NB: directly adapted from (http://www.cipe.org/programs/women/essay.php)

Theme: Engaging Youth in Reform

The deadline for the 2009 competition is March 1, 2009!

Young people can be a powerful force for change! As future reformers, young people (18-30) have innovative ideas on how to solve the political, economic, and social problems facing their countries. However, they often lack the voice to bring these ideas to policymakers. Simply, young people are often regarded as recipients of reforms, not active participants in the reform process.

CIPE’s essay contest gives you the opportunity to share your ideas about citizenship, democratic and market-oriented reform, youth leadership, and the ways that your country can create avenues for youth to participate in the political and economic spheres. We encourage you to get thinking, get involved, and use your own experiences to develop concrete solutions to these development issues.

A $1,000 honorarium will be given for each winning essay.

ligibility
Open to students and young professionals aged 18-30. Special weight will be given to essays submitted by citizens of non-OECD countries.

Topic Categories

* Citizenship in a Democratic Society

What needs to be done to develop a sense of citizenship in young people and help them realize their role in a democratic society?
True reform occurs only when citizens actively participate in the governance process – it can’t be achieved by street protests alone. Young people are an integral part of society and their input and participation in their countries’ governance is necessary to effect political and economic reform. However, many lack the skills and opportunity to communicate with policymakers and get involved in their country’s development. Youth are often disengaged from the political process and rarely develop the sense of citizenship that is so crucial to building an inclusive, participatory democracy. To become active citizens in their countries, young people must have the skills to develop their ideas on reform and outlets to express those ideas in a constructive manner. What does citizenship mean to you? How are citizenship and good governance connected? How can your country engage and enable young people to participate constructively in the governance process? Be sure to begin your essay by describing the situation in your country.

* Educational Reform and Employment Opportunities

How can you reform your country’s education system so that graduates have the necessary skills for employment in the public and private sectors?
In many countries, the youth unemployment rate is very high. In some countries, this is caused by a lack of jobs. However, in many others, young people entering the workforce are not prepared for the jobs available – they lack the necessary skills and education. Unable to find good jobs, they face a difficult choice: remain unemployed or accept low-paying jobs with no opportunity for advancement. Improving the educational systems of many countries is a key step towards creating a generation of young people who possess the skills and knowledge to participate in the economy, locally and globally. What are the major employment problems young people face in your country? What can be done to give them the right skills and opportunities to enter the workforce? Who should taking the lead in doing so? Be sure to begin your essay by describing the situation in your country.

* Entrepreneurship and Leadership

What needs to be done in your country to provide youth with the opportunity to become entrepreneurs and/or leaders in their communities?
Young people can play a positive role in the political and economic spheres in their countries, on both local and national levels. Unfortunately they often lack access to the resources and groups that would help them get involved and have an impact. However, when provided with the opportunity and skills to become influential members of their communities, youth can accomplish their goals. What are the skills that young people need to acquire to start a successful business or civil society group? What are the major barriers that prevent them from opening a business or assuming a leadership position in your country? What programs or policies would give youth the skills to become active and influential members of society? Be sure to begin your essay by describing the situation in your country.

Funding: there is no entry fee
Deadline: 27 February 2009 - before 16.00 h
Open to: the competition is open to anyone born after 17 May 1974, which can be proved with a photocopy of an identification document

The international competition for young designers on the topic “Climate Change” has the goal of raising and spreading awareness, through the medium of posters, of the environmental situation in which we find ourselves. The future depends on our common awareness and responsibility regarding what we can put right and how we must start to function in our relation to nature for a more promising future. It is vitally important to involve in this process young creative people who have a fresh and unique way of looking at these problems regarding our living environment.

The competition is open to anyone born after 17 May 1974, which can be proved with a photocopy of an identification document.

For works that have already been published, the minimum size is 420 x 600 mm, and the maximum size 700 x 1000 mm.

Original works must be 590 x 840 mm in size.

There are no restrictions regarding the number of works entered per designer.

Works may already be published or made especially for this festival. Posters must arrive undamaged with completed stickers in the upper right corner on the back.

Posters may not be backed or framed.
There is no entry fee.
Works will not be returned.

Poster must be in the ratio 1 : 1, and must be set to net format of the product.

Exhibited posters will be selected by a preliminary jury appointed by the event committee. The entrans will be notified of acceptance on the exhibition via our website. The winners will be awarded by the international jury.

The International Jury
• Mr. Dimitris Arvanitis, Greece
• Ms. Anette Lenz, France
• Mr. Piotr Młodozeniec, Poland
• Mr. Bruno Monguzzi, Switzerland
• Mr. Leonardo Sonnoli, Italy

The jury will adhere to criteria based on: creativity, originality, aesthetics, communicability and excellence of execution.

Awards
• 1st prize (1.000 eur)
• 2nd prize (700 eur)
• 3rd prize (350 eur)
• 3 distinctive merit awards
• 4 merit awards
• Prize of the City of Ljubljana

Copyrights
− All posters become part of the collection of visual communication of the Brumen Foundation; they will be displayed on the website of the festival, where they will be available to governmental and non-governmental institutions in Europe for a formal compensation (transmission costs).
− Information in the application form will be used in the catalogue.
− The organizer can use the posters for pedagogical, promotion and publishing purposes without special consent of the author.
− The organizer may reproduce and distribute the posters in the catalogue and in other printed media, on the internet and in any other electronic form.
− Your signature on the application form means that you fully agree with the terms of cooperation in the workshop.


