YOUNG SOCIETY INITIATIVE- Youth Services and Training

Happy New Year, 2011!

2010-12-31T17:21:00.003+02:00

Dear friends, partners and supporters,

We wish all of you a Happy New Year that all of your wishes come true. We expect that we can all make many efficient and successful new projects in 2011.

We are optimistic about the future... We hope that 2011 will be a year full of peace, happiness, joy and friendship. We hope that human rights violations and abuses, hatred and discrimination will diminish; interculturality, respect, peace and understanding will improve...

Better days to come, dear old globe!

With best wishes,

Young Society Initiative.

National Forum Against "Hate Crimes"

2010-12-31T15:45:00.006+02:00

National Forum Gathering

Taxim Hill-Istanbul, 17-18 December 2010

Forum Against “Hate Crimes” was initiated by Social Change Association in order to facilitate the process of forming a platform against “Hate Crimes”.

During the two-day long event representatives from human rights organisations and civil society organisations that are founded by minority groups discussed the legal, social and cultural background that leads to hate crimes. The civil society organisations also shared their concerns on the recent political and socio-cultural atmosphere in Turkey. The representatives also agreed upon the need for a joint work against hate crimes.

The participant list of the National Forum against “Hate Crimes” includes Social Change Association, Human Rights Agenda Association, Human Rights Research Association, International Hrant Dink Foundation, Positive Living Association, Pink Life Association, Edirne Roma People Association, Association in Solidarity with IDPs, Young Society Initiative, Minority Rights Group, OSCE ODIHR, Global Dialogue, and Delegation of the EU to Turkey-EIDHR.

The national gathering against hate crimes became possible by EU EIDHR funding.

HIV is a virus, not a crime! Criminalise Hate not HIV!

2010-12-21T12:20:00.011+02:00

Street Action
>Galatasaray Square-Taksim Square<-Istanbul, 1 December 2010
HIV interests all of us!

Started on 1st December 1988, World AIDS Day is all about raising awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education and help stop the spread of HIV. The World AIDS Day theme for 2010 is 'Universal Access and Human Rights'. World AIDS Day is important for reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done.

On World AIDS Day the human rights activists, women rights activists, artists, lawyers, doctors, HIV+ people and their relatives gathered in Galatasaray Square/Istanbul at 11:00. After the opening speeches and the press release, the street action went on with shows and march along Istiklal Street till Republic Monument.

Creative Street Artists and Sambistanbul Percussion Group performed in Galatasaray Square and down on Istiklal Street. The action finished with a human red ribbon made by activists in Taksim Republic Monument.

The president of Positive Living Association, Nejat Unlu, underlined "the need for common action in order to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS" in his speech. He reminded once again that "we should look Positive to the reality of HIV and people living with HIV!".

UNFPA-Turkey coordinator, Gokhan Yildirimkaya, emphasized on the fact that HIV is no more a lethal disease, but the discrimination and stigmatisation against HIV+ people is the main problem.

According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 33.3 million people living with HIV, including 2.5 million children. During 2009 some 2.6 million people became newly infected with the virus and an estimated 1.8 million people died from AIDS. The vast majority of people with HIV and AIDS live in lower- and middle-income countries. But HIV today is a threat to men, women and children on all continents around the world.

World AIDS Day Istanbul street action and other activities around Turkey are organised by Positive Living Association in cooperation with UNAIDS, Gilead, Jannsen and MAC AIDS Fund.

Young Society Initiative members and supporters took part in the street action on World AIDS Day.

Young Society Initiative supports the cause of Positive Living Association.

Open Forum for CSO Development Effectiveness

2010-12-03T11:50:00.007+02:00

Global Assembly
Istanbul-TUR, 28-30 September 2010Young Society Initiative takes part in the process of The Open Forum for CSO Development Effectiveness. The 2010 Global Assembly of Open Forum for CSO Development Effectiveness took place in Istanbul between 28 and 30 September 2010.

The Open Forum is a unique space for CSOs (Civil Society Organisations) worldwide to engage in a global and full participatory process towards defining and introducing a framework of mutually shared development effectiveness principles.

The Open Forum aims to provide a learning space, based on mutual trust, where CSOs can discuss issues and challenges relevant to their work and relationships as development actors.

The Global Assembly agreed upon Istanbul Principles for CSO Development Effectiveness. These principles are the result of the national consultation processes and the discussions in the Global Assembly. The principles are built on a consensus of CSOs.

8 Istanbul Principles show the commonly accepted principles to improve CSOs' development effectiveness and on minimum standards for enabling environment where CSOs can fully apply and strengthen their specific roles in development.

