(1) The International Women's Day in Liberia

 YOUTH FOR COMMUNITY ACADEMIC AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

(YOCADS)P.O. Box 49703^rd Floor, Former LUBI Building Randall & Broad Streets 1000 Monrovia, 10 LiberiaPhone: 231 5-648081 / 231 6 539342 E-mail: yocadsorg2003@yahoo.comWest Africa  

  

Observance   of     the International Women’s   Day    2008 In Liberia   

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT  The Youth for Community Academic and Development Services (YOCADS) wishes to extend thanks and appreciation to those individuals and organizations that joined her in the celebration of the International Women’s Day on March 8^th, 2008. These individuals and organizations include: Miss Bendu T. Parker, Miss Liberia 2008, Representative Edward Forh, Member of the Liberian Parliament District #12, Montserrado County and also youth and faith based organizations, young people, students, civil society organizations, school administrators, teachers, ordinary Liberian and local communities who joined million of people around the world to observed this important Women’s Day in Liberia.    

                                                                                               

BACKGROUND: In consistent with the international agreed upon goals the Millennium Development Goals #3 which state promote gender equality and empower women in relationship to the International Women’s Day that presents another opportunity to advocate for women’s issues in general and particularly gender equality as also espoused in the MDGs. In 1975 it was designated as International Women’s year by the United National. Since that time civil society organizations and governments around the world have also observed the day by holding large scale events that honor women’s advancement and action required to ensure that women’s equality is gained and maintained in all aspects of life. That is why, YOCADS joined million of activists around the world to observed the International Women’s Day which was characterized by radio talk show, meeting with members of the Liberian parliament, celebrity and was climate on 8^th March, 2008 with an interactive forum on “The Prevention of Violence against women and girls in Liberia” held in the brought of New Kru town, Bushrod island. Hence, YOCADS strongly believed that equal participation of men and women in decision making processes such as education, business, politics etc. is crucial in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals in Liberia.                   

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of observing the International Women’s Day in Liberia include:

Ø      To ensure that every woman, girl or child who lives in Liberia is free from intimidation, violence and abuse.

Ø      To petition political leaders and relevant authorities to bring to justice the killer of late Tennise Doe, age 15, who was allegedly gang raped, beaten and subsequently found dead on the beach on November 29, 2007 and also late Alvin Davis who was allegedly kicked to death on December 25, 2007.

Ø      To ensure that government take all necessary measure in confirmative with the constitution of Liberia to stop the continue violence and discrimination against women and girls.

ACTIVITIES

Ø      Talk  Show

Ø      Meeting with  members of the Liberian Parliament and Celebrity

Ø      An interactive forum on the theme ” The Prevention of Violence against women and girls in Liberia”.

DETAILS 

*          Radio the world over is significant and the fastest way of communication and as such, YOCADS was invited on a local talk show in preparation of the International Women´s Day with the purpose of informing the massive about issues surrounding the International Women’s Day. Appearing on the radio talk show was the mother of late Alvin Davis, Ms. Rachel Boley and YOCADS staffs Ms.Barbara L Ketler and Mr. Zolu F.Gobah to listen to this talk show please check star Radio,” I beg to Differ” (www.starradio.org).

 

*          In the process of securing political will and celebrity involvement in preventing violence against women and girls and deliver justice to the poor. YOCADS had a meeting with members of the Liberian parliament and celebrity. Individuals, YOCADS  had meeting with  Ms Bendu T. Parker, Miss Liberia 2008, the nature of the meeting was to figure out the significant role, she play as Miss Liberia in urging young people to recognized women and girls rights in respect to reducing violence against women and securing justice for the poor in every part of Liberia. Further more,YOCADS, had meeting with Representative Edward Forh member of Liberian parliament  of  District #12, Montserrado,this meeting was center around, what led to the death of late Tennis Doe, who was allegedly gang raped, beaten and found dead on the beach and how can the perpetrator be brought to justice.

                                                                           

*          The  observance  of  the  International  Women’s  Day   was  climax  with  an interactive  forum on March 8^th, 2008 with the Theme: “Prevention Of Violence Against Women”. This one day forum brought together more than 100 participants from the cross section of the Liberian   Society including young People, Students, Teachers, Administrators, ordinary Liberian, faith based groups, Celebrity and a Member of Liberian Parliament. The Forum also gives opportunity to both mothers of late Tennise Doe and late Alvin Davis to call on national government and relevant institutions to help bring the killers of their children to JUSTICE. Finally, a petition was read and presented to the government of Liberia through Hon. Edward Forh, Representative District # 12, Montserrado County.

