CALL FOR APPLICATIONS-UNICEF RVOY National Focal Points

Dear friends,

I am very pleased to share the opportunity below. Would highly encourage all concerns to apply!

Best of luck!

Bilal Masood

National Focal Point-Pakistan

UNICEF Rural Voices of Youth

Rural Voices of Youth Initiative

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

Young people between the ages of 18 and 25 are invited to apply to become National Focal Points for the Rural Voices of Youth (RVOY) initiative. NFPs work with the Rural Voices of Youth Coordinator to foster meaningful participation of marginalized children and adolescents in rural communities in providing solutions to issues that affect them.

RVOY’s vision is to raise awareness on issues affecting marginalized children and adolescents in rural communities. Since 2005 when it first started in Nigeria, RVOY now runs in 35 namely countries Liberia, Gambia, Peru, Pakistan, Bulgaria, Singapore, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Ghana, Oman, Kenya, Argentina, Togo, Bangladesh, Rwanda, Nepal, Uganda, Haiti, Swaziland, Madagascar, Scotland, Botswana, Indonesia, Cameroon, Tuvalu, Canada, Ethiopia, Philippines, Malawi, Egypt, Malaysia, Namibia, Rwanda, Mexico, Nigeria, Morocco and Sweden.

This call for application is extended to interested young people who are resident nationals of countries other than those listed above. Applicants must have affiliation with civil society organizations in their country.

As a NFP you will:

• Identify adolescent groups/associations/clubs etc in rural communities in your country
• Discuss and explore working relationship on the RVOY initiative with adolescent groups, associations, clubs etc
• Facilitate discussions with adolescents on issues they want to discuss in order to identify a common problem.
• Work with the RVOY coordinator to train adolescents on research methods, data collection and analysis.
• Develop research methodology, collect data and analyze findings.

The deadline for application is 23 May 2011. We anticipate successful applicants will be notified by 31 May 2011.

To apply please submit the following documents to the Rural Voices of Youth Coordinator by 23 May 2011 atooyebisi@unicef.org

· A compelling letter of intent stating why you are interested in being a NFP

· Copy of your most recent CV

· Two references (to be submitted directly by the referees to ooyebisi@unicef.org with your name as the subject line. One of the references must be from the organization you are affiliated to.

Prospective NFPs must have proven experience working with children, adolescents and young people. This is an unpaid volunteer position however prospective NFPs will have:

· Certificate of Recognition

· Opportunity to develop leadership and life skills including capacity building on development issues.

· Opportunity to contribute and participate in UNICEF related activities.

· Opportunity to network and meet other people.

--
Oluseyi Babatunde Oyebisi
Coordinator: UNICEF Rural Voices of Youth
Adolescent Development and Participation Unit
Gender, Rights and Civic Engagement Programme Group
Division of Policy and Practice
UNICEF New York
Tel: (212) 326 7050
Email: ooyebisi@unicef.org
Web: www.unicef.org/voy

Join ' I AM PAKISTANI AND THIS IS MY PAKISTAN ' this summer!

'I AM PAKISTANI' was a project of PYO which we implemented in the form of creating a small video regarding portraying some of the bright sides of Pakistan in Calgary, Canada in 2010. The video can be viewed by the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxoA8LV9P9g

We are taking this project to a next level of creating a documentary in the northern areas of Pakistan in the upcoming summer of 2011, and decided to name this project as 'I AM PAKISTANI AND THIS IS MY PAKISTAN'. In the documentary, we would like to expose the 'Real Pakistan' by showing the hidden beauty of the northern areas, the rich culture, and the hospitality of the people of Pakistan. In today's media, only the bleak side of 'extremism' and 'terrorism' in Pakistan is being portrayed, which is a repercussion of the very fringe 'mind-washed' elements of our society. However, a general Pakistani is an open minded, generous, and a peace-lover element of this patriotic society.

Therefore, there is a greater need to come together and bring forward the brighter picture of Pakistan which is hidden from the world today. In this project, you can contribute in the following ways:

1-Contribute by donating or raising funds(we can provide you a prepared sponsorship proposal)
2-If you think you have video making, graphics, or editing skills, or if you know someone who can contribute in this regard.
3-If you know any related people in the northern areas in particular and in Pakistan in general who you think can be lucrative in carrying out this task more effectively.
4-If you know any media related people who you think can be assisting in exposing this initiative, that would help as well.