"Choiceless & Voiceless"

2009-07-01T14:10:00.004+03:00

International Seminar
Berlin-DE, 5-12 July 2009

In June 2009, elections for the Parliament of the European Union were held. Everyone has been talking about voter turnout, and many projects were trying to encourage young people to use their right to vote. And yet, hardly anyone talks about the people who do not vote, except when to blame them.
They are mystified, ignored, thrust aside.
We want to look into the corners that other people ignore. Who are the non-voting young people? In most European countries, non-voters tend to be concentrated in specific demographic and socioeconomic groups, especially the young and the poor. What is missing, in their opinion, to make voting attractive – or actually even possible?
We want to risk an attempt to see behind the curtain of non-voting and non-voters.
The approximate structure will be scientific theory and reflection in the first two days, and more practice and field enquiries in the days after.
This means that we invite external experts for the beginning of the seminar to have free time for going out and talking to “real” non-voters after that. We’ll also do a lot of group work to be more flexible and be able to discuss more intensely.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES
The seminar aims to make participants explore the complexity of the phenomenon of non-voting and to start a dialogue between young non-voters and voters to finally develop approaches and strategies for better integrating young non-voting people into political processes.
To fulfil its aim, the seminar has the following objectives:
 to listen to and discuss with social scientists who will offer their expertise on the topic,
 to exchange arguments with politicians and journalists to get to know different perspectives and interests,
 to become active and run the streets of multicultural Berlin in order to add personal “stories” to the scientifically-based knowledge pool simply by asking young non-voters about their motivations and experiences,
 to illuminate the different and multi-facetted backgrounds which avoid young people from voting and to give them an authentic voice which can be publicly heard,
 to launch a dialogue between decision-makers and non-voters as well as between voters and nonvoters.

Young Society Initiative is a promoter of the project "Choiceless & Voiceless - Nonvoters in Shadow of the Society" seminar that will take place 5-12 July 2009 in Berlin.

Creative Activism

2009-06-26T02:46:00.004+03:00

When Acting for Change Becomes an Art Form

Creative activism is understanding what we want in our world and directing our energy into it’s creation and promotion. Instead of highlighting the negative aspects of society it emphasizes what we could do, what we can achieve and how we can be.

Step into the real world.

Give yourself a voice.

Take control of your society.

Empower your life.

Stop being lead by others.

And enjoy yourself.

“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing” - Albert Einstein

Young Society Initiative believes in the power of Creative Activism.

Rock-A Festival

2009-06-25T19:31:00.006+03:00

ROCK-A
Rock Against Discrimination!
26-28 June 2009, Ozdere - Izmir

Rock-A screams out for the third time we meet for the dreams of the free life and the equal world.

Rock-A volunteers again have the same joy and enthusiasm to devote their efforts and time for better gathering...

from the manifest of Rock-A; "Capitalism is in crisis and everyday more people are struggling in poverty... The companies are only in the greed sense of the profit... and ambition of our lives are continuing to be exploited... The world of profit and money greed continue to kill thousands of people... There is still a way to solve the problems... Let's Rock!"

We are singing our songs for freedom and peace!

We sing our songs to stand against all discriminations ...

Young Society Initiative participates Rock-A Festival this weekend.

"Doors More Wide Open"

2009-06-24T19:13:00.008+03:00

International Training Course
Bohinj-SLO, 8-14 June 2009

"Door More Wide Open" training course was developed to raise the skills and competences of the youth workers working with the youth at risk. The youth workers learned new tools of outdoor education by the help of the approach TAPE.

International Refugee Day - 20 JUNE 2009

2009-06-19T11:37:00.008+03:00

'The amounts needed to rescue people are less than what is needed to rescue banks'.
Antonio Guterres, UNHCR Higher Commissioner

'The best town for living is one in which a foreigner feels at home'.
Italo Calvino, Italian writer born in Cuba- At least 13.250 persons have died in their desperate attempt to find a safe shelter in Europe since 1993
- Their names and their stories have been compiled by the UNITED secretariat under the so-called 'List of Deaths'

- The experts say it is impossible to know the real number and it is likely to be three times higher

- Hundreds of organisations from Turkey to Finland speak out against this intolerable human cost of building 'Fortress Europe' to celebrate the International Refugee Day

- On the 50th anniversary of the Geneva Convention in 2001, the United Nations declared June 20th the International Refugee Day.

YOUNG SOCIETY INITIATIVE is a member of UNITED for Intercultural Action Network and supports the campaign "International Refugee Day - Fortress Europe!".

