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The ProjectThe Project…
One World Youth Project is a unique sister-school program for middle and high school students, linking groups in the US/Canada with groups from around the world together in learning partnerships for the purpose of community service toward the achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. Our philosophy is that through participating in cultural exchange, youth are inspired to take positive action. One World Youth Project’s innovative and fun educational program allows youth to explore and better understand their own community, while at the same time learning about the community of their sister-group overseas. It is through this process that participants discover friendship across borders, gain empowerment as they recognize the integral role each individual plays in a community, and realize the challenges that face our world. Each sister-group pair is assigned one of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals on which to focus their year-long study and communication. Each sister-group ultimately takes action on their UN Millennium Development Goal through a local service project.
The intent is that through this process of cultural exchange and collaborative action, youth leave each program year with:
Our goal is create a more knowledgeable, compassionate, skilled, and understanding generation of global citizens while at the same time inspiring youth to take effective action now on the UN Millennium Development Goals. One World Youth Project is entirely run and operated by a volunteer staff of university-aged young people, called Project Ambassadors. We are not an organization or initiative under the umbrella of a larger entity. The organization was founded in 2004 by then 18 year old youth activist, Jessica Rimington and continues to remain true its original identity: an organization run by youth for youth. That’s perhaps why middle and high school age youth find our program so exciting –we make it fun…because as youth ourselves, we remember what was appealing in middle and high school.
In 2006, One World Youth Project launched its first initiative to inspire individuals of all ages to take action on the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This program is our MDG-er Network, a platform for citizens willing to take action to achieve the MDGs. Individuals, groups, or other organizations can join the Network in order to learn of exciting MDG action opportunities and to share their accomplishments in achieving the MDGs. This network is separate from our sister-school initiative, but can serve as a curriculum extension if educators would like to use it as such.
>>Click here for a printable document detailing One World Youth Project>>Click here for a printable one-page description of One World Youth Project
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COMMUNICATION ** CURRICULUM ** COMMUNITY SERVICE
In order to inspire positive action through cultural exchange, One World Youth Project’s program is broken into three parts: communication, curriculum, and community service. Each sister-school pair is assigned a Project Ambassador mentor who helps guide them through the entire program year.
Youth participants are able to communicate directly with their sister-school as well as with the entirel One World Youth Project community... here's how! Group to Group: Youth are able to directly communicate with the youth of their sister-school through: - pen-pal letter correspondence - password protected internet message-boards (click here) - OWYP’s Conversation Bursts
Once every two months One World Youth Project hosts a two-week Conversation Burst. This is a time for ‘intensive’ communication between sister-schools. At the beginning of the school year, each teacher or group leader is mailed a packet of Conversation Burst curriculum. For example, a curriculum activity may include: write a travel journal entry as if you were a visitor to your own town. During each Conversation Burst period (4 a year), the teacher or group leader chooses one or more of the curriculum activities from the packet –or they can invent their own! Each sister-pair’s Project Ambassador mentor helps coordinate the exchange of these activities over this two week period. A group does not have to pick the same curriculum activities as their sister-school.
OWYP Community: Beyond direct communication with their sister-school, youth participants are also able to communicate with the entire OWYP Community. The OWYP Community is comprised of all th
To strengthen this community youth are able to communicate with other participants: - on the password protected internet message-boards - read news from participants all over the world - learn about the communities of the Project Ambassadors from their - and take part in participant SKYPE Chats online once every two months
One World Youth Project offers free curriculum resources to participating youth, teachers, and group leaders!
Each sister-school pair is assigned one of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to focus on. One World Youth Project provides a school year’s worth of monthly curriculum related to each MDG. For instance, if a school in Massachusetts and a school in Tanzania were working on MDG 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and other diseases, each school would receive an identical copy of a year’s worth of monthly curriculum related to MDG 6.
Each MDG is explored through a 7 month curriculum program centered on a real life, personal story. Each month participants learn more about a person whose life intersects with their MDG. Monthly curriculum activities are provided, which use the personal testimony as a jumping off point to explore the featured MDG in more depth. Participants (often through a teacher or group leader) submit their activity responses at the end of every month to One World Youth Project. These responses are then promptly posted –allowing participants to view all the responses from around the world, thus enriching the cultural exchange while simultaneously beginning to explore a need for positive action.
