the most important contributor to the common good, drive economic growth and human development by combining incomes and skills, raising future generations, ensuring education for children, and producing wealth. Families form the place in which children first understand their dignity and potential to develop themselves and their societies. When governments support and strengthen families, they support and strengthen their people.

We call on governments to invest in the human person by ensuring respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, access to education, infrastructure development and support for the family as the fundamental unit of society. Such programs will lead to increased human capital, which is driven by the creativity of the human person, and to the development of economic and social goods.

World Youth Alliance commends recommendation to deny patents for embryonic stem cell research

2011-03-18T08:01:00.000-07:00

The World Youth Alliance, a global coalition of young people promoting the dignity of the human person in policy and culture, welcomes the conclusions of the Advocate General of the European Court of Justice, Yves Bot, in the case Bürstle vs. Greenpeace (released on 10^th March 2011). The Advocate General, in recommending that a patent for embryonic stem cell research be denied to the Plaintiff, stated that the research involved necessarily involved the destruction of human embryos, and as such, its use for industrial or commercial purposes violated the dignity of the human person. World Youth Alliance sees this as a first step in recognizing the inherent dignity of the person from conception to natural death, and that embryonic stem cell research is a violation of that dignity.

The commercialization of the human body raises serious questions relating to the violation of the dignity of the person. At stake in the current case, was the patenting of the human embryo. The case examined the claim of a German researcher who sought to patent his research, which involved a proposal to cure neurological disorders using embryonic stem cell research. The Advocate General noted that the research involved extraction of cells from embryos at the blastocyst stage, which necessarily destroyed the human embryo. Because the research involved the destruction of human life for industrial or commercial purposes, it was ruled that this procedure could not be patented.

“The Advocate General’s legal analysis shows that embryonic stem cell research cannot be patented because destruction of human embryos for commercial purposes violates the integrity of the human body and therefore human dignity,” states Marie-Caroline Leroux, WYA Europe’s Regional Director. “This is a first step in recognizing that all research that destroys human life is a violation of human dignity and therefore human rights.”

The Advocate General’s recommendation will be forwarded to the European Court of Justice who will make the final decision in the Bürstle vs. Greenpeace case. Decisions of the ECJ rarely go against the direction and guidance of the Advocate General.

For more information on the World Youth Alliance and our advocacy work in Europe, please contact Marie-Caroline Leroux (mariecaroline@wya.net).

PRESS RELEASE: World Youth Alliance calls for release of Chen Guangcheng from house arrest in China

2011-03-15T01:55:00.000-07:00

New York: March 14, 2011

The World Youth Alliance, a global coalition of young people promoting the dignity of the human person in policy and culture, calls for the release of Chinese lawyer Chen Guangcheng, who has been put under house arrest by the Chinese government for accusing it of carrying out forced abortions. Guancheng is a well-known human rights activist in China, and spent four years in a Chinese prison before his release this past September.

Freedom of speech and freedom of conscience are fundamental human rights. The violation of these rights constitutes a violation of human dignity. The guarantee of these fundamental freedoms is necessary in order to have peaceful societies where human being flourish and the common good is realized.

“Chen Guangcheng has made an accusation, and in doing so has exercised his rights of conscience,” says World Youth Alliance Director of Advocacy, Rebecca Marchinda. “By placing him under house arrest, the Chinese government violates his dignity as person. If he is right, then China is also violating the rights of mothers and unborn children, and if he is wrong, China still acts in a manner not in keeping with international human rights standards.”

China’s government-managed “one-child” policy is well-known, but less known are the methods employed for enforcing this policy in the rural areas. Cheng Guangcheng accused the government of carrying out thousands of forced abortions in his province.

For more information, click on this link.

Esperanza! Empowering Women - Declaration on Women

2011-03-04T08:22:00.000-08:00

Empowering Women

The World Youth Alliance supports the work of the Commission on the Status of Women and its efforts to promote and empower women and girl children. The World Youth Alliance recognizes that all persons have an intrinsic dignity; it is this dignity that provides the basis for all human rights. All persons are equal in dignity regardless of sex, race, culture or creed and this equality demands equal participation in the development process including full and equal access to education. Equal access to education for women and girls is the only proper response to their dignity as persons.

Through education, women are empowered with the knowledge, skills and self-confidence necessary to participate fully in the whole development process. Education, including training and access to science and technology are increasingly urgent in a world of economic and technological changes. Education not only empowers women emotionally and socially, but can also contribute to their economic empowerment, and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, and other national and international development goals.

The World Youth Alliance recognizes education is a foundational element of development. The goal of education must be to help people recognize their dignity and the dignity of others and equip them with the necessary tools to exercise their potential. Understanding and exercising one’s own potential is authentic empowerment, and is essential to the sustainable development of society. When every member of a population is aware of how their education contributes to development, they will be able to fulfill their responsibility in society.

Interrelated issues of poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment all effect women’s access to education and are compounded by discrimination. It is necessary for individuals, society, governments, and institutions to work in solidarity to foster the adequate conditions such as freedom, peace, and equality that lead equal access to education for women and girls. Women’s equal access to education is not only critical to achieving poverty eradication and authentic, sustainable development, but more importantly is fitting to their dignity as persons. The World Youth Alliance recognizes that human dignity is the only foundation on which appropriate and holistic programs and policies can be developed.

WYA Declaration on Women

New York, USA - 2005

Who is woman? Daughter, mother, wife, patriot, policy-maker, sister, thinker, worker? The challenge of this changing world asks this question and every woman is called upon to answer.

We young people of different nations, cultures, religions, ethnicities believe that every person is endowed with intrinsic and inalienable dignity that begins at conception and extends to natural death. This dignity is inviolable and does not change regardless of the circumstances of one’s life. It is the basis for human rights.

We believe that the freedom of the human person is most fully and rightly lived in the gift of ourselves to others. In the act of self-gift, the human person answers the question, “Who am I?” through the experience of love. Equal in dignity, and in a way that is complementary to man, woman is unique in her capacity for love and so can experience freedom in a radical way through her gift of self.

In motherhood, which is a continual invitation to self-gift, woman develops society through the transmission of life.

Woman recalls to humankind its humanity in a profound recognition of the dignity of each person. Woman is the architect of authentic peace from the most basic cell of society to the highest levels of policy and decision making, constructing conditions in which persons are given the chance to live in accordance with their dignity.

The talents of woman foster and preserve the beauty of each culture. When woman exercises a key role in building, designing and protecting societies, her participation enriches and sustains the culture for herself, her family and community and for all generations to follow.