Adam Osman Mohammed was 38 years old when he was shot in Darfur after accepting voluntary repatriation when his asylum claim was refused in Great Britain; he died in his home in front of his wife and his four-year-old son. Chulun Liua, a 51-year-old Chinese woman, was left in coma after jumping out of a window to avoid a police raid in Paris. Afrim Magastena, a 24-year-old Albanian man fromKosovo, hanged himself in a detention centre in Prenzlau, Germany, in fear of deportation.
13.250 sad stories like these ones are documented in the 'List of Deaths' whereby the UNITED for Intercultural Action secretariat has been monitoring the deadly results of 'Fortress Europe' since 1993. The current 'List of Deaths' already includes 13.250 deaths of asylum seekers and migrants who have lost their lives in an attempt to find a safe shelter in Europe.

Although the experts say it is impossible to know the real number, which is likely to be three times higher, the UNITED 'List of Deaths' has been made with a rigorous method of comparing sources, from news to NGOs' media releases.
Where, when and under which circumstances the refugees died is data compiled exclusively from officially documented deaths.

With these facts UNITED spreads a powerful lobby and awareness-raising tool possible to use in campaign actions all over Europe.
20th of June: International Refugee Day
On the 50th anniversary of the Geneva Convention in 2001, the United Nations declared the 20th of June the International Refugee Day.

Every year on the 20th of June, UNITED for Intercultural Action -the largest pan European network against racism, fascism, nationalism and in support of refugees and migrants- celebrates the International Refugee Day.

Around this day, hundreds of organisations from Turkey to Finland speak out against this intolerable human cost of building 'Fortress Europe' to celebrate the International Refugee Day. Under the common slogan 'Fortress Europe. Weakness Humanity' hundreds of activities and events take place all over the continent in order to highlight this issue and promote refugees' rights.

The main point of these acts is raising awareness about the human side of the refugee issue and preserving their dignity.

Building a safe Fortress
Hundreds of migrants and asylum seekers all over Europe are fleeing from war, persecution or poverty. In the last years the number of migrants seeking refuge has grown considerably, due to several ongoing wars, the increasing intolerance toward minorities in many countries and the global economical crisis.

This week the UN High Commissioner, Antonio Guterres, has launched the UNHCR's annual '2008 Global Trends' report which shows the number of people forcibly uprooted by conflict and persecution worldwide stood at 42 million at the end of last year.

Nevertheless, while the need for protection is increasing, the open attitude of those countries where migrants seek refuge is decreasing.

In fact the European public debate tendency links crime rates with migration. The economical situation creates an atmosphere, which drives people to look for scapegoats.

In Greece, for example, the Government has recently promised the deportation of 100 migrants and asylum seekers per day.

UNITED is convinced that this attitude cannot be accepted. This kind of Government decisions is dangerous because it legitimizes racist and discriminatory attitudes. Many examples can prove the inhuman consequences of these policies, such as the migrants' detention centres, prisons for undocumented people without any legal supervision. Also, the use of deportation as a tool to control 'illegal' migration is often beyond the limits of Europe's democratic and humanitarian legacy. The increasing externalization of Europe's borders as a practice of territorial protection is also beyond human and political legitimization. Indeed the new European borders are now outside its territory.Libya, Morocco and Mauritania, countries that haven't signed some of the most basic international agreements on human rights, have built new detention centres, which examine migrant-candidates. By externalizing deportation Europe cannot guarantee that the rights contemplated by the Geneva Convention are respected. Therefore, Europe violates the most important international agreement on human rights.

"The Role of Theatre in Non-formal Education"

2009-05-09T22:41:00.006+03:00

in the memory Jerzy Grotowski (11 August 1933 - 14 January 1999)

International Seminar
Wroclaw-PL, 30 March-4 April 2009

"Couch Surfing!"

2009-05-07T15:33:00.005+03:00

CouchSurfing is a worldwide network for making connections between travelers and the local communities they visit.

The mission of CouchSurfing is "CouchSurfing seeks to internationally network people and places, create educational exchanges, raise collective consciousness, spread tolerance, and facilitate cultural understanding."

The motto of CouchSurfing is "Participate in Creating a Better World, One Couch At A Time".

The CouchSurfing community strives to do individual and collective parts to make the world a better place, and believe that the surfing of couches is a means to accomplish this goal. CouchSurfing isn't about the furniture- it's not just about finding free accommodations around the world - it's about participating in creating a better world.

Young Society Initiative promotes CouchSurfing network, as CouchSurfing is a very powerful tool for intercultural learning. We also believe in "making the world a better place"...

Many of the members of Young Society Initiative is a member of CouchSurfing already... You can also sign up to be a member!!!

"Stop Violence Against Women!" Campaign

2009-04-29T22:22:00.008+03:00

Stop Violence Against Women!

Violence against women is the most widespread human rights abuse. Every day, thousands of women and girls are abused and murdered by their families, raped in armed conflicts and attacked for defending women's rights.

