Restless Development Looking for UN General Assembly Youth Advocates

Via a notice from Restless Development:

We are recruiting for ahead of the opening of the General Debate for this year’s United Nations General Assembly. Restless Development is collaborating with the Permanent Mission of Denmark to the United Nations to help embed youth-led accountability at the heart of the 2030 Agenda. To do this, we will be jointly implementing a high-level side event that showcases how young people are already engaging formally and informally in the follow-up and review of the SDGs, specifically looking at Goal 5 and tackling gender inequality.

For this year's high level opening of the general debate of the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Restless Development and the Permanent Mission of Denmark to the UN are jointly recruiting six youth advocates to attend the General Assembly high-level week, taking place in New York from Tuesday 19th - Saturday 23rd September.

We are looking to support six young people with a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences in youth-led monitoring and accountability for sustainable development as well as fighting for gender equality. Please see the below application form for a full list of criteria, and we will be ensuring that the group of youth advocates attending the UNGA reflects our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Preference will be given to young people who have experience at the grassroots and national levels on tackling gender inequality in all its forms, as well as those young people from countries that have committed Voluntary National Reviews at the UN High Level Political Forum in 2017 or will be conducting a review in 2018. Please see here for more detail regarding those countries who have conducted a Voluntary National Review https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/hlpf

If you, or someone in your network, are interested in being a Youth Advocate for Restless Development and the Permanent Mission of Denmark, please fill out the below application form before the deadline of Thursday 3rd August at 9pm BST. We will not unfortunately be able to consider applicants who have submitted forms after this time.

2017 UN General Assembly Youth Advocate Application Form

Along with other certain criteria which we are looking for in applicants, please note this opportunity is available only to those aged between 18-29. If you have any questions or are unable to fill out the form, please contact jack@restlessdevelopment.org.

Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) Events

For two weeks, the United Nations holds a major conference on gender issues and successes. While many events are closed to the public unless you apply for a conference pass, non-profits hold hundreds of public events around NYC between March 13 and March 23. The list of events can be found here and the locations given in the document correspond with the following locations:

Girls are not only allowed to attend, they are encouraged to! It's a great opportunity for a girl to learn about organizations working on gender issues, find out about topics being addressed internationally, and for them to raise questions or comments about issues that girls face specifically. It's also a great way to learn about Gold Award topics/ideas! (Girls under 18 should bring a parent/guardian/adult with them!)

The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) is hosting a parallel event on March 14 at the Armenian Convention Center at 4:30pm, titled Girls' and Women’s Economic Empowerment: Addressing Gender Norms and Stereotypes. Please do attend! It will be led by Girl Scouts/Guides from around the globe!

Again, these events are free and open to the public! Check out the full list of parallel events here.

Last Minute Opportunity to be in a Music Video

Pop artist Tennille Amor is making a collaborative music video for her song "I Am A Girl!" The video will be featured at the UN Interagency Youth Forum. Tennille is looking for girls and women from around the world to record themselves dancing and singing her song.

If you are interested in participating, please email Tori (vlarson31@gmail.com) ASAP and she will send you the details, including recording specifications, a release form, and of course the song!

Please note the deadline is MONDAY, February 22, 2016!

"He Named Me Malala" Film Screening at UN

UN Women, the Malala Fund, and the Muslim American Leadership Alliance (MALA) are pleased to present the groundbreaking documentary, He Named Me Malala, as an extension of the Students Stand #withMalala youth screening program, a collaboration between the Malala Fund and Participant Media. Join us in honor of United Nations Human Rights Day for an intimate portrait of the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, co-founder of Malala Fund. Special thanks to UNICEF and World We Want for their support and partnership for this screening.