Then, send an email at: sheraz.khan@pyo.org.pk

We hope that the energetic yougsters of Pakistan are a glittering hope towards contributing something positive for this 'land of pure'. It is rightly said:

'Most of us will never do great things;
But we can do small things in a great way'

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has"
-Margaret Mead

Hoping against all hopes-My views on Osama Bin Laden's death

Watching the images of jubilation and liberation after the news of Osama bin Laden's death, airwaves appeared no difference between those who celebrated after attacking the World Trade Center and the so-called civilized world who rejoiced on the killing of bin-Laden. As the dramatic pictures were pouring in, I was thinking about the most vulnerable segment of our society. Having worked with children, how would I, as the citizen of the world, explain children around of what happened on 2 May 2011? When we say that taking a single human life is wrong, we say peace cannot be achieved through violence, yet our children see both as glorified.

When more and more children will see violence, in particular celebrations over a killing, they will consider it as a normal part of life, and the more they think violence as normal, the more likely they are to engage in aggression against others as has been currently studied by the Social Psychological and Personality Science (published by SAGE). Sadly, if this continues, it will be a disaster for our coming generations and our aspirations for the peaceful world will be in tatters. Lao Tzu rightly said “Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself.”

Turning back to OBL, his alleged death in one of the beautiful cities of Pakistan that I visited less than a year ago and hasty burial in the sea has raised many questions like a resident of Abbottabad and an eye witness talking to Al Jazeera mentioned that “Osama is not a bird, who came, fly and went to the inside because this is restricted area”. No doubt, conspiracy theories are born again to debate for many and this will go on for some time to come. However, if bin Laden died on May 2, 2011, it is not wrong to consider that his symbolic death will not make an iota of difference and therefore bin Laden will invisibly, with his ideology, carried by his supporters will continue to haunt all over!

Not to mention, the consequences that can lead for Pakistan unless there is a sudden 180 degree shift in the ‘war against terrorism’ policy of our government. Drone attacks have always been a strong violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty, but the recent on ground operation in Abbottabad is a severe one and is condemnable in all its forms and manifestations. World with this strategy can never become a better place to live. Rather we need to work on the social fabric which includes education for peace and justice, promoting participation in decision-making and developing good governance in Pakistan.

It is pivotal now that our leaders take the common people of Pakistan into confidence and answer all the multi-billion and eyebrows raised questions leading up to the OBL’s alleged death in the heart of the country.

Simple question, yet one to ponder upon: Will it be possible one day for the children of Pakistan and this world to watch peace instead of violence and live in peace than fear? I am still hoping against all hopes to embrace that day in my lifetime!

Congratulations Hassan Sadpara the second Pakistani to summit Mount Everest!!!

Breaking News: Congratulations Hassan Sadpara d second Pakistani to summit Mount Everest, he hoisted Pakistan's flag today on top of the world with pride!!! Mr Hassan is d second Pakistani after Nazir Sabir to summit Mount Everest. Mr. Hassan along with other four member team had left for d base camp on 3rd of April and finally stepped on d top of the world on May 12. Incredible achievement by one more Pakistani:) He has been Pakistan's unsung hero as he has scaled all five major peaks in Pakistan.

More@ http://karakorumclimb.wordpress.com/2011/05/12/breaking-newscongratulations-hassan-sadpara-the-2nd-pakistani-to-summit-mount-everest/

Pakistan is Chosen to Pilot RVOY

I am very pleased to inform you that Pakistan has been chosen as one of the countries where the new UNICEF Rural Voices of Youth Model will be piloted. Participatory Action Research (PAR) model is one which involves a collaborative approach to inquiry and action that emerges from the interests or problems of a specific group or community- this model will provide adolescents the environment and process through which they can deepen an understanding of their circumstances and take action to help resolve them.

This model will be piloted in three countries (Ghana, Cameroon and Pakistan) before it is introduced to all the other 33 countries within the UNICEF RVOY Network. Some seed funding will be provided for the implementation of this pilot so it is great honor for our country to be awarded.