Running with the theme 'women as agents of change', Amnesty sections across the globe this International Women's Day (8 March) took action in support of the work of women activists in nine countries - Afghanistan, Greece, Haiti, Iraq, Iran, Liberia, Nepal, South Africa and Venezuela.

Every day, women who defend human rights, including sexuality-related rights, continue to pay a heavy toll for their work in protecting and promoting the rights of others, and face specific types of violations because of their gender. As the main defenders of women’s rights in countries where these rights are denied on cultural, social or religious grounds, these women defenders are generally on the frontline.

YOUNG SOCIETY INITIATIVE supports the campaign "Stop Violence Against Women" of Amnesty International.

Why 8th March?

On 8 March 1857, women garment workers in New York City, USA, marched and picketed, demanding improved working conditions, a 10-hour day and equal rights to men. Their ranks were broken by the police.

Fifty-one years later, on 8 March 1908, 15,000 New York women garment workers marched again, this time demanding the vote and an end to sweatshops and child labour.

International Women's Day is marked on this date by women's groups around the world. It is commemorated at the UN and is designated in many countries as a national holiday.

The landscape for women's rights has changed dramatically over the past century. In many countries, women are active participants in the political process and have made significant strides towards economic equality. Globally, there are legally binding agreements to protect and promote women’s rights.

While women make history, they do so in circumstances they have neither chosen nor created. Women face heightened levels of sexual violence in times of conflict, insecurity and in the context of poverty.

Women bringing change
Although we live in a world in which social insecurity is liable to manifest itself in violence against women, it is also a world where women, individually and collectively have overcome enormous obstacles and improved their societies.

Pressured into silence
In many situations, women are working to change their societies but their voices are not being heard. Either people are not listening, or the state or community are actively trying to silence women.

Women must be heard
Women of imagination, courage and determination in every country are working to build a better world. Their voices must be heard. Their contributions must be recognized and encouraged. Human rights abuses cannot be stopped without the active participation of those affected, which in so many cases are women and girls.

http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/feature-stories/women-make-history-20090306

"You and Me Equal in Gender"

2008-11-28T23:37:00.003+02:00

Youth Exchange
Stip - Macedonia, 20-28 September 2008

"50 / 50 Campaign !!!"

2008-10-05T03:28:00.005+03:00

No Modern European Democracy Without Gender Equality
The average gender pay gap in Europe is 17 %, women are largely underrepresented at decision-making levels in EU institutions, violence against women is persistent throughout Europe, and women’s right to abortion is being denied or restricted in several EU countries. These are some of the reasons why women’s movements remain mobilized throughout Europe.

With the financial crisis and the evident systemic challenges, a gender perspective is needed more than ever. It is also important to realise that women in Europe face different realities and struggles. Therefore, the possibility to create a more just society will largely depend upon integrating migrant women, lesbians, and disabled women into the core political processes. In view of the importance of the upcoming European elections in June 2009, European Women’s Lobby is running a campaign ‘No modern European democracy without gender equality - 50/50’, calling for more women in decision making at all levels.

Young Society Initiative supports the campaign "No Modern European Democracy without Gender Equality", initiated by European Women's Lobby.

"A Dialog for Change"

2008-10-04T22:54:00.006+03:00

Youth Exchange
Kosice-Chisinau-MD, 22-29 August 2008

"A Dialog for Change" youth exchange gathered 36 young people from Armenia, Estonia, Georgia, Italy, Moldova, and Turkey. The participants discussed on the origins of belief and religions. They tried to come up with a way of creating dialog between societies with different religious backgrounds.

"Baracouda Nymphonik Orchestra"" shared their tunes with Izmir!"

2008-09-18T11:48:00.007+03:00

Free Open-air Concerts & Workshop
Izmir-TR, 18-20 August 2008.

Baracouda Nymphonik Orchestra visited Izmir between 18th and 20th August 2008. They gave two free open-air concerts with the organisation of Young Society Initiative.

The orchestra gave their first free open-air concert (above) in Kıbrıs Sehitleri Caddesi at 19:30 on 18th August 2008. Then they played another free concert in Sardunya Bar between 22:00 and 00:30.

After official act in the Festival Stage(above), Baracouda Nymphonik Orchestra gave another concert on Kordon seashore between 22:45 and 01:00 on 20th August 2008.

Baracouda Nymphonik Orchestra is a brass band made up of 17 musicians that resides in Paris, France. They play a mixture of acoustic jazz, big beat and funk with the addition of different tunes around the world.

Young Society Initiative thanks Baracouda Nymphonik Orchestra for the joy and friendship that they shared with us in Izmir...

http://www.myspace.com/nymphoniks

"A Dialog for Change"

2008-09-17T14:47:00.009+03:00

Advanced Planning Visit of Youth Exchange
Chisinau-MD, 1-3 August 2008.