The goals of this curriculum are to:
Each sister-school pair organizes a collaborative community service project working toward their focus UN Millennium Development Goal. **CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT PAST MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOAL ACTIONS!** In the winter each participating school is asked to elect two youth leaders to spearhead their group’s community service project. The youth leaders communicate directly with their Project Ambassador mentor throughout the rest of the year regarding their group’s MDG focused community service project.
By early spring, each group must have developed a community service project action plan. One World Youth Project in collaboration with Youth Service America provides each school/group with a GUIDE TO MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOAL ACTION. The teacher/group leader can choose to use this as curriculum or to let the youth use the guide as a resource. Youth are expected to complete their community service project by May. Since, both schools/groups within a sister-school pair are working on the same MDG they are encouraged to communicate regarding their projects –sharing ideas, successes, challenges, and perhaps thoughts for future collaboration.
OPPORTUNITIES
MDG Awareness Day: Every April in collaboration with Youth Service America’s Global and National Youth Service Day, One World Youth Project organizes a one-day MDG Awareness effort. Each year the day is focused on a different MDG. News: Participating groups are encouraged to regularly submit news and updates to be posted on the One World Youth Project website and occasionally to take the form of project coordinated press releases.
Youth Summits: One World Youth Project holds youth summits in regional locations as a chance for participating youth from a specific area to share ideas, participate in leadership training, and take action together for the MDGs. Our first summit –the One World USA Summit –was held in Washington D.C. at Georgetown University in March 2006.
Youth Leader Email List: One World Youth Project regularly sends out updates to its youth leader email list.
Students, Armani & Jonathan, from New Orleans meet with Senator Vitter
Educator Email List: One World Youth Project regularly sends out updates to its educator email list. Documentaries: Sometimes Project Ambassadors are able to travel to school locations to help youth film a documentary representing their community and culture and exchange with their sister-school overseas.
Youth Leadership Workshops: If in the region, Project Ambassadors will visit school locations to conduct leadership workshops.
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One World Youth Project's Core Principles... YOUTH LEADERSHIP
PASSION TO ACTION
EMPOWERMENT THROUGH IMPORTANCE “If you walk away thinking one thing, let it be – that you’re important…For many reasons that I’m sure your parents are aware of –but also because it is your responsibility to protect and sustain your future. You cannot count on others doing it for you. And, it is your job to inspire others to do the same. Because in actuality… it’s not just your future –it’s my future too… and his future …and her future… it OUR future.” -Founder, Jessica Rimington, speech at Global Young Leaders Conference 2006 EVERYONE MAKES A DIFFERENCE Through One World Youth Project, we hope to help young people realize that each and every day they are making a difference. The choices one makes daily make a difference in the world. We believe that just as one’s action can have a positive effect on the world one’s inaction can have a negative effect. It’s up to each of us to decide what kind of difference we choose to make. THE WAY FORWARD IS THROUGH COLLABORATION One World Youth Project emphasizes collaboration for action. We stray away from the common notion of ‘charity’ and instead stand firm that every region of the world and every person on this planet has something productive, integral, and creative to offer. It is through combined strengths that we will affect significant change in the world. “Country borders are just things we made up,” says Founder Jessica Rimington. “There are deeply interwoven things within us that are universal. We’re all in this together. Which means it is imperative we work together.” One World Youth Project is flexible to meet the needs and conditions of varying schools and youth groups. Each school partnership does not operate in exactly the same way. We work with each school or youth group to determine what type of program works best with their environment and situation.
========================================================================= Read what teachers have to say...
"I'm involved with One World Youth Project in order to help my students go beyond the textbook...the project allows our students to reach out beyond the confines of their classroom, their state, and their nation." -Sally Meredith, Teacher in New Orleans, Louisiana "If you could see the looks in the students' eyes when they know they are going to be working on the project; they're excited... you can see it in their faces and voices!...students are having those 'aha!' moments that you rarely see in the classroom." Students in New Orleans write a Declaration -Paul Niles, Teacher in Orleans, Massachusetts
"The Project has introduced our community to the United Nations Millennium Goals which are critical to the global alignment of countries and communities behind a common set of objectives necessary for achieving socioeconomic development, particularly in communities like ours in Arusha. Tothis end, (our) Center and its youth leaders and participants have become active in various environmental improvement initiatives, and in carrying out educational efforts on Malaria." -Felix A. Nyakatale, Program Director of a Community Center in Arusha, Tanzania Youth & community members work together to clean up their environment
"There are so many benefits to the program. For one thing students take on leadership roles that guide them in a positive direction...This project has really appealed to these students...it's changed their attitude toward school and their peers." -Kathy Renyer, Director of the International Baccalaureate program in Danville, Virginia
Students from Virginia spoke at a 2005 Congressional Reception on the importance of universal primary education
========================================================================= United Nations Millennium Development Goals…
To learn more about the UN Millennium Development Goals visit:
========================================================================= Project Ambassadors…One World Youth Project is entirely run and operated by a volunteer staff of young people called Project Ambassadors.