When:Thursday, December 10, 2015 from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Where: United Nations Headquarters, General Assembly Hall, New York City

Where to RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/un-women-malala-fund-and-mala-present-he-named-me-malala-at-un-general-assembly-tickets-19543424910

***Please note this event is FREE***

About the film: HE NAMED ME MALALA is an intimate portrait of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai, who was targeted by the Taliban and severely wounded by a gunshot when returning home on her school bus in Pakistan’s Swat Valley. The then 15-year-old was singled out, along with her father, for advocating for girls’ education, and the attack on her sparked an outcry from supporters around the world. She miraculously survived and is now a leading campaigner for girls’ education globally as co-founder of the Malala Fund. Acclaimed documentary filmmaker Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth, Waiting for Superman) shows us how Malala, her father Zia and her family are committed to fighting for education for all girls worldwide. The film gives us an inside glimpse into this extraordinary young girl’s life – from her close relationship with her father who inspired her love for education, to her impassioned speeches at the UN, to her everyday life with her parents and brothers.

Apply by Nov. 13 to Represent Girls Around the World at UN CSW in NY

Did you know that the World Assn. of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) sends representatives to major UN conferences to advocate on behalf of girls worldwide? Girls can also provide support from their home countries as well. (Please note this is an opportunity for girls 18-30 years old.)

This spring (March 14-24), the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) will bring women, girls, and their allies from around the globe to discuss the issues they face and the policies, programs, and support needed to address these issues. At the conclusion of the commission, world leaders attending the event create a resolution to look at how they can address these needs in the coming year(s). This year's theme for CSW will be "Women’s empowerment and the link to sustainable development." Leaders and advocates will be reflecting on how women's empowerment can be engaged in the new Sustainable Development Agenda (which comprises of the new Global Goals).

Please note this is a competitive application process and you will be competing with girls around the world. Only serious applicants over the age of 18 should apply, and you should be available to attend the whole event from March 14-24, 2016. Applications are due by November 13. More info available here: https://www.wagggs.org/en/what-we-do/speak-out/60th-commission-status-women/ and applications are available here: https://www.wagggs.org/en/what-we-do/speak-out/60th-commission-status-women/apply-now/

If you are in the NYC area from March 14-24 but aren't selected to represent WAGGGS (or cannot commit to the whole conference), there are additional ways for you to engage in the conference. Throughout the time there will be parallel events held outside of the UN compound throughout NYC. These events will be open to the public. In February these events will be announced. We will keep you posted!

More info on CSW generally is available here: http://www.unwomen.org/en/csw
Info on CSW 2016 is available here: http://www.unwomen.org/en/csw/csw60-2016
Info on the Global Goals is available here: http://www.globalgoals.org/

'All Rise' Documentary Screening at UN. November 4 (RSVP OCT 29)

On November 4 there will be a screening of the documentary All Rise: Journeys to a Just World, which will be shown in the ECOSOC Chamber at UN Headquarters. The honorable Judge Hisashi Owada will be speaking at this event, and the documentary will be followed by a Q&A session with cast members from the film.

More info about the film: http://allrisemovie.com/home/#prettyPhoto[3425-ALL RISE Trailer]/0/

RSVP (by October 29): http://news.whitecase.com/166/6300/landing-pages/blank-registration-(screening-only).asp

Global to Local: UN Team Hosts Workshop on New WAGGGS Material

The WAGGGS UN team event, held yesterday in New York City, brought together troop leaders from Staten Island, Manhattan, New Jersey, and Heart of the Hudson! This workshop in particularly aimed at exposing troop leaders to the latest materials from WAGGGS: the new World Thinking Day materials (Connect 10 Million) and the very recent International Day of the Girl materials (10 Million Voices). The WAGGGS UN

Team worked to ensure that the workshop was especially interactive and exciting, allowing the troop leaders to discuss and explore the brand new Global Goals, which World Thinking Day and International Day of the Girl focus on.