Through her gift of self, every aspect of woman’s life is enriched and transformed and society in turn is transformed on every level.

New WYA Ubuchindami Movie Night!

2011-03-04T08:03:00.000-08:00

The next Ubuchindami (Ubuchindami means 'dignity' in Bemba, one of the 70 languages spoken in Zambia) movie night will take place on: March 16th, 2011 at 7:30pm in Brussels. The movie will be in English.

The next displayed film will be:

WATCH THE TRAILER

Cinema Ubuchindami selects films that portray the broad elements of truth about the human person. Each Film reflects the shared experience of humanity and helps the audience understand what it means to be human. As an introduction to the World Youth Alliance's vision of the person, these films look at specific themes related to the common search for meaning, justice, freedom, family values and peace. Our aim is to reflect on the transcendental nature of the person, and the ability and need for beauty in the world around us.

Making a virtue of individuals rising above cruel circumstance, the selected film is the story of an uplifting fight for freedom from a well-meaning but inflexible care system.

To attend please RSVP until March 16th at noon via Email to europe@wya.net or call +32 2732 7605. The movie will be shown in English.

Esperanza! Women and Work - Engineering a Path to Empowerment

2011-03-02T02:00:00.000-08:00

Women and Work

The World Youth Alliance recognizes that all persons have an intrinsic dignity; it is this dignity that provides the basis for all human rights. We recognize that all persons are equal in dignity regardless of sex, race, culture or creed and this equality demands equal participation in the development process especially access to education and decent work. Equal access to education for women and girls, including science and technology education and skills training, is the only proper response to their dignity as persons.

Education, including science and technology, not only equips women with the tools they need to take part in decent work, but more importantly empowers them with the confidence to dream and to pursue their goals. The World Youth Alliance recognizes that in providing access to education, women and girls are enabled to exercise their freedom to choose their own vocation and future. We recognize the many gifts of women that empower them to participate in development in a multitude of ways, from the very heart of development in the primary care of children and the family, to successful careers in all areas of the workforce. Authentic equal opportunity for women should not force women to conform to one particular career path or model, but must recognize that care-giving and motherhood are not only career

options, but have great worth and are essential for the development of society and culture.

We recognize that as women are empowered to make choices about their futures, there must be social frameworks that support these choices. The promotion of gender parity in the workforce must take into account the freedom of women to choose an alternative vocation. We must not only facilitate decent and equal career paths for women, but also respect their choice to act as mothers and family caregivers. It is important to work with women and men to develop suitable solutions for the care of children and to build social inclusion networks that enable women to use their skills and talents to contribute to society.

The World Youth Alliance recognizes the inherent dignity of all persons. We affirm that every person is free, possessing the power to choose to act in accordance with the reality of the dignity of all persons, and to freely determine their vocation and their future. Increasing access to education, including science and technology, and promoting equal opportunity in the labor force empowers women with the tools and the structures they require in order to choose the future that most corresponds with their goals and dreams.

Engineering a Path to Empowerment

We are told as young people of a prosperous nation that the need for responsible citizenship is more necessary today than ever before. We are exhorted that we can make a difference. We are given the charge to pursue our dreams and build a future of our own. And so the questions are raised in our minds, “How can I make a difference?” and “What must I do to achieve this goal?”

As a young girl, I was encouraged by my parents in my fascination and desire to study mathematics and science. I was taught that gaining knowledge through education would become the most valuable asset in allowing me to make a difference in the world. The trust my family gave me supported my decision to pursue an engineering degree at the university level. Learning the fundamentals of math and science and implementing analytical and critical thinking skills in technological applications allowed me to participate in a fast-paced culture of innovation and change. Numbered among a few women in a crowded thermodynamics lecture or being the only female on an engineering design team, I was empowered by having accomplished a success few others had achieved.

I was aware that most young women my age were discouraged by the lack of female students enrolled in the science and engineering departments. It was common to discuss amongst friends and classmates that a potential career in technology seemed counterintuitive for a woman to pursue if she wished to remain in the home as a full-time mother. I witnessed firsthand my own mother who chose to put educational and career goals aside to care for my siblings and me in the home. Although she was one of the first people to encourage me in my pursuit of being on the cutting edge of technology and gaining the education to establish a long-term and sustainable career, she showed me that my technological endeavors did not have to be the ultimate end to which I was headed.

The training I received as an engineer provided me the tools to think critically about my path to success and the freedom to choose the future I was building. I recognized that I was more than the sum of my education and had many gifts I was capable of using. My mother first showed me the example of using such gifts as my ability to teach, encourage and inspire. Access to education and opportunities for employment empowered me with a confidence to pursue dreams of my own. It is my hope that this future includes becoming a mother for my own children as mine was for me.

Amanda, 26, USA

55ème Commission de la Femme à l’ONU, New York : accès des filles à l’éducation, santé maternelle… Récit d’une journée au cœur des débats

2011-03-02T01:30:00.000-08:00

26 février 2011

Le siège des Nations Unies est en ébullition cette semaine : plus de 1000 membres d’organisations non-gouvernementales (ONG), diplomates et journalistes arpentent les couloirs du siège de l’ONU à New York en pleine rénovation. Phénomène peu courant au quotidien de cette institution mais annuel : pendant deux semaines, la Commission sur le Statut de la Femme (Commission on the Status of Women – CSW en anglais) bat son plein. Beaucoup de femmes sont présentes, certaines plus jeunes que d’autres : récit de la délégation d’une ONG internationale pas comme les autres, celle de la World Youth Alliance (Alliance Mondiale de la Jeunesse – WYA en anglais).

La CSW est l’événement annuel au cours duquel la communauté internationale évalue les progrès réalisés depuis la conférence de l’ONU sur les femmes communément appelée « Pékin » et celles précédentes.

Son travail se concentre exclusivement sur les questions de l’égalité des genres et de l’avancement des femmes. Cette commission existe depuis 1946. Elle prépare des évaluations des progrès accomplis en la matière, identifie les problèmes et rédige des recommandations pour faire la promotion de l’égalité des genres dans le monde entier. Cette commission fait l’objet d’une attention particulière de la part des jeunes de la WYA. Les représentants de la WYA du bureau de New York participent en ce moment à la 55^ème session de la Commission de la Condition de la Femme, qui se poursuit jusque vendredi 4 mars. Le thème de cette année est l’éducation des femmes et des filles et l’accès à un emploi décent. La conférence est animée pour la première année par la nouvelle agence des nations unies, « UN-Women », créée l’année dernière et présidée par l’ancienne présidente du Chili Mme Bachelet.