Jessica Rimington attends Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Washington D.C. Her involvement in youth activism began when she was twelve and joined the Jane Goodall Institute's global environmental and humanitarian program for youth, Roots & Shoots. In 2002 she was one of two U.S. students chosen to travel to South Africa to represent the Jane Goodall Institute and the U.S. at the Children's Earth Summit (held in conjunction with the World Summit on Sustainable Development). As the Youth Correspondent for the Jane Goodall Institute she has also attended World Refugee Day where she interviewed UN Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie, the Bioneers Conference in California, and the United Nation's Peace Youth Summit. Jessica is a founding member of the Roots & Shoots Youth Leadership Council. And, in 2002, she founded a community organization called the Cape Youth Council on Sustainability, which now includes students from 11 different schools. In 2004, she organized a Rock the Vote event and directed a documentary emphasizing youth participation in politics. Jessica was the recipient of the 2004 BRICK Award from Do Something as well as theMassachusetts Governor's Points of Light Award. She is also a winner of the 2005 Brower Youth Awards. She has been a keynote speaker along side Dr. Jane Goodall and former President Bill Clinton as well as a speaker at UN World Environment Day, the UN Youth Assembly, and the Green Festival. She moderated the youth forum at the 2005 Bioneers conference and was the keynote speaker at the 2006 Global Young Leaders Conference. She loves to travel, dance, write, paint, and sing. Jessica@oneworldyouthproject.org
Ashima Bhardwaj lives in Dehradun, India. She is deeply committed to environmental, health, and disability issues. Ashima has participated in Nasha Mukti Goshthi, a convention to discuss the concerns surrounding drug consumption among urban youth and also played an integral role in the Eco Camp organized by RFSTE. For years Ashima has been speaking in public in an effort to raise awareness about environmental issues. In 2002, she spoke about the importance of preserving the ozone layer before representatives of 17 premier educational institutions. Throughout high school Ashima initiated awareness campaigns by forming students groups focusing on education, poverty, environment, and health. Recently, she has participated in the foundation course for special education of the disabled and the convention on 'pulse polio' with senior state officials and World Health Organization representatives. Continuing with her efforts to bring awareness to the plight of the disabled in India, Ashima hasvisited and researched the National Institute for the Visually Handicapped, the Bajaj Institute of Learning for the Deaf, the National Institute for the Orthopedically Handicapped, Sharp Memorial School for the Blind, and the Cheshire Home. Ashima has also conducted a survey in the remote village of Jaitanwala on the counseling of disabled persons. In addition to all this, Ashima is also a talented musician and songwriter. She loves singing, traveling, dancing, and reading. Ashima’s role model is Mother Teresa. Ashima@oneworldyouthproject.org
Tina Huang- Vice President & Project Ambassador Tina Huang graduated with High Honors in Government and East Asian Students from Wesleyan University and is currently on the communications and public affairs staff at Citizens’ Committee for Children, a 60-year old New York City-based child advocacy organization. She is passionate about social activism at the local, national and international level and is committed to developing and encouraging the youth voice in policymaking. In 2003, she participated in the 55th Japan-America Student Conference in Tokyo, Japan and engaged both Japanese and American students on the topics of youth activism, the Asian American Diaspora and East Asian Relations. She is the founder ofChinese Adopted Sibs at Wesleyan, which works with Families of Children from China to enhance leadership, community building, and advocacy for adopted children’s issues through mentorship. She is also a fellow at the Institute for International Public Policy, a special program of the United Negro College Fund Special Programs Corporation, where she received graduate-level training in policy research, leadership and communications. In 2004, she was awarded the Davenport Public Policy grant to conduct field research on migrant women and childrenin China and she is currently working to publish her research and findings. In addition to her work on behalf of women and youth, Tina sings with her local gospel choir, play the piano and Gu Zheng and writes. She is also fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin. Tina@oneworldyouthproject.org
Soumaya lives in Rabat, Morocco where she attends secondary school. She has always beeninterested in environmental/humanitarian issues and has taken action on such concerns throughout her life. In 2004, she participated in the United Nations Tunza International Children’s Conference in Connecticut. In 2006, she organized One World Youth Project’s first ever MDG Awareness Day. She also mentored the Jeanne d’Arc school in One World Youth Project. Soumaya speaks French, Arabic, and English. She loves to read and write. Soumaya@oneworldyouthproject.org