METHODOLOGY: The Methodology used in observing the International Women’s Day particularly the forum began first with the registration of participants, orientation of forum, presentation, question and answer, Appeal for Justice by mother Richael Boley and Sarah Doe respectively, the reading of petition and responding to the petition as well as remark.

 

ü      Forum Orientation - Participants were afforded the opportunities to know their roles in preventing violence against women and girls in their schools, communities, and cities. Participants also got to know the history of the International Women’s Day and what the UN Millennium Development Goals says about Women. This was done by Ms. Amelia Cooper, Member of YOCADS Gender Desk.

 

ü      Presentation – Presentation was made during the forum which was done by Ms. Bendu T. Parker, Miss Liberia 2008. She presented on the topic: The roles of young people in preventing violence against women and girls in post conflict Liberia. This presentation highlighted the significant role of young people in achieving the Millennium Development Goals with specific recommendation to policy makers.

 

ü      Questions and Answers - The questions and answers period was controlled by Ms. Tenneh Toure, YOCADS Secretary. Why men and boys are not respecting the rights of women and girls in Liberia? Responding to that question, Miss Parker said there is a lack of adequate awareness on the rights of women and that the government needs to teach these rights in schools and local communities. Domestic violence continues to increase. Why? The presenter said there are no domestic violence laws that protect women and girls from domestic violence. Perpetrators of domestic violence are seen walking free. Young people should now lobby with policy makers including members of the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY) and the Mano River Union Youth Parliament in ensuring that there are legislation against domestic violence against women and girls in Liberia.

 

ü      Appeal For Justice By Richael Boley And Sarah Doe - Ms. Richael Boley addressed the forum by appealing to policy makers and political authorities to deliver justice to her. She said since her son was allegedly kicked to death on 25^th December 2007, no one has been formally charge and send to court. She also said justice must not be selective in new Liberia. She concluded by saying all women must be treated equally before the laws and given the same opportunities.

 

                        Madam Sarah Doe – a widow and mother of the late Tennise Doe, age 15 who

allegedly gang raped, beaten and found dead on the beach on November 29^th , 2007

also called upon the government to bring the killer of her only daughter to justice.

She said since her daughter was found dead on the beach no suspect has been found

or anyone charge and send to court. She called upon President Sirleaf to ensure that

she gets justice.

 

ü      Reading Of Petition - A petition was read by Ms. Barbara L. Ketter, YOCADS Gender Officer. Ms. Ketter presented the petition to the government of Liberia through Miss Bendu T. Parker, Miss Liberia 2008 and Representative Edward Forh of District #12 Montserrado County of the Liberian Parliament. The petition called upon the government of Liberia to take all necessary measures in confirmative with the constitution to protect women and girls and deliver justice to Sarah Doe and Richael Boley.

ü      Responding To The Petition - Responding to the petition was Representative Edward Forh of District #12 Montserrado County of the Liberian Parliament. He called upon the Liberia National Police to immediately release the autopsy report that was conducted on the late Tennise Doe. He said the police cannot use tax payers money to enjoy themselves without concern of his citizen. Representative Edward Forh concluded by saying that he will lead a peaceful demonstration by mobilizing people in his district demanding justice for Sarah Doe, mother of the late Tennise Doe.

 

Remark - Making remarks on behalf of civil society organizations and participants, was Miami Hilton. She called upon the government of Liberia to consider the empowering of women as fundamental in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

                                  

ACHIEVEMENT:

·        Women and girls now know their fundamental rights.

·        Young people now know their role in preventing violence against women and girls.

·        Representative Edward Forh of District #12 Montserrado County of the Liberian Parliament, demand justice for Sarah Doe, mother of the late Tennise Doe.

·        Ms. Bendu Parker, Miss Liberia 2008 called on national government and the Liberian populace for justice to all women despite of your background.

·        Parents and participants understood the significant of sending their girl children to schools.

CHALLENGES:

• Lack of adequate funds to invite more civil society organizations, youths, students, members of the Liberian parliament, and women from rural areas.
• Lack of adequate funds to cover promos, newspaper publication and television talk shows
• Difficulties in encouraging participants to walk from long distances because of the lack of transportation.
• Difficulties in appearing on local radio talk shows for free.
• Lack of  access to internet facilities to access adequate material on the International Women´s Day

 LESSONS WHICH WERE LEARNED:

* More women and members of the Liberian Parliament wanted to attend the forum.

* Young people wanted to learn more on the rights of women and girls.

* Civil Society organizations including students, youths and faith based groups in rural areas wanted to attend the forum.

