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In October, 300 young people from around the world will take their first steps towards becoming a global force for change.
OIYP participants on the steps of the Sydney Opera House show the flags of their home country. Photo: OxfamAUS.
Mary and Skhumbuzo are two young people with much in common. Although they live on opposite sides of the world — Mary in Vanuatu and Skhumbuzo in South Africa — they are both working for change in their communities.
Mary left school in Year 8 when her family could no longer afford the fees. She now volunteers at a youth drop-in centre where she helps other young people to build their skills, find work, gain access to services and learn about HIV and AIDS and sexually transmitted infections.
Skhumbuzo understands how inadequate education, limited sexual rights for women and a lack of discussion is contributing to rising HIV rates in his community. He uses theatre to help educate people and generate discussions about gender relationships, violence, women’s rights and HIV and AIDS.
In October, Skhumbuzo and Mary will join 298 other young people from around the world, at Oxfam International Youth Partnerships’ (OIYP) Kaleidoscope 2007 event in Sydney — the beginning of their journey as OIYP action partners.
OIYP is Oxfam’s key initiative to support young people who are contributing to positive development in their communities. The program operates as a youth network, helping young people broaden their perspectives, exchange information and build skills and knowledge so they can continue to take action in their communities to tackle issues such as social, political and economic injustice, loss of livelihoods, inadequate health and education services, lack of decision-making power and increasing conflict and violence.
This year, 300 new action partners have been selected from 3,000 applicants from more than 100 countries. Over the next three years, they will develop their skills, knowledge and understanding and create action plans, to bring positive, sustainable and equitable change to their communities, their regions and the world.
Over the eight days of Kaleidoscope 2007, the new action partners will meet one other, make connections, share experiences, and gain knowledge, which will help them become a global force for change. For most of them it will be the first time they have left their home countries.
“The aim of Kaleidoscope 2007 is to deepen relationships, share values and enhance mutual understanding across economic, cultural, thematic and geographic boundaries,” OIYP’s Youth Programs Manager Nicole Breeze says.
“The connections they make and the discussions they have will bring about ideas for creating positive futures in communities that are worlds apart.”
So while Mary and Skhumbuzo are a world away from each other, they actually share many similar challenges. And while they have different ways of responding, there is much they can learn from each other.
“I would love to see the youth of my community having positive mind and positive attitude towards their future,” Skhumbuzo says.
“We all must stand up so all issues affecting youth don’t become too big,” Mary adds.
Kaleidoscope 2007 is just the beginning of their journey.
Story by OIYP Program Coordinator May Miller-Dawkins.