Jefferson Arak- Project Ambassador Jeff has never been one to balk at the opportunity to teach, learn or grow. He recently received his academic degree in Anthropology and Latin American Studies from Brandeis University in Massachusetts and is continuing his "studies" in Mexico this summer, setting up a media lab in a Zapotec town on the coast and teaching filmmaking workshops to a youth group. This project is funded by the Kathryn Wasserman Davis Project for Peace foundation. Jeff plans on continuing his interests in film in California after his grant runs out by making socially conscious documentaries with like-minded souls. He is fully prepared to give all his energy to working with OWYP in combating poverty and ignorance in the world. Jeff@oneworldyouthproject.org
A student at the School of Tomorrow in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, Eyoel Berhane Asfaw is co-founder and President of the Diplomats’ Club, and initiated student council at the school. An aspiring engineer and psychologist, he hopes to merge his two greatest passions – computers and humanitarian work – in his future career. He has participated actively in numerous workshops and seminars including an HIV/AIDS awareness workshop for youth organized by UNICEF and a workshop organized by the Pontifical Academy of Science in the Vatican. Eyoel has traveled extensively including: the Vatican, Thailand, Hong Kong, China, Italy, and Ghana. In his free time, Eyoel likes to spend time on the beach in San Diego or debate politics. Eyoel@oneworldyouthproject.org
Jennifer Ehidiamen - Project Ambassador Jennifer lives in Lagos, Nigeria . She loves to write, read mind building books, perform poetry, cook and listen to music. She also loves to meet people and make new friends. Her first book "In Days to Come" was published in England by the young poet society and she currently writes a Youth Column for a National Newspaper in Nigeria. Although very passionate about broadcasting and Journalism, this optimistic young lady has spent the past three years learning about community development issues, traveling and volunteering both locally and internationally as one of the Global Xchange active global citizens committed to working for a positive change. She loves working with young people and looks forward to making a positive difference as one of OWYP's Project Ambassadors. Jennifer@oneworldyouthproject.org
Jesse Falk-Finley is a happy fellow. He is 20 and attends the University of Chicago where he often has impromptu debates with economics majors who hail Milton Friedman and do not question the detrimental global impact of the Chicago School of Economics. Jesse is interested in promoting and inciting change through various types of media. He has experience in print journalism, photography, and digital video production. After learning the power of these mediums first hand, he hopes to spread the possibility of documentingand exploring existence on this planet to those who are usually not provided the means to present and share their perspective. Jesse is currently working with Alliance for Justice at their Oakland, CA office. Jesse@oneworldyouthproject.org
Kartika Hariyani- Project Ambassador Kartika is twenty years old and is from Kalimantan Timur (east Borneo), Indonesia. She got full scholarship twice, first: was from the US government to stay and study there for a year (2004-2005) in AFS (American Field Service) / YES (Youth Exchange Student) program, second: was from Youth and Sport Ministry of Indonesia cooperated with Canada World Youth to stay and volunteer for three and a half months each in British Columbia, Canada and West Sumatra, Indonesia (2006-2007) in Indonesia-Canada Youth Exchange program. She loves everything about youth leadership, culture exchange, education, global issues workshops, and community service. Kartika graduated high school in two years (2002-2004). Now, she studies in Mulawarman University majoring in International Relations. She also loves languages! She’s learned Japanese, Spanish (which she’s focusing now), and of course fluent in English. Cause of that she’s chosen to be one of the Language Ambassadors of her province (must master Bahasa Indonesia, traditional / native and foreign languages) and was the youngest English debate competitions jury for high school students in West Sumatra-Riau-Jambi (March 2007) and Kalimantan Timur (April 2007). In her free-time, she loves to sing, read, write, dance, and listen to the music. Her wildest dreams are: to gather children from around the world and to go to Africa! Kartika@oneworldyouthproject.org
Blair is in her final year at Dickinson College where she is concentrating in Medical Anthropology. Last semester she spent six months in Cameroon, West Africa, where she took classes, lived with a host family, and studied the language and culture of the people. She also had the chance to intern with the Fobang Foundation, a non-profit that provides support and treatment for HIV/AIDS, malaria, and Tuberculosis. After graduation she is planning on traveling back to Africa to work in some sort of development/aid/educational capacity. While in Cameroon she was so excited to be able to visit the OWYP group in Ngoundere!! After her experience with the group, she is ecstatic to get to reconnect with all the students and Alice and is excited for this upcoming year with OWYP!!! Blair@oneworldyouthproject.org