Contact:
Fundacija Brumen / Poster Festival
Dolenjska 83
SI-1000 Ljubljana
Slovenija
tel: +386 51 371 233
fax: +386 1 42 725 93
info@posterfestival-ljubljana.si This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
posterfestival-ljubljana (http://www.posterfestival-ljubljana.si/)
Competition - Call for Entries
Entry Form

NB: directly adapted from http://www.mladiinfo.com/contests/595-ljubljana-poster-festival-09-brumen-foundation.html

1)
A lonely cold heart
a candle burns with desire
the space in between.

2)
My soul is whirling
drunkenness makes me fly high
your arms wide open.

Recently, my mom underwent mastectomy (a surgical term for removing one or both breasts for cancer). It was a shock to me when I found out about it. All along, I thought it was just plain lump in her breast. After all, the biopsy said it was benign. Her surgeon, who is the leading surgeon of our country, told her she had nothing to worry. Thing is, we have a history in our family. Two of my mom's sisters already had breast cancer, her youngest sister for 10 years and elder sister for 7 years. Both underwent mastectomy and are still living quite normally until today. So it was this reason why her doctors had to remove her left breast, just to make sure it would not spread.

During her operation, my sister began to panic and started to cry. She said, how come the operation took so long when the doctors said it would only take 4 hours. I didn't know what was happening in the operating room. I wasn't aware of mastectomy as part of the option. But I didn't want to cry. I didn't not want to panic. I had to remain still. I already prayed and I kept my faith all the time. My sister asked, what if something went wrong, how could she live without our mom? I dismissed that thought. Mom would be alright. Whatever happened there, I knew she'd survive it.

If it was hard for me and my sister to wait, it must be harder for our dad, who at the time was in Europe, working thousands of miles away as an engineer. Could he sleep well? Was he focused on his work? What was he thinking, same as my sister or me? Dad used to sweat the small stuff. I wondered how he was taking it. Mom and dad are so close and connected to each other, they feel each other when something is wrong with the other.

When hospital staff brought my mom in her room, I felt relieved. She just turned her head to me and my sister and then closed her eyes. She was still groggy. My sister began crying again and my aunt called me outside, she said she had something to say. This was the time she disclosed to me about mastectomy. A surge of fear and pain overtook me. I felt something was clutching my neck and I couldn't breathe. I was just quiet, nodded to my Aunt, and found myself walking endlessly round the hospital until I realized there was a place for me to go. I climbed the stairs to the 4th floor and knelt down in the chapel. I was face to face with the Blessed Virgin Mary, the loving mother who the world has come to know. Her face was still and her eyes were expressive, her arms were open, perhaps ready to catch me if ever I fell down. I began to cry. I remember praying or asking her, "Tell me, it's gonna be alright. You love me right? You love my mom and my family? Please, please send me your love." For one hour I was just talking to her. But the whole chapel fell silent and the only thing I could hear was my mind, the beat of my heart and the constant soft sobbing. After awhile, I found my feet again. I was ready to see my mom and my sister. They didn't need to see me crying.

On my way back, I began texting my friends both global and local. I asked them to send me and my mom their love, prayers and healing positive energies. After a few minutes, my phone was filled with love and prayers from my friends. I saved them and thought of reading them one by one to my mom. That night, I didn't sleep. I was just beside her, holding her hands, sending positive energies. I said my prayers for her in all religious traditions I could think of: Tibetan, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, Jewish, Islam, Pagan or just anything that I learned from the heart. I called the Gods and Goddesses who I loved. I told them to help heal my mom quickly and to keep her safe and positive.

It only took my mom two days to put a smile on her face, even if her surgery was very painful. She said, "it's just a breast, I still have my life." On the third day, she woke up early, took a shower, put on her make-up and perfume and changed her hospital gown to a regular pair of pyjamas (easier for nursing staff to check her wounds); she was ready to receive visitors. My family and friends came flocking and although her eyes get teary once in awhile, it was easy for her to put her smile back. She said, at the operating room, she was singing "jingle bells" until anesthesia put her to sleep. I read to her all the messages my friends sent her and she was grateful.

