Learning Weeks Come to a Close

The YPN Learning Weeks for 2011 have ended. Erin and Elizabeth were the last group to complete this part of the program, and they had a busy week!

A HUGE thank-you to all of the organizations and individuals who were able to set aside some time to meet with participants. All in all, more than 40 organizations or individuals spent time with members of the Youth Peace Network this summer. A big shout-out to Oxfam Canada and Amnesty International who both met with groups of YPNers 5 out of 6 weeks! We really value your support.

Even though YPN is drawing to a close, there is still a lot going on. The YPNers are enjoying their last week working at camp, trying to cram in as many adventures as they can with their campers! After that comes a week of debrief and reflection. Each participant will create their own action plan, which will help them to put all of the knowledge they have gained and lessons they have learned into action when they return home. Finally, we are hosting a Farewell Event in their honour, giving them a chance to say goodbye to those people who have impacted them while in Vancouver.

Once again, thank you to all of the people who took part in the Learning Week experiences of YPN participants in 2011! Everyone had a great time and learned something new!

YPN 2011 Participant - Evita

Name: Evita, Huen Shuk Yee

Name you go by: Evita

Age: 23

Country: Hong Kong (China)

Name of YMCA: YMCA of Hong Kong

Role at the YMCA: I am a volunteer at the YMCA of Hong Kong. I am also a committee member of Campus Y in Hong Kong. I organise different kinds of activities for the youth in the universities.

Why you are participating in the Youth Peace Network: Firstly, I would like to learn more abuot other cultures from other participants and in Canada. It is great to experience the culture through direct interaction rather than from the books and internet. Moreover, I also want to learn more about myself. In a new environment, it is great to discover my own character and find my role. Last but not least, I desire to learn more about leadership, team building and conflict resolution.

YPN 2011 Participant - Erin

Name: Erin Reuland

Name you go by: Erin

Age: 24

Country: USA

Name of YMCA:

Intercollegiate YMCA of Greater Indianapolis

Role at YMCA:

Y-AmeriCorps Program Director

Why you are participating in the Youth Peace Network:

I decided to be part of the Youth Peace Network because I felt something was missing in my life in the US. I missed learning from and about other people and cultures different than my own. The Youth Peace Network has offered me a chance to do that and really start a dialogue about the challenges faced by our world today and how we can best work together to find a solution to these problems.

YPN Learning Week Update

Hey everyone,

Hope you have been enjoying the great Vancouver weather lately! The YPN'ers have been having great Learning Weeks, and are looking forward to a group weekend in the city this coming weekend. They'll get a chance to check out the Capilano Suspension Bridge - hope no one is scared of heights!

Here's a few photos supplied by a YNP'er of life at camp and Learning Week:

Thanks for checking out the blog and have a great week!

YPN 2011 Participant - Ting

Name: Ting Dai

Name you go by: Ting

Age: 25

Country: China

Name of YMCA: YMCA of Chengdu

Role at the YMCA: Staff

Why you are participating in the Youth Peace Network: I am participating in the Youth Peace Network because it is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to gain valuable skills in peace-building, conflict resolution, increase my leadership capacities, exchange ideas and make friends with people from YMCA’s all over the world. It’s also a chance for me to step out of my comfort zone and see a new, fresh perspective in life. With love and peace, I believe we can create a better world for everyone.

Richard from Zambia, YPN 2008

Richard is in an international counsellor program at the YMCA in Hawaii until  January 30 2012. He just got the position as a leadership instructor a month ago. The position is all about helping the program directors train new International staff in Various camp programs and activities.

YPN 2011 Participant - Juliana

Name: Juliana Mejia Delgado

Name you go by: Juliana

Age: 23 years old

Country: Colombia

Name of the YMCA: YMCA of Colombia

Role at the YMCA: Volunteer

Why are you participating in the Youth Peace Network: I am participating in the Youth Peace Network because it is a big and unique opportunity that God and life had given to me. It has been a wonderful program to improve my leadership skills, to learn more about other cultures, to get a different point of view of life and to challenge myself to do my best every day. I believe in peace and I am sure that together we can make the difference! Now I am getting seeds of peace building, conflict resolution and global understanding to take back to my YMCA and my country. I am proud to share my own background and to show Colombian culture and values everywhere!!! Thanks to all people who have made all of this possible, so many inspiring shared experiences together help dreams to become true!