Dounia Kchiere-Project Ambassador
Dounia Kchiere is an “A” student, studying both Engineering and Management, at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco. Her primary interests center on health and education issues.Dounia develops leadership and management skills by participating in numerous organizations. Since she has been at Al Akhawayn University she has volunteered with Operation Smile, helping improve the lives of Moroccan people. Fluent in Arabic, French and English she perfects her linguistic skills by writing for her university newspapers, and public speaking. This past year she won 1st place at her University in the International Public Speaking Competition. She also is an active member of The Communication club, where she works on a team helping to organize events at her university, including thethird Vittachi of education conference. Dounia is a role model and university representative. As an ambassador for her university she reaches out to high school students. Meanwhile on campus, she also assists new students at the university by serving as an Orientation Leader. In her spare time she enjoys swimming, music, movies, and dancing. Dounia@oneworldyouthproject.org
Aashish Khullar - Project Ambassador
Aashish lives in Delhi, India. He has completed his Bachelors degree in Banking & Finance from the London School of Economics and Political external programme and is now in his gap year after which he plans to study conflict resolution. He is a Starting Bloc fellow from the London Business School. This is a fellowship on Social Innovation and Sustainable Development with the partner schools consisting of MIT, Yale, Columbia, Chicago, Wharton, NYU, The Fletcher School and Duke University. In the words of Starting Bloc they “educate, empower and connect emerging leaders to drive positive social change across sectors as they rise in positions of influence”. It is based on the latest principles of corporate social responsibility and social entrepreneurship. He attended the 4th annual UN Youth Assembly and the partner summit with IPEC in Canada. Throughout University and school Aashish has been active with student body issues. He was also given the Prakriti (means nature) award for his involvement with the Nature club. For over two years now he has been a part time volunteer with an NGO (Udayan Care) that specializes in foster care for orphaned and abandoned children. Through his NGO involvement he was one of the representatives to meet with a Common Wealth study group delegation. His favorite pastime as he says is ‘just thinking about anything’. He enjoys horseback riding and playing sports and represented his school in tennis, volleyball and athletics in addition to being an interjector for the commerce society. Aashish@oneworldyouthproject.org
Abdunuur Mohamed - Project Ambassador
Abdunuur lives in Arusha, Tanzania. He currently attends the East Africa College in Arusha, studying International Relations and Diplomacy. His spirit of leadership began when he was very young at Primary school, where he led the school communities and the Society Trainings, in 2001 he was selected to be the peer educator of his school and attended the HIV/AIDS and Peer Educator Trainings. In 2003 he was elected to be the General Secretary of his high school until he completed high school in 2005. In the year 2004 he attended the Behavior Change and Communications Training from CHAWAKUA. He has also attended the leadership trainings of EDUCO (South Africa) Team at MCW Arusha, and Scouts from ZAMBIA. Abdunuur is the founder and managing director of the Perfect Youth Group and the Community Center Coordinator at Dr. Herman Wrice Youth Empowerment Village (MCWT) and he is spearheading the MDG’s in communities in Tanzania. He has been selected to be the youth advisor as a YAG member of ISHI Campaign for HIV/AIDS for Arusha Municipal. Abdunuur has worked closely with One World Youth Project since its pilot project year. He is talented in Traditional Dance. Abdunuur loves to dance, sing, write, and exchange ideas with others. Abdu@oneworldyouthproject.org Keerat Pannu- Project Ambassador Keerat is a sophomore at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. She plans to major in International Politics with a concentration in International Law, Ethics, and Institutions and obtain a certificate in International Development. At Georgetown she is an Executive Board Member of Our Education, a Young Leaders in Education about Diversity Mentor, member of the Academic Council's Social Action Committee, member of Education Without Boundaries, and member of Amnesty International. Her interests include social justice, education, diversity issues, politics, and foreign affairs. In her free time she likes to read, paint, travel, and just hang out with friends. She also loves learning new languages. Currently, she is proficient in English, Punjabi, and Spanish and wants to learn French and Arabic in the future. She greatly admires the work One World Youth Project is doing and is really excited to work with the organization! Keerat@oneworldyouthproject.org