What are the new Global Goals? Released on September 25, they are a set of priorities for all countries around the world that will help to address hunger, poverty, and social injustice. Each of the 17 goals focuses on one of the four themes: people, planet, peace, and prosperity. In 2017, each country will have national indicators that will help the public and non-profit organizations to hold their governments accountable to their commitments. As a result, it is essential that all people--young and not-so-young, girls and boys, parents and their children--learn about the goals so that they can be a part of this process and work towards a better world for their fellow citizens and the world.

Below are the resources discussed in the workshop, as well as some additional resources related to the Global Goals and the UN. I will also add these resources to the "resources" tab on this blog so you can find them again in the future!

Resources: 

WAGGGS International Day of the Girl 2015 (great activity ideas you can do right now!): https://www.wagggs.org/en/resources/international-day-girl-10-million-voices/

WAGGGS World Thinking Day (WTD isn't until February, but it is important to start thinking about it now with your other troop leaders, and there are many activities you can use at any time too!): https://www.wagggs.org/en/what-we-do/world-thinking-day/

Kid-friendly (elementary-level) activity book on Global Goals: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?page=view&type=400&nr=1616&menu=1300

Global Goals Lesson Plans: https://www.tes.com/worldslargestlesson/lesson-plans/

World’s Largest Lesson Video: 6.5min https://vimeo.com/137728737 

Global Goals comic book (great resource to discuss the Global Goals with your children! Please note this is a work in progress!):  https://www.dropbox.com/sh/kfpfgt1jpu5zl0x/AAClx23QyCi_MeZiYxIQ5N1va?dl=0

Youth Gateway: The UN Youth Envoy has created a “youth gateway” to get youth involved in the Global Goals and holding their governments accountable to the indicators. To be continued as we’re waiting for the indicators to com out (around January), but it is good to sign up now to get their emails and get involved: www.youthgateway.org

Global Goals Background Resources

The following are great resources for troop leaders to learn more about the Global Goals, or for having your girls use to do their own (or small group) research:

Sustainable development goals: changing the world in 17 steps – interactive: Interactive "map" that shows the differences between the MDGs (the goals set for 2000-2015) and the new Global Goals. Click on the Global Goals and it will bring you to a description of the goal: http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/ng-interactive/2015/jan/19/sustainable-development-goals-changing-world-17-steps-interactive

Sustainable Development Goals: All you Need to Know: This is a great overview of the goals. Please note that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the "technical" term for the Global Goals: http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/jan/19/sustainable-development-goals-united-nations

UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (under "Key resources" they list some great resources that might be helpful to leaders to look at before working with girls, or to have older girls themselves look at to do research if needed): http://unsdsn.org/news/2015/10/06/world-leaders-adopt-sustainable-development-goals-sdgs/ 

Other UN-Related Resources: 

This is a comprehensive list of UN teaching resources shared by the UN and its agencies: http://www.unis.unvienna.org/unis/en/resources/teaching_resources.html

Model UN Resources: http://unausa.org/global-classrooms-model-un/for-educators/resources 

Guardian Article: “How to teach… the UN”: http://www.theguardian.com/education/teacher-blog/2013/sep/09/united-nations-teaching-resources

Committee on Teaching About the UN (CTAUN) Resources: http://www.ctaun.org/teacher-resources/

Girls Speak Out UN Event: Oct. 9

Registration is filling up fast for the UN's International Day of the Girl celebration. Troops have the opportunity to come to the UN and watch performances acted/sang/spoken by girls that were submitted by girls around the world for this event. Registration is required at: www.dayofthegirlsummit.org

What is International Day of the Girl?

The Day of the Girl Summit brings girls and girl-serving organizations together to celebrate the International Day of the Girl. The Summit has become a movement; a year-long, action-oriented virtual platform for change makers to leverage community resources in support the advancement of girls’ human rights. This year, thousands more of girls, boys, adults, teachers, leaders, politicians and hundreds more of organizations, will show their support for the celebration of the unique and special role girls play in the world.

UN General Assembly Volunteer Opportunity!

