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We encourage media to contact us for details, research
and write articles, and produce news stories, in order
to make the public and policy-makers aware of the atrocities
facing children everyday.
YAP
International welcomes contact from press, film makers,
novelists, students, teachers, professors, diplomats,
and interested individuals. For general information,
refer to the links immediately below.
- Who We Are
- Our History
- Committees
- Action Areas
The
latest articles on YAP International and our work worldwide
are here - click to
review them.
Seeking
Education Curriculum Test Schools - September
YAP International is looking for ten high schools in
the United States interested in being test pilot schools
for our new course curriculum
program. The issue modules can easily be
downloaded, and teachers can choose issues of most interest
and value to their classroom, prepare the program in
less than an hour, and be able to present an issue with
confidence. If you are interested, please
contact us.
Partnering
with the World Mental Health Community - September
The
World Conference on Mental Health and World InterCAMHS
Conference presentations entitled "Providing Mental
Health for Traumatized Former Child Slaves, Prostituted
Children, and Child Soldiers" went very well. Numerous
individuals from the mental health community were shocked
by the current state of exploited children. They were
also interested in our request for improved mental health
services for these children. We are now looking to work
together to develop programs to better aid these children.
If you are interested in supporting this effort, please
contact us directly.
The
International Cocoa Industry Protocol - September
The
last week of September, Pter McAllister of the International
Cocoa Initiative reported to a small group of NGOs,
including YAP International, on the progress the initiative
is making. There were many questions regarding the initiative
and its ability to prevent exploitative child labor
on cocoa farms. Several of the cocoa manufacturers are
active in the initiatives, including training for cocoa
farmers to provide stability in average yields, higher
yields, and improvement in the beans they sell. The
idea is to help farmers be more productive, have increased
profits, and no longer use exploitive child labor. Four
members of the CLC have been asked to review the plan,
its progress, and give comment, including YAP International.
New
Website Continuing to Grow - September
Our
website was developed to promote and protect the rights
and welfare of children by improving the awareness of
these issues in homes, schools, and communities worldwide.
As of last week, more than 16,300 people have visited
our website since June 1, 2004. We have been recognized
as the "site of the week" at: Parade Magazine
and School District Administrators Magazine, and listed
at Education Update. Our goal is to inform, educate,
and activate more people in the next two years than
we did in our past ten years combined. At this rate,
we will have achieved this goal in half that time.
Our
Condolences to the People of Belsan, Russia
- September
YAP
International does not have a formal policy statement
regarding this atrocity; however, the statement issued
by Vernor Muñoz Villaloboson, Special Rapporteur
on the Right to Education at the United Nations Commission
on Human Rights, is in line with our beliefs:
"In my capacity as Special Rapporteur on the right
to education appointed by the Commission on Human Rights,
I wish to join in the expression of condolences, sadness
and solidarity to the people of North Ossetia for the
tragic loss of human life and serious injuries as a
result of the hostage-taking in Middle School No.1 in
Beslan. I express my profound condemnation of the targeting
of schools and hostage-taking of children, teachers
and other innocent civilians for any cause. No cause,
political or otherwise, can justify the suffering of
hostages and their families, or the loss of life of,
particularly, young pupils. The fundamental human right
to education includes the right to a safe education.
Children have the right to safety in school establishments,
conducive to a positive learning environment. The right
to education is essential for future generations to
prosper. I join my voice to those condemning unequivocally
terrorism in all its forms. A response to terrorism
firmly grounded on human rights and fundamental freedoms
will further isolate those who commit such acts and
contribute to better security for all."
UNITED
NATIONS - Press release - 7 September 2004
The
Second Children's World Congress on Child Labor
- August
At the beginning of the year, YAP International assisted
in recruiting, selecting, and training the six youth
delegates from the United States to attend the Children's
World Congress on Child Labor, where they met with youth
leaders from around the world to combat child labor.
The global movement against child labor is expanding
and a second World Congress is in the development process.
YAP International has been asked to remain on the CWC
Committee. For further info: http://stopchildlabor.org/cwc/Agenda.htm
Potential
New UN/NGO Relationship Reform - July (report
released)
The
UN High-Level-Panel recently released a report on UN
/ Civil Society relations, presented on Monday, June
21, 2004, in New York. The report, with its panel lead
by former president Fernando H. Cardoso of Brazil, is
referred to as the "Cardoso-Report". In brief,
the report opens discussion on reforming the UN relationship
with what it defines as "constituencies",
primarily civil society organizations. This is based
on an understanding that globalization has lead to a
democratic deficit, that NGOs are critical in helping
to decrease this gap and in maintaining UN programs,
and that modifications to the relationship are needed.
