This month the e-news is focusing on our Global Partners and the importance of sustainable partnerships.
Shauna Houlton is currently the chair of YCI's Volunteer Advisory Council, and she represents the VAC on our Board of Directors. Shauna has been involved with YCI since 1999, holding many positions including volunteer, GL, and office staff. Check out an article she's written about her experiences with YCI's commitment to sustainable partnerships.
Ever wonder how an organization like YCI chooses new partners? How do we go from simply having an organization's contact overseas to becoming a full partner with them? Every partnership we have is different to be sure, but here are some general steps that we take with every partner to ensure a long lasting and sustainable relationship. Read more...
In the development world, the term "partnership" is frequently used and promoted. Yet many people are not quite sure exactly what it means. There is a feeling that it leads to better results, although sometimes it can be difficult. Sometimes it even ends in failure or conflict. As a result, it remains an ambiguous term and a grey area. It may be grey, but we should not shy away from it. Read more...
Creating sustainable global partnerships is one of YCI's core principles, and it is also the 8th Millennium Development Goal.
Read more about the ongoing importance of the Millennium Development Goals in a piece written by YCI alumnus Arden Jobling.
This month we'd like to highlight Kate Bowers as an active YCI Alumnus. Kate has been involved with YCI since 2005 when she went to Costa Rica. More recently she has worked in our office in Toronto helping with finances. Her activities also include being a student and the University of Toronto and being the president of the U of T chapter of Engineers without Boarders. Kate is currently in Zambia with EWB and we are proud of the continued work she's doing overseas!
Click here to read more about Kate's experience with YCI.
One of the most exciting new programs of 2007 has been the partnership between YCI, Oxfam Quebec and the YMCA. Together with these organizations we have sent volunteers to Benin and Ghana in a dynamic new West Africa program. Read More...
This month we thought it would be fitting to highlight some of YCI's own partner organizations in Guyana, Ethiopia, Costa Rica and Tanzania!
Youth Challenge Guyana YCG's mission is to "promote youth development and create opportunities to involve youth in the issues they face" building skills and confidence of young people to effect positive social change. Visit the website and read more... 
Emmanuel Development Association EDA is our partner in Ethiopia, and they work extensively in poor, rural areas both with YCI and independantly. Their mission is to "Work with children and their families to increase thier capacity and participation in community". Check out the website to read more about their activities 
Reto Juvenil Internacional Programs in Costa Rica have grown so much over the past 16 years that RJI has recently begun to host its own international volunteers to projects inside Costa Rica and to Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Panama! They have an awesome website to check out as well! 
Faraja Trust Fund Faraja is our partner in Morogoro, Tanzania and their mission is to assist people affected by HIV/AIDS "through counseling, care and coping support, income generation activities and preventative health education." Visit Faraja's great website by clicking here! 
May 21:
World Day for Cultural Diversity, Dialogue and Development
June 5:
UN World Environment Day
June 27:
Canadian Multiculturalism Day
July 7:
UN International Day of Cooperatives
Ghana/Benin Program Manager Erin Grinnell makes the Ghana Times news as word is spread about our new program there! take a look at the photo!
If you are interested in working overseas you NEED to check out CIDA's youth internships! there are lots of great NGOs to work with (including YCI!) check out the postings on CIDA's website
Do you consider yourself a creative young person? If so, take note that the Youth Leadership Action team is still accepting submissions for their creative competition. Check it out.
Have your heard about the Canadian Global Campaign for Education? They have a really cool advocacy campaign online that you have to check out!
Are you looking to get involved in development at the multilateral level? Check out these this opportunity for youth to get involved at the UN! application details...
You may already know about the upcoming Global Youth Assembly that's going to be happening this August in Edmonton - its something that we are really excited about! If you haven't heard and think you might like to participate check out the conference's website!
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