Anthony Oman lives in Fairfax, Virginia and is a high school student attending Paul VI. He has an international background from living in countries from Asia to northern Europe. Anthony participated in The Hague International Model United Nations conference where as many as 2,000 delegates attended. He has always been interested in working with an international community of people and learning more about the world. Anthony has been involved in the student council in his previous schools creating a better learning place for the students and staff. Anthony speaks Spanish fluently and has a South American background. Anthony enjoys all types of activities from working outside to indoors, and is up for many different ideas. Anthony@oneworldyouthproject.org
While growing up, Lvanika tried her to make the best of the opportunities that knocked at her doorstep. She believes her greatest strength is to be able to not just share but also multiply the opportunities she receives. She helped bring the concept of Model United Nations to India, conducted training modules for youth, and has worked on case studies on topics ranging from T.V. blues to adolescence issues. Lvanika is also deeply involved with Rotary International. In her free time, she likes to catch up with friends. A lot of people know Lvanika as an internet buff. She also likes to indulge in cultural activities. In short, she is a person who believes in living each moment to its fullest. Lvanika@oneworldyouthproject.org
Geoffrey M. Roche - Project Ambassador
Geoffrey is currently studying at Moravian College, a small liberal arts institution in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Roche is majoring in Political Science with a minor in Public Management. He knew at a young age that he wanted a career where he could help and serve others. His aspirations in public service have always revolved around the notion that it is part of his personal responsibility to become involved in his community and work to make a difference in people’s lives. For ten years, Roche has actively been involved in local, state, and federal politics, in addition to his active community service. His work in politics has included serving in various roles on different campaigns. In addition to that, Roche worked as a staff member in the Pennsylvania State Senate at the age of 16 and remained in that position for two and half years. Following that, he joined the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in another staff position. At the age of 18, Roche was featured in the news across Pennsylvania when he was appointed Township Auditor by the Ross Township Supervisors and became one of the youngest public officials ever. At Moravian, he has continued to be actively involved as a member of the Residence Life Staff, Student Government, Gamma Sigma Sigma, a National Service Sorority, Model NATO, and many other groups and organizations. Roche has attended the ASGA National Student Government Summit twice, is a graduate of the LeaderShape Institute, and attended both the National Youth Leadership Forum on Law and the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar. Finally, one should know that Roche is a person that maintains a deep sense of duty, pride, and the willingness to serve others. This seems to be the main factor as to why he selected public service as his calling at such a young age. Geoffrey@oneworldyouthproject.org
Tieza Santos- Project Ambassador
Tieza is the first Filipino Project Ambassador of OWYP. In 2006, she graduated from Ateneo de Manila University, the leading private Catholic university in the Philippines, with an AB European Studies Major in International Relations and double minor degrees in History and French Language. She pursued her graduate studies in the same university under the AB-MA straight honors' program of the Political Science Department obtaining an MA Political Science Major in Global Politics degree. She was an outstanding student and was the youngest MA degree holder of Batch 2007. She also took a graduate course in International Peace and Security Studies at the University of the Philippines. In January 2007, she was elected as the first Filipino President of the 5th Asian Youth Forum International Conference in Bangkok, Thailand. Her passion for youth activism began in high school when she joined the Philippine delegation (as its youngest participant) to the World Youth Day and Asian Youth Gathering in Rome, Italy. Her travels abroad and experience with young people made her realize the need to empower the youth. She is a good dancer and artist. She loves music, reading books, movies, going places, meeting new people and eating out. She enjoys football, UAAP basketball and extreme sports. At present she is learning Spanish and improving her French. She is one of the Philippine's young social entrepreneurs promoting and advocating for genuine human development, gender and human rights, environmental protection and sustainability, education as well as corporate social responsibility. Tieza@oneworldyouthproject.org