Looking back, I remember that a few months ago, I read Umberto Eco's Foucault's Pendulum, when Jacopo, one of the editors and main charcters, gets cancer. He talks about metastasis and how your cells turn against you. He says:

"And what are cells? For months, like devout rabbis, we uttered different combinations of the letters of the Book. GCC, CGC, GCG, CGG. What our lips said, our cells learned. What did my cells do? They invented a different Plan, and now they are proceeding on their own, creating a history, a unique, private history. My cells have learned that you can blaspheme by ana-grammatizing the Book, and all the books of
the world. And they have learned to do this now with my body. They invert, transpose, alternate, transform themselves into cells unheard of, new cells without meaning, or with meaning contrary to the right meaning. There must be a right meaning and a wrong meaning; otherwise you die. My cells joke, without faith, blindly." (Eco, 514)

My mom is fast recovering and her doctors are surprised and happy that she's healing faster than average women who have cancer, considering that mom is also diabetic and hypertensive. Mom can say to her cell which Jacopo thought it was only the cells who could do the talking, "...(M)ethistemi? It’s the same thing: I move, I transform, I transpose, I switch cliches, I take leave of my senses." (514) Yes, my mom's cells turned against her that's why she's left with one breast and her physical body altered. But when this happened to her, everything around her went on her side--love, love is on her side and that's everything she could ask for.

United Actions is a global project run by a global team of volunteers.
According to the UN Millennium Development Goals Report 2008, gaps remain in the
realization of the MDGs.

Global challenges require a global and concerted action involving all actors. Each citizen
can play a key part. In short, it is crucial that we work together in order to achieve synergy
(i.e. the whole impact of partnership is greater than the sum of its parts).

The United Actions project has been launched to mobilize local, national and global
efforts towards the achievement of the MDGs. The UA project inspires and empowers
people across the globe to take personal responsibility, to use their true potential and to
take action and make a positive impact on local/global communities.



Core objectives:
• Build a global human network to mobilize a global and concerted action to
achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015;
• Realize the human potential for entrepreneurship; innovations and practical
solutions for sustainable development across the globe;
• Accelerate the progress on building a long-term global partnership for
development to respond to the social and environmental challenges of our time.

United Actions uses the powerful tool of Information and Communication Technologies
(ICT) to create a global platform where people can exchange information, knowledge
and ideas. UA engages people in a global network and foster cross-cultural dialogue in
order to enhance understanding and international cooperation.



The UA Ambassadors are located worldwide and raise awareness on the MDGs,
mentor people in their communities and spread the UA project anywhere they can.
They gather together people’s different talents, skills and experiences, who can,
together, build workable solutions.

UA organises free workshops worldwide and provide free toolkits to participants in order
to realize potential and encourage entrepreneurship and to support them to turn their
ideas into actions.

UA continuously exploits new opportunities to generate practical solutions to support the
realization of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.
Don’t wait for solutions; create them.
• How can you make a difference in your local/global communities?
• How can you transform your ideas into actions?
• Will you use your potential to make a positive impact on the world?

Join UA global network; participate, build and transform your innovative ideas into reality.

Info@unitedactions.net
http://unitedactions.net

As part of the Global Entrepreneurship Week activity holding in November during week 17 – 23, the Youth Entrepreneurship Award is developed as a local initiative to inspire young people and organisations in Nigeria to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity. The awards is designed to lift the spirit of entrepreneurship, engage and encourage young people to pursue entrepreneurial ideas with the support of entrepreneurs, government officials, non-profit leaders and educators. Indeed, the awards received a boost globally when it was quoted as the most active activity for Global Entrepreneurship Week in Nigeria on the global event website – www.unleashingideas.org.

The Youth Entrepreneurship awards come in 11 categories and winners will be issued an award plague, a certificate signed by our partner university and a N50, 000 cheque. The Awards will indeed honour individuals and institutions through the appreciation of innovative business process, business excellence and overall leadership success in entrepreneurship development, plus acknowledged publicly the vital contribution made by individuals and student led institutions to the vibrancy of young entrepreneurship in Nigeria . Indeed, this is the first of its kind.

The Youth Entrepreneurship Awards will attract Vice chancellors, Heads of Businesses, Student Union Governments, University student led associations, Youth organisations, Departmental heads and several youths across the country.

This year’s Youth Entrepreneurship Awards will be presented at a gala ceremony to be held on 21st November, 2008 at the Newcastle Hotels, Owerri, Imo State , South East, Nigeria . The aim is to make Youth Entrepreneurship Awards an annual event in Nigeria.

The event is an initiative of the London based Withworth Entreprenueship Consultancy.

Award Categories


Youth Ambassador for Entrepreneurship Development Award

This award will go the outstanding individual who has best demonstrated exceptional selfless commitment to the development of entrepreneurship in the community and Nigeria . The judges will be looking for evidence of how the individual has significantly improved the awareness of entrepreneurship in the nation.

Age limit: 30 years and under Cash Amount: N50, 000



Award for Excellence in Enterprise development services

This award will go to the organisation that can best demonstrate that it has strongly invested in developing and raising young entrepreneurs in Nigeria . The application can be based on the development of a specific project.

Cash Amount: N50, 000



Student Company of the Year Award

This award will go to the student company that can best demonstrate innovativeness, strong growth and firm prove that it was started and being run by a student or inside an institution.

Age limit: 30 years and under Cash Amount: N50, 000



Entrepreneurship Lifetime Achievement Award

This award will go to the individual who has contributed enormously to the growth of entrepreneurship and is a role model for young upcoming entrepreneurs in Nigeria .

Age limit: 45 yrs and above Cash Amount: N50, 000



Rising Entrepreneurial Institution Award

This award will go to an institution that can best demonstrate that its approach to learning is innovative and maintains a high focus on entrepreneurship development within the academic environment.