RECOMMENDATION

* Funding be made available to YOCADS to involve more members of the Liberian parliament and stakeholder including civil society organizations from the rural areas.

* International Women’s Day Kit should be sent to YOCADS to enhance her work.

*Press Release should be sent asking for specific actions/measures to be taken to protect women and children.  

(2) Volunteer of the month

Humanists and Grass Root Work - by Gurinder Singh Azad

For the last few months, I have been thinking about, what humanist movements has to do to strengthen their practicalities and what has to be done to aware people for their human rights, most importantly, what has to be done to spread the benefits to the people living at the edge of life and death. I have been engaged with a humanist/rationalist movement named Tarksheel Society Punjab for the last ten years and had worked at a grass-root level (from the very beginning till three years back my shift to Delhi) and got experience how it feels when you are unemployed and invest money from your pocket money to do others’ work. You are well aware that you would not be paid at all. You use your time, money, and energy and in lieu of that get no words of encouragement from anyone. Rather you have to face scolding of parents for “wasting” your time. But for the sake of deep satisfaction and sense of responsibility towards society, you keep on going.

One of my young friends lost his life while working for the movement in an accident and left his wife and two small kids in this world to face hardships of life. We use to organize a rationalist program or workshop every year in his memory, with the aid from locals. But now, that too is not happening for the last three-four years. What a ground reality is this! In his life with the movement he remained a silent worker and after his death he became a silent hero. Though, I know personally, his work is not less than anyone who is highlighted on the international platform. His family got no aid from anyone.TSP never has that much funds to be used at such situations. There are hundreds of workers who have devoted their whole life in promoting humanism and could influence their locals. But they remained silent nationally or globally. Due to language and family problems they have to confine themselves to their own locality. And, social change takes place like this. Such a difficult destination always needs small but thoughtful steps. This is a hard truth of life. Sometime you are not here to notice change for which you have contributed with your whole life.And more importantly, social change lies on the shoulders who work as missionaries and work at grass root level.I came across so many people from different scenarios working for the same cause.And now working with international organizations and getting from their experiences, my mind is observing something different. I am experiencing how grass root work getting absent in Asian countries and paper work is becoming more prominent. Meetings are important but what if there is not implementation. Money has been going in vain (my experience) and giving profit to people who just want name, fame and remaining of the funds. In India NGO business is flourishing like anything. If one has a look on the revenue, it is in much competition with corporate. A report says if all NGOs form a country, their funding in total will make them fourth richest country of the world. I was just thinking if such huge money is involved then why social change is not speeding up. Why health and education to poor is still a far-away matter? In fact, it is intention that matters. Still here are death-hungers whereas NGO runners roam around in expensive cars. Why they are fail to carry people’s voice to bureaucracy or government? Reason is simple, intention to change social set up and bridging the gap between problems and their solutions by doing work in masses at grass root is purely absent, many a times. On the contrary paper work is much. Schemes are made to fetch grants whereas implementation on them requires really tough work. Who will go in slums to see the actual problems of poor people? Who will talk about their basic needs in a positive way? Who will make bureaucracy or government answerable before law? They work less and show off much to impress funding authorities. It requires lot of courage and stamina to walk on this rough and difficult passage.The real workers, who can give authentic information and guide our society, are often sidelined when credit is to be given. It really saddens me. Those ‘heroes’ have to bring in limelight. Therefore, I have proposed prizes for top five activists of the year, in TSP. And their little work-history should be displayed on TSP’s website, so that they remained encouraged. So that theirs credits remain with them …so that they stay optimistic… so that their credit may not hijacked. Now, interacting with international activists, I have a capacity to understand that if one really wants to do something for this society as a whole, our efforts should decentralized from expensive meetings to workshops. We will have to make our intentions very clear before our own. We have to work at grass root level. How long we can confined to arranging meetings? This vicious circle has to be broken!It is a whirlpool. We need grass level work to understand exact problems and their solutions, in a broader sense.In the countries like ours, policies for farmers are made sitting in air-conditioned rooms. Most of the policies makers never visited fields- the farmers’ workshop. They don’t know which crop is planted or harvested in which month and what efforts farmers made to nourish and protect it. And such are the policy makers! That is why farmers in India are committing suicide. Their problems are never understood because bureaucracy remained fail to feel farmer’s basic problems. It is imperative for policy-makers to have in-depth knowledge of farmers’ work. But they don’t have and never tried to. When a farmer works in his fields and counters any problem he has to find its solution at the spot. Sitting at home it is not possible to find solutions of the problems. Farmers’ needs should be attended respectfully and timely. And, same trends have to be followed everywhere, I think. We promote humanism. We work for human beings for their human rights. And it is imperative that who are most deprived, leaderships should come from them since they have centuries long experiences of their problems. Whosoever is philanthropic in its ideology but not a deprived one has to strengthen deprived people without any discrimination. Like farmers, they know what and where the problems are lying. Here, in India, many healthy-wealthy people think that the way to benefits to the poor should go from their own hands. If deprived section wants to take leadership, it is indigestible to them. In a way they want to form a humanist dynasty in which no one from deprived (outsider) is allowed. And they love to be known themselves “humanists”. Present scenario is demanding such positive and worthy changes. If humanists in fact, believe in humanism, I must say, don’t cry for deprived people or Dalits (lower caste/ tribal people or deprived women. But, make them aware for their human rights and when they raise their voice, strengthen their voice. I salute those, who are working at grass root level.