Bhalayogasthini Sivayoganathan- Project Ambassador Bhalayogasthini Sivayoganathan is a student of K/ Girls’ High School in Sri Lanka and is currently attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She has been involved in various leadership & social activities since her childhood. She also a member of Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University and has co-coordinated various events with this institute. She is also an action partner of Srilankan Youth parliament (SLYP) and is working for youth empowerment. She speaks English, Tamil & Sinhala as well as a little bit of Hindi & French. In her past, she has been involved in various activities like Girl guiding, Debating, School choirs and School drama team. She loves helping people in need. She was the leader of Tsunami help aid programme organized by her school in an effort to help the victims in the tsunami-affected area. She considers this effort a big accomplishment in life. In her free time, she loves reading (Harry potter, Da Vinci code, Dale Carnegie series to name a few!), listening to classical music, chatting, andspending time with Friends. Gasthini@oneworldyouthproject.org
Jill Slutzker- Project Ambassador Jill is twenty-one years old and is from Knoxville, TN. She is a junior in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. She is studying Culture and Politics. During the 2007/2008 school year she will be studying abroad in Morocco, where she will be mentoring two OWYP schools as well. She speaks English and French and is beginning her third year of Arabic. She loves languages! Jill's interest in global affairs really began when she spent her first summer abroad with a host family in France at the age of 16. She has recently had the pleasure of visiting One WorldYouth Project schools in Rabat, Morocco and Beijing. Jill has also helped organize the 2006 & 2007 One World USA Youth Summit. In her free time, Jill enjoys travel, reading, writing, fitness, cooking, and waterskiing and relaxing with her family on Norris Lake in Tennessee. In the future, Jill plans to pursue a career with the State Department or with an international NGO working on humanitarian issues. She aspires to work abroad and see the world! Jill@oneworldyouthproject.org
Alexandra Solomatova- Project Ambassador
Alexandra (Sasha) is an active young lady from Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek. She has been involved into different social activities since 9th grade and still is very passionate about her dream to make a world a better place to live. She has organized her first project (English club) with poorly-sighted children working together with UNV program. Already during that period she has been spreading info among her peers about Millennium Development Goals. Half of the decade has passed and she has organized about 30 different projects working with young people, disabled, aged people, prisoners, orphans and future leaders of her country. She has also organized several Charity Balls and Clean-Up campaigns. In 2003 she became an outstanding speaker during UN Model in Kyrgyz Republic. In 2004 she became a FLEX exchange student in USA, CO. In 2005 she won a CLOSE UP scholarship to attend a seminar in DC on civil education. In 2006 she became a coordinator of 650 young people in Kyrgyzstan who had gone on different exchange programs. She has been working with them till present time. In 2006 she has been working with 40 young people from Afghanistan teaching such things as diversity and different cultures.. She believes that the world is too round to sit silently in the corner and that is why she loves traveling, meeting new people, sharing ideas, passion and building teams of future leaders. Alexandra@oneworldyouthproject.org
Lilu is a pre-university school in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She started volunteering when she was fifteen and now works in the World Bank as a youth advisory group member. With the World Bank she has been working on a project providing youth based information on HIV/AIDS. She is also involved with the Bethany Negash Memorial Foundation as a socialworker. She has traveled to different parts of Ethiopia for youth empowerment, mobilization, and scaling up youth participation in projects. She is also engaged in her school's mini media, HIV/AIDS campaigns, as well as science and art clubs. In addition, she was recognized by thePresident of the World Bank, Mr. James Wolfensohn, for her accomplishments. In her free-time Lilu enjoys singing, and is in charge of a gospel band based in Addis Ababa. Lilu@oneworldyouthproject.org
Cady Voge lives in Berkeley, California where she graduated from a social justice based small school within Berkeley High School called CAS (Communication Arts and Sciences). Cady also participated in the CAS leadership class which plans CAS events and curriculum. She is now a sophomore at U.C. Davis. Cady has a passion for humanitarian work, particularly social justice issues relating racial equity. Cady is also very interested in AIDS prevention work and was a team leader for AIDS Walk San Francisco 2004. She is on the Youth Leadership Council for the Alameda County Office of Education, which works to encourage and provide ways for youth to have a voice in their schools and communities. Cady has a passionate interest in other languages and cultures. She recently helped coordinate One World Youth Project’s work with Mexico and also mentored a school in Oakland that was working on the Project. In the spring of 2006, Cady wasinstrumental in organizing the first One World USA Youth Summit. Cady is also experienced in filmediting. Cady@oneworldyouthproject.org