Cash Amount: N50, 000


Best Supporting Media on Entrepreneurship Award

This award will go to the best media outfit that has demonstrated total commitment to the promotion of entrepreneurship learning and awareness in Nigeria .



Aspiring Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Merit Award

This award will go to a student who has demonstrated that he or she has an outstanding skill to develop a good business upon graduation. This will be based on previous business skill achievements.

Age limit: up to 25 years Cash Amount: N50, 000



Outstanding Contribution to Entrepreneurship Development Award

This award will go to the individual or organisation that has shown they can bring about change in the lives of young people through entrepreneurship activities. This can be based on numerous projects and commitments.

Individual/Organisation: Any Cash Amount: N50, 000



Young Creative Entrepreneur of the Year Award

This award will specifically recognise the most talented youth or youth group in Nigeria . Be it in music, sports or business. This award will connect young creative entrepreneurs in Nigeria with emerging investors.

Age limit: 30 years and under Cash Amount: N50, 000



Best Supporting Company on University Entrepreneurship Education Campaign Award

This award will go to the company that has demonstrated continuous support for enterprise education in our institutions.



Best Supporting Youth Bank of the Year Award

This prestigious award goes to the best bank which has invested in the improvement of basic learning conditions in our academic institutions.




Nomination Procedures


Nomination is open to all. Prospective awardees can nominate themselves.

Simply nominate a qualified person and send the details under any category of awards via

Email: yea2008@ymail.com or Text details to 08054409005.

Nomination Submission ends November 5th 2008.

Finalist will be notified before or on November 10th, 2008

Admission is free and there will be a full feast however will encourage participants to register online here for a secured seat as seats might be limited. Or contact the Award team on

08082180513, 08062725951, 08037105484, 08039548256, 08036903696, 07031541543

For Details

withworthfutunes@yahoo.com

http://www.entrepreneurshipevents.com/YouthEvent1.aspx

I hear a lot of cases about sexual abuse on children and young people. Often, it happens in their own homes where their own father, male relatives or other close friends who the children trust are the ones who betray them. I don't understand, how a father or an uncle or a grandfather could ever do that to his own. Is it a mental illness? While I do not believe in capital punishment, when I hear of such crimes like child molestations or sexual abuse, I cannot help myself but think that the best punishment for them is to show everything that they did to those children, picture by picture, frame by frame, until the fang of their guilt devour them. Like a month ago, there was this young girl who was burned alive after she was sexually molested. These kinds of evil, I cannot take. I cannot make peace with these things, not when children are involved.

For children who are made prostitutes by their own parents, or relatives, there's no forgiveness. It's the responsibility of the parents to provide a good life for their children. If they cannot, they should not be allowed to have children in the first place (this may sound a violation of human rights, especially freedom of choice but really, what rights do they have to sell their children?!) Even if the parents are poor, they should be the one to make every legal means possible to at least feed their children, or clothed them or give them shelter. I know a lot of poor families and the parents do their best, work almost 24/7 just to make sure that their children eat 3x/day, or that they have blankets to keep them warm. But of course, we are responsible for them as well. For allowing it to happen. For making them poorer, more envious. For allowing child prostitution businesses to prosper. For keeping our mouth shut when we know that the kid next door is being molested and made prositute by his or her parents.


For some people, prostitution is an opportunity to live, or to survive rather. For those who are 18 and above, it's become a personal choice, not that they have other choices. I'm sure, if there's a better job out there and if they have the skill, prostitution would not have been included in their choice of work. Like, the other night, I was watching on a local network the "local bills" that our councilors passed. One of them was talking about prostituttions. He said that "it is very alarming that when the sun sets, prostitutes are on queue" on this particular avenue, and "these prostitutes are very young like 14-16 years old." He added, "these young women are not native of this town, they've come from other poor provinces. We therefore think that we should set a raid, and take all the prostitutes." One chauvinist councilor in a malicious tone said, "I'll go with you", and all other chauvinist councilors, as if in unison, reiterated, "me, too", and they all laughed. Bastards! They wanted to go there not because they want to save these young women but because they want to see a spectacle, being surrounded by half-naked women, would have been a taste of ectasy. If they trully want to be of help, they would have a ready-made alternative for these young women. They would have planned it really well, like send them to school after the Department of Social Welfare and Development officers have counselled them. But no, they just wanted to "catch" these young women as if they were the criminals. Like most raids, these women would be put to jail, subject to more molestations and sexual abuses by God-knows-who. And what about those people who made profits out of these poor young women? Nothing. They just enjoy their profit, relocate and look for another opportunity to lure poor young women to their bait. Our local government, obviously is oblivious of women's rights, of gender sensitivity. They make local bills that are trully nonsensical. They don't even read, I'm sure, that's why they are so dense. Again, it's our fault for voting these people. Well, I didn't vote for them but the rest of local city populace did.

I just love everything that he writes.

When I first read "The Island of the Day Before", I was like, "Omigod! That's exactly how I imagined things when I was a young HS student, creating my own theories about getting old or younger the moment one crosses the latitudes" But of course, his was more intellectual in a sense. It was like reading what I had in mind.