The One+1 and UN Millennium Campaign are teaming up to bring in a team of lucky volunteers for the rare opportunity to assist in the UN General Assembly (UNGA)! The General Assembly happens once a year at the UN in NYC when the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the UN convenes to make decisions on important questions, such as those on peace and security, admission of new members and budgetary matters, require a two-thirds majority. This is a special time when major heads of state and UN staff come from around the globe to discuss important issues and welcome in new leadership. This is also a special year in that it is the 70th anniversary of the UN! Volunteer opportunities to the UNGA are rare, so don't miss your chance!

Volunteers would be working as docents, helping to acts as guides and run information tables. Volunteers MUST be available two full days per week from 9am-6pm starting Saturday, September 19 until Wednesday, October 7! These days must be consistent each week, meaning you can sign up for Mondays and Thursdays, or Saturdays and Tuesdays. You have to be available the full days each week for the duration of the GA. 


Volunteers receive a certificate for their work as well as a small gift. This is also a great networking opportunity, as you will be volunteering right in the UN and will have the opportunity to meet with Heads of State, high level officials, etc.

In order to sign up, email networkforbetter@gmail.com with the following information:


1. Phone Number:
2. Email:
3. Emergency Contact Name:
4. Emergency Contact Info:
5. Volunteer Time Preference: (Mon-Sun):
6. Which days are a definite NO:

Please also considering following Network for Better on Facebook!
More info on Network for Better available here: http://www.network4better.com/about/
More info on the Millennium Campaign here: http://www.endpoverty2015.org/about/

WAGGGS at UN Youth Day

WAGGGS UN Team Members at Youth Day: Emily, Maria, Jen, and Kristen

To celebrate the International Day of Youth on August 12, four WAGGGS youth delegates living in the New York City area participated in activities at the United Nations headquarters! Kristen (USA), Jen (USA), Maria (Chile), and Emily (USA) met with three Girl Scouts from the Greater New York Council who were also attending the event with their leader.

Be sure to keep your troop in the loop with these kinds of opportunities by signing up for updates from the WAGGGS UN Team Blog! See the "Follow By Email" box at the top right of your screen.

Girl Scouts NYC attending the event!

The theme for this year’s International Youth Day was “Youth Civic Engagement,” advocating for the involvement and inclusion of young people in decision-making processes. We attended the main event of the day, which included remarks by the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon. He said, “Young leaders have contributed fresh ideas, taken proactive measures, and mobilized through social media as never before.” We are the most interconnected and interdependent generation in history, and we are global citizens.

Ban Ki-moon speaking to youth at Youth Day

Ban Ki-moon said, “young people will be the torch bearers in the new Sustainable Development Agenda.” In September, countries will formally agree on the Sustainable Development Goals, which are the world’s new set of targets covering a broad range of issues, including ending poverty and hunger, improving health and education, and protecting oceans and forests. The engagement of girls and young women is critical to achieving these new goals!

Professor Mark Brennan said, “Empowering youth is not only the right thing to do – it is the single most important thing to do.” All of the panelists were inspiring and gave examples of how youth are agents of change. Following the main panel sessions, we attended a luncheon with youth delegates from all over the world, representing various youth organizations, UN agencies, and governments.

Post by Emily Rodriguez, originally shared to the WAGGGS website here: http://www.wagggs.org/en/news/23699

Sign up NOW for August 12 UN Event for International Youth Day!

This August 12 is International Youth Day! This is an internationally recognized day to celebrate youth. This year's theme is on civic engagement. Civic engagement is defined as: the encouragement of the general public to become involved in the political process and the issues that affect them.