The youth leaders from Armenia, Georgia, Italy, Moldova, Latvia, and Turkey came together in Moldova to discuss on the details of the youth exchange project "A Dialog for Change" between 1st and 3rd of August 2008. The leaders discussed on the principles, the schedule and the workshops of the youth exchange. In addition the task division among the youth leaders is agreed upon.

"A Dialog for Change" youth exchange is a project that focuses on interreligious dialogue through intercultural learning. Young Society Initiative will attend the youth exchange with a youth leader and 5 youngsters.

"You and Me Equal in Gender"

2008-09-13T16:03:00.006+03:00

Youth Exchange
Macedonia, 20-28 September 2008

Young Society Initiative is going to attend the youth exchange "You and Me Equal in Gender" between the dates 20-28 September 2008.

Young people from Albania, Macedonia, Latvia, Portugal, Serbia, and Turkey will gather to discuss, share, understand, and learn on gender and equality via human rights education. They will search for common effective ways to fight against gender prejudices and discrimination.

Aim:
The aim of this youth exchange is to get together 36 young people from all across Europe and to meet all together in order to share experience, feelings, to find common ways to fight gender prejudices and stereotypes and look around for solution for the negative behaviour in order to raise the awareness about gender issues and their importance on European level and to promote gender equality.

Objectives:

- To collect and share the realities providing positive example;

- To make the participants reflect on their country gender issues situations;

- To explore gender roles in our countries and give best practice;

- To allow the participants to reflect their understanding of gender issues and their experience;

- To gather educational experiences useful for follow up activities in their organizations;

- To equip the participants with some tools in order to increase their capacity while dealing with gender prejudices in their daily life and intercultural groups;

- To help participants to fight gender prejudices and stereotypes.

"Youth Empowerment for Local Participation"

2008-09-12T16:46:00.011+03:00

Seminar
Porto-PT, 22-28 June 2008

Young Society Initiative representatives attended the seminar “Youth Empowerment for Local Participation” in Porto between 22^nd and 28^th June 2008. The seminar was organized by Porto Federation of Youth Associations, with the financial assistance of EU Youth in Action Program.

The seminar “Youth Empowerment for local participation” brought together youth leaders and youth workers from Europe, ready to share best practices and to work on joint projects on empower youth in general but specially to empower local/ international youth participation.

The 5 day-long seminar aimed to empower 18 local young actors with knowledge and skills. It was also a learning opportunity for youth leaders/youth policy makers and youth workers to exchange good practices and methodologies on local youth policies and youth empowerment.

"Sailors on the Citizenship"

2008-09-08T19:12:00.007+03:00

International Training Course

Srebarna Gora-Wroclaw-PL, 3-11 February 2008

"Sailors on the Citizenship" is a training course that aims to support the professional development of young trainers and to raise the quality of their projects concerning (European) citizenship.

The idea of citizenship is discussed on three different levels: locally, nationally and in the European context. The work was based on cases, examples and europe in practice.

The team worked on improving the 'sailors’ toolkit' on how to motivate youngsters for participation in their community and beyond.

"UniteD FoolS" was hosted by Young Society Initiative

2008-05-09T02:33:00.007+03:00

Music is a great tool to connect the young people...

Free Open-Air and Venue Concerts and Workshops
Izmir-TR, 16-18 March 2008.

Young Society Initiative hosted "United Fools" on 16, 17 and 18 March 2008 in Izmir. Young Society Initiative organised the two days of free event series;

- United Fools' members held one workshop with local young people in Kordon Park. (seen above)

- United Fools gave a concert in Sardunya Bar between 21:00 and 23:00 on 16th March 2008.

- United Fools gave an acoustic concert on Gazi Kadinlar Sokagi, Alsancak at 18:30 on 17th March 2007. The night went on with a jam session in Sardunya Bar until 23:50...

United Fools is a "collectif electro instrumental" nu-jazz band from Bordoeaux, France. The band's line up includes 6 musicians, 1 dj-beatmaster and 1 music engineer. They combine Indian melodies with Balkan tunes and mix with the improvisational jazz tunes and add some electro-beat spices...
http://www.myspace.com/unitedfools

Young Society Iniative thanks "United Fools" for the great moments they shared with us... and their friendship...

The band's tour in Turkey is sponsored by French Cultural Centre. They gave their first concert in Izmir on 15th March 2008 on the occasion of the official closing party of Izmir European Jazz Festival.

Free Hugs!

2008-04-07T14:46:00.006+03:00

Sharing the love...

Young Society Initiative celebrated "International Free Hugging Day" in Izmir on 22nd of march 2008. Young Society Initiative co-organised Free Hugs Campaign in the entrance of Kıbrıs Sehitleri Caddesi, Izmir together with the volunteers of Couch Surfing and Hospitality Club.

