Who will represent youth at the UN? Nominate now!!!

CrowdOutAIDS - Call for nominations to the UN Secretary-General Special Advisor on Youth and his/her Advisory Board!

The UN Sectary-General will appoint a Special Advisor on Youth, supported by an Advisory Group, as one of three key initiatives on youth within his five-year action agenda launched on 25 January 2012.

Who do you think will best represent the interest of youth around the world?

The Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development (IANYD) has called on youth-led organizations and networks to suggest candidates for nomination to both the Special Advisor and the Advisory Group:

• A Special Advisor: an inspiring individual with a demonstrated commitment to youth issues and to working with youth, as well as leadership on youth development. The individual should have international exposure and should be an excellent communicator who can represent the views, interests and rights of young people at the global level.
• Advisory Group: a small, informal, non-compensated, which may be called upon for support by the Special Advisor. The group should be composed of approximately 8 to 12 experts from diverse stakeholders serving in their individual capacities, such as Member States, non-governmental organizations (including youth-led organizations), the private sector, media and academia.

Do you know anyone who you think fits these descriptions? If yes, send your suggestions together with a short bio (of no more than 500 words) and, if possible, a short video clip or links to websites, blogs, social media profiles, etc to ngl@unaids.org) by the 10am, Tuesday the 3rd of April.

Three shortlisted candidates will be submitted by UNAIDS to the co-Chairs of the IANYD on the 6th of April.

Let the nominations begin!

Source: CoA team

No more Commercial motorcycle in Ikeja

Ikeja is looking very different, people! Unusually calm. No more Okada chasing pedestrians off the sidewalks. No more unnecessary congestion, as a matter of fact. But yes, I do miss them. Today I was really running late for my presentation and I wished for the superbike man who could fly from Maryland to Ikeja- beat the crazy traffic jam and get me to school in time. But alas! Every bike man I called shook his head sadly. The Lagos State governor has banned them from plying the Ikeja route.

Here is how PM news reports it:

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has placed a total ban on commercial motorcycle (okada) operation in Ikeja area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.…A statement issued by the Office of the Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos Police Command and signed by the head, Joseph Jaiyeoba, said the state government and the police took the decision to ban okada because of the high rate of robbery involving the use of okadas.

According to the statement issued the okada unions in Ikeja, the police stated that “due to increasing rate of criminality through the use of motorcycles, popularly known as okada, the Lagos State Government in collaboration with the Lagos State Police Command have decided to put a total ban on okada within Ikeja axis.”

The statement said no okada rider must be found in areas such as Oba Akran, Bank Anthony Way, Isaac John, Opebi Link Bridge, Adekunle Fajuyi Way, Acme Road, Alausa, Oregun, Simbiat Abiola Way and Kodeso Road with immediate effect.

Well, while the ban remains, I’m definitely going to miss them. If you ply any of the areas mentioned above, now you know you will either have to drive your way through or walk more often. I recommend the latter.

If you are walking, here are 4 things you must keep in mind:

1. Stay hydrated ;) Take extra-cash with you to buy bottled water or at least carry with you a bottle of drinking water to sip and stay hydrated. Oh boy, this weather can roast corn without fire. The heat is much people. We should all do all we can to keep a check on this global warming.

2. Walking through Simbiat Abiola Way, Kodesho road and that computer village area, you are going to bump into a lot of random sales people. There are those asking if you want to change your hairstyle, fix your nails, repair your computer, get a tattoo. Etc. I mean, it can be really frustrating but you just have to keep a straight face and nod each time they try to intercept your walk.

3. Now that we are all walking, not everyone is really walking. Please keep a firm grip on your hand-bag. Yes, or that wallet hanging out your back pocket.

4. Give yourself extra travel time. Sometimes, the traffic is really bad, even for those walking.


Enjoy your walk!