Virginia Wilkins- Project Ambassador Virginia currently works at Lionbridge Interpretation as a linguistic recruiter with a focus on the Americas languages. She is a graduate of Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania with a History and Political Science double major, and Spanish minor. In the future she plans on getting her masters degree in International Development. Virginia has been involved in lobbying since the age of 14 for the Global Fund and for appropriations to help eradicate HIV/AIDS. Her interest in leadership and social justice started at the age of 5 when she began writing the President for the first time. Currently she sits on the fundraising board for God¢s Littlest Angels Orphanage in Haiti and serves as a fundraising consultant for Community Coalition for Haiti. Virginia@oneworldyouthproject.org Hubert Zirimwabagabo - Project Ambassador
Hubert is 24, and a student at National University of Rwanda where he studies medicine. He is interested in global health and humanitarian work. He is the coordinator of RwanDAnmark project which is the partnership initiative between Rwandese and Danish medical students who work to promote women health conditions in southern region of Rwanda and to help students in capacity building skills through volunteering, workshops and seminars. Hubert has volunteered many years in community based micro projects as well as Rwanda Village Concept Project, Unite for Sight/Rwanda chapter and the Standing Committee on Reproductive health and AIDS of the Medical Students Association of Rwanda. He has attended seminars on peer education, reproductive health, family planning and HIV/AIDS. He has good experience in culture and education exchange programs. He speaks English, French and Swahili, he has good computer skills. He loves swimming, traveling and enjoying great moments with his family and friends. He is dreaming for his future medical work and international health career. Hubert@oneworldyouthproject.org |
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One World Youth Project is a non-profit 501[c]3 corporation founded in Massachusetts. Participation is free of charge. Groups wishing to participate as a sister-school must apply. Applications are reviewed annually in July. 
e participating sister-schools and Project Ambassador staff from around the world. 
Newsletter: 
One World Youth Project defines youth leadership as: action and organization initiated and maintained by young people. Youth leaders need mentors and tools, rather than instructions. Youth leadership is sustainable if the young people feel ownership. All people desire to invest their time and skills in what they feel deeply a part of; young people are no different in this way. Youth leadership is successful when creative, flexible, but also practical. Not all youth leaders are practical from the beginning. Trial and error corrects this. Mentors can also help by showing (providing examples), rather than telling. Youth leaders need time and space to practice leadership and business skills. They want to feel listened to and respected. They need responsibility in order to be motivated. Without true responsibility youth know they can always fall back on someone else; and they might rely on this rather than stepping up to the plate for action. Leadership is developed when youth know they are the only one who will do a task… in other words: if they don’t do it, no one else will. Leadership comes from passion and compassion. Mentors can show their own enthusiasm to help inspire passion in a young person. It’s contagious! Mentors can provide the tools, facts, and time to teach/show the stories of the world. This knowledge leads to compassion, which in turn leads to the desire for action. "The bridge that exists between the vision that we have and the reality that we are a part of, can only be crossed by the youth,” says OWYP Vice President, Ashima Bhardwaj.
Oprah Winfrey once said, “A passion should be as natural as breathing.” We want young people to discover what they find enjoyable, exciting, what comes naturally to them, and what they care deeply about –that is a passion. This passion can be anything from dance to the study of marine mammals to business to soccer. We hope that youth discover early on in life what makes them happy. It is myth that in order to be a change-maker one has to give up a part of one’s life. We ask youth to imagine using their passion as a way to affect to change. We ask youth to live their passions in a way that makes a positive impact in the world. We ask them to do what makes them happy in a way that makes others happy too. We don’t need a generation of tired and detached politicians, activists, and economists. We need a generation of people living positively. That means living the life you want to live in a way that also positively affects the world. 