Author: Gurinder Singh Azad, 32 years old, Assistant Coordinator (since 2004), Tarksheel Society Punjab (TSP),Tarksheel Bhawan, Tarksheel Chowk, Sangheda By-Pass Barnala, Punjab (India), started work as an activist in 1997,Profile: promote rationalism through selling literature, organizing small Tarksheel programs in schools along with other activists (plays in simple local language adding fun to it), organizing magic shows in schools or villages making people understand these are just the hand tricks but not any paranormal practice, running a mobile psychopath centre like going to the patient and counsel it, promotion of literature pertaining to rationalism (TSP has its own publication house), organizing mass processions to aware people on the issues of female feticide, woman education, to make people aware about the value of trees, clean environment and water. Deep interior villages are given priority for all above activities.

(3) Project of the month

Eurizons 2007

Information by Ines John (coordination team Eurizons 2007)

 

MDG Tour

Who is Eurizons? This campaign was done in a highly creative and interactive way. A group of fifty hitchhikers from 14 different countries started off in Riga, Latvia, to visit a total of 8 European cities where they contributed to events prepared by local teams of Eurizonists. With discussions, street theatre, sketches, musical performances and a Labyrinth consistent of educative games, Eurizons tried to raise people´s awareness and understanding of global development problems, to show how poverty elsewhere is linked to our lives and behaviour and to encourage people to get active for a positive change.

The main activity of Eurizons is to educate about global interdependencies & development issues as well as to raise awareness for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Around 88% of all Europeans have never heard about the global framework of the MDGs of the United Nations, which should be met until the year 2015.

This year Eurizons' main political focus will lay on global trade issues and especially the EPAs which are currently being negotiated in the European Union.

Through a colourful and unconventional approach we want to address especially young people to get involved in global issues. They hitchhiked from Riga in Latvia to Brussels in Belgium and stopped in eight European cities, where there have organized big events with panel discussions, work shops, concerts, street theatre, movie presentations and more.

Hitchhiking as the framework unites the eight national events under one roof and makes them visible on the European level. Tour will be carried out by 50 campaigners that will hitchhike in international tandems from one event place to the next, altogether 3000 km from Riga to Brussels.

 

What stands behind that idea? Who created that idea?

Eurizons is a project of GLEN - a network of European NGOs in 12 countries committed to fair and sustainable development and to development education in Europe. Eurizons is GLEN’s first big European developmental awareness raising project. www.glen-europe.org

MDG

In September 2000, the leaders of 189 countries adopted the Millennium Declaration at the United Nations Millennium Summit and formulated eight specific goals to improve the situation all around the world. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for poverty reduction and improvements in health, education, gender equality, the environment and other aspects of human welfare were ambitiously set to be met by 2015. However, 6 years on, civil society leaders from all over the world express their worries about the achievement of these goals, as the efforts made until now are far too little.

The MDGs have the potential to be the global agenda of humanity to overcome global injustice in a worldwide joint effort. If we want the MDGs to be achieved instead of only being a nice declaration of politicians' goodwill, people must be informed about them and understand their own role in overcoming the most important problems of humankind.

For us, the fact that 88% of Europeans have never heard of the MDGs was a reason good enough to carry out an awareness raising campaign during which we have encouraged people to take part in the global struggle against poverty and to become active supporters of the MDGs as responsible consumers and citizens.

* The UN Millenium Development Goals: http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals

 

Who was involved in the last year tour? Was the tour open for each volunteer?

It was a project which united over 100 Europeans to participate in a unique experience: hitchhiking through Europe and campaigning for a global responsibility of Europe and the Europeans. Numerous of them received trainings during seminars plus the possibility to practice global education in a unique and extremely intensive way during more than three weeks. After valuing the experiences and skills they gained it is their motivation to use them as multipliers in their own environment.

