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The training course will take place from 3 to 9 July 2011 in Schoorl, Netherlands.

Further Information and to apply, please contact UNOY Peacebuilders (tc@unoy.org)


]]> General http://unoy.org/news/index.php?itemid=366 Thu, 12 May 2011 16:39:01 +0100 http://unoy.org/news/index.php?itemid=364
In May we provide new workshops on interesting topics such as EU fundraising, Logical Framework and Gender. Not sure what this is all about? Click on 'read more' for the description of each workshop below and sign up by sending an email to training@unoy.org!

• Tue 10/5/2011: Workshop Introduction to Logical Framework, 3 p.m -6 p.m, Den Haag
• Wed 11/5/2011: Workshop EU Fundraising for beginners! 2 p.m-5 p.m, Den Haag
• Wed 18/5/2011: Workshop Gender and Peacebuilding. 4 p.m-7 p.m, Den Haag
• Workshop 'Introduction to Logical Framework'
Date: Tuesday 10 May, 3 p.m- 6 p.m, Laan van Meerdervoort 70, Den Haag
By Rob Watson and Lillian Solheim. Rob is a freelance consultant and advisor working with the EU and UN on human rights and conflict management for the past 15 years. Lillian is International Network and Programme Coordinator at the United Network of Young Peacebuilders.
Introduction to Logical Framework
- if you love it! if you hate it! - or if you just want to learn more
about how to use the tool for development planning - come along to this
introduction course aimed at beginners.
The Logical Framework Approach is a tool used in the design,
monitoring and evaluation of international development projects.
Objective
To introduce basic concepts of the Logframe approach and give an overview of its use and application in development planning.
Target group
Those involved with project development or those who aspire to use logframes in their work.

• Workshop 'EU Fundraising'
Date: Wednesday 11 May, 2 p.m - 5 p.m , Laan van Meedervoort 70, Den Haag
By Rob Watson and Stéphanie Moy. Rob is a freelance consultant and advisor working with the EU and UN on human rights and conflict management for the past 15 years. Stéphanie is International Secretariat and Outreach Coordinator at UNOY Peacebuilders.
EU Fundraising for beginners!
Are you interested in learning about fundraising for human rights work from
the EU? Come along for a short introduction of the EU funding mechanisms
and tips and tricks on drafting successful applications.
Objective
Provide participants with an overview of the EU human rights funding,
particularly Youth work, and share ideas for preparing successful bids.
Target group
Those with experience or interested in fundraising for human rights work
from the EU.

• Workshop 'Gender and Peacebuilding'
Date: Wednesday 18 May, 4 p.m - 7 p.m, Laan van Meedervoort 70, Den Haag
By, Lillian Solheim and Vera Hendriks. Lillian is International Network and Programme Coordinator at the United Network of Young Peacebuilders, Vera is Gender Officer at The United Network of Young Peacebuilders.
Gender and Peacebuilding
Do you want to learn more about gender and peacebuilding? Join the workshop on 18 May at UNOY Peacebuilders to get an introduction to the main concepts related to gender and to learn how to wear 'gender glasses' when analysing a conflict. We'll watch and analyse the 'Waijir Peace Story' which is a documentary about women peacemakers in Kenya. The movie shows how different actors can mobilise the community to create peace

There is only place for 15-20 participants for each workshop. So sign up soon by sending a email to training@unoy.org
Other workshop dates and places will follow soon! Check the website.
]]> Capacity building http://unoy.org/news/index.php?itemid=364 Mon, 2 May 2011 12:27:14 +0100 http://unoy.org/news/index.php?itemid=362 Training Course Budapest From 21-29 March 2011, the International Secretariat and Outreach Coordinator of UNOY Peacebuilders took part on 7 day training for facilitators involved in non-formal education with youth in the field of human rights. The training was organized by the Council of Europe in Budapest (Hungary). The aim of the course was to ensurea high quality standard in organising, implementing and evaluating study sessions and training activities as also securing an effective follow up of these study sessions and other training activities organised and run in cooperation with the Council of Europe with a focus on human rights.

Helped by 6 advisers, 31 participants from 25 countries European countries, all youth workers or youth leaders, worked for 7 days on how human right, non-formal education and facilitation technique. Most of the organisations the participants represented are working in cooperation with the Council of Europe to organize a study session. UNOY Peacebuilders’ study session on Youth and Volunteerism in Peacebuilding will take place in October 2011.

The training was great opportunity to learn from the experienced advisers, but also from other participants. Between the plenary sessions, the workshops, the thinking groups and the practice phase, I learned a lot! The diversity of profiles and backgrounds made the training a very rich environment to discuss and debate and think of possible cooperation.

More information about human rights and non-formal education as well as training materials is available on the website of the Council of Europe.
]]> General http://unoy.org/news/index.php?itemid=362 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 10:52:24 +0100 http://unoy.org/news/index.php?itemid=361 Advocacy Workshop On 11 April 2011, I attended the workshop on advocacy hosted by Lillian Solheim, International Network and Programme Coordinator at the United Network of Young Peacebuilders. The workshop was organized as part of UNOY Peacebuilders’ current Interplay project, which challenges teams to research the impact of EU’s development policies on (post)conflict countries. A group of 15 people attended the meeting, which was held at the UNOY office in The Hague.