Anyway, my latest addiction is his Foucault's Pendulum. I read it before and reading it again after 3 years of keeping from the shelf. Now, I understand it more clearly. I really believe that his works are the work of not just a creative writer but a genius, somebody who can infuse history, myth, science, religion and creative writing in one. I mean, there are other writers who write beautifully but not with intellectual magnitude like him. Eco does not only entertain but informs very well. I have to read the "Name of the Rose" soon. I have some of his books in my library and this month til next month, he will be my "author of the month". I wish I could see him in person! Maybe that chance meeting will spark some inspiration in my own writing. Maybe.

Funny, I've been directed to the Middle Ages era in all the books I've recently bought, especially the ones connected to the Templars. Maybe, it's the kind of topic that's been read many many times and it's no longer a hot topic. I really don't mind having that kind of information: myth, stories, legends of King Arthur and the Holy Grail. I just enjoy reading.

Since my visit to Mexico, I had this dream of learning the Spanish language whole-heartedly. Although I took Basic Spanish a few years back, I only remembered a few phrases. The Filipino language has similarity in the Spanish language, as a matter of fact, there are so many Filipino words that are derived from Spanish. For this reason, I was able to, more or less, bargain some items in the flea market in Mexico. People thought I was Mexican. As my teacher would say, "you were Mexican, the Wise Woman of Mexico, Was it Mayan?". But when I went to Spain, it was totally different. The Spanish was harder to understand probably because they spoke quite fast and kind of slang.

Anyway, I recently visited a bookstore and bought 5 Spanish grammar books. From beginner's to intermediate, from conversational to basic form, and of course, a writing worksheet! Everyday, I try to read 1-5pages a day just to familiarize with terms and construction. I am preparing myself so that when I study the language formally, I won't start from scratch. I feel, I'm destined to go back to Spain (or I dream of going back to Spain, anyway) so I have to learn their language better.

Next time, when I'm good with Spanish, I will have to go back to my French school and relearn the language. Yes, I did study French for the simple reason: to be able to pronounce French food especially pastries properly. Hahaha. I just love French pastries and cakes. Yummy!

Next will be Italian. I like their accent, almost like singing; very romantic.

Next next will be German.

Then the classical languages (Latin, Greek, Sanskrit, Eyptian...) I'll just stop on my death bed, well, maybe not. Who knows, I might be chanting a Tibetan prayer to hasten my "transformation".

Also posted at: http://abc4all.net/essay.htm

The training is in a beautiful villa called Villa Boccella which is 45 minutes away from the town of Lucca. Our villa is at the foot of the mountain and we are surrounded by trees, flowers, herbs and vineyards. Everytime the sun rises, it shines through my window and it is just so lovely. Our food is strictly vegetarian but once in awhile we go out of the villa and eat at the nearby restaurants. The food is just so good, you woudn't even ask for fish or chicken or meat. The water tastes so good since Tuscan water is fresh.

The training is composed of of 24 particapants across the globe, alot of them are Americans, Irish, British and Australians (age17-35). And due to economic circumstance and language barrier, there are only 4 from Asia (Me, 2 Vietnamese, and 1 Nepalese) and 1 from Africa. We are divided into 4
teams, and all of us have a chance to be the "leader". On the first day, even without knowing each other that much we have learned to trust each other, especially within the team. Each task requires different leadership style and the more you participate the more you know which style fits you. We manage to resolve conflicts, use our own voice, and use dialogues to get to the bottom of things. nothing in the course is not known to us. However, the training reminds us of what we value, what we love and the kind of philosophy we embrace in relation to giving service to other people and the community. Questions like, how do we become aware of our surrounding if we are not even aware of our self? How do we maintain trust and partnership, when competition is the name of the game?

We are also lucky to visit Siena and learn how this city was built by visionaries of that timeand how this town became prosperous and pro-people. The lecturer is also a volunteer and is so passionate in sharing her knowledge with us. She is not even an Italian but through her self-discovery and self-study, she's been invited to lecture in different conferences and trainings in Europe. So I believe that in order to become an effective leader, it is not only limited to doing something outside but also one must work within. As leaders, we have to make ourselves a good "educator" to also inspire others.

In the training we also have "moments of silence" or others call it "meditation" and just listen to what the Universe is telling us, so to speak. It gives us a sense of stillness which makes us see, hear and
understand more.

Each of us also have personal mentor from the Lucca Trainers/Coaches to guide us in our current or future projects. All of the trainers are volunteers too, who of course, have been under the Lucca trainings. A lot of the trainers are Educators, Businessmen and Lawyers who are also traveling alot to reach the places and people who are often neglected. They also use their "miles" to sponsor trainees in the training, which a friend told me about. I'm sure, in the nearest future, when I'm able to sponsor others, one of the training grounds will be Lucca Leadership.

Anyway, here is the link to the organization: www.luccaleadership.org I will try to make a video presentation of our training to post on our yfci or abc4all web. But it may take a little more time.

I found this site, which is worth the share.

