Top 20 Under 20

Applications are now available for the 2010 Top 20 Under 20

Award recipients attend a Leadership Summit along with receiving year long mentorship program.

Founded by Youth In Motion, this is a unique awards program for youth.



If you are, or know of a, innovative Canadian youth who is interested in leadership, mentorship and achievement...then you should consider applying for the 2010 Top 20 Under 20.

Youth Involvement at Canadian Olympics 2010

Interested in the global village? Travel? Culture Sharing? Youth Engagement?

Canadian youth born between September 2, 1989 and December 31, 1994 (that's aged 15-19 this year) have the opportunity to participate as youth volunteers at the Canadian 2010 Olympics.*

Roles available can be viewed at the Olympic Youth Participation Site (yes, click that to go to the page).

From February 12 to 28, 2010 YOU could be involved in the community and historic event that is the Olympic Games. It is a prime opportunity for youth involvement!

(*Volunteers must have accommodation secured in the Olympic area)

Time For Climate Change

Time For Climate Change's song "Beds Are Burning" joins voices and support for a global issue.

Contributors include Lily Allen, Desmond Tutu, Ed Robertson, Jet Li and more...



It has been an itunes free song of the week. If you missed your chance to get it on itunes you can still download Beds are Burning for free.

Project PEACE

Project Peace provides youth with opportunities to create positive change in their community, build healthy relationships and develop leadership skills.

The aim is to bring peace in Toronto youth communities. Provide positive alternatives for youth. Together Toronto youth and Toronto Police Services work together for peaceful conflict resolution.

Upcoming Project PEACE Events

What: Project PEACE Halloween Jam
When: October 30, 2008 5:30 Pm to 8:30 Pm
Where: 23 Isabella St. (south from Yonge & Bloor station)
How: activities, contests, music and more!
For more information: Savannah Shears (416 597-8297)

Spotlight: Rideau Hall Blog

The Riddeau Hall Blog is a good read.

One element is the Governor General's Youth Dialogue which includes blog posts on youth engagement, democracy and social connectivity. There is also a FaceBook group on the G.G'S YOUTH DIALOGUES 2009 - DIALOGUES JEUNESSE 2009 DE LA G.G.

Why is it a good read? Well, because The Governor General of Canada is doing good work by connecting with youth and promoting youth engagement within their own communities. Her office is making youth a priority. They are connecting with youth in their own mediums (blogs, Facebook, tours). Her office is creating youth discussion and thus motivation.

It is a bookmark-worthy blog.

Knock Knock - Power of the Spoken Word

This video shows the power of the spoken word. Poetry and Positivity. Power and Persuasion. Inspiring and innovative.

Knock Knock - Michael Reed James.

Documentary: Democracy in Dakar

Democracy in Dakar: SYNOPSIS: "African Underground: Democracy in Dakar is a groundbreaking documentary film about hip-hop youth and politics in Dakar Senegal. The film follows rappers, DJs, journalists, professors and people on the street at the time before during and after the controversial 2007 presidential election in Senegal and examines hip-hop’s role on the political process."

This award winning hip hop documentary was originally created as 7 part webisodes. If you are interested in global issues, political change, hip hop and actvism - this is a documentary to watch.

Democracy in Dakar Trailer from Nomadic Wax on Vimeo.

Youth leadership scholarship

This is a valuable scholarship program for Canadian youth who are committed to positive community leadership coupled with interest in post-secondary education.

Applications are now being accepted for the TD Canada Trust Scholarships for Community Leadership Applications are being accepted until October 31, 2009.

The program rewards students who demonstrate academic excellence and extraordinary community leadership in various areas such as environmental cleanup, the promotion of social justice, and the fight against child poverty.

Each scholarship (there are 20) is valued at up to $70,000, including full tuition at any accredited university or college in Canada, mentorship opportunities, $7,500 a year towards living expenses and a guaranteed offer of summer employment at TD for up to four years.