YPN Contest!!

Being a follower isn't always a bad thing! Make sure to follow this page and you will be included in a draw for a fantastic YPN hoodie! Don't worry, all the people who have been previously following us are also entered in the draw. Don't miss out!

July 18-22 Learning Week Highlights!

On another exciting learning week in Vancouver, three of the YPN boys got to discover the city, and visit with some fanstatic organizations from whom they learned a lot! Some, but not all of the organizations they visited with include the Red Cross, Youth Intiative Canada, and Foot Prints Conservation Society. Here are a few highlights:



Business as usual! (Nick, Toni, and Andre)

Out of everything they learned during the week, Nick felt that "The human rights discussion/talks" were his favourite part of the week. Andre on the other hand, really enjoyed "training at the Robert Lee YMCA, seeing Harry Potter, and all of the meetings" he attended. What Toni felt was the most meaningful part of Learning Week was "seeing the real people on the ground in their action areas and how they are happy and motivated about what they do".

  

Here the boys are enjoying the company of all 11 interns at Amnesty international!


While meeting with Amnesty International, Andre felt that "The meeting was good. They opened the discussion and it was an amzing thing to exchange with them and learn more about the organization and about what they do in my country".

Meeting with Footprints Conservation Society

 

After meeting with Footprints Conservation Society, Nicholas thought that "It was great because I got to learn how the organization is trying to get children to be involved in reducing the carbon emmisions in order to make this world a better place".

Everyone at a tour of the Dr. Peter Centre



At the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation, they're helping to rebuild lives shattered by HIV/AIDS, addiction, mental illness, poverty, and discrimination because of gender and sexual orientation. However a new concept for some of the boys, they really enjoyed how "peaceful and well equipped" the centre was.

Sadly, as all good things must come to an end, Learning Week was over much to soon. However, Nick, Toni, and Andre managed to create some lasting memories of their time spent together, and in Vancouver. Toni is looking forward to "getting out from thr ordinary, reaching people on all levels" when he returns to his local YMCA. Nicholas is planning on implementing "an organization like Youth Initiative Canada that empowers and promotes Youth towards behaviour change". Finally, Andre is hoping that at his local YMCA, he will be able to "communicate with people, be helpful and to be an ambassador of peace".

A big thank you to everyone who made this week possible, and a job well done to Nick, Toni, and Andre!

YMCA Representative a Voice for Youth at the UN

Romulo Dantas, the Executive Secretary at World Alliance of YMCAs (in Geneva) visited us and the YMCA Youth Peace Network in June to learn more about the YPN program and about the various youth programming that the YMCA of Greater Vancouver and other local organizations are doing. Romulo instantly fit into the YPN group so we adopted him as an honorary 2011 YPNer.

 

Romulo was chosen as a youth representative and a representative of the YMCA to speak at the UN. Here is a link to his speech that took place yesterday. He did such an amazing job as a youth and YMCA representative! We are proud of you Romulo!

http://www.unmultimedia.org/tv/webcast/2011/07/romulo-dantas-ymca-brazil-2011-high-level-meeting-on-youth-110th-plenary-meeting.html

YPN 2011 Participant - Asil

Name:  Asil – Adnan Shalaldeh

Name you go by: Asil

Age: 19

Country: Palestine

Name of YMCA: YMCA – East Jerusalem

Role at the YMCA: Volunteer

Why you are participating in the Youth Peace Network: The main point that encouraged me to be a participant in this program is the political situation in my country. I feel i should be a peace maker because this will let the conflict be limited, moreover this program allows people all around the world to get closer to each other. Also, it allows people from all around the world to get closer to each other and get to know new/different cultures and traditions which is a good opportunity.

YPN 2011 Participant - Maru

Name: Maria Eugenia Daiqui

Name you go by: Maru or Eugenia

Age: 21

Country: Argentina

Name of YMCA: YMCA of Argentina

Role at the YMCA: Volunteer

Why you are participating in the Youth Peace Network: Because I am so interested in knowing and sharing about other’s cultures. I want to learn more, and through this program I will learn a lot about different cultures. I am even looking forward to learning about Canadian culture and their traditions. I also want to teach others about my culture and traditions, and the message my YMCA is trying to spread in my home country of Argentina.