Il est 8 h30 le matin et l’équipe formée de jeunes de Taiwan, Espagne, France et des Etats-Unis se prépare pour une journée intense. Deux d’entre eux restent en poste au siège afin de rédiger les « Esperanzas », le journal quotidien de la WYA qu’ils publient pour alerter les délégués sur les sujets qui touchent les jeunes à travers le monde et donner leur avis et recherches de terrain. Pendant ce temps, le reste de l’équipe se met en route une journée à arpenter les couloirs de l’ONU et à diffuser les « Esperanzas » préparés la veille. Pendant ce temps, Comme lors de toute commission de la CSW, les ONG participantes sont très nombreuses et accompagnées d’impressionnants groupes de jeunes femmes dévouées à la condition de la femme. Tellement nombreuses que seul un participant par ONG est admis au balcon de l’Assemblée générale le premier jour. Le quotidien est rythmé d’événements thématiques organisés par les missions permanentes et ONG présentes dans les bâtiments de l’ONU ou dans les environs.

Au cours de la journée, outre les discours des ambassadeurs et ministres venus de chaque pays, les représentants de la WYA participent aux diverses sessions et rencontres organisées autour de cette thématique, en prêtant une oreille attentive aux diverses questions et enjeux des politiques mondiales en faveur de la femme. La WYA a assisté par exemple à la présentation organisée conjointement par la mission observatrice du Saint Siège et la représentation permanente de Sainte Lucie, ile des Caraïbes, sur le thème de l’ « Avancement du bien-être des Femmes et Enfants ». L’un des sujets du jour est le « cyber bullying » soit le phénomène grandissant du harcèlement dont sont victimes les jeunes, et une majorité de filles via les plateformes sociales en ligne que sont Facebook et autres. Selon les statistiques américaines, 16% des 12-17ans y ont déjà été exposées et 17% des 6-11 ans !...et l’Europe, qui compte par exemple le nombre d’utilisateurs de Facebook le plus important, est loin d’être épargnée. Des experts présentent les résultats de leurs recherches, les diplomates prennent des notes qui leur serviront à étoffer leurs interventions et positions nationales au cours des prochains débats et la discussion s’engage entre ceux-ci et les ONGs qui partagent leurs avis et expériences de terrain.

La société civile joue bien plus qu’un rôle d’observateur dans ce forum ouvert. Les ONGS dotées d’un statut consultatif comme la World Youth Alliance peuvent organiser leur propre conférence. Les jeunes de la WYA ont cette année choisi de faire entendre leur voix sur le sujet important de l’accès à l’éducation et la connaissance en matière de santé reproductive ce mardi 1^er mars. Invitée, le Docteur Miriam Grossman, auteur, médecin pédiatre et psychiatre renommée aux Etats-Unis est une chercheuse et ancienne praticienne à la Columbia University de New York, actuellement en résidence pour l’Institut de la World Youth Alliance. Celle-ci présentera son travail de développement d’un programme de formation à la santé reproductive « basé sur la connaissance » dans les Caraïbes. Ce programme est basé sur les dernières découvertes scientifiques et médicales destiné à permettre aux femmes et aux filles à prendre des décisions informées en matière de santé et de comportements sexuels et reproductifs. Par exemple, les récentes études au Royaume-Uni ont montré que les programmes de prévention des grossesses adolescentes fondés uniquement sur l’information et l’accès aux moyens de contraception et à l’avortement ont mené à une augmentation de 4% de grossesses chez les filles de 11 à 18 ans[i]. Face à cet échec et la multiplication des maladies sexuellement transmissibles chez les jeunes[ii], la communauté internationale, qui dispense les fonds importants dans ce domaine, est en quête de nouvelles pistes.

Pour la World Youth Alliance, toutes ces activités ont un seul et même but : promouvoir des politiques internationales compatibles et respectueuses de la dignité de la personne, et dans le contexte de CSW, de la dignité de la femme, en accord avec le 5^ème des 10 Objectifs du Millénaires qui doivent être achevés d’ici 2015 : celui d’améliorer la santé des femmes en faisant diminuer le taux de mortalité maternelle[iii].

Il est 19 heures : l’équipe se rassemble pour faire le point, écrire les rapports à envoyer aux ONGs et diplomates rencontrés et publier des compte-rendus sur les blogs, pages Facebook et comptes twitter. Au cours de la nuit, ceux-ci seront diffusés et démultipliés à travers le monde via les 5 bureaux régionaux de la World Youth Alliance et le réseau de près d’un million de membres qu’ils représentent…la prochaine journée sera longue.

Ressources :

1. Site de la World Youth Alliance : www.wya.net; section en français : France.wya.net

2. Blog de la World Youth Alliance Europe et les « Esperanzas » publies quotidiennement : http://wyaeurope.blogspot.com/

3. Publication sous embargo jusqu’au 28 février 2011 à 19h: Esperanza du 28 février 2011, incluant une interview de Miriam Grossman (en anglais).

4. Vidéo sur une journée des stagiaires de la WYA (en anglais) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdP5X7e-B6Q

5. Site de l’ONU sur la 55eme Commission sur le Statut des Femmes : http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw/55sess.htm

[i] Rapport du UK Office for National Statistics and Teenage Pregnancy en 2009 sur la période 2000 - 2010

[ii] 43% des filles aux Etats-Unis découvrent en 1ere année d’université découvrent qu'elles sont infectées par le Papillomavirus humain ( Source : Gloria Ho et al, "natural history of cervicovaginal Papilomavirus infection in young women" New England Journal of Medicine 338 no7 (1998)) alors que le préservatif est très faiblement efficace contre ce virus, contrairement à certaines autres maladies sexuellement transmissibles, selon le American National Institute of Allergy and Infections Deseases et la brochure publiée par Miriam Grossman disponible sous le lien http://www.cblpi.org/senseandsexuality/activism/SNSbooklet.pdf.

[iii] Voir la Déclaration de la WYA sur la Sante Maternelle, New York 2010 dont l’extrait suivant est tiré :
« L’amélioration de l’accès aux soins de santé de base, la nutrition, aux traitements et à la technologie sont des moyens supplémentaires par lesquels la mortalité et la morbidité de la femme peut être réduite et éliminée. Ces services pourraient être fournis de manière efficace et sans coûts excessifs. Par ailleurs, la priorité pourrait et devrait être axée sur la délivrance de ces services dans les zones rurales et les communautés isolées. Un système de soin de santé fondé sur une approche basée sur la connaissance donne le pouvoir aux femmes, en particulier une information adéquate sur la fertilité permet aux femmes de comprendre et avoir accès aux soins de santé de base ».