Coffee break

Going into unfamiliar territory will not destroy your old, comfortable world. Rather, it will expand your world, your vision, your knowledge and your possibilities. The next time you come across a road that you've never traveled -- whether it is an idea, a person, a belief system, or an actual road -- take a side trip and make your world a bigger, more interesting place.

Journalists Forum tasks NYSC, Governors on Corp members' safety

(Press Release) - The Young Journalists Forum (YJF) has tasked the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and State Governors on the safety of the recently mobilised graduates across the nation.

In a statement signed by the forum's President, Ayodele Samuel and Secretary, Zacheus Somorin, they urged the NYSC to give attention to the security of lives and property of Corp members as the commission will be held responsible for any attack on Corp members especially those serving in the Northern part of the country.

"We call on all security agencies and Nigerians to partner with the commission in ensuring an absolute protection and safety of all corp members in their states.

"The aim of scheme is to achieve national unity and not national disaster in the course of serving their nation and humanity," the statement read.

While recalling that more than 50 Corp members lost their lives last year due to insecurity insurgence in the country, the forum hailed the non-posting of corp members to some Northern States.

"Twenty-five corp members lost their lives in the April bombing at the INEC office, Suleja, another 11 members in Bauchi during the post election violence that rocked the state and many more were injured in the process. Nigerian youth and the young journalists in the country will not continue to watch helplessly the killings of the nation's futures."

The Forum also urged State Governors' to improve their security alerts for the Corpers, saying that they will be held responsible for any attack and harassment on any member in their state.

"We urge Corp members to be security conscious, responsible, dedicated and avoid trouble spots where their safety is not guaranteed.”

Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

Ventures Africa is a monthly Pan-African business magazine, which will champion African capitalism by celebrating African success, free enterprise, the entrepreneurial spirit, and the rewards of hard work. The magazine is ready to hit newsstands across Africa! Are you ready for us?

Yes! I work here :)

Check us out on FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/VenturesAfrica

Our website: http://www.ventures-africa.com

Follow us on Twitter: @VenturesAfrica

Tell 5 people about us! :-) Thank you and remember: Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained.

Are you between 15-35years of age? Do you live in Lagos? Then participate in the Climate Change Photo Contest!

Are you between 15 - 35 years of age? Do you live in Lagos? Then participate in the Climate Change Photo Contest organized by Youth Championing Environmental Sustainability and Policy Action, Y-CEP.

By Ayodele Taofiq-Fanida

Lagos: March, 2012 -Following the global threats poised to the world, Climate Change has become the defining challenge of the 21st century and Lagos state is not left out of the vulnerability climate change impacts on many fronts.  

Lagos lies along the Atlantic ocean. Often referred to as the economic hub of Nigeria,  Lagos has a vast aquaculture and marine related commerce, which is crucial to the economy of the state. Albeit densely populated, with a high suburban settlements and large daily influx of environmental migrants from other parts of Nigeria and even Africa, Lagos remains a top spot for global investors and business transactions. 

The 2010 World Youth Report on Youth and Climate Change, states that “youths in developing countries, especially in regions within Africa and Asia where a majority of the world’s youth live, will likely be more affected by climate change and its negative consequences than young people in developed countries. Extreme weather events are occurring more frequently and in developing countries in particular.” It is to this end that a competition has been initiated for youths, to promote climate change and create more awareness. 

The Competition, “Is this climate change?” is a campaign targeted at youths who care about the environment, climate change and the future of generations unborn.

The competition is open to residents of Lagos state who are between ages 15 and 35 years, and who are passionate about the present environmental conditions in the state. It is also focusing on those who are willing to show the people of Lagos State what they understand by Climate Change through photographs and what they expect government should be doing. 

The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness about climate change issues amongst youths, enlist youth participation to add their voice to the various active stakeholders in the drive for a more sustainable environment and to create a platform for youths to engage the government on policy action around climate change issues in the state. 

Entrants must tell a story or present an idea of their understanding on what climate change is. Submitted stories stand a chance to win great prizes and be part of a youth group that will further engage the Lagos State government on policy issues on climate change.