Note: Directly adapted from the website: www.justicemakers.net

Important Dates:
August 14th: Application Window Closes
August 21st: Semi-Finalists Announced
Setptember 8th: Public Rating & Judging Begins
September 24th: Public Rating & Judging Ends
October 12th: Winners Announced

2008 Competition RegistrationJusticeMakers is hosting a global competition for innovations that end torture, abuse, and arbitrary detainment. The competition will award $5,000 to the eight best proposals for concrete, achievable action.

Participation is free, and open to anyone with an idea and a familiarity with his or her country's criminal justice system. Don't miss out!

For registration, please go to their website and inquire.

CASO PROBLEMA:¿COMO MEJORAR EL FUTURO?
AUTOR: Germán Augusto de la Espriella Luque-
Fecha: 04/07/2008
Guía para realizar la Actividad
Seleccione de su experiencia pedagógica un caso problema, preséntelo y plantee las alternativas de solución, justifique de manera sintética el modelo en el cual se circunscribe.
Incertidumbre: El Problema
Ante los acontecimientos de país, se comenzó a trabajar en diferentes medios sobre el tema de Reconciliación y Perdón. “Se trabajó básicamente el mismo seminario en todo el país, en colegios, empresas y otras instituciones. Y comencé a preparar material para un libro. venía con una trayectoria de trabajo social voluntario, humanitario. Una de las cosas que sucedieron en ese momento es que estaba en un cambio personal, porque después de tanto trabajo social y demás, yo no podía proponer un cambio, así fuera bien intencionado, de personas que estaban en desventaja en la sociedad: los de la calle del cartucho, en orfanatos, en ancianatos… el trabajo era estéril. Queriendo cambiar la situación de personas que en el fondo no querían cambiar. En ese trabajo fui visitando las diferentes cárceles del país. Pero el contacto era vertical: ellos los pobrecitos a los que yo les llevaba regalos. él Papa Noel payaso”1

Es así como se van llenando de preguntas problémicas :
Si los seminarios, exposiciones y demás recursos pedagógicos de Reconciliación y Perdón habían servido en otros ámbitos, servirían también en el medio carcelario?
¿Cómo se modifican las actitudes antisociales en la cárcel?
¿Qué tipo de seres humanos son aquellos que han sido retirados del marco social?
¿Cómo es la relación y la influencia de la Cárcel en la sociedad?
¿Son verdaderamente criminales todos los reclusos o son producto de la sociedad violenta?

Estas y otras preguntas hicieron que finalmente se formulara un problema de investigación social y su pertinente propuesta pedagógica, las cuales concretaran un procedimiento a seguir, con miras a un acercamiento más preciso de la realidad carcelaria, de sus ocupantes y a propuestas pedagógicas que lleven a la solución de problemas sociales que podrían emerger de tal encierro. Así pues, se plantea como pregunta problémica:
PROBLEMA RESUMIDO:

¿Podrá existir para los sindicados en las cárceles, una verdadera transformación personal y social, que los haga reinsertarse a la sociedad de forma funcional y que mostrando sus capacidades de auto perfección, elijan expresarse prodigiosamente para crear una sociedad provechosa para todos?



Alternativas de Solución Planteadas

Entre otras identifico:
1.Buscar un aprendizaje social que permita direccionar soluciones a gran escala dentro del país.
2.Distinguir los pasos que se llevan a cabo dentro del proceso de un individuo que es sindicado, culpado y penalizado, la dirección que toman y su seguimiento.
3.Valorar la labor de los distintos estamentos judiciales, y diseñar una propuesta de acción humanista, que sirva de solución a los problemas sociales.
4.Escuchar las voces de los internos, sus historias, sus sueños, su realidad y la manera como hacen frente a la misma. Es decir, facilitar el encuentro.
5.Con el resultado diseñar un plan Educativo en reconciliación.
6.Personalizar el proceso hacer ajustes.
JUSTIFICACIÓN DEL MODELO
Observando que:
Pese a los esfuerzos realizados en materia de garantía en Derechos Humanos a partir de la reforma Constitucional del 1991, persiste de forma compleja el conflicto en todos los ordenes.
El debate existente respecto a la concepción de delitos atroces y la posible alternatividad jurídica.
Las condiciones de los seres humanos recluidos en las cárceles, son degradantes de los mismos. Los principales problemas incluyen:
- Hacinamiento
- Trato inhumanos y degradantes.
Los reclusos, sindicados y condenados, se encuentran muchas veses
mezclados.
- Las condiciones higiénicas y sanitarias son deficientes.
- Falta de apoyo y de recursos jurídicos para los reclusos.
- Ausencia de facilidades para la educación, el trabajo y la recreación.
La degradante imagen de los sindicados, con la consecuente estigmatización social y personal, que los incapacita para buscar un cambio.
El informe de la Misión Internacional de la ONU sobre Derechos Humanos y situación carcelaria en Colombia titulado, « Centros de Reclusión en Colombia: Un estado de cosas Inconstitucional, y de flagrante violación de los derechos humanos »

