As an organization that gives so much importance to youth and the wellbeing of future generations, it is a great joy for URI to welcome four new youth groups, and two groups dedicated to social health and development as members in November.
Young leaders from Youth for Development in Cameroon, The Big Brothers Society in Kenya, Youth for Peace in Bangladesh and Youth of Peace in Yemen will certainly add to the magnificent youth leadership building and enriching our vital movement. In additiona, Rahana Women Development Programme from Nigeria and Nalantha Institute of Social Studies based in South Zone India will be able to exchange inspiration and expertise within our global network.
Find more details about these new Cooperation Circles approved in November below:
Youth of Peace, Yemen
After the revolution in Yemen, a lot of clashes took place between the followers of different faiths that used to live in peace and harmony. CC members have established an informal group to restore the tolerance between Yemeni from different faiths through organizing entertainment and sport activities involving followers of all faiths in Yemen enabling them to spend quality time together. URI represents for them the volunteer scenario where they can enhance friendship and respect for each other, stopping hatred and restoring peace. Since Youth of Peace launch they have visited elderly in Eids, organized five entertaining trips amd a marathon for handicapped. This last activity was under the theme “take my hand with thanks” and drew hundreds of smiles on children faces and distributed valuable gifts. Many religious leaders and peace builders participated in this event.
Nalantha Institute of Social Studies, Tamilnadu CC, India
The activities of Nalantha Institude of Social Studies include building peace and harmony and interreligious harmony. They also work in social development in Tamilnadu, specifically in the Dindigul District, focusing on women, children, youths and elders in areas of health, water & sanitation, livelihood promotion, education and environment protection. The desired outcome of their work includes reducing poverty, increasing employment and education, improving health condition of the community and building peace and harmony among people of different religions.They operate two old-age homes, as well as an institute under the Nalantha Educational Trust which offers various training workshops. They have also several publications to their credit.
Youths for Peace Bangladesh (YPB), Bangladesh
CC members are youth coming from different religions (Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and tribal) from all over Bangladesh. The majority of them are active in youth groups of local and international organizations. They have huge experience in conducting activities such as workshops, seminars and conferences for youth. They established Youths for Peace Bangladesh (YPB) as a non-governmental organization on national level at 2012 and till now we had more than 30 actives members. They strive empower young people who will be initiators of positive change and will create a better future through building a society of equal opportunities without prejudices. To achieve this goal, they as URI members will: organize interfaith meetings, seminars, workshops and conferences promoting dialogue, interfaith cooperation to end violence and create culture of peace; peace-build and bridge-build among youths from different parts of Bangladesh; organize activities for youth from different regions; encourage and provide resources and training for individuals to develop leadership skills; advocate for and support children and youths with special needs and without parents, helping them to raise their voices; help society to overcome stereotypes and prejudices and become youth leaders in their communities; support and implement peace activities through youth leadership programs; and promote peace and positive changes through cultural and ecological activities.
The Big Brother Society (BBS), Kenya
The Big Brother Society is an organization that is comprised of former students of Starehe schools in Nairobi. A group of alumni of the two national schools formed this group with the purpose of mentoring voluntary service in Kenyan schools, both for primary and secondary students. Although there is a good representation of different religious groups in the area where the Big Brother Sociey is working, intolerance based on ethnicity and religious affiliation also exists. In schools, some teachers do not have a good understanding of how to mentor their students against such vices, hence making the problem worse. People in Kenya are generally kind to each other but politicians promote divisions for their own benefits. Relationships between different religious groups is fairly good but based on recent happenings, fear is developing between Christians and Muslims. CC members want to contribute to end this violence and restore mentoring better relationships. In 2008, there was a wave of unrest in secondary schools in different parts of Kenya. These cases caused a lot of disturbance in the education sector and led to the destruction of school property. As a result, the idea of starting a mentorship program to offer guidance and counseling for students in schools was developed. It is also a way of giving back to the society. In Starehe, they were taught to “in time to come…enable others enjoy the same advantage.” So CC members want to give back to the society and ensure that dreams of access to an education are realized. Starehe is known for Holistic education: it strives for the education of the whole person, besides academics. So during their visits to schools and institutions, they offer lectures and workshops about leadership training for prefects and student leaders, time management, stress management, effective study skills, balancing between academics and extra-curriculum activities, purposeful living, unlocking one’s potential, self awareness, the making of a brand, the small things in life, communication skills, career guidance and counseling, laws of success as a student and life after school. Responses have been overwhelming and that serves as their motivation. It is the satisfaction they get as a result of making a difference in the lives of others, in otheir own way that keeps them moving forward. Mentorship is their passion.
Rahama Women Development Programme, Nigeria
Rahama Women Development Programme is a registered non-governmental organization that works in Bauchi State with a branch of micro-credit in Adamawa state, Nigeria. Rahama was established in 1989 and has worked and is working in the area of women and youth empowerment from its conception. It was registered with Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja in April 2004. The organization works in the areas of health, education, water and sanitation, civic education, governance and human rights, peace education and peace building and income generation. The objectives of this Cooperation Circle are to positively contribute to the social and economic development of women and their families; to promote skills development through vocational skills training; to encourage it’s members to participate actively in health and health related activities such as reproductive health and HIV/AIDS education; sensitize women to take part in self-reliance activities, governance, education, peace and security. Rahama works primarily with women, youth and children as their principal stakeholders and men as their secondary stakeholders. Two decades of experience has shown them that women provide much of the human energy and capital in the developing world; while young people are the holders of tomorrow’s future. Rahama is a member and state coordinator of Civil Society Action on Education for All (CSACEFA) and has worked with both local and international partners on a wide range of projects and programmes; and have implemented projects and programmes with; UNDP on conflict and peace Education, UNICEF, CEDPA, COMPASS/USAID, MARKET/USAID, RUFIN, RTI/LEAD Project, TSHIP, NEI, SONGHAI, DEC-Bauchi, UNDP, ADF, SFH, CIDA, BACATMA/World Bank Assisted Project.
Youth For Development (YFD), Cameroon
Youth for Development (YFD) is a Cameroon-based youth-focused registered nonprofit with its Head Office in Ngaoundere, Adamaoua Province. This organization is a diverse community of youth working to overcome differences, stereotypes and unite religious people in Cameroon towards achieve the Millenium Development Goals. Since inception, some of the projects executed by the organization focus mainly around themes of education, youth capacity development and health, etc. The organization also works to promote peace, human rights and assistance to vulnerable people. In 2013, Youth For Development received a grant from the UNAOC's Youth Solidarity Fund (2013 Edition) which supported the implementation of its Youth Empowerment and Skills Development Project in Cameroon. It is a very young but very promising organization. The organization is also bi-lingual; members speak both French and English.