Esperanza and interview of Dr. Miriam Grossman! Empowering Girls and Women Through Reproductive Health

2011-02-28T07:11:00.000-08:00

ESPERANZA! EMPOWERING

GIRLS AND WOMEN THROUGH

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

The World Youth Alliance recognizes that all persons have an intrinsic dignity which demands respect for the human body, human life and human flourishing. The biological and social nature of human sexuality demands an approach to reproductive health that takes the whole person into account. The World Youth Alliance recognizes that a knowledge-based approach to reproductive health will help persons to understand more fully their physiological and reproductive capacities and more importantly will develop a greater respect of our biological potential and wonder. This leads to a greater sense of one’s own self-worth and value, and the worth and value of others, a solidarity that promotes the flourishing of persons and societies.

Knowledge-based reproductive health and education builds on the most recent medical developments on women’s reproductive health, and the recognition that human sexuality is both biological and social in nature and constitutes just one part of the whole human person. Knowledge-based reproductive health methods teach a woman to understand her fertility and reproductive system, enabling pregnancy achievement or avoidance, with the same use-effectiveness as the pill. Uniquely, this method tracks a woman’s biomarkers providing a “snapshot” of her full reproductive health-identifying infertility, cysts and endometriosis prior to the onset of symptoms. This knowledge is also important for men; learning the intricacies of a woman’s reproductive health system, men can more fully respect women, and learn to work together to achieve sexual and family goals. Understanding sexuality in both its biological and social nature develops free and mature decision making and self-control. This model recognizes the relation between character and future health and well-being. The daily discipline required to achieve its results encourages future-mindedness, self-control, character development and academic achievement.

The World Youth Alliance recognizes that a knowledge-based approach to reproductive health has the whole person as its basis and human flourishing as its end. It proposes to develop a more holistic and healthy identity by placing sexuality within its proper context of a person’s whole life, their goals, desires and purpose. This approach is critical to ensuring long-term health and well-being, and empowering women and men with the skills and character to make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual choices, marriage and child-rearing and educational, career and vocational goals.

The World Youth Alliance invites you to an event on

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY

Join Dr. Miriam Grossman as she discusses a knowledge based approach for empowering girls.

TOMORROW
March 1st from 10am-11:30am
Salvation Army Headquarters
221 e. 52nd Street

Dr. Miriam Grossman is a Scholar In Residence at the World Youth Alliance and a physician with training in pediatrics as well as child, adolescent and adult psychiatry. The author of three books about sexual health, she has been on over 200 radio, news, and television shows. In addition, Dr. Grossman has spoken internationally to parents, students, educators, policy makers and health professionals. In March 2010 she spoke at the United Nations Council on the Status of Women. Dr. Grossman graduated with honors from Bryn Mawr College and from New York University Medical School. She completed an internship in pediatrics at Beth Israel Hospital in New York City, and a residency in psychiatry at North Shore University Hospital – Cornell University Medical College, followed by a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at the same institution. Dr. Grossman is board certified in psychiatry and in the sub-specialty of child and adolescent psychiatry. Dr. Grossman lives in Los Angeles, California with her family.

For questions about the event, please e-mail Christopher White (Christopher@wya.net)

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WYA INTERVIEW WITH MIRIAM GROSSMAN, MD.

What are the hidden challenges and needs facing girls today that are currently under served?
Most people are aware of the social, educational, health and other challenges facing young girls today. Overlooked is the fact that girls have unique biological sensitivities that increase their vulnerability to the negative consequences of sexual activity. For example, the adolescent cervix is a way biology tells girls to wait to become sexually active. It’s immature and vulnerable to infection due to a delicate area called the transformation zone. The T-zone is covered by only one layer of cells, so bacteria and viruses, especially HPV, can take up residence with ease. With time, the T-zone is replaced by many layers of cells that are more difficult to penetrate, making infection less likely.

What is comprehensive sex education and is it important?
Sex education, like all health matters, should be based on biological truths. That’s obvious, right? But the websites and curricula created for young people by “comprehensive” sex educators omit critical biological facts. Contrary to their claims, these groups do not provide students with medically accurate, up to date information. The priority of organizations like Planned Parenthood and SIECUS is radical social change. While it is noble to fight social injustice, the goal of health education must be to keep people out of the doctor’s office. When sex education is based on social agendas instead of science, it gives young people a false sense of security, and the consequences are disastrous.

Your approach to reproductive health and sexual education has focused on science and knowledge based methods. In your research and practice, what have you discovered is missing in comprehensive sex education?
There are a staggering number of critical items that are omitted from reproductive health and sexual education, among them:
*Intimate behavior causes the release of a hormone from the brain that promotes feelings of attachment and trust, even if you are with a stranger. This appears to be particularly true in girls and women.
*All sexually transmitted infections and HIV are 100% avoidable by delaying sexual activity, finding someone else who waited, and then remaining monogamous. From a health perspective, that is the ideal.
*A girl’s immature cervix increases her vulnerability to genital infections. HIV aside, girls and women carry 80% of the burden of negative consequences from early sexual behavior and multiple partners.
*Feces are filled with dangerous pathogens. Contact with the anus is associated with serious infectious diseases such as salmonella, shigella, and hepatitis A, B, and C.
*The physiology and anatomy of the anus is vastly different from the vagina. Regarding HIV transmission, anal intercourse is at least twenty times more dangerous than vaginal intercourse.
*As stated on condom wrappers, breakage is more likely to occur during anal intercourse
*Oral sex with multiple partners is associated with throat cancer. There is compelling evidence that HPV causes cancer of the tongue and tonsils the same way it does in the cervix.
*Chlamydia may cause fertility problems even if it is detected and treated in a timely manner. Sex-ed material reassures girls that if they follow guidelines, get tested once or twice a year, and take antibiotics when necessary, they’ll be cured. But that’s not always the case.

In your writings you discuss the link between hormones and human bonding. What is the relationship there and how do they shape our experience and relationships with other people?
A young woman has unique biological sensitivities that increase her vulnerability to the consequences of sexual activity. For example, intimacy releases oxytocin, a primarily female hormone that fuels feelings of attachment and trust. This chemical turns red lights green. It alters brain chemistry, so she’s more likely to overlook a guy’s faults, and to take risks she otherwise wouldn’t. These are things that people should be educated about, along with all the education about contraceptives and the availability of abortion.

