One Night at the World Youth Congress

Here I am at the World Youth Congress, where over 550 youth from over 125 nations are gathered.

Let me start by saying how immensely proud I am of our country- Canada. It can be said that all nations have issues–except maybe the Scandinavians (it’s pretty sweet to live there). The question is how a country, made up of its citizens, chooses to deal with those issues. Through my travels, I’ve been fortunate to root my national pride in many examples of how this country rocks and represents my ideals in so many ways. I’d like to speak to one example I experienced last night using the Canadian arts scene as the backdrop.

Last night, I was standing in the middle of the crowd for the Governor General’s youth dialogue. Here we have a head of state who is a refugee, of african descent, a woman and a journalist, spending time with the youth of the country in a meaningful dialogue. We were also fortunate to have the presence of major icons within the Canadian music industry. It is my opinion that the current emblems of youth culture, mainly derived from US influences, are individuals who contradict many of our aspirations towards a better society. These artists promote violence, gender disempowerment, materialism and really lack substance in their art forms. However, this was not the case last night–I’m sitting in a crowd where 4 major Canadian icons exist. The evening began with the insightful lyrics of east coast hip-hop artist Jordan Croucher. The evening continued to feature artist Samian, who spoke of the power of language, integrating his native Algonquin language with French rap.

Following the discussion, we were treated to an incredible concert by K’Naan and Jully Black. Again, I’d like to look at these two emblems of proof that Canadians not only seek substantive and talented art emblems, but also find them in individuals who represent all that Canada has to offer. The first performer was K’naan. There are a few moments in my life where I’m sitting in a concert and the music profoundly moves me–this was one of those moments.  K’naan, a refugee from Somalia, is truly a Dusty Foot Philosopher. A Dusty Foot Philosopher is someone who speaks truth and wisdom which is grounded in time immemorial.  His story and integrity are a tribute to Canadian culture and multicultural vision.

Jully Black wrapped up the concert and really began the idea for this cultural comparison/Canada Ra Ra session. While most female musicians (a la Pussy Cat Dolls) speak towards the only female empowerment mechanism being that of sexual depravity, I found it interesting to see Jully Black belt out, “I’m a girl, I’m a lady, I’m a woman, I’m a queen, I’m everything I can dream.”

Although this somewhat narrow look at the Canadian music scene seems simplistic and trivial, I think it speaks to overall success of Canada who has nurtured these artist- with many more needing spotlight. Moreover, I think it represents a major front of youth culture and an inhibitor to building ourselves as global citizens.

For a further comparison of Jully Black and Pussy Cat Dolls check out the lyrics here:
http://www.metrolyrics.com/when-i-grow-up-lyrics-pussycat-dolls.html
http://www.metrolyrics.com/queen-lyrics-jully-black.html

 

-Danny Richmond

Yumi wan bigfella familie!

While I love my job here at YCI, sending volunteers out on project can be a simultaneously rewarding and frustrating process. Rewarding, because I believe in the capabilities, energy and enthusiasm of our youth, but frustrating because I feel so far removed from it—and I’ll admit, partially because I’m a little jealous!

It’s been over two years since I returned from my own project in Vanuatu. I was starting to feel a bit restless, so when I found myself with a long weekend booked off and no concrete plans, I knew what I had to do. No plan, no itinerary—just a plane ticket to Halifax, and the desire to sit beside the ocean.

It was the first time since Vanuatu that I’ve traveled alone, so I contact a fellow volunteer, whom I hadn’t seen since a post-project trip in Australia.  We hadn’t been placed on project together (we worked on separate islands), but during the five-day pre-departure session, I found that I was at ease speaking with him.  It truly was the YCI experience—in challenging circumstance, removed from all your familiar support networks, new friendships and connections come quick, fast and strong.