To obtain an application, eligible students can:

• Visit any TD Canada Trust branch or their high school guidance office
  
• Check out the website at www.tdcanadatrust.com/scholarship
  
• Call 1-800-308-8306 or send a fax requesting an application to
  (613) 563-9745.

Involving Youth in Decision-Making

How does an organization or group involve youth in decision-making? This boils down to how to engage, inspire and retain the youth in the organization's activities.

A source for guidance on this topic comes from 14Points to Successfully Involving Young People in Organizational Decision Making. The points for this list originate with Youth on Board a U.S. organization which supports youth engagement in community and society. The Youth on Board website also has a comprehensive resources section (Note: *American resources).

Amongst the points for successful youth involvement, according to Youth on Board, include:

• Know why you want to include youth
  
• Train leaders on inter-generational management
  
• Make meetings interactive
  
• Accommodate youth (i.e. flexibility to school/extra-curricular schedules, transportation limitations)

Involving youth in decision-making can be of great benefits. It allows knowledge sharing, grassroots efforts, mentoring possibilities and more. If you are involving youth - or considering to involve youth - in decision-making...ensure you know how to effectively engage, inspire and retain.

Must Watch - Mayda del Valle

Free Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek Concert

3rd Annual Manifesto Festival (Sept. 16-20) will be highlighted with the performance of Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek as REFLECTION ETERNAL live at Nathan Phillips Square - Sunday Sept. 20.

This outdoor concert is FREE!

Other parts of the festival include; breakdancing, live DJs, a 70foot mural painted on premises and a community dance floor.

This is a family-friendly event to see an epic performance.

Wanted: Youth Cabinet Members

City Publisher "Toronto Community News" (The Mirror, insidetoronto.com) is looking for youth volunteers with a community focus to help shape news coverage in Toronto.

youth issues

media and youth

school issues

community issues

change

Sounds like an interesting role for any young person interested in activism, media, youth engagement and community development.

If you are interested in learning more contact Antoine Tedesco, Managing Editor (Toronto Community News) at 416-493-4400 ext. 2367 or atedesco@insidetoronto.com

The Popularity Contest of Facebook and Youth

University of Guelph psychologists have done a study on youth and Facebook and have come to the conclusion that youth are driven to be popular on the addictive social media tool. The study by psychology graduate students Emily Christofides and Amy Muise was published in the journal CyberPsychology and Behaviour in June.

The thing is - is that youth share a lot of private information on the sites that they wouldn't normally put out in public. Photographs, e-mail addresses, school, hangouts and friends can all be posted for the webosphere to read. (*Note: if users set privacy settings they can restrict who sees what).

"The study did find a link between self-esteem and the disclosure of personal information. People with higher self-esteem scores were more likely to use Facebook's privacy settings."

The study examined the Facebook usage of undergraduates aged 17 to 24.

International Youth Internship Program

International Youth Internship Program presented through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has been renewed through to 2014.

This program is for Canadian graduates aged 19 to 30 inclusive. It provides the eligible youth with valuable international experience whilst building skills and knowledge.

Students must be out of school and out of work. They must be a post-secondary graduate (college, university, etc...). They must be legally entitled to work in Canada. And though it is not written, applicants should have an interest in engagement and global activities.

Though the 2008/2009 internships have been filled - it is worthwhile to bookmark the CIDA webpage to check back for 2009/2010 opportunities.

Youth Engagement Opportunity

This is an opportunity for Canadian youth to come together, get engaged and participate in a worthwhile event. 100,000 on The Hill is a peaceful gathering and public plea for stronger climate action. It will take place on International Day on Climate Action --October 24th, 2009.

You are invited to the front lawn of the Parliament Building in Ottawa (Ontario, Canada) to be part of the 100,000 Canadians coming together to be an inspiration on climate change.

The best way to get change -- IS TO BE PART OF THE CHANGE.