 

How were all events organized?

People, who have been involved, have been responsible for coordination and otherwise hitchhiked through all the 8 countries. With discussions, street theatre, sketches, musical performances, photo campaign, media coverage and a Labyrinth consistent of educative games they raised awareness about the MDGs and informed about our responsibilities.

 

How could Eurizons finance these events? Has Eurizons received funds for that event? Any support through the EU?

Eurizons 2007 was carried out with partners and supporters like Education and Culture DG, No Excuse 2015, ASA and GLEN more on the website www.eurizons.net

  

When was the first MDG Tour of Eurizons?

Eurizons was now taking place twice. First time was in 2006.

 

What about Eurizons 2008?

After careful evaluation of the Eurizons projects 2006 and 2007 it was realized that a 2-years rhythm for this complex project seems to be more sustainable. Out of that reason, there will be just a smaller project for this year during the Global Education Week in November and in 2009 there will be a new edition of Eurizons as an educative hitchhiking tour.

 

For further information please visit their website www.eurizons.net or contact them directly. 

(4) China and Tibet

„Heaven is nothing for thinkers.“ (Dalai Lama)      by Silvana Uhlrich    

 

Reading a lot about the Tibet situation and the whole conflict between China and Tibet made me thinking back to last year, when I had the chance to travel with IJAB and the German ministry by an invitation of the Chinese ministry to China. I was there as one of 100 participants in the first group out of four being representatives for our own country and to strengthen the network, the communication and understanding between both countries. That was the goal, the big goal behind giving so much support (every participant paid just around 20% of all costs) from both ministries.

I enjoyed China, I enjoyed being in a different country and being there with nice and a lot of new people from Germany. But in the end it was more an exchange between the German youth workers, the Germans who were together the whole time through, talked about their situation, their work and maybe some further communication. The chance meeting Chinese youngsters or youth workers was expected in China, but was almost impossible. Guiding 100 Germans with a bus patrolled by the police, having official meeting with the governor of the province Henan or some other very important persons, there was not really the chance to communicate with some of the Chinese people directly.We also had the introduction to be aware which kind of questions we are asking to the people. Some never got an answer, some tried to satisfy the questioning person with fake or vague methods. Strangest thing was the way NGOs are working or better existing in China. Being an NGO normally means for us being independent from the state and support from there, but here it was more that all NGOs were coordinated and observed by the Chinese government. So, does it mean that just these NGOs will get money those who are working in the name and spirit of the government? What about organisations, they would like to try something different, to work in the opposite direction than the government? I can imagine that this answer is clear to everybody.   

 

Similar case seems to be right now in China when we follow all the news, the demonstrations, the way of the candle through almost dead areas while protecting the flame.  I was reading the autobiography from Dalai Lama and although I was never convinced of any religion and way of spiritual thinking like he is also bringing into the world, he tried to give an overview about the facts what really happened since ´51 in Tibet. As a German girl and always in the need to explain my own history and my country’s history away from home, I just felt embarrassed and shocked by the things I have read. Because it made me think about well known strategies we came to know in GDR times while the regime was not accepting different opinions next to them, also when we look further back to the 2nd World War and the authority regime under the Hitler sign, but nevertheless we can count the Washington affairs and US propaganda against Islamic religion and the war in Iraq too. In the same way China was arguing in the human right council. 

It suggested that the United States was a massive abuser of human rights in Iraq and elsewhere and should put its own house in order first; that what was happening in Tibet was an internal matter for China alone, and that it had every right to restore law and order – which it had done without excessive violence! Given the chronic lack of transparency of the Chinese judicial system, of the torture and ill-treatment in meted out in Chinese prisons, one can only be worried by these new events.

After expelling all tourist and also journalists from this so-called autonomous region, it happened also that is has been forbidden visiting even the Chinese provinces bordering Tibet. So much for the freedom of information and expression, not to mention other rights that the Chinese authorities have undertaken to uphold and respect around the Olympic Games. The picture of communism stayed unfortunately a picture, which is reflecting the distorted original in reality. Cause the wanted communism in China is not a form of serving to the folk, but to define the opinion of some as the opinion of the folk. Deng Xiaoping has said once: “It is important to find the truth out of facts.” As in the 17-Points-Plan written that Tibet is a free country and will not be restricted in its independence, China was also promising that neither string nor needle would be taken away under violence, but they will offer support to liberate Tibet out of its backwards.