After spending the afternoon at a beach in southwest Nova Scotia, I nervously went to pick up my friend. I mentally prepared myself, reminding myself that really, apart from a few days and a few emails back and forth, I didn’t know anything about him. And so far removed from the context of Vanuatu, we probably had little in common. “I live pretty much the same way that I did in Vanuatu,” he told me, only half-joking. I was envious. “I work in an office, wear skirts and heels every day, buy organic produce, recycle, have a comprehensive benefits plan and worry too much,” I told him. “I’m pretty much a yuppie.”

But there was comfort and ease in our shared history. (Albeit, that history was limited to five-odd days in Vanuatu, and a couple of days spent ocean-side in Byron Bay, Australia.) I anticipated that I’d spend the weekend with him reminiscing, but instead I found myself listening—a lot. In Vanuatu, my role within my group was the ear, the shoulder to lean on and the mediator. I rarely play this role in my home life in Canada, but I was surprised to discover how easily it still suited me.

This past Saturday, I sat with a group of four young women headed to Costa Rica discussing their fears, their hopes and their expectations for their project. While they seemed excited about the work they were setting out to do, it was evident that what they were most excited about was developing friendships and connections with one another. Not even on the plane yet, they had already begun identifying as a group, while tying together the threads of their separate histories and identities. I have no doubt in my mind that during the next ten weeks they’ll not only develop lifelong connections, but learn little unexpected bits about themselves along the way.

As for my fellow volunteers from V6-6A, some I keep in close contact with, while I haven’t spoken with others at all. But after going out east, I know that despite the passage of time, the commonalities of our shared history and experience with YCI will keep those connections strong. And even if I don’t see my fellow volunteers or Vanuatu again, it doesn’t matter—because in those six weeks, I learned more about my own history, beliefs and capabilities than I ever thought possible.

 

Mi wetem wan bigfella group blong mi long Lambubu, Vanuatu 2006. Yumi wan bigfella familie!

-Jessica Lockhart, Office Manager

 

YCI greets the Governor General at the World Youth Congress

Courage: AIDS 2008 Conference

It is incredibly overwhelming to think of all the damage done by the complexity and vast reach of AIDS. It is hard to find a person left in this world, even unknowingly or indirectly, who cannot be said to be affected by the virus. It has crippled countries, devastated lives and robbed people of their dignity, childhood and human rights. The XVII International AIDS conference is the symbol to represent the immensity of the human response to the virus. Politicians, scientists, social workers, doctors, women, sex workers, government/NGO reps, and youth gather for five days to try to network and better respond to the virus that has killed more than 25 million people. It is in this gathering, representing the millions responding courageously, that an individual can find hope.
Dr. Peter Piot (Exec. Director of UNAIDS) spoke at AIDS 2006 in Toronto and in Mexico City of the next 25 years of AIDS- recognizing that although we have come so far- we have a far way to go.

What can sustain us, especially youth, through this journey?

I believe the answer lies in 3 elements of this conference:

1) Knowledge- I began learning about AIDS in elementary school and have only yet learnt the tip of the iceberg. The AIDS conference involves over fourty concurrent sessions in any given hour following topics diverse as twelve floors of a university library. The more one learns- the more you know it is possible to overcome what lies ahead.

2) Dedication- In this conference, I am surrounded by thousands of delegates from around the world who dedicate every morsel of energy, every heartbeat and thought to ensuring that they face the challenges of AIDS whether it be the poverty grown by the affects of the virus, stigma generated by people’s indiffernce and ignorance, or the elusive nature of the virus itself.

3)Hope- In the opening ceremony, 12-year-old Keren Dunaway Gonzalez, who has been living with the virus spoke about her dreams and belief in her future. Ten years ago, I don’t believe it would have been fathomable for her to have these dreams or even be alive. Today, she spoke of the next 25 years as well–it was a speech of hope. Hope is not simply to be relegated to Hallmark cards and rhetoric of presidential hopefuls but a strong necessity if we are to face the future of this global pandemic with convictions.

HIV/AIDS is overwhelming to think of by the immensity of its damage however I find comfort in the immensity of the human response. 

 

YCI Represents in Mexico City. 

AIDS 2008 Delegate Blog, Danny Richmond
XVII AIDS CONFERENCE, MEXICO CITY