The deadline for all entries is March 15th, 2012.

It is important to note, that the collective participation and involvement of all decision makers, experts, young people and all individuals, ought to be brought to bare in this campaign, as Lagos State moves towards enacting a Climate Change Adaptation, Mitigation and Governance strategy for the State.

As former UN Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan said “The challenges of our age are global; they transcend national frontiers; … That is why more than ever before, we need dedicated and talented young men and women to be global citizens who make the choice of service to humankind.

About The Partnership

The Policy Advocacy Project Partnership on Climate Change (PAPPCC) in Lagos State is a partnership of Civil Society Organisations and Professionals concerned about the threat of climate change to Lagos State. The partnership is committed to working with various Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Lagos State government, Lagos State House of Assembly and other stakeholders to develop a comprehensive and sustainable policy framework for climate change in Lagos State, aswell as to demystify issues around climate change through adequate awareness raising activities among the Lagos Populace. 

@IWMF International Women’s Media Foundation Seeks Applications for 2012-2013 Elizabeth Neuffer

WASHINGTON – The International Women’s Media Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2012-13 Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship, named for the 1998 IWMF Courage in Journalism Award winner and Boston Globe correspondent who was killed in Iraq in May 2003. Applications will be accepted until April 30, 2012, and the fellowship will run from September 2012 – March 2013.

This fellowship, created with Neuffer’s family and friends, aims to perpetuate her memory and advance her life mission of promoting international understanding of human rights and social justice while creating an opportunity for women journalists to build their skills.

One outstanding woman journalist will be selected to spend seven months in a tailored program with access to MIT’s Center for International Studies, as well as media outlets including the Boston Globe and The New York Times. The flexible structure of the program provides the fellow with opportunities to pursue academic research and hone her reporting skills covering topics related to human rights.

2011-2012 Neuffer Fellow, Jackee Batanda of Uganda, describes the fellowship as a “once in a lifetime opportunity.  It has opened my voice to new audiences through writing op-eds in the Boston Globe, GlobalPost, Transitions/Foreign Policy Magazine blog, Latitude News and The New York Times.  I recommend the IWMF Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship to women journalists around the world for the exposure it creates.  It will make you a stronger and grounded journalist.”     

The Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship is open to women journalists whose focus is human rights and social justice. Applicants must be dedicated to a career in journalism in print, broadcast or online media and show a strong commitment to sharing knowledge and skills with colleagues upon the completion of the fellowship. Excellent written and spoken English skills are required. A stipend will be provided, and expenses, including airfare and housing, will be covered. 
Click here to learn more and apply.

Founded in 1990, the International Women’s Media Foundation works to strengthen the role of women in the news media worldwide. The IWMF network includes women and men in the media in more than 130 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.iwmf.org.

Invitation to the 2nd National Youth Media Summit 2012

ONE Platform. FIVE Speakers. TWENTY sessions. TEN Thematic Goals. ONE Message!

Talk Village International in Partnership with Jewish-Palestine Living Room Dialogue San Francisco USA is hosting 2nd Edition of The National Youth Media Summit.

The NYMC Summit is project is aimed at helping young people in the Media attain professional standards and practices at the managerial, editorial, production and programming levels. Hence the birth of a 2-day bi-annual Youth-Media collaboration with media experts and other seasoned professionals.

Expected Participants: TV Productions, New Media Experts, Radio Productions, Print, Productions, Freelance Journalists, Bloggers/Vloggers, Web 2.0,Experts, Communication Students, Professional Photographers, Reporters, Editors, and Producers.

Sessions:
Panel Session, Group Task Sessions, Idea Exhibition Etc.

Event Venue:
Eden Comfort Hall Ikeja Lagos State Nigeria,Date :11th-12th May 2012.

Time:8 am Daily

Registration Fee: N2,000 (Conference Materials +Certificate of Participation)

For Further information: Contact: 08078686167, 08181623561,

Register:
www.talkvillagetv.com