The Free Hugs Campaign is a social movement involving individuals who offer hugs to strangers in public places. Founded in Sydney, Australia by Juan Mann in June 2004, the campaign was widely publicized in 2006 by a music video on YouTube by the Australian band Sick Puppies. The campaign is an example of a random act of kindness, a selfless act performed by a person for the sole reason of making others feel better by sharing goodwill, peace and friendship.

Young Society Society thanks all the young volunteers who have the courage to share their love with the others...

CU(P)ID Training Course

2008-03-27T13:49:00.006+02:00

Two representatives of Young Society Initiative attended "Cultural Identity - CU(P)ID" international training course organised by MOTYKA Association in Gorzno between 23 and 30 October 2007.

One of our representatives, Duygu KANDEMIRCI wrote the words below remembering the times in Gorzno... Thanks for the feedback and your active participation Duygu...

"Once Upon a Time…

It all began with a warm, sweet “hello”...

“Hi” I replied, and that was the start of this story. “I’ll help you” said Janek, and took my giant luggace to the bus which would take us to Gorzno.

Gorzno… somewhere in the world... A small, unknown town, very far away… (Four hours from Warsaw). A hostel, seventeen young people… From ten different countries; ten different languages… Seventeen different people, seventeen different worlds…

A training course, CU(P)ID! When I remember those days, I always have a big smile on my face. We worked on cultural identity for a whole week. We learnt that, there is much more inside people than in books. We learnt that, we don’t even need our languages to understand each other. We may come from many different cultures, but we all have the same sparkling eyes; looking at each other and revealing everything that our words cannot tell.

Seventeen young people, hundreds of interesting ideas and many enjoyable activities... I don’t remember even one minute that I felt bored. No computers, no TV, but we learn about the world. Playing games, talking to each other and sharing our ideas, we learn about ourselves. I know that I’m not the same person after I lived that one week. And I strongly believe that every young person must have the chance to be a part of such projects.

Finally, I want to give my special thanks to our host in Poland; “Motyka” members. They worked non-stop, just to make sure that we are pleased. Of course our trainers; Mara and Aga… With their smiling faces and creative activities, we didn’t even realise being on a training course; they made us feel that this is all a thrilling game. I do hope to see these seventeen people again in the future; because I know anymore that the world is just smaller than I imagine..."

CU(P)ID training course was organised and co-funded by MOTYKA Association and ten Europen youth organisations funded by Polish National Agency in the framework of EC Youth in Action Programme 4.3.

"Connecting Human Rights and Culture"

2007-12-31T22:40:00.006+02:00

Youth Exchange
Bucharest-RO, 18-26 November 2007.

"We are All Human" took place...

2007-11-07T04:46:00.006+02:00

Another successful training story...

Young Society Initiative organised "We are All Human!" international training course between 5 and 10 May 2007 in Adakule Hotel, Izmir by the support of EU YOUTH Programme Action5. The training course is developed in order to create the multipliers of the human rights education.

"We are All Human" training course is a project designed to enhance the skills and knowledge in human rights education. The target group of the project is the youth leaders, and youth workers active in international youth work or local youth work.

14 participants coming from 10 different countries (Turkey, Poland, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Romania, Latvia, Hungary, Germany, Finland) found an opportunity to learn in a non-formal educational setting and an intercultural environment by the help three experienced trainers, Behrooz Afshari, Serhan Karatas and Agnieszka Tatera.

Whatever happens in whenever time, we should always remember "We are All Human!"....

Young Society Initiative thanks Kusadasi Tours for their contribution in the organisational arrangements of the training course.

Prejudices...

2007-11-07T04:43:00.000+02:00

Two things reduce prejudice: education and laughter.
- Dr. Laurence J. Peter. American "hierarchiologist", Educator and Writer, 1919-1990

Young Society Initiative acts against all kinds of prejudices...
Join us in our action for a "prejudice" free world...!

Symposium on Inter-religious / Inter-cultural dialogue

2007-05-16T22:15:00.000+03:00

Dialogue... as a need.!

Young Society Initiative was represented in the Symposium on Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue that took place between 27-31 March 2007 in Grand Cevahir Hotel, Istanbul. The symposium was organised by TR PR Youth Services Directorate in cooperation with Council of Europe "ALL DIFFERENT ALL EQUAL" Campaign and Islamic Conference Organisation.

Young Society Initiative participated the working group on "Racism and Discrimination" during the Symposium.

Making Links or Barriers?!?

At the end of the Symposium the participants came up with a declaration on the future of "Interreligious Dialogue", and it was indeed a very hard process. It was easily understandable that greater effort for establishing interreligious dialogue is needed. We are still quite far away from understanding each other. Let's work together for making links...