Lo anterior muestra un diagnóstico negativo de la política criminal y la concepción penitenciaria y los procesos de cambio de actitudes y adquisición de habilidades sociales, familiares y personales de los internos que permitan al sindicado emprender un nuevo proyecto de vida constructivo y favorable para el y la sociedad.
El camino se encontrará a través de un proceso inminentemente pedagógico, como propongo en el ensayo “JUSTIFICACION SOCIAL DE LA EDUCACIÓN”
“Creo profundamente que la educación es la llamada a interpretar, definir y perfilar el nuevo rumbo a seguir.
Donde los docentes adquieren un cariz místico, donde se requiere seres de valor, carácter y principios capaces ser protagonistas y no espectadores y mucho menos meros seguidores de las pautas que demandaran el derrotero de la sociedad feliz y sobreviviente”
Propongo desde la construcción del pensamiento la implementación de pedagogías alternativas o no tradicionales como el pensamiento lateral de Edwar de Bono y el aprendizaje significativo de Ausbel
El aprendizaje significativo desde la concepción del problema donde hacemos un acercamiento a la realidad del interno valorando su experiencia como punto de partida con el propósito de que se produzca conexión entre los conocimientos previos y las habilidades a desarrollar, pues tenemos la certesa que no existe otro modo de abordar el problema para producir el resultado deseado ya planteado.
“Un aprendizaje es significativo cuando los contenidos: Son relacionados de modo no arbitrario y sustancial (no al pie de la letra) con lo que el alumno ya sabe. Por relación sustancial y no arbitraria se debe entender que las ideas se relacionan con algún aspecto existente específicamente relevante de la estructura cognoscitiva del alumno, como una imagen, un símbolo ya significativo, un concepto o una proposición” (AUSUBEL; 1983 :18).
Edwar de bono nos proporciona herramientas de conexión diferente a los que provienen del pensamiento critico que su falla es en la presunción de que las percepciones y los valores son comunes, universales, permanentes o incluso generalmente aceptados".” ya que los problemas enunciados no se resuelven identificando y quitando la causa. Hay necesidad de diseñar un camino hacia delante aun cuando la causa permanezca en su sitio. "
De Bono aboga por las posibilidades desconocidas de futuro frente a las certezas inoperantes del pasado creando una conecion de rompimiento con el pasado pero aprovechandolo como punto de partida, por la exploración abierta e intuitiva frente a la rigidez de la clasificación; por el diseño de "caminos hacia delante" (de lo que puede ser) frente al análisis de lo que es; por las líneas y oportunidades de movimiento y acción (pensamiento para el diseño de la acción) y para crear oportunidades de cambio
No hay encasillamiento ni crítica, no hay choque ni disputa, ni juicio inicial preconcebido de verdadero o falso. Hay una exploración amplia, profunda y eficaz del tema o situación, en razón de o que la gente piensa y desea conseguir. Se centra más en las posibilidades de futuro, en las líneas de acción para mejorar la situación

This is actually an invitation to those who are interested in writing and who need a nurturing space and a pleasurable time to do so. The facilitators are the same facilitators who taught me the feminine face of meditation :) Anyway, you don't have to be a pro, if you are interested in writing or if you just want to give it a shot, here goes:

WRITING RETREAT July 10 – 14, 200

International Women’s Partnership for Peace and Justice (IWP) announces a 5 day writing retreat for aspiring and seasoned writers. The retreat will provide a quiet, peaceful and supportive environment to create the time and space needed for contemplative and creative writing or journaling.

The retreat will be largely self-facilitated, and the majority of each day will be time for writing. Meals, optional daily meditation and yoga, and group check-ins will be communal. Participants may decide on creating more group time; the schedule will be flexible and emergent.



The retreat will be housed at the training and retreat center of IWP in a village in northern Thailand. Participants will be housed in double/triple accommodation in our earthen guesthouse. Participation is limited to 15 people.

There are no formal course fees given the self facilitated nature of the retreat. Fees for food, accommodation, and venue are on a sliding scale of 650-900 baht per day; thus for the 5 day retreat, the scale is 3250 baht – 4500 baht, based on your ability to pay.

Please contact Ginger at ginger@womenforpeaceandjustice.org for more information or to register for retreat.

(directly adapted from the web at www.womenforpeaceandjustice.org)

IMPORTANCE OF SLEEPING AND WAKING UP EARLY


Reasons for sleeping and waking up early : Evening at 9 - 11pm: is the
time for eliminating unnecessary/ toxic chemicals (detoxification)
from the antibody system (lymph nodes). This time duration should be
spent by relaxing or listening to music. If during this time a
housewife is still in an unrelaxed state such as washing the dishes or
monitoring children doing their homework, this will have a negative
impact on health. Evening at 11pm - 1am: is the detoxification process
in the liver, and ideally should be done in a deep sleep state. Early
morning 1 - 3am: detoxification process in the gall, also ideally done
in a deep sleep state.

Early morning 3 - 5am: detoxification in the lungs. Therefore there
will sometimes be a severe cough for cough sufferers during this time.
Since the detoxification process had reached the respiratory tract,
there is no need to take cough medicine so as not to interfere with
toxin removal process.

Morning 5 - 7am: detoxification in the colon, you should empty your bowel.