On August 12, there will be an International Youth Day event held at the UN headquarters in NYC! This event is meant for youth (under 25 years old) and is an exciting opportunity for you to go to the UN and have your voice heard, while also meeting other young people who are passionate about global issues and social justice. You can register for the event here: https://www.eventbrite.com/register?orderid=444627433623&client_token=1b0aae330df74ff08265490586bb7a86&eid=17770214189

Didn't get picked for the event or can't get to NYC? Create your own event in your community! The UN's Envoy on Youth has some excellent suggestions for you to take with your troop, friends, or community organization. Or, you can take action online.

More information here: http://bit.ly/1L2KsS2

International Day of the Girl Call for Submissions Until 7/17!

Exciting news about International Day of the Girl (IDG) being held this October 9! The International Day of the Girl is a global celebration of girls and their struggles, successes, and rights. The UN hosts the event annually by collecting arts submissions from girls around the world who share their experiences. Submissions are selected and displayed or presented to UN officials as well as girls and women from around the globe! Selected submissions that are presented are often performed or acted out by girls in the NYC area. The discussions from these works are powerful and emotional--touching on everything from living with a disability as a girl, to sexual abuse, to body image and the media.

This year will be another great year for girls to celebrate themselves and put their thoughts and ideas in front of the UN! Here is the intro to the call for submissions (due 7/17!):

Imagine: The year is 2065 and girls hold all leadership positions at the United Nations and more than half of the governmental positions in countries around the world. Girls’ rights are honored, respected and the global economy is booming. Why? How did this happen? What was the event that changed everything? How did you, your parents, teachers, friends, and siblings help make this happen? What did community leaders, government officials, the UN and YOU do RIGHT NOW, in 2015 to improve our world for girls? 

You can help us make IDG 2015 the greatest celebration of girls, girl power, and the unique roles girls play in our world. We invite all girls ages 18 or younger to send us your creative writing or artwork so you can share your voice and your ideas to help shape the Girls Speak Out 2015!

Girls  have two great ways to be involved. Firstly, girls around the world can submit their artwork, poem, songs, etc. to be presented at the IDG Summit at the UN. See the above flyer for information about this year's themes! Please note the submission deadline is very soon!

Secondly, girls in New York City and nearby areas can actually perform these great works. Below is the IDG audition flyer with more info and how to get involved:

Last year, the WAGGGS UN team attended the IDG Summit! You can check out more info here: http://wagggsunteamnyc.blogspot.com/2014/10/international-day-of-girl-speak-out.html And here are a few select photos from last year:

Happy International Women's Day!

Happy International Women's Day! Today is a special day to celebrate the voices of women worldwide. What can you do to celebrate?

From the Working Group on Girls CSW Teen Orientation on International Women's Day

1. March for Gender Equality and Women's Rights: If you're in the NYC area, head to the UN between 1:30 and 2:30 to join a march for gender equality and women's rights. The march will start at 2:30pm at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza on 47th street and 2nd avenue and will walk to 7th avenue and 42nd street (via 42nd street). Join tens of thousands of women as we celebrate the voices of women worldwide while also making noise for the continued need to push forward gender equality and women's rights. There will be speakers at the destination point in Times Square starting at 4:15pm and the march will conclude at 5pm. More info: http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2015/3/iwd-march-for-gender-equality-and-womens-rights
2. Send an International Women's Day e-card from Oxfam America to a woman you love! There is also an online petition to support oil company transparency and women activists in local communities. More info: http://www.oxfamamerica.org/take-action/events/international-womens-day/?&utm_medium=email&utm_source=oxfamlive&utm_content=7+-+Act+now&utm_campaign=eNews_FebruaryFY15&source=eNews_FebruaryFY15
3. Have a girl you know take the "Girls Grade Beijing+20 Survey." The survey takes only 5 minutes and will help to inform NGOs and the UN on how girls view gender equality: http://girlsrights.org/2015/01/take-girls-grade-beijing-survey/
4. Attend a CSW event during the next two weeks. The Commission on the Status of Women is a major UN conference focusing on women's rights and gender equality. From March 9-20, tens of thousands of gender equality supporters from around the world will descend on the area around the UN and attend fun, informative, and forward-thinking events and create dialogue on why gender equality still evades us today, despite the great successes we have seen. CSW parallel events are open to the public, though many require RSVP. Check out the full list here: http://www.ngocsw.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/NGO-CSW-Forum-2015_Download.pdf
5. Join the UN's World We Want Twitter in a Twitter Chat on data visualization for gender equality. The Twitter Chat will be held from 5-6pm on Monday, March 9 in honor of International Women's Day. You can also join their ThunderClap here: http://ow.ly/K1aQK
   More info about the Twitter Chat, which is part of a two day tweet-a-thon, here: https://www.worldwewant2015.org/pt-br/node/480839