The facts are different. For this we just have to open a newspaper. The plan seems to be just a platform of the matter in dispute between both countries.

There is an interpretation that the convention is invalid in order to the international law as the ratification of the Tibet delegates seemed to be enforced through the Chinese military. Furthermore there is a reproach against China cause of the offence against inner political self-determination und freedom of religion. China sees the convention as legitimation of its own claims in Tibet.  

Tibet is defeating itself. That started with protests and demonstrations, till today sometimes with weapons and violence, but a triumph against China was impossible, too strong, too much ahead was the competitor. The Chinese start of independence and friendship was built upon a fake. Friendship can only be developed on a basis of truth and respect to each other but not through violence.    The people in Tibet have been forced to make false declarations not to incur in disgrace/displeasure. Official criticism against China was and still is not possible. Arrests or much worse consequences would be the outcome of that. Every protest, leaflet or similar things have been seen as an anti democratic crime. How can the Chinese friend call Tibet as backward, uneducated, cruel and barbarian? How does it come that a friend can treat a friend so misanthropic? The once believed Marxian thought seems to be highly nationalized, fanatic and stubborn.   

 

If we look to the tourism in Tibet and China, a lot of things are veiled or just shown partly cause not to wash once dirty linen in public. Tourists, who could cross that border and look behind the façade reported about a full control over Tibet, no possible opposition, no freedom of speech and also a control over the practice of their religion. Similar I have perceived China. There was control in every small action, in every trip, sightseeing tour or talk with us Germans. The look was always going to the boss for permission, always to see just the good sides, no streets next to the big ones, no criticism, all people are happy, everybody is satisfied. Although we have seen forced removals of older people in an artificial living complex, poor side-streets but with a very personal flair of the Chinese folk, controlled talks and forced talk partners, the order to appear or to host a German guest for a day. Control, only control.   Through the existing rule of force by the state police system just submissiveness was possible for Tibet. That reminds strongly back to old colonial rules which were existing hundreds of years ago in Africa, America and somewhere else. One step would be in the right direction, if China would admit that, would not deny or make light of facts and would not get lost and caught up in their own optical illusion of its created picture. Although there have been lots of efforts from the side of the Dalai Lama and further supporters of all possible countries, there have been no change, no compromise from China. The 5-Points-Plan was condemned through China, demonstrations have been smashed, tortures and executions have not been an exception. But the screaming China just seems to be a beast of prey in its fight to survive. Helpless and in a faint it takes weapons and violence. These are strategies we already know out of each simple way of education. But punches and all in all violence are not a solution for all existing problems. The antagonist will either submissive und degrade nor starting an opposition with the same methods as an answer, although it is awkward. He did not learn it differently.        But still, the once existing picture that millions of Chinese would stand against the violent authority, would do an act of charity to show humanity as contrast to some thousands who are under the control of the regime, this picture seems to fall down if we follow the media worldwide. Is the reason that everybody is taking their own decision about China, every Chinese will be denied or refused? Is it their protection of their own lost of identity? How would we react, if we would be a citizen in China, if we would be part of that nation which is now in all official interests? How do I do, if I always have to explain Nazi-Germany as my past? How do others do, if they have to survive in a Bush politic period or in a country of terror or hunger epidemic.  

Maybe we should start to look at us first before we generalize everything and take it as granted. A polarisation in this case is not indispensable and important for every own position, but it should not happen to fly into a passion of emotions but an objective discussion about human rights in the world should come into the focus. Because it is not only China and if the media has exploited that issue fully, the public interest will disappear in record time. So much we can say to our engagement for human rights.    

(5) Prometheus Summer Camp

Participate in the International camp for teenagers in Finland this summer  

About the English summer camp

The international camp in English is arranged in Antintalo, Asikkala (near Lahti) from 27 July to 3 August. Information about the Prometheus Camp Association and the camps is available in Finnish on Protu’s Internet pages, http://www.protu.fi, in Swedish http://www.protu.fi/svenska/ and in English http://www.protu.fi/english/. There you can also find the registration form for the English language camp. Protu has an office in Helsinki. The phone number of the office is +358-9-4368 5270. Calls should be made between 12.30 and 16.30 on working days. Questions can also be sent by e-mail to the address toimisto@protu.fi  

 

What can you expect?Prometheus Camps are politically non-aligned, non-religious coming-of-age camps, which offer an alternative to the Christian confirmation camp. The participants are 14-16 years old, and they have to have completed the equivavelent of 8th grade in Finnish lower secondary school. The camp lasts for a week.  The aim of the camp is to encourage the youngsters to think independently, respect themselves and others, take care of themselves and the world, and to develop and strengthen their personal conception of the world. 2008 will be the fifth summer in a row where one Prometheus Camp will be arranged in English.