For more information, click: http://www.un.org/reform/panel.htm.
NGO
Committee on UNICEF Annual Meeting - June
June
5-6 the Committee met to elect new leadership and discuss
the issues at-hand. Among these issues are the need
for further independence from UNICEF funding, review
of the goals presented by the Chair of UNICEF who attended,
and discussion regarding the advance information provided
to members of the Committee regarding the United Nations
Cardoso Report to be released three weeks later. Depending
on how the General Assembly reponds to the Cardoso Report,
this could easily change the nature of the relationship
between the United Nations and NGOs. Contact us for
details.
Celebrating Our 10th Anniversary (1994-2004)
- May
Youth
Advocate Program International has been promoting and
protecting the rights and welfare of children for a
decade. We extend our special thanks to the international
agencies, non-governmental organizations, and policy-makers
that have contributed to our development. Over the last
year we have taken ambitious new steps to expand our
programs and audience; this website is one example.
Within the next two years, we intend to reach more students,
teachers, leaders, and interested individuals than we
did in our past ten years combined. Please feel welcome
to contact us for details of our plan.
NGO Committee on UNICEF -
Global Forum - April
On April 23, YAP International was accepted to the NGO
Committee on UNICEF. This new status allows participation
in UNICEF activities, and a voice and influence on issues
affecting children worldwide. This new consultative
status at UNICEF provides us with an outstanding opportunity
to work alongside the most influencial child advocacy
and welfare organizations to develop goals, strategies,
and implement new plans around the world. We are also
looking forward to participating on the Committee's
Working Groups.
Created in 1952 the NGO Committee on UNICEF is a worldwide
network of international NGOs that work on behalf of
children in more than 110 countries. UNICEF is the United
Nations organization whose primary purpose is to work
in the interest of children, and also provides operating
funds for numerous child protection projects. The NGO
Committee currently consists of 100 NGOs, and provides
a forum for substantive discussion about UNICEF policies,
programs, and issues. The NGO Committee encourages discussion
and cooperation among NGOs at all levels.
UN Study on Violence against Children - April
In April 2004 Youth Advocate Program International was
invited to join the North America Consultation Committee
for the UN Global Study on Violence Against Children
initiated by the United Nations Committee on the Rights
of the Child (CRC) as a result of general discussions
held in 2000 and 2001. The in-depth international research
is designed to provide a global perspective on the forms
and impact of violence against children, as well as
provide recommendations to improve legislation and social
policies working to to prevent and effectively respond
to the problem of violence.
On February 12, 2003 the Secretary-General appointed
an Independent Expert, Professor Paolo Sergio Pinheiro
to lead the Study, with direct support from UNICEF,
World Health Organization (WHO), the Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights (UNCHR) and other UN bodies.
Governments, NGOs, VSOs, civil society organizations,
and children themselves, are expected to take part in
the Study that is set to be accomplished before 2006.
There is a significant amount of data to be collected
worldwide.
Regional consultations will be held in all regions of
the world to provide the Study with area-specific information.
In addition to serving on the Committee, YAP International
has been asked to serve on the Youth Participation Committee
for the North American Study. We will work closely with
diverse groups of children and youth to provide a better
understanding of their experiences and perspectives
on violence. Their views and recommendations will be
incorporated into the Study, and several youth participants
will be chosen to serve on the Committee and attend
the North American VAC Consultation Conference.
You Can Help Us Help Children Worldwide !!
We
need your support !! This means promoting the
issues, investing in our work through planning an event
or fundraiser, and/or making a contribution
to support our work.
YAP
International provides information, consulting, training,
education, strategy, planning, promotion, and referrals
to thousands of people every year through our information,
education, and referral programs; and indirectly through
our consulting, training, strategy, and planning work.
Being able to provide these services on a diverse range
of issues affecting children makes us an invaluable
resource.
Due
to good program planning and the work of many interns
and volunteers, we are able to operate on less than
$200,000 per year, including in-kind donations. Although
we accomplish a great deal on a small budget, yet we
still need your support to continue,
let alone to expand.
We
encourage you to "Donate
Now". You are also welcome to send
a check directly to our office at: YAP International,
4545 42nd Street, NW, Suite 209, Washington, DC, 20016.
For interviews, issue background, and/or referrals,
please contact:
Youth Advocate Program International
4545 42nd Street, NW, Suite 209
Washington , DC 20016
Phone: 202-244-1986
Fax: 202-244-6396
www.yapi.org
© copyright - Youth Advocate
Program International 2003-04
Last updated 10/4/2004
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