Going forward, how can we better protect and empower girls and women?
We need to have our sex education based on biology, not ideology. Biology flatly rejects the idea that women are just like men. Girls are protected and empowered when they have a knowledge and understanding of their unique gifts, especially their sexuality. This empowers them to make prudent decisions concerning their sexual activity, decisions which lead to greater reproductive, emotional and psychological health.

Esperanza! Women & Education

2011-02-21T02:48:00.000-08:00

Issue n°4 on Education empowering women :

WYA's statement at CSocD

2011-02-21T02:34:00.000-08:00

Check the weblink of the Commission and Social Development but here is a brief part of its content. In French!!

"Le représentant de l’organisation non gouvernementale World Youth Alliance a réaffirmé l’importance de la famille en tant qu’unité fondamentale de la société et appelé à lui accorder l’importance politique et culturelle qu’elle mérite. Le représentant a aussi plaidé en faveur de la protection de la jeunesse et des personnes handicapées, invitant les États et le public à éliminer les discriminations à leur égard. Pour ce qui est des personnes âgées, il a lancé un avertissement contre les tentations à la reconnaissance des pratiques d’euthanasie et appelé à lutter contre cette tendance."

http://www.un.org/News/fr-press/docs//2011/SOC4774.doc.htm

Esperanza!

2011-02-17T06:58:00.001-08:00

And here is the issue number 3 on "Aging"... freshly discussed!!
You can also see attached Gabrielle's, 24, USA testimony on the eldery wisdom.

WYA's Oral statement at the UN Commission On Social Development!

2011-02-17T05:55:00.000-08:00

Watch WYA Spanish Fellow Ignacio Fernandez Torres delivering an Oral Statement at the Commission On Social Development at the United Nations!

Esperanza!

2011-02-17T05:45:00.000-08:00

And here is the second issue dealing on the family and its importance in supporting people with disabilities. You can also see WYA's comment on the support that they can benefit.

Esperanza!

2011-02-16T03:24:00.001-08:00

Here is the last conference journal of the World Youth Alliance!!

The first issue discussed in this publication is "Youth for Intergenerational Solidarity".
Bernadette, 28, an European Intern from France at the WYA's North America gives her testimony on poverty eradication. Have a look on it right now!

New Ubuchindami Movie Night!

2011-02-04T02:40:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Dear WYA friends!

We have the pleasure to invite you to the next Ubuchindami* Movie Night that will take place this Wednesday 9th of February, 2011, at 19.30h, in Brussels (for the location please check the flyer)

The selected films portray broad elements of the truth and transcendental nature of the human person, and the ability and need for beauty in the world around us. Each film reflects an experience of humanity and inspires us to search for what it means to be human.

The film showing will be:

'PERSEPOLIS'
Persepolis chronicles the life of Iranian native Marjane Satrapi during the period of the Islamic revolution. As her family adjusts to a new life under the new Iraq tyranny not allowing people to express themselves and gain knowledge, Marjane refuses to adjust and starts her own rebellion, upon which her parents send her abroad to study for a better life. Thereby Marjane begins to discover and search for her identity and roots, guidance and what gives meaning to life.

To attend please RSVP until February 9th at noon, via Email to europe@wya.net
The Audio version of the movie will be in English.

*(Ubuchindami means 'dignity' in Bemba, one of the 70 languages spoken in Zambia)

New Ubuchindami Movie Night!

2010-12-06T07:25:00.000-08:00

Dear WYA friends!

We have the pleasure to invite you to the next Ubuchindami* Movie Night that will take place this Thursday 9th Decmber, 2010 in Brussels.

The selected films portray broad elements of the truth and transcendental nature of the human person, and the ability and need for beauty in the world around us. Each film reflects an experience of humanity and inspires us to search for what it means to be human.

The film showing will be:

'I am David' , A passionate story of courage and hope!

David, a young boy is separeated from his family and taken into a concentration camp. A guard helps David escape from the concentration camp and after that he searches for his home. The human valor, courage and hope will surprise us!

To attend please RSVP until December 8th, via Email to europe@wya.net
The Audio version of the movie will be in English.

*(Ubuchindami means 'dignity' in Bemba, one of the 70 languages spoken in Zambia)

WYAE International Dinner

2010-12-03T02:23:00.001-08:00

WYAE interns are very good chefs!

At an international dinner on November 17th, guests were served a smorgasbord of global cuisine as WYAE interns prepared the best dishes from their countries. Germany, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and the United States were represented in a mouth-watering array ranging from tortillas de patata and sangria to hamburgers, pasta salad, cheeses, and Belgian chocolate cakes!

Over 20 people came to discover and enjoy fabulous specialties from all regions of the world in the WYAE multicultural food night!

Intern Training in the European Parliament – ‘Europe in Search for Identity and Values’ by Sam Gannon

2010-11-04T02:37:00.000-07:00

On Friday 22^nd October, the World Youth Alliance Europe interns attended a workshop in the European Parliament entitled ‘Europe in Search for Identity and Values’. The workshop was led by Magda Bien, former Director of Operations for WYA Europe who now works in the European Parliament. In addition to our WYAE interns, additional interns from other like-minded organisations were in attendance.

The workshop consisted of three parts. Firstly there was a talk about values and identity in Europe, which considered both the foundations of the European Union, the place of value in the EU and the way in which those values are interpreted today. During this talk we looked at some of the texts concerning values, such as Article two of the Lisbon Treaty and the Schuman Declaration of May 1950.

Moving on from this discussion, we then looked at specific case examples of legislation where there have been different interpretations of the values that are contained within the Lisbon Treaty. It became clear that there is a real need for both a firm understanding of these values and a subsequent propagation of this firm understanding.

The third part of the workshop, accordingly, dealt with the practicalities of advocating within the EU institutions, with a specific focus on the European Parliament. Magda offered many profound insights into both the workings of parliament and the way in which we can effectively influence policy and legislation through personal contact and other forms of communication. Her experience of being on both sides of this interchange was invaluable in giving us the knowledge and practical tools necessary to become involved in the world of EU advocacy.