 

What do we do at a Prometheus Camp?During the camp teenagers deal with big philosophical questions, as well as with matters that are important in everyday life. However, there are no given answers; the questions are approached from each own perspective, and everyone is allowed to form their own opinions, share them with others, and learn to respect others’ different views. Thus there are no lessons or lectures, but instead the questions are discussed openly, and worked on by debating, group work, small drama plays or playing games. The themes in the Prometheus Camp are: differences, prejudice and discrimination; drugs, alcohol and addiction; society and making a difference in it; the future; world views, ideologies and religions; personal relationships and sexuality; and the environment. To balance all the thinking and talking, participants get to enjoy the Finnish summer as well; there’s a sauna every evening, and there's possibility for swimming. In the end of the camp there’s a festive Prometheus Ceremony, where the families of the participants are welcome to celebrate the youngsters’ journey towards adulthood.    

 

Who arranges the camps? 

The camps are arranged by the Prometheus Camp Association, also known as Protu. The organisation was founded in 1990 especially to arrange the Prometheus Camps. The ideology of the politically and religiously non-aligned, independent youth organisation is based on Humanist world view. Originally the camps were a counterpart of the Christian confirmation camp, aimed at non-religious youngsters. IHEYO participates in the arranging of the 2008 English camp.

 Every camp is organised and lead by a team of seven members: two adults, and five youngsters who are camp participants of the previous years. The team members are volunteers, who go through training during the spring. There is also a cook, who makes all the food at the camp. The maximum number of participants in a camp is 15. The participants in the English language camp often have an international background; a fairly advanced skill in the language is a prerequisite for both the participants and the team members. 

(6) Book advice

“Humanism, Ethics and Africa”

Authors: Yemi Johnson Ademowo and Peter Adegoke

 

 

The Future of Youth Humanism

 

Generations by generations, the world continues in its state of flux. The children of today are the youths of tomorrow. The youths of today will definitely be the leaders in the nearest future. As the world continued to exhibit its dynamism, humanism being part of the order ought not to be left behind. It must be concerned about the future. This concern could only provoke one germane question: what will become of organized humanism in the future, say next two decades?

I must be sincere, I do not have the answer to the question and being a pragmatic person, I do not believe that just answering 'Yes' or 'No' will do. There must be sufficient and even, concrete evidence(s) for anybody to answer the question either affirmatively or otherwise.

The aim of this article is to examine youth humanism with a view to answer the question earlier posed.

It may be confusing if one takes 'youth humanism' to mean a different kind of body of beliefs or an exemplar of life stance. It is not. Rather, it simply means 'the ideals of humanism and its practice held by young persons between 18 and 32 years of age.'

Being the hub of any society, the youths are known to be full of energy and consummating zest, which could be used to promote any ideal, they hold. The young humanists constitute the non-negligible segment of any society or community.

While some call them 'the future leaders', others prefer 'leaders in embryo', both are matters of semantics, for whichever one chooses the fact remains that youths are expected either to wholly or partially take control of affairs of/in a society, community, business or group in nearest future.

This is incontrovertible because the signs are ominous around us. The likes of Blair, Bush Jnr, Manawasa, Yar'Adua, Museveni etc were not in position of authority some, say five, decades ago. But today, they are, or were ones, leaders of their various countries. The going entity principle is as important to any business as to any society. For the going entity of any society, business and groups that refused to integrate or guide aright their

youth segment or section is never assured. Nations that refused to provide qualitative and capacity building education for its teeming youth population are classical examples here. Such nations have been found to get into one trouble or the other in its developmental focus. For the manpower or the human resources that will make the well-fashioned and thoughtfully trimmed policies, workable are lacking. Another shinning example was the development predicament that befell the African continent during the inglorious days of slavery and colonialism. The majority of the slaves that were bought or

manhandled out of Africa were mostly the able bodied men, the youths that were considered useful on the Europeans farms. The resultant effect of the human resources plundering is what is glaringly evident in the present African developmental rat-race with its European counterpart. In a nutshell, the youth humanists, who presently constitute various groups that are classified and recognize as upholding the promotion of youth humanism ideals, are undisputably part of the global humanism.

 

So, bearing in mind that we have clarified who the young/youth humanists are, not minding the ample time spent to justify why they are very important as a segment of any society, can we they are presently well constituted within the global humanist movement?

 

Resolutely, I will answer the question from both sides of my cheek: Yes and No.