To set the foundation for a smooth implementation of the new RVOY model in Pakistan, we are in the process to choose one rural community from any part of Pakistan. If you are interested in this initiative, we would like you to send us a proposal which should answer briefly the following questions:

1. Identify a rural community where you would want this initiative piloted. Note that the rural community should be one that is listed as a rural community in Pakistan.

2. Provide a brief situation analysis on the rural community chosen such as: Education, Health, Housing, Population, Employment/Occupation, Water supply and sanitation, Transportation etc.

3. Identify and develop a database of adolescent groups, youth associations/clubs etc in the rural community chosen.

4. Why you think this initiative is best to be implemented in the chosen community?

Our target audiences for the new RVOY model are adolescents, male and female between 10-19years of age. The full implementation of the pilot should start as soon as the concept note is finalized and resources allocated.

Kindly spread the word and get back by email to: rvoypakistan@gmail.com latest by 5 May 2011.

Note: At the moment there is one rural community we can focus so those who do not hear from us, please apply next time and we appreciate your interest in this initiative.

Thank you very much as we look forward to your proposals.

Bilal Masood

National Focal Point Pakistan

UNICEF Rural Voices of Youth

Post-Revolution Egypt, What Egyptians think?

Our real victory

As the clock was ticking by for the much awaited clash of the two arch rivals, I was missing Pakistan more and more. I desperately wanted anything that could have landed me in Karachi within few minutes. I was itching to see the green wave in the country which I could only see every year on 14^th August and to some extent on 23rd March.

My institution’s’ PC turned TV in Denmark and the backup laptop were all ready, but still I was hoping against hope that the internet connection would work perfectly for the match that was already hyped and termed as ‘mother of all matches’.

But what happened at this match: First, we at least gave thirty runs extra which could have easily been saved had there been discipline in our bowling and fielding. Secondly, our batting faltered because of the pressure of chasing in the massive game and we gave wickets at regular intervals by playing rash strokes. It’s not India that played well in the semi final match of the cricket world cup 2011, but we ourselves threw the game and the world cup away from us that we could have won smoothly.

However, qualifying for semis with a young team, our team surprised all those who underrated it, those who were sure that this team would never be able to bounce back from a situation where there have been so many setbacks and controversies plagued the team in recent times. The critics were confident that a country that has not played cricket from some time now at its home soil could never enter semi finals of the world cup. To their astonishment, our team silenced them with reaching top of their group and qualifying for semis with a crushing victory in the quarter-finals.

For a pleasant change, probably nowhere in the country we had load shading during the match. Surely, our cricket team made Pakistanis all over the world very proud, and brought smiles back and revitalized us as a nation. There is no victory for our people significant than this in the contemporary situation the country is going through. Moreover, playing against India in India with for the first time ever Pakistan’s national anthem echoed loud in the air of Chandigarh, provided an opportunity for cricket diplomacy and the leadership of both the countries to get together and strive for much needed peace in the region. Rarely have we seen before Pakistani and Indian players smiling and patting each other's back. Without any doubts, this was one of the best matches in the history of both neighbors which was played in sportsman’s spirit.

Afridi, our Boom Boom and Lala as a captain has set example for all of us. Not only did he unified team as one unit, but his humble character on and off the filed has won people hearts. World cups, Champion trophies and other big tournaments will come again and winning and losing will go on. But our team under his captaincy in only one single tournament reaffirmed us that despite all odds, Pakistanis can excel in all fields of life. It made us realize that if

we come together as a nation under one flag, we can achieve wonders. Above all, this young team has provided an opportunity to ponder us that if we celebrate every day as a green day just like we did on 30^thMarch, we can build

our country one of the greatest in the world as dreamt by our forefathers.

With this world cup, Pakistan cricket has returned to its rightful status at the top of international cricket and we should welcome the green team home with all honors they deserve, not because they reached top four in the cricket world cup 2011, but winning our hearts by what I call ‘our real victory’. Let’s each and every one of us materialize this ‘real victory’ by achieving excellence individually as players in our fields and collectively as nation just like our cricket players and the team.