Young people making change happen

North America

USA: A 12 year-old boy from Florida, on the east coast of the US, recently finished a 2,500-mile “March Across America” that was meant to raise awareness about homeless youth.

The young activist, who started his trek on March 23, told the Tampa Bay Online that, although it was difficult at times, the cause kept him going.

When he considered giving up, he thought about the homeless kids who wanted to stop being homeless but had no choice.

Find out more about his foundation or make a donation at LittleRedWagonFoundation.com.

Europe

POLAND: The 5th Economic Forum of Young European Leaders took place from September 7-12 in Nowy Sacz, Poland. The event aimed to explore pressing economic and political questions facing the region.

This year the participants from inside the EU and its neighbouring states discussed the future of Europe.

“We want to bring together young ambitious people,” said Michal Wojcik, director of the Economic Forum, in an interview with the Krakow Post. “They have so much in common, but they rarely meet and share their experiences and knowledge. We want to create a [place] where young Europeans will have a chance to discuss ... global issues.”

Asia

NEPAL: Approximately 100 youths from Buddhist organisations in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and other nations will take part in an international conference for youths on Buddhism in Nepal. The conference will take place during an eight-day span and is officially called the “South Asia International Buddhist Youth Exchange 2010”.

The organisers of the event will be offering more than just discussions and lectures during the conference. The International Buddhist Youth Conference programmes will also offer tours to Lumbini, which is the holy birthplace of Lord Buddha.

Africa

Tanzania: The eLearning Africa Conference in 2011 will focus on young adults in Africa. With the spotlight on Youth, Skills and Employability.

More than 40 percent of Africa’s population is younger than 24 years-old. One hundred and ninety-eight million Africans, 20 percent of the continent’s population, are aged between 15 and 24 – the largest percentage of young people anywhere in the world. Children under the age of 15 account for another 20 percent.

eLearning Africa has opened its call for papers and is inviting education professionals from Africa and beyond to submit their best practices. The conference will take place from May 25 to 27 in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

Oceania

Australia: Daniel Whitthaus, a young gay Australian, is travelling the country to spread the message of his “That’s So Gay” anti-homophobia training programme.

Daniel told ABC News that the language he is using in the title of the programme is challenging homophobia. “If young people are hearing all day, every day that ‘that’s so gay’ means that ‘that’s so negative’ … then you pretty much know that you’re different and you don’t fit in.”

“What we find is it’s these everyday conversations ... that move people’s beliefs and attitudes,” he said.

“Young people deserve to be wherever they want to be and wherever they love.