Have a fabulous international women's day and remember to thank a special woman in your life! Also, share on social media what you're doing to commemorate the special day! Use the hashtag #IWD2015 to spread the word.

UN Working Group on Girls Looking for Girl Advocates

From a recent press release from the Working Group on Girls:

2014-2015 is the fifth year the Working Group on Girls (WGG) is training and mentoring girls (freshmen or sophomores in high school) to advocate on behalf of girls within the United Nations system. WGG Girl Advocates work with the WGG’s Girls Participation Task Force. Each year we strive to have girls involved in the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in March at the United Nations and other high level events at the UN.

What is the Working Group on Girls or WGG? 

The Working Group on Girls (WGG) is dedicated to promoting the human rights of girls in all areas and stages of her life, advancing the inclusion and status of girls and assisting them to develop their full potential as women. The WGG advocates for the ongoing inclusion and development of girls’ rights in the work of the United Nation system and works to promote the active participation of girls as agents of change. For more information about the WGG please visit www.girlsrights.org.

What is a WGG Girl Advocate? 

In keeping with our commitment to promote the active participation of girls as agents of change, WGG Girl Advocates work with us to “make girls visible” within the UN System. Girl advocates have the opportunity to: Be a girl delegate for the 59th Women (CSW 59) at the United Nations in March 2015; Learn how the UN system interacts with non-profit organizations; Meet other girls, women and organizations engaged in the girls’ rights movement; Gain an in-depth understanding of the issues and topics that affect girls and their communities around the world; Help plan advocacy events for the UN community; session of the Commission on the Status of © Working Group on Girls 2014 Meet with members of the UN community such as diplomats, nonprofit leaders, and activists for girls’ rights; and Participate in WGG taskforces and committees such as Girls Against Violence, Advocacy, or Girls Participation Taskforce.

Who can apply? 

What are the requirements to be a WGG Girl Advocate? WGG encourages girls between 9th Attend and participate in WGG membership meetings from November 2014 through June 2015. Meetings are held 2:00PM to 4:00PM on the 1st of the month in New York City. If Girl Advocates are available during the summer months, opportunities do exist for participation and that involvement is encouraged. Participate in assigned WGG taskforces or committees. Participate in the Teen Orientation to CSW 59(mid-March 2015) Attend and participate in the Commission on the Status of Women meetings from March 9 Complete up to three hours of work per week, including meetings, required readings, and reporting.

Qualifications: 

WGG Girl Advocates must have:
A deep interest in global girl issues
Strong organizational & public speaking skills
Familiarity with basic computer programs
Engaged in social media activism

How to Apply: 

Applications should be submitted via email by Wednesday, October 15, 2014.

More info and full application available here: http://girlsrights.org/2014/09/new-girl-advocate-applications-available/

GenUN Contest: Thank a Peacekeeper & Win a Trip to NYC!

What is GenUN?

GenUN is a national initiative of UNA-USA to engage and energize young supporters around UN issues. As an action-oriented platform, GenUN provides a vehicle for young people to get involved in global issues. GenUN also empowers a new generation of young Americans to be leaders in helping the UN build a better world for all.