Morning 7 - 9am: absorption of nutrients in the small intestine, you
should be having breakfast at this time. Breakfast should be earlier,
before 6:30am, for those who are sick.

Breakfast before 7:30am is very beneficial to those wanting to stay
fit . Those who always skip breakfast, they should change their
habits, and it is still better to eat breakfast late until 9 - 10am
rather than no meal at all.

Sleeping so late and waking up too late will disrupt the process of
removing unnecessary chemicals. Aside from that, midnight to 4:00 am
is the time when the bone marrow produces blood. Therefore, have a
good sleep and don't sleep late.

The top five cancer-causing foods are:

1. Hot dogs - Because they are high in nitrates.

The Cancer Prevention Coalition advises that children eat no more than
12 hot dogs a month.

If you can't live without hot dogs, buy those made without sodium
nitrate. 2. Processed meats and bacon

Also high in the same sodium nitrates found in hot dogs, bacon, and
other processed meats raise the risk of heart disease.

The saturated fat in bacon also contributes to cancer. 3. Doughnuts
Doughnuts are cancer-causing double trouble. First, they are made with
white flour, sugar, and hydrogenated oils, then fried at high
temperatures.

Doughnuts, says Adams , may be the worst food you can possibly eat to
raise your risk of cancer. 4. French fries Like dough nuts, French
fries are made with hydrogenated oils and then fried at high
temperatures.

They also contain cancer- causing acryl amides which occur during the
frying process.

They should be called cancer fries, not French fries, said Adams .

5. Chips, crackers, and cookies All are usually made with white flour
and sugar. Even the ones whose labels claim to be free of trans-fats
generally contain small amounts of trans-fats.

BRAIN DAMAGING HABITS 1. No Breakfast People who do not take breakfast
are going to have a lower blood sugar level. This leads to an
insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain
degeneration. 2. Overeating It causes hardening of the brain arteries,
leading to a decrease in mental power. 3. Smoking It causes multiple
brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer disease. 4. High Sugar
consumption Too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins
and nutrients causing malnutrition and may interfere with brain
development. 5. Air Pollution The brain is the largest oxygen consumer
in our body. Inhaling polluted air decreases the supply of oxygen to
the brain, bringing about a decrease in brain efficiency. 6. Sleep
Deprivation Sleep allows our brain to rest. Long term deprivation from
sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells.

7. Head covered while sleeping Sleeping with the head covered
increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and decrease
concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects. 8.
Working your brain during illness Working hard or studying with
sickness may lead to a decrease in effectiveness of the brain as well
as damage the brain. 9. Lacking in stimulating thoughts Thinking is
the best way to train our brain, lacking in brain stimulation thoughts
may cause brain shrinkage. 10. Talking Rarely Intellectual
conversations will promote the efficiency of the brain.

------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
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The main causes of liver damage are: 1. Sleeping too late and waking
up too late.

2. Not urinating in the morning.

3. Too much eating.

4. Skipping breakfast.

5. Consuming too much medication.

6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring, and
artificial sweetener.

7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil. As much as possible reduce cooking
oil use when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like
olive oil.

Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is very fit.

8. Consuming overly done foods also add to the burden of liver.
Veggies should be eaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts. Fried veggies should
be finished in one sitting, do not store. We should prevent this
without necessarily spending more. We just have to adopt a good daily
lifestyle and eating habits.

Maintaining good eating habits according to schedule / time and
condition are very important for our bodies to absorb the proper
nutrients and get rid of unnecessary chemicals.

*a message sent to my email which I think is worth sharing with everyone.

Last friday, or I think it was already Saturday 12:45 am, I watched CREEPS at Zone Reality.
I hardly get scared of horror films or shows but this one was different, or this particular episode. I forgot the exact location of the abandoned building. All I can remember is that it was built for severe cases of tuberculosis and was used in 1910 or something. Anyway, people who went there and tested their braveness and audacity were interviewed as part of the documentary. I can remember the faces of the interviewees. Anyway, a group of psychics, the ghost hunters, went inside the building and investigated the area. They were explaining the kind of energies the building has, the gadgets that they brought and so on. Their gadgets went on and off, and the psychics also at some point got scared. All the time that I was watching it, I could feel my body shiver and my hair stood on its end. It was surely giving me a creeps. But one thing that really made me scared, was the time when the psychic stopped at this particular room, not the 502 where a nurse hanged herself, but the room where the lead psychic was trying to explain the kind of energy. The camera man was directly opposite the door, while the lead psychic was talking I saw, a man behind him passed by. Actually, I just saw the arm, there was no head, only a shirtless torso. I wasnt sure if the psychics saw him because there were no reactions, only the lead psychic was saying that the area was pretty cold and someone seemed to mess up with him. I saw the headless torso, the left arm particularly, passed by twice coming from the same direction and going to the same direction. That scene totally freaked me out. It wasn't part of the dramatization, that I'm so sure.

I think the best way to heal the place is to send love and positive energies to that area. The patients there were abandoned, discriminated, and maltreated and they felt not just self-pity but hatred, and hatred is such a powerful energy that can manifest havoc or danger.