Yes, they are. This is not a matter of question tagging in a typical elementary English lesson aimed at answering the tag question, "Aren't they?" Rather the question is an attempt at calling for a critical review of the state of global youth humanism.

The answer, 'Yes, they are', by the existent of some formidable youth humanist groups in the movement. The most popular of which is the International Humanist and Ethical Youth Organization, IHEYO. There is also the Secular Humanist Alliance and the Campus Free thought Alliance, now Center for Inquiry-On campus.

The three have been supporting groups, and individual, youth humanists worldwide with both materials and fund, when available. However, the duo of SSA and CFA because of the primary focus, which is within America, have not been able to impact much outside of the primary focus, where they are able to achieve commendable successes. Still, they need be commended for the supports offer thus far. The adult members of the American Humanist Association and that of the Council for Secular Humanism helped the two groups with funding and mentoring. IHEYO, on the other hand, enjoys robust support from the International Humanist and Ethical Union, which granted it membership rather then section-ship status to enhance its proper functioning. The roles of the adults in sustaining the three groups outlined above namely, IHEU, CSH and AHA, is worth commending.

But do the actions of these groups make the answer, 'Yes, they do' valid? No! To accept the reasons offered for the validity of the answer is to presuppose that the 'Top-Bottom' approach is preferable to the 'Bottom-Top' approach in group building. The activities of the groups above have yielded results that cannot be easily overlooked, without commendation. That is why the answer has to be 'Yes'. But these capacity building approach are bound to be fruitless if the 'bottom' groups, the national groups refuse to assist their youngsters in getting organized, and in upholding and practicing their ideals. There seems to be a lacuna here. This was what warranted the double-edged answer, the 'No' answer.

The only thing I have for a long time known that people dig from the top to the bottom is the grave, the six-foot hole where dead bodies are buried. So, to attempt building youth humanism from the global to the local, rather than the other way round except on special cases, is dangerous, and *graveous*. Except for AHA, which supports SSA that is continental, the other two groups, IHEU and CSH, are global in their focus and approach.

In most cases, what they offer is networking and linking opportunities. This is not a bad idea for it has helped to jump-start organized humanist in Africa, for example. But more need to be done to sustain youth groups at national levels. It is rather disheartening to note that some vibrant national groups do not have an organized youth section/arm. I need not mention names here. While some are correcting the anomaly, the others are simply closing their eyes to this hard reality of group building. I am not saying all the groups must, of necessity, create 'something out of nothing', but an adoption option can even be explored. A vibrant national group within the same geographical entity for mentoring and funding support purposes could adopt a vibrant youth humanist group, for example. Unless the national groups and regional ones are willing to support the growth of youth humanist groups within their domain, what the global youth groups are doing will remain nothing but a scratch at the surface, and if care is not taken it will eventually become an effort in futility; or at best, a flash in a pan; something that is bound to have a short-term effect. Even at the global level, the presidents of IHEYO, SSA and CFI-On Campus, should b allowed to be part of the decision making board of the IHEU, AHA and CSH respectively so that they could learn by doing. This approach will enable the youth leaders to understudy the adults. This could also be replicated at the regional and national levels. The youth groups must understudy the organization strategies of the present organized humanist groups in their life. For to be historically knowledgeable is to be able to synthesize the past with the present to make for a formidable future.

So far, I have tried to proffer the reasons for my double-edged answer to the simple question: what will happen to humanism in the future? I have done this by clarifying what youth humanism meant and by explaining my 'Yes' and 'No' answers. As for me, the intention is not to disparage the laudable effort of any group, but to wake up those in charge to see to it that there is perpetual continuity in the humanist circuit. The on going concern of humanism must be paramount in the minds of all that really mean well for World Humanism. Youth Humanism, I am sure if and when developed, will be a sure means of ensuring this. My point is that with strong youth humanist groups in all the countries, older humanists will be able to monitor and put them aright in the best way of doing things, or by simply learning from their mistakes for the sake of the future. Surely, the future beckons on the adult humanists to assist in building a virile youth humanist groups worldwide for the sake of generations yet unborn.

 

Softcopy pages: 128

Price: $10

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*'Yemi Ademowo Johnson,* former Secretary General, International Humanist and Ethical Youth Organisation (IHEYO), is a philosopher and development activist. His research areas include humanism, ethics, epistemology and socio-political philosophy.

 *Damilola Peter Adegoke*, National President, National Association of Philosophy Students-Nigeria and Founding President, Ibadan University Humanist Society, is the International Co-Chair, Transhumanist Students Network.