Applications for "We are all Human!"

2007-03-25T21:27:00.000+03:00

The application process for "We are all Human!" training course has started now. The applications are expected arrive until 1st of April 2007. You can download the application form from SALTO-YOUTH web site or clicking the header above.

WE ARE ALL HUMAN!

There is a great tendency of alienasation and discrimination by the global society living on earth nowadays. People are focused on finding differences and establishing states of belonging in smaller groups and communities. Nevertheless we believe that we are all equal and worthy. We think that the diversity is the asset of the human beings. Let’s scream together… We are All Human!

We are all human!

2007-03-21T00:38:00.000+02:00

A training course for humanity!

When the Nazis wanted to take all the Jews in Denmark in WWII, Danish King declared that "We are all Jewish!"...
When the Turks were burnt in their houses in Solingen in 1990, the people of Germany marched saying that "We are all Turk!"...
When Hrant Dink was assasinated in Istanbul in 2007, the people of Turkey marched declaring that "We are all Armenian!" for 16 kms...
Now we are declaring that "We are all human!"...
All want to live in a world of equality in dignity and respect of diversity...

"We are all human!" training course aims to create a learning opportunity for youth workers and youth leaders by developing their competences and understanding on working for the respect of diversity and equality in dignity via human rights education. The training course will be held in Izmir, Turkey between 5 and 10 May 2007.

Young Society Initiative for Youth Services and Training developed the training course “We are all Human!” with the support of the European Commission YOUTH Programme Action 5.

"We are all human!" is a dream for a "young society"...

"All Rights for All" as A BEST PRACTISE!

2007-02-28T14:46:00.000+02:00

“All Rights for All” training course is selected as one of the best practices in youth work that took place in Turkey by the GepGenc Festival, Youth Services Directorate and the National Coordination Committee of “All Different All Equal”. The training course was presented in a session at 10 o’clock on 7th of December 2007 in the Best Practises Symposium.

In the session the training course was evaluated through the major components of a project management cycle. The project is evaluated through the questions of project management tree. The project found a good practise in youth work by the ratings of the questions “what for, through what, when, for whom, by whom, how, why, which process”.
The new projects;
- “Democracy and Human Rights” seminar
- “Human Rights on the stage of Europe-Theatre as a tool for human rights education” youth exchange”
- “We are all human” training course
- “In the culture of human rights” seminar
are already confirming the project evaluation as the main outcomes of the project.

„All Human Rights for All“
from the GUIDELINE OF THE VIENNA WORLD CONFERENCE ON HUMAN RIGHTS; 1993.

"All Rights for All" training course took place...

2007-01-08T20:08:00.000+02:00

"All Rights for All" is realised... Human rights action is a neverending road...

“All Rights for All” is an international training course developed by Young Society Initiative for Youth Services and Training in the framework of EC YOUTH Programme Support Measures Action 5 funded by Turkish National Agency. “All Rights for All” training course took place in Adakule Hotel, Izmir between 12 and 20 October 2006.

“All Rights for All” training course was structured for the development of multipliers in human rights education in European level. The training course was the 1st event organised in the framework of the European-wide campaign “All Different All Equal” in Turkey.

During the eight days, 18 participants who are coming from 7 different countries (Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Poland, Romania, the Netherlands and Turkey) have found the opportunity to share, discuss, experience and learn about the concepts of human rights and the practical methods to make them a reality. Training course provided an interactive intercultural environment for the participants by the help of the facilitation of three experienced trainers in youth work; Agnieszka TATERA, Serhan KARATAS and Behrooz AFSHARI.

Young Society Initiative Speaker and one of the trainers of the project Serhan KARATAS evaluated the training course as; “Training course was a challenging process for all of us, as the participants found the opportunity to evaluate themselves. In the end it was very fruitful and we even came up with many ideas for taking action in the future. We are glad that the training course met its goals. It was amazing to see the participants’ enthusiasm and ambition at the end of the training course. The presentations of the new projects were great”.

At first the participants looked in themselves and raised the awareness on human rights issues. They enhanced their knowledge and skills on the basis of non-formal education and more precisely on human rights education. In the 2nd part of the training course they are trained on project management and they came up with ideas to develop new projects to multiply their knowledge and use their new skills.

The projects that become ready in training course are “Democracy and Human Rights” seminar, “Human Rights on the stage of Europe-Theatre as a tool for human rights education” youth exchange”, “Connecting through culture and human rights” youth exchange, “We are all human” training course, and “In the culture of human rights” seminar; two of the projects are already applied for a grant on YOUTH Programme on 1st November 2006 deadline and other projects will be applied on 1st February and 1st April “YOUTH in ACTION” deadlines.