The discussion began with an overview of the term and the implications of doing ‘advocacy’. Basically defined as the act of pleading for a cause, idea, or policy in order to exert influence, advocacy is of different types, from its formal side, lobby-ing, to networking, raising awareness, and mobilizing. Our group brainstormed for ideas as to why advocacy is undergone, mentioning dialogue, and giving voice to unrepresented groups as what they understand by this activity. Cultural differences as well as the political culture were deemed as important to keep in mind when doing advocacy.

The participants then divided into three or four members teams, teams in which they attempted to develop, step by step, an advocacy project strategy. The steps were related to a cause of their choice, which could be chosen from the UN’s millennium development goals. These goals, I learnt, are eight anti-poverty causes which UN nations agreed to achieve by 2015. Some goals are eradicating extreme poverty, reducing child mortality rates, fighting disease epidemics, and developing a global partnership for development.

After each team identified an issue to focus on, we drew up a ‘problem tree’, a tool used in order to understand the causes (roots) and consequences (branches) of the problem.

Furthermore, the teams formulated strategies for advocating their cause, using project management tools such as the SWOT analysis of their (imagined) organisation (strengths-weaknesses-opportunities-threats), and a analysis of their objectives. The action step of the process included constructing a message for the potential donors, public, and policy makers of the project in order to promote the teams’ actions and ask for support, and then writing up an ‘elevator pitch’, namely a brief, and catch statement of the action. Actor and relationship mapping was discussed as well, as participants built up a graphic illustration of their interaction with their publics.

Finally, participants gave their feedback on the session and expressed their interest in UNOY and its future activities. The workshop was indeed a challenging learning experience for me, and I also felt inspired by the other participant’s enthusiasm. I was interested to find out that advocating for a cause follows a plan, or a strategy, similar to what other types of companies, or businesses follow. In addition to this, I realized the complexity of the advocacy process, and the amount of planning it requires. It’s no easy task, I’m sure of that, so I’m eager to learn more!

]]> Capacity building http://unoy.org/news/index.php?itemid=361 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 15:16:18 +0100 http://unoy.org/news/index.php?itemid=359 Workshop Stereotypes and Prejudices
On Monday the 21st of March, Lillian, Alessandra and Sybylla from UNOY Peacebuilders conducted a workshop entitled “Stereotypes and Prejudices: An obstacle to Intercultural Communication” for a Youth Exchange run by Global Human Rights Defence. There were 31 participants aged between 18 and 25 that came from 7 different countries making it a perfect group to talk about this topic.

We started out with a couple of definitions of stereotypes and prejudices before splitting into different national groups to try and work out what stereotypes the world had about people from the participants’ cultures. These were then portrayed back to the combined group in skits and roleplays. A lot of laughter went on in between deciding how realistic these stereotypes were.

Next up we broke into intercultural groups to talk about why people stereotype, why it can be harmful and how we can overcome stereotypes. Particularly interesting ideas that came out of these discussions were a need to change education systems and the way groups are portrayed in the media as well as the need to think critically before accepting what you are told and being aware of any prejudices you might have.
Finally, we did some brainstorming on what different factors make up a culture and the different ways that people can communicate before moving onto a whole group discussion on the things we need to keep in mind while communicating with people from other cultures and why it’s so important to be involved in intercultural communication.

The participants were really enthusiastic to be actively involved which contributed to making it a successful workshop. Many reported having learnt new things about each other as well as gaining new perspectives and ways of thinking. We hope this workshop enabled them to communicate with each other better during the rest of the youth exchange.

]]> Capacity building http://unoy.org/news/index.php?itemid=359 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:52:42 +0100 http://unoy.org/news/index.php?itemid=357
The “Virtual and Intercultural Dialogue” is a three phase project. The project includes: 1) action research on youth participation and intercultural dialogue,2) a 5-day training and 3) a local follow-up meetings to advocate for the outcomes and recommendations of the research.

Phase 1: Action research on intercultural dialogue (Virtual debate)
Phase 2: Advocacy training (from 3 to 9 July in The Netherlands)
Phase 3: Local follow-up with policy makers

The “Virtual and Intercultural Dialogue” includes partners from eight European countries, four organisation from Western Europe (Spain, Italy, Belgium and Netherlands) and four organisations from Eastern Europe/ Caucasus (Armenia, Georgia, Romania and Azerbaijan). Each country team will conduct research on their country on issues related to intercultural dialogue and peace.


Objectives & Aims:

•To provide the participating youth with the skills and tools needed to become active agents of social change and to conduct a local advocacy meeting and to disseminate their results
•To bring youth interested in youth participation and intercultural dialogue from across Europe together
•To raise awareness on intercultural dialogue within Europe and to analyze and debate the role youth can have in addressing issues in a multicultural society through action research and advocacy
•To share outcome of action research in addition to best practices and lessons learned in order to enhance dialogue and exchange of ideas and opinions amongst the different youth coming from a variety of cultural backgrounds
•To provide participates with skills, tools and knowledge

Target group:

This project will be aimed at European youth from the ages 18-30 from the selected countries. Participants will be affiliated with youth organisations in their community as volunteers, activists etc. They will be young people involved in intercultural dialogue, peace and human rights activities who want to influence policy-makers at national and European inter-governmental level. Participants should be motivated and willing to share the knowledge gained in their home communities.