We all really enjoyed the workshop and got a lot from it, not least the extremely practical advice about advocacy. There are two things that I, personally, will take from the session. The first is that the institutions of the EU are full of young people like us working very hard and making things happen. We are not here at this magnanimous institution as mere children hoping to become involved; we and others like us are the very life and soul of Europe! This leads onto the second point that, we can make a huge difference through the work we do here at WYAE. Firstly, we can tap into the vast network of other young people throughout the institutions and promote our vision through well placed contacts with whom we are associates rather than subordinates, and secondly the leaders of the EU (politicians especially) will listen to us both because we are motivated young who have a clear vision and because they have a duty to act upon the will of the people. So, as young people it is very important that we do not shy away from involvement in local, national and international institutions because we can have a great influence, but to do this we must have proper training. That is why the WYA internship is the perfect package…

The workshop left us all, I think, feeling very inspired that we can make a difference and now we know how to!

New WYAE Interns!

2010-11-03T03:06:00.001-07:00

WYA Europe would like to welcome three new interns for the autumn term! Here is a bit about them:

Salut!

My name is Virginia Millan. This October, I started as an intern for World Youth Alliance in Brussels, the capital of Europe! As a young Spanish lawyer this is a great opportunity for me to improve my skills and knowledge on international advocacy, as well as to learn more about what is going on the European Union. I have studied Law and Political Science in Madrid. After I finished both degrees, I went to London to specialize in Politics, and earned an International Relations MA at Queen Mary University. However, the defense of human dignity, by either political or cultural paths was and is what really called me to WYA, to be part of them and to work with them. International relations, politics and culture compose my background, and through them I would like to show the beauty of each person. After some weeks in Brussels I can say that my experience so far has been amazing! Here, you can get the best French fries and chocolates!

Hello!

My name is Sam Gannon and I am from Birmingham in the United Kingdom. I have studied at the University of Birmingham for the past four years gaining a B.A. Anthropology and African Studies (Joint Honours) and an M.A. International Relations. I have had various jobs in past including being a Youth Worker and being a "Subway Sandwich Artist"! I decided to do an internship at WYA because it both compliments my academic background and is apposite to my values and world-view. I have enjoyed the first three weeks here in Brussels and I am looking forward to many more weeks of practical experience at the international level and of promoting human dignity through culture. My main hobbies and interests are: music, cycling, running, politics, culture, food & drink and watching stupid movies! An interesting fact about me....at a tennis tournament I once won an award for being the 'Best Dressed Tennis Player'. My tennis career did not last.

Bonjour!

My name is Maggie Snyder, and I am excited to take part in an internship in the European office of the World Youth Alliance, having previously completed internships in my home region of North America and the Latin America office in Mexico City. I am originally from Barryville, New York, in the USA, and hold a joint BA in English and Theology from St. John’s University in New York. Next year, I plan to return to university for a master´s degree in International Relations. I first learned about WYA from a WYA speaker at a Path to Peace Foundation seminar, and became involved to find out more about the debate surrounding human dignity and human rights at the UN. Even though I´ve only been in Brussels for three weeks, I have already developed full-blown waffle and chocolate addictions, which I plan to fuel for the rest of my time here, while of course learning more about European culture and advocacy at the European Union.

From the Bronx to the World

2010-10-29T01:33:00.000-07:00

My name is Hadrien le Hodey. I am from Belgium, which is the best country without government, and this is how I came to the World Youth Alliance headquarters.

I first stayed 10 days in a shelter for homeless in the Bronx run by Franciscan friars. The friars wore long monk's cassock, a long beard and most of the time a baseball cap! The job they do is great: they welcome homeless for a period of 6 months, during that time they have to stop all their addictions and they take part to the choirs of the house. From 7am until 6pm they are not allowed to stay home and have the time to find a job. The 38 shelter men and the friars have dinner together every day as a family. They all are very grateful and willing to start a new life! The friars are very strict with regards to alcohol, drugs or late arrivals. The shelter men know that it is their only chance to start a new life. The family structure is what they need to be strong and enjoy their life.

After this experience I worked 3 weeks as a volunteer for the World Youth Alliance office in NY. The atmosphere with the other interns was very good, we have had many long discussions and debate about any differences we could find between our cultures. With a team of 2 Americans, 2 Lebanese, 1 Taiwanese, 1 Spanish and 1 Belgian, we had numerous spicy topics to debate on!

My main task was to work on the European Parliamentary sessions to vote the EU budget 2011. We supported an amendment to avoid that EU development funds support coercive reproductive health programmes such as forced abortion, non voluntary sterilization or infanticide in countries such as Vietnam and China. We sent multilingual emails and dignity alerts to our members, friends and Members of the Parliament. Our amendment was approved by a majority of the MEP. This was thus a great experience and I was very impressed by the fact that we may influence such important decisions!

Besides the great work atmosphere present in the NY Office, the city is amazing! This city never stops! One day our team even worked as extras for a high budget movie with famous actors!

Council of Europe Passes Resolution to Protect Right of Conscience in Medical Care

2010-10-21T08:19:00.000-07:00

Freedom of conscience has had its first great victory for the autumn plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe! Advocacy by WYA Europe members and staff paid off in full as the Council passed a Resolution reaffirming the right of healthcare providers to abstain from unethical procedures on the grounds of moral objection. To help achieve this goal, WYA members used material from the Dignity Alert to directly voice their concerns to Parliamentarians. The WYA Europe Director represented WYA at the press conference, and engaged in immediate advocacy during the Strasbourg session.

Intriguingly, the resolution was originally meant to prohibit the rights of medical providers, rather than confirm them, claiming that conscientious objection was inadequately regulated in member countries, and that the right to objection had to be restrained in some cases to ensure women’s access to lawful medical care. WYA Europe assisted in transforming the nature of the document, and worked with Parliamentarians to protect the individual freedoms in this timely issue.

WYA Europe Director Marie-Caroline Leroux speaks about the amendment process in an interview with the website Famille Chretienne, “Une génération montante d´Européens est attachée á la liberté de conscience.” The interview details how, through positive numbers of nationally-elected Parliamentarians, the document which was meant to restrict rights of conscience ended up strengthening this fundamental freedom.

For more information, see WYAE´s Press Release.

-Maggie Snyder, WYA Europe Intern

Coffee House called Art Speaks, on August 12th at the WYA Headquarters, NY city

2010-07-27T05:15:00.000-07:00

Dear WYA Regional Offices,

My name is Emily Matich and I am a North American WYA Intern. As you may know, August 12th will be the first day of the United Nation's International Year of Youth (IYY). In celebration of the IYY, we are hosting a Coffee House called Art Speaks, on August 12th at the WYA Headquarters. The theme of the United Nation's IYY is "Mutual Understanding and Dialogue". Art Speaks will create dialogue and mutual understanding as young people come together to communicate with each other through the art and conversations of the evening about their shared human dignity and common desire for meaning, truth, and beauty.