About the Contest

Every day, UN peacekeepers assist in implementing peace agreements, stabilizing conflict zones after a ceasefire, disarming and demobilizing ex-combatants, facilitating humanitarian assistance, and building effective governments. Over 100,000 of these committed citizens are working around the clock to deliver peace some of the world’s most difficult conflicts.

Learn more about the details of UN Peacekeeping, sign a Thank a Peacekeeper card, find shareable infographics, and more here.

September 21st is International Day of Peace, and we’re challenging campus chapters nationwide to show us the best way to thank a UN peacekeeper.

Find a creative way to show your support in the form of an event, video, art project, blue jeans for blue helmets day, essay, giant blue balloon display, or something else- the sky is the limit! 

Three winners will be invited to New York City (travel expenses paid by UNA-USA) to participate in the Better World Campaign’s 2014 Thank a Peacekeeper event. Submissions should be entered here by midnight EST on September 30 and follow the guidelines below. The winners will be notified by October 6. Your creative way to show your support for UN peacekeepers should:

1. Involve the membership of your UNA-USA campus chapter; 
2. Engage other students on your college campus on the issue of UN Peacekeeping; 
3. Be shareable online, either through pictures or another form of media.

More details about the contest are available here!

Find your local GenUN chapter here. 

Today is International Youth Day!

Today is International Youth Day, which was established in 1999 by the UN. Events are being held around the world to herald the youth's have made in this last year as well as to spur on leadership and action in our global youth community. It's not too late to get involved! Here are some resources and information to help:

What is International Youth Day?

From the UN Website:

The theme of International Youth Day 2014 is "Youth and Mental Health."

Youth with mental health conditions can often experience stigma and discrimination, which in turn can lead to exclusion and/or discourage people from seeking help for fear of being negatively ‘labelled’. 

The 2014 observance of International Youth Day will raise awareness on this important topic, as well as highlight the experiences of brave, young individuals who have chosen to speak out about these issues with the objective of overcoming stigma and discrimination to ensure that young people with mental health conditions can lead full and healthy lives free from isolation and unnecessary shame, and openly seek the services and support they need. 

Today at the UN in New York a major event was held in honor of the day. Invited speakers for this event  in the ECOSOC Chamber at the UN in New York included Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, H.E. Ambassador Otto, the PR of the Republic of Palau. Confirmed speakers included mental health advocates, Alicia Raimundo and Jordan Burnham and the author of the report Social Inclusion of Youth with Mental Health Conditions, Catherine Bradshaw. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's statement can be read here.

Young people could also submit artwork for the event around the theme of Youth and Mental Health, some of which you can check out here:

Post by United Nations Youth.

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Take Action: 

 
Join GenUN to get engaged in the UN community (just launched today!): http://genun.unausa.org/


International Youth Day Toolkit: http://undesadspd.org/Youth/InternationalYouthDay/2014/Toolkit.aspx

Resources and Further Information:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UN4Youth

Twitter: @UN4Youth

Kathy Calvin, President and CEO of the UN Foundation, writes about International Youth Day for the Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathy-calvin/on-international-youth-da_b_5669180.html

International Business Times Article: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/international-youth-day-2014-top-quotes-history-observance-1460756

UN Women Photo Essay on Girls' Struggles & Achievements in Honor of International Women's Day: http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2014/8/youth-day-photo-essay

A Public Forum on: “The Privatization of the Post-2015 Development Agenda"

There is an open event to the public to discuss the augmentation of partnerships with private companies to help achieve social justice goals set by the UN member nations. This is a UN Side Event-- it is an event hosted by a non-governmental organization on a subject related to UN policy.