Language of the Virtual and Intercultural Dialogue
English

Funding
The cost of the training course is 50 euros. 70% of travel costs will be reimbursed. Accomodation and food is covered. Local travel costs for advocacy meeting during the follow-up phase will be reimbursed.

Dates for training:
From 3 to 9 July 2011 in Schoorl, Netherlands.

Further Information and to apply, please contact UNOY Peacebuilders (tc@unoy.org)


]]> Events http://unoy.org/news/index.php?itemid=357 Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:25:24 +0100 http://unoy.org/news/index.php?itemid=355 http://unoy.org/downloads/UNOY_Call_for_Interns.pdf]]> General http://unoy.org/news/index.php?itemid=355 Tue, 15 Feb 2011 22:21:25 +0100 http://unoy.org/news/index.php?itemid=354 Interplay

The United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY Peacebuilders) is launching today its new project: Interplay towards a Policy Making Exercise. Supported by the NCDO and dedicated to youth and students living in The Netherlands, this project is a competition that aims to create awareness and understanding towards European Union policies and their impact on the countries that they are targeted at.

The Interplay towards a Policy Making Exercise is geared towards youth and student teams (between 18 and 25) from different cities in the Netherlands. When joining the competition participants will compete in researching the impact of the European Union’s development policies on (post)conflict countries (one country will be associated to each team), through a position paper. The winning team, together with their partner from the south, will conduct an advocacy visit to representatives of the development aid program of the European Union in Brussels where they will present their policy paper.

The competition will run from 01 March 2011 to 30 April 2011 and competitors can sign in online at www.unoy.org/interplay . To get students and youth acquainted with the project, workshops about conflict and actor mapping will be organized from 01 March 2011 to 30 April 2011 and would include an outreach tour on 15 February 2011 at the Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA, Bungehuis Spuistraat 210-212 in Amsterdam).


]]> General http://unoy.org/news/index.php?itemid=354 Wed, 9 Feb 2011 13:59:59 +0100 http://unoy.org/news/index.php?itemid=352 null
On 11 December 2010, over 170 students attended the 12th African Conference which took place at the Pier in Scheveningen, The UNOY Peacebuilders together with the African Migrant organisations, the African Committee, Hirda, Support Trust Fund for African Development and African Sky, organised this year’s conference. The Conference was built around the theme of African Peacebuilding, with a focus on ‘Health through a Gender Lens, in a Socio-economic and Human-rights perspective’. Besides students, the conference was attended by academics and professionals from non-governmental organisations.

The unveiling of the conference was met with a presentation given by Dinu Abdella, who spoke on the importance of gender and health. Ilse van Velzen, film maker, spoke about the dire situation in Congo and the power relations between men and women and illustrated the stories with a preview of her most recent documentaries; ‘Fighting the Silence’ and ‘Weapons of War’.
Participants also attended interactive workshops related to the issue of gender such as ‘Gender and Citizenship’, ‘Honour based violence, and ‘Gender Equality; Tradition and Modernism’. One of the most prominent highlights of these workshop was ‘Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Bisexual’s (LGTB) in Africa, facilitated by Pepe Oziema, a transgender LGTB activist from Uganda and Toni la Tegola head of the African Gay Youth Foundation in the Netherlands’. Onziema shared her personal experiences and spoke of the rise of homophobia which resulted in an Anti-Homosexuality bill being proposed. This bill, if enforced, broadens the criminalization of homosexuality, by mitigating it as an act warranting a death sentence.
The conference was successful in creating awareness of the role of gender in African societies and provided the participants with plenty of opportunities to network and share their experiences on this important topic. The conference was made possible with the help and support of donor organisations Oxfam Novib and Aids Fonds as well as the many dedicated volunteers. ]]> General http://unoy.org/news/index.php?itemid=352 Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:10:26 +0100 http://unoy.org/news/index.php?itemid=350 From November 29 to December 6 UNOY Peacebuilders together with PATRIR from Romania and Peace Dialogue from Armenia organised a study session on Gender Equality in Youth Peacebuilding Projects.

The session was supported by the Council of Europe’s Directorate of Youth and Sports and held at their European Youth Centre in Budapest. In addition to the five-person implementation team, 29 participants from 22 countries came together to share their experiences and learn from each other and the trainers. The purpose of the study session was to explore how youth peace NGOs can address and challenge gender inequality when implementing projects and activities.

The report from the week-long study session is now available for downloading. We hope the report will be a useful document for other youth peace organisations that would like make their peacebuilding project more gender sensitive! ]]> Gender http://unoy.org/news/index.php?itemid=350 Wed, 24 Nov 2010 12:19:05 +0100