Young Society Initiative for Youth Services and Training thanks Kusadasi Tours for the help in the realisation of the training course “All Rights for All”.

ALL Rights for ALL TC is granted!

2006-06-14T14:18:00.000+03:00

ALL Rights for ALL will take place...

The application for "All Rights for ALL-a training course for multipliers in human rights education" project that is planned to be held between 30th of September and 8th of October 2006 in Izmir is granted by Turkish National Agency.
The training course aims to create a common platform for youth workers and youth leaders to develop their competences and knowledge needed to organise and run European youth projects in human rights education

"NGO's Baltic Meeting" Contact Making Seminar

2006-06-14T14:02:00.001+03:00

NGOs Baltic Meeting CMS

Young Society Initiative (a.k.a Youth Services and Training Initiative) is participating the contact making seminar, NGOs Baltic Meeting. The seminar is held in Scezszin, Poland between 14th and 18th of June 2006. CMS is organised by Hart to Hart Foundation. We wish a fruitful event for our member Meltem INELI and we hope there will be many interesting projects born.

CMS is the second contact making seminar of the Young Society Initiative. We had been a participant in Composing European Mosaic II which took place in Greece.

Meetings...

2006-06-07T17:01:00.000+03:00

Regular Meetings!

Youth Services and Training Initiative has started to have scheduled regular meetings. We meet every saturday at 17:00 in Alsancak. We do not have a room of our own for the initiative for now, so we meet in one of our members' house located in the heart of Alsancak. As the weather gets better, we will use the esplanade/park in Kordon as well.

We had meetings on 20th and 27th of May. We also supported the street action and stall of Amnesty International Izmir group on 27th of May. The stall was aiming to get support for the campaign "Control Arms!". You can learn more about the campaign via; http://www.controlarms.org

Go for Volunteering!

2006-05-24T16:01:00.000+03:00

Youth Services and Training Initiative is promoting EVS and encouraging its members to go for volunteering!
EVS is a once in a lifetime opportunity to interact with European society in another country. Look in the database and find the project that suits you...

European Union YOUTH programme offers European Voluntary Service (a.k.a. Action2).
Why have European Voluntary Service?
The European Union supports non-formal education opportunities for young people through transnational voluntary service which directly and actively involves young people in activities designed to meet the needs of society in a wide range of fields.
The aim of the European Voluntary Service action is based on three fundamental principles:
- To provide a non-formal intercultural learning experience for young people, encouraging their social integration and active participation, improving their employability and giving them opportunities to show solidarity with other people.
- To support the development of local communities.
- To encourage the establishing of new partnerships and the exchange of experience and good practice between the partners.
The YOUTH programme also recognises the value of existing partnerships that have been built up between organisations over the years and have made crucial contributions to the success of voluntary activities.

What is a European Voluntary Service project?
An EVS project allows a young person to be a volunteer in another country for a specified period, normally between 6 and 12 months. Voluntary service activities can take place, for example, in the field of the environment, arts and culture, activities with children, young people or the elderly, heritage, or sports and leisure.
Volunteers will participate in activities that comply with the following general principles. Activities must:
* take place in a country other than where the volunteer lives,
* be non-profit-making and unpaid,
* bring an added value to the local community,
* not involve job substitution,
* last for a limited period (maximum 12 months).
The vast majority of voluntary service projects are on a one-to-one basis, i.e. a volunteer goes from one country to another. These projects involving two countries are dealt with directly by the National Agencies in the Programme countries...

"All Rights For All" training course

2006-04-12T23:58:00.000+03:00

“All Rights For All” project is a 7-day long training course for multipliers in human rights education.

Izmir Youth Services and Training Initiative applied Turkish National Agency for "All Rights for ALL" training course that is planned to be held between 30th of September and 8th of October 2006 in Izmir.

The youth workers taking action for human rights and that want to get active in the field of human rights are main target groups of the training course.

The training course aims to create a common platform for youth workers and youth leaders to develop their competences and knowledge needed to organise and run European youth projects in human rights education.

Welcome!

2006-02-01T00:15:00.001+02:00

Welcome to the web site of Young Society Initiative!

The experienced youth workers and leaders have realised a need for a regional agency for youth work in Izmir and came together for an initiative to use their experience in youth field in 2005.

The volunteers that worked in World University (UNIVERSIADE) Games 2005 have also gathered to act for a better young social environment in Izmir.

Young Society Initiative believes in empowering the youth for social inclusion. We believe in the universal values of human rights, rule of law, freedom of speech, equality and democracy.

We believe in the importance of using intercultural learning and non-formal education techniques in building future generations. We give our main importance on peace education, human rights education and intercultural education to stimulate the new generations. We try to foster international youth work activities to achieve our aim of a "peaceful world of equality".