YPD Newsletter September 2008

A word of our new International Coordinator:

It is an honor to be elected as YPD International Coordinator.

YPD has undergone constant change since it started in Thailand in 2003. There has been an increase in the number of participating countries, of other NGOs? and organizations cooperating with YPD and of volunteers working with YPD. Also, recently YPD has begun to work on environmental issues, such as the climate change (in Cambodia, 2007) and water (in Australia, 2008).

One of the biggest achievements and changes that YPD has undergone was during the annual General Assembly held in Australia this July: YPD members agreed on a definition for YPD. This was achieved through reflection of the past five years of the network. We can say that the growth of YPD is also our growth!

YPD is a network, movement, and platform which provides youths with a great number of opportunities to develop ourselves and our environment, however, YPD seems to be more than that. Needless to say, people who have benefitted from globalization and people who have not are coexistent in this world, and each of us has seen the realities around us. I strongly believe that YPD can be a tool for social change, that YPD can offer a suitable living environment for all people.

It is indispensable for all YPD members to keep asking themselves, "What is development to me/us?" and act for better in your daily life based on your answer. better society for all people will become possible, even a little, when each of us are able to work together in various levels through YPD with recognition of our own role in society.

I will continue to do my best along with other members of the international team, local teams and members, and also with all the people related to YPD until my tenure of office ends in 2010.

Thank you very much!

Higasayama Makiko

Strengthening the local teams!

Upon suggestion that was given by participants during the third General Assembly 2008 held in Sydney in July, the international team would like to remind every local team to elect a new local coordinator for the coming year. The selection process is entirely up to you, however don't forget to update us on the new local coordinator's name and on the duration of the mandate. The local coordinator is the direct link between the local and the international team.

7th YPD Training Program on Thai-Burma Border:

From September 1st to 5th 2008, the 7th training programme for Karen refugees with the theme "FEEL OUR POSSIBILITIES!" was organized along the Thai-Burma Area. The main purpose of this training program was to train participants about Burmese related issues and to find action possibilities for improvements. This programme was held together with KYPD, and Japanese university students. 41 participants from different ethnic groups: Karen, Burmese, Kachin, Shan, Lahu and Pao and from three different locations: the refugee camp, the Mae Tao CLinic? and the Burmese village joined this programme.

Fair Trade sells in Lille (France):

YPD France, namely Vince, Claire, Clémence but also old member from 2003 sold Fair Trade products from Vietnam during the Braderie de Lille. Attending this big city festival was also the opportunity to promote YPD activities to potential new young people.

ASEF conference:

YPD members are invited to attend the 7th Asia-Europe Young Volunteers Exchange (AEYVE) - Intercultural Approaches to Sustainable Development: Volunteering for today and tomorrow: How to foster sustainable choices among volunteers and local communities?, from 5th November to 19th November 2008. In 2008 the project is entirely based in Asia for the first time with the preparation and evaluation meetings taking place in Singburi, Thailand.