Young artists from all WYA Regions are being asked to submit visual, performing, or literary art. This includes, but is not limited to, music, poetry, short essays, short films, photography, fine arts, dance, or theater. For those outside the New York area, the art forms will obviously be limited to what can be sent through mail or email. Artists will be asked to submit a brief statement (1-2 sentences) about their piece and how it communicates human dignity. Some statements will be displayed at the event.

I really hope that members from your region consider participating! Art Speaks is a great opportunity to build solidarity among members from all regions through the common language of beauty in art.

I have attached a jpeg flyer for the event. Please share this with your region through your blog and whatever other form of communication you feel is appropriate. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact me.

Best,

Emily Matich
Intern
World Youth Alliance headquarters

A WYA member’s experience as staff at the aids-conference

2010-07-27T04:41:00.000-07:00

As help staff at the AIDS conference 2010 in Vienna, I was very happy to have had the chance to be steadily in touch with speakers at many sessions and to be to certain extend their main contact person during the whole week. In that way I didn`t just learn a lot about the speakers themselves, but also about their approaches and goals (such as providing all populations with reproductive rights and services, more rights for transgender women, sex workers and MSM – Men having sex with men.)

However HIV, according to my impression, seemed somehow to be a “common denominator” that brought speakers and NGOs from all around the world together. The Global Village especially, which was accessible for everybody without participation badge, was organized as a big networking zone for each of the so-mentioned groups to fight for human rights and services.

I tried to benefit from my breaks to learn more about the different NGOs’ approaches and found myself unfortunately often disappointed by seeing that suggestions and actions such as the Uganda ABC-program*, were absent. Still I could see during discussions that many colleagues and volunteers agreed on the need in the future of more presence of NGOs who promote values such as faithfulness and not mainly “sexuality as a human right”, which nearly all the presenting organizations demanded throughout the conference.

Gerlinde Hufnagel, WYA Austrian chapter Committee member

* A Campaign based on the ABC program was conducted in Uganda between 1989 and 1995 and led to a very significant decrease of HIV prevalence among the population. This kind of program includes a strong behavioral component, since it rests on A – Encouragement to choose abstinence instead of risky sexual behavior (delay of sexual debut), B – Faithfulness as a good protection against transmission of the virus, C – Use of condom in case the person is involved in a risky sexual behavior.

“We deserve better than harm reduction”

2010-07-27T02:41:00.000-07:00

World Youth Alliance delegates at the XVIII International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Austria, July 18 – 23, 2010

(Vienna: July 23, 2010):

A small delegation from the World Youth Alliance participated in the XVIII International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Austria from July 18 – 23, 2010, bringing the voice of young people and the principles of human dignity and solidarity to the forefront of the debate on HIV prevention, care and treatment. The delegation was led by Marie-Caroline Leroux, Director of WYA Europe. WYA members Hannah Ondiek (Kenya), Luz Cardona Canales (Costa Rica) and Kellen Dougherty (USA), made up the rest of the diverse delegation to the conference.

The WYA message was clear: the response to the AIDS pandemic must be “person-centered” and not “risk-reduction centered.” Although the WYA approach was the minority one at the conference, the voices of our delegates were heard through distribution of our conference journal (“Esperanza”) and through a small t-shirt campaign that bore the slogan, “Yes, We Can Change” and “We deserve better than harm reduction.” Delegation members asked pertinent and pressing questions at the various sessions, forcing the experts and panelists to acknowledge and think about their current approach to the issues of sex work, drug use and marginalized groups in the context of HIV prevention.

“As young people, we know that the human person possess freedom. This applies to prevention of HIV/AIDS, as we also know that some sexual behaviors are more risky than others. We want to encourage policy-makers to consider the fact that “Yes, we can change”, and that harm reduction is not sufficient to address the wrenching epidemic we face now. Sound and successful AIDS policies include a behavioral component,” highlights Marie-Caroline Leroux.
If you would like more information on WYA’s participation in the XVIII AIDS Conference, please contact Marie-Caroline Leroux by email: mariecaroline@wya.net.

The World Youth Alliance is a global coalition of young people dedicated to promoting the dignity of the human person in policy and culture and to building solidarity between young people of developing and developed nations. Withabout one million members from more than 160 countries, the World Youth Alliance is one of the biggest coalitions of young people worldwide. www.wya.net

WYA Supports G8 Initiative

2010-06-29T10:48:00.001-07:00

World Youth Alliance (“WYA”) welcomes Prime Minister Harper’s announcement today that Canada will contribute $2.85 billion over 5 years to his new maternal and infant health initiative.
World Youth Alliance supports the new initiative, as it will focus on preventing and treating the four main causes of maternal death: infection, hemorrhage, obstructed labor and hypertensive disorders.
WYA applauds the Canadian government for rising above the rhetoric and debate regarding abortion and focusing on immediate and tangible actions to reduce maternal mortality.

'Politicizing Aid at the G8 Summit' by Anna Halpine and Greg Pfundstein.

2010-06-29T10:31:00.000-07:00

We invite to all our members to read the article published the 26th of June at the National Review Online website

On the agenda at the G8 summit in Canada is promoting maternal and infant health in the poorest parts of the globe. The high rates of maternal and infant mortality in many countries are an impediment to democracy and social development, to say nothing of a human tragedy for these communities. Commitments of resources from the G8 countries to address these problems should be welcomed and commended. Why, then, is the Obama delegation threatening to derail these agreements?

The numbers are shocking: In Sierra Leone, 16 percent of all infants perish, and 28 percent of all children die before they reach the age of five. In thirteen countries in sub-Saharan Africa, more than 1,000 women die in childbirth for every 100,000 live births. In Afghanistan, one in eight women will die as a result of bearing children. All in all, 99 percent of maternal deaths worldwide occur in developing countries.

There is good news: Much can be done, and much has been done, to bring these numbers down. This spring, The Lancet published a new study that demonstrated significant progress in reducing maternal deaths. The article announced that worldwide, maternal death figures are on the decline; rates have fallen from 526,300 in 1980 to 342,900 in 2008. The reasons for the reduction in maternal deaths are many, including lower pregnancy rates for some countries, greater access to education, improved access to nutrition and health care, and the increasing number of skilled birth attendants. Abortion has not been identified as a factor in the reduction of maternal deaths. A study on the question was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and at the recent Women Deliver conference, Melinda Gates pledged a further $1.5 billion for maternal health, specifying that no funding would be provided for abortion.