The following information was sent in an email by IBON International:

A Public Forum on “The Privatization of the Post-2015 Development Agenda Issues and Challenges in Partnerships with the ‘Private Sector’”
8 April 2014, 1:15 – 2:45 PM
2nd Floor Conference Room, UN Church Center

“Partnerships” for sustainable development are increasingly being promoted as a major, if not the primary, enabler for the implementation of the successor international sustainable development goals to replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. However, a growing number of civil society groups warn against a partnerships approach that places primary emphasis on enticing private sector partiipation and investments as this risks reinforcing the corporate capture of the post-2015 agenda. This one-and-a-half hour Public Forum seeks to provide critical perspectives on the major issues and challenges associated with partnerships with the “private sector” for sustainable development.

 The event is co-organized by Bread for the World, the Campaign for People's Goals, Center for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, General Board of Church and Society-UMC, Global Policy Forum, IBON International, Misereor, Social Watch and Third World Network.

Oxfam America Hosts Foreign Aid 101 with Dorothy Ngoma at Fordham University

On April 1, Oxfam America will be hosting Dorothy Ngoma, speaking on US foreign aid. Here is info from the NYC Action Corps' email newsletter:

Have you heard that the U.S. spends one-third of the budget on foreign aid? At least, that's what most Americans think we spend. In fact, only 1% of the federal budget is spent on life-saving foreign aid programs. Learn more about that 1% in our easy to use guide on all things foreign aid, Foreign Aid 101.

For aid myths, truths, and acronyms galore, please join Oxfam America for a reception celebrating the launch of our new, updated report Foreign Aid 101. This new report sets out to answer fundamental questions, such as why the US gives foreign aid, how much it costs, and how to make it more effective for citizens around the world.

Please join us for a conversation with Dorothy Ngoma of the Presidential Initiative on Safe Motherhood in Malawi to discuss maternal health, safe motherhood, and how Oxfam works with partner organizations continue to pressure international governments to fund effective maternal health initiatives around the world and other foreign aid programs. Ms. Ngoma is on a U.S. tour with Oxfam to raise awareness and lobby for effective foreign aid programs that empower citizens in developing countries to hold their governments accountable from the bottom-up.

Fordham University Lincoln Center Campus:

• 155 W 60th St, McMahon Hall Room 109
  New York, NY 10023
• Tuesday, April 1, 2014 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM (PDT)

Speakers:

• Dorothy Ngoma, Principal Secretary, Presidential Initiative on Safe Motherhood in Malawi
• Will Fenton, Advocacy Advisor, Oxfam America

Event is free. Refreshments will be served. 

  

Please RSVP at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/foreign-aid-101-a-discussion-with-dorothy-ngoma-tickets-10994602151?aff=es2&rank=1&sid=c0bc073ab06d11e3bfee12313b049561

UN World Youth Report -- RSVP due tomorrow

On 14th February 2014 the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs will launch its flagship UN World Youth Report on Youth and Migration.

The World Youth Report is an interactive online report, written with the input of young people and youth organizations worldwide.The report highlights some of the concerns, challenges and successes experienced by young migrants based on their own lives and told in their own voices.

To attend the event please email youth@un.org by 7th February 2014

Can't attend, but want to stay involved? Follow on twitter: @UN4Youth as they live tweet the event using : #UNYouthreport and #IAmAMigrant and like on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UN4Youth

Please note that attendance requests received after 7th February will not be accepted. Also note that the UN cannot finance participation at this event. All costs associated with attending the event must be borne by the individual.

Oxfam Jams: Benefit Shows in Brooklyn for Oxfam America

Oxfam America will be hosting "Oxfam Jams": benefit concerts organized by volunteers around the country. NYC will have the opportunity for two shows this month.

February 7, 2014
Spikehill, feat. Ellis Ashbrook, SqueezeRock, Colorform, Casey Dinkin
Doors: 7:30pm
Show: 8pm
$5
Tickets here

Join the Feb. 7 show’s Facebook event page!

February 21, 2014
The Knitting Factory, feat. The Attic Ends, Field Mouse, Chamber Band
8pm
$10 advance, $12 door
Tickets here
Join the Feb. 21 show’s Facebook event page!

More information on the shows can be viewed here.