Globally, divergent groups and organizations have banded together to find ways to reduce maternal and infant deaths, and to call attention to this largely neglected issue. This coalition has recognized that women and children have often been a marginalized political constituency, and that the deaths of poor women have often not mattered enough to draw the attention necessary to leverage policy or funding commitments. This is now changing, and there is a growing amount of data that provides us with a blueprint for how to accelerate progress in the fight to reduce maternal deaths, as Egypt and other countries have now done. Significantly, the most current research, from the Lancetarticle to UNDP, identifies the same key factors as the critical elements in reducing maternal and infant death. These factors form the cornerstone of the Canadian prime minister’s G8 initiative for maternal and infant health.

Given this, one would expect there to be universal support for Canada’s leadership in taking on these problems and working to meet these critical needs. But the Obama administration is obstructing this positive consensus. Hillary Clinton, when asked about Canada’s G8 plan to address infant and maternal health in the developing world, said the following: “You cannot have maternal health without reproductive health. And reproductive health includes contraception and family planning and access to legal, safe abortion.”

It is surprising that Hillary Clinton would insist on funding for abortion and risk derailing an initiative that is poised to generate unprecedented commitments in both the private and public sectors. It is especially surprising considering the body of recent scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of various straightforward, uncontroversial, and achievable means to reduce maternal and infant mortality.

When top U.S. officials change the subject away from important global policy and development work to push for favored hot-button political issues, it gives the appearance of using American taxpayer funding to promote social engineering, bypassing public debate about the best way to achieve development worldwide and address the very real unmet needs of the developing world. Does Hillary Clinton think it is more important to promote liberal Western ideologies than to address the critical needs of the women and children of Africa and Asia? Does she prefer to promote the tired, old eugenic orthodoxies of the largely discredited population-control movement? Is Hillary Clinton — and the Obama administration — willing to hold up funding for maternal and infant health because of a dogmatic commitment to a universal right to abortion on demand? What about the rights of countless women all over the world who want to bring children into the world safely, without risking their lives and the lives of their children?

In much of Africa and southern Asia, where infant and maternal mortality is highest, abortion is not legal. The women and children of those countries deserve the help of the developed world to increase their chances of survival, independent of whatever ideological stance Hilary Clinton wishes to take with regard to abortion. Clinton and the Obama administration should not risk wasting the opportunity provided by Canada’s leadership to provide the needed basic resources for the world’s most vulnerable women and children. She should stand with Canada and join the voices calling for the rest of the G8 to come forward with generosity and political will to achieve this noble initiative.

— Anna Halpine is the founder and CEO of the World Youth Alliance. Greg Pfundstein is the executive director of the Chiaroscuro Foundation.

WYA Europe movie night "Copying Beethoven - The Sound of Silence" June 24rd 2010!

2010-06-21T05:23:00.000-07:00

World Youth Alliance Europe

A delegation of World Youth Alliance Europe at the March for Life in Paris, 22nd of January 2012

WYA Europe at the March for Life in Paris, January 22nd

WYA Austrian National Chapter goes Poland..

Welcome Baby 7 Billion! Message from Marion, WYA Europe's Member, France - send us your own personalized message!

Welcome Baby 7 Billion! WYA Members from Accross The Globe Share Their Message

Réunion plénière de haut niveau sur la jeunesse aux Nations Unies : occasion de rayonner pour l’Alliance Mondiale de la Jeunesse

United Nations High-level Meeting on Youth: Occasion for World Youth Alliance to Shine

Esperanza! Working Towards Dialogue and Mutual Understanding Among Youth as Agents of Development, Social Inclusion, Tolerance and Peace

Esperanza! UN High Level Meeting on Youth

Film Screening Review | Resolution

SATURDAY, JULY 9, 2011

WYA Europe gladly welcomes two new interns: Lukas Harta and Marion Dinand!

“Solidarity, Freedom, Democracy… The experience of the World Youth Day and its contribution to the European project”

WYA's action to stop coercive family planning programmes is mentionned in the media!

World Youth Alliance meets Munich!

Dein effektiver Einsatz für die Würde des Menschen in Politik und Gesellschaft : WYA zeigt wie!

Hast Du Lust daran teilzunehmen?

Your effective commitment towards human dignity in politics and society: WYA shows how!Do you like to participate?

Population regulation: the key to economic flourishing?

UN conference on Population and Development: Expressing my concerns directly to decision-makers

Esperanza! Investing in the Human Person - WYA Declaration on Population and Economics

Esperanza! Does population really get older?

Esperanza! Economics= essential for humans?

Exhibition on Women's modesty and anger

Declaration on Population and Economics

Share your thoughts for the 8th Annual International Solidarity Forum

World Youth Alliance commends recommendation to deny patents for embryonic stem cell research

PRESS RELEASE: World Youth Alliance calls for release of Chen Guangcheng from house arrest in China

Esperanza! Empowering Women - Declaration on Women

New WYA Ubuchindami Movie Night!

Making a virtue of individuals rising above cruel circumstance, the selected film is the story of an uplifting fight for freedom from a well-meaning but inflexible care system.

Esperanza! Women and Work - Engineering a Path to Empowerment

55ème Commission de la Femme à l’ONU, New York : accès des filles à l’éducation, santé maternelle… Récit d’une journée au cœur des débats

Esperanza and interview of Dr. Miriam Grossman! Empowering Girls and Women Through Reproductive Health

Esperanza! Women & Education

WYA's statement at CSocD

Esperanza!

WYA's Oral statement at the UN Commission On Social Development!

Esperanza!

Esperanza!

New Ubuchindami Movie Night!

New Ubuchindami Movie Night!

WYAE International Dinner

Intern Training in the European Parliament – ‘Europe in Search for Identity and Values’ by Sam Gannon

New WYAE Interns!

From the Bronx to the World

Council of Europe Passes Resolution to Protect Right of Conscience in Medical Care

Coffee House called Art Speaks, on August 12th at the WYA Headquarters, NY city

A WYA member’s experience as staff at the aids-conference

“We deserve better than harm reduction”

WYA Supports G8 Initiative

'Politicizing Aid at the G8 Summit' by Anna Halpine and Greg Pfundstein.

WYA Europe movie night "Copying Beethoven - The Sound of Silence" June 24rd 2010!

Your effective commitment towards human dignity in politics and society: WYA shows how!
Do you like to participate?