WSC-SD Newsletter December 2008 by World Student Community for Sustainable Development

September - December 2008 Volume 3, Issue 2 Ready to Act? Realising Sustainability through Collaboration

Dear WSC-SD members, In the past few months the WSC-SD has grown incredibly. Our voice covers so much of the globe, and I am comforted by knowing that and how I have a friend in sustainability no matter where I go. I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of our new members. Welcome! I am overwhelmed by you all! WSC-SD Fort Hare, South Africa Students for Global Democracy of Uganda Agathar Kamota, South Africa Istiak Ahmed, Bangladesh Lindsay Cray, USA Songhee Park, South Korea Georgina Smit, South Africa Gladman Thondhlana, South Africa Carlos Bacaimane, Mozambique Agripa Munyai, South Africa Urias Sunday Goll, Liberia Mohan Kukret, India Jose Leurino, Denmark Cyril France, Ghana Jarot Indarto, Netherlands Tek Jung Mahat, Nepal Rizwan Shamim, Bangladesh Geoverty Sidel, Ecuador Denise Margaret Matias, Philippines Iwan Budhiarta, Indonesia Hebalallah Mowafi, Saudi Arabia Timo Uustal, Estonia Jacob Veedfald, Denmark Vuyokazi Lusanda Bangani, South Africa Architesh Panda, India Cheikh Mamina Diedhiou, Senegal

Salman Saeed, Pakistan Kelechi Eleanya, Nigeria Nooralluh Jan Ahmadzai, Korea Supatra Marlairodsiri, Thailand Varuzhan Sahakyan, Armenia Jerilyn Terry, USA Evi Maya Savira, South Korea Irina Pleva, Netherlands Emmanuel Osei Awuah, Ghana I really appreciate all the contributions and enjoy hearing about your work. You should enjoy as well-- our members are up to some impressive action. Cheers-Kat kat.potter@wscsd.org Director of Internal Relations, WSC-SD Co-President, Sustainability@MIT, USA

NEWSLETTER CONTENTS SNIPPETS from the WSC-SD

UPDATES:

from SOUTH AFRICA: WSC-SD Fort Hare, University of Fort Hare from COLOMBIA: Adriana Valenzuela, Individual Member from NAIROBI: Students for Global Sustainability, University of Nairobi, Kenya from CAIRO: Quark Society, The American University of Cairo from CANADA: Regina Chapter of the WSC-SD, University of Regina, Regina, Canada from TOKYO: Alliance for Global Sustainability University of Tokyo Students Community, Japan from USA: Sustainability@MIT, Cambridge, USA from GHANA: Cyril France, Individual Member from BANGLADESH: Istiak Ahmed, Individual Member OPPORTUNITIES

SNIPPETS: small pieces from the WSC-SD _____________________________________ 2009 Student Summit for Sustainability

_____________________________________ VISION e-Journal with oikos International

www.wscsd.org/s3zurich/ January 25 - February 1, 2009 in Zurich (ETH) / Kreuzlingen, Switzerland

On February 2nd, after the close of S3, there will be a post-meeting with our fellow student community oikos International.

This year we have the wonderful opportunity to jointly have the WSC-SD annual premeeting + S3 conference + AGS conference, hosted by ETH and project21 the WSC-SD student community in Zurich.

The WSC-SD and oikos International are collaborating together to re-launch the VISION e-Journal as a platform for students to publish and access articles on a broad range of topics under the theme of sustainable development. This is a worthwhile opportunity for the WSC-SD and oikos International to collaborate on a project of mutual interest, and it is of great importance that students have a platform to publish their work as well as access information and resources being produced by other students.

Registration for S3 is now closed as of December 24th. The WSC-SD premeeting will be attended by representatives from our student communities and a few individual members. As an attendee, please be sure to complete all of the premeeting preparatory materials. If you have any questions about the premeeting, please contact Jess, (jess.schulschenk@wscsd.org). Themes this year will be sure to bring much insight, collaboration, and sustainable progress. A.

AGS Urban Futures themes

A venue will be provided by the organising committee of the summit, project21, in Zurich. This will provide an opportunity for interested persons to discuss and plan the way forward for VISION. Who should attend?

<www.cces.ethz.ch/agsam2009/panels> B.

Over-arching AGS priority areas:

<www.cces.ethz.ch/agsam2009/panels/unis_sus> C.

Student Summit for Sustainability

<www.wscsd.org/s3zurich/call-for-papers-posters/>

Any WSC-SD or oikos International member who is interested in being part of the re-launch of VISION. We are looking for a new editorial board to take charge of VISION for the period February 2009 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; February 2010. Please confirm with Jess Schulschenk that you would like to attend this meeting, with a short motivation highlighting your interest in the VISION e-Journal. (jess.schulschenk@wscsd.org) I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t attend but am still interested, what should I do? We understand that not all members who are interested in working on VISION will be able to attend the meeting in Zurich in person. If you 3

are unable to attend but still interested, please email Jess your thoughts for the journal as well as how you would like to be involved and what you are able to offer / commit to. Please ensure that this email reaches Jess by no later than 15 January 2009. For further information, please contact Katharina Beck (beck@oikosinternational.org) or Jess Schulschenk (jess.schulschenk@wscsd.org).

_____________________________________ WSC-SD Website & Wiki www.wscsd.org wscsd.wik.is Remember: Every SC and IM is *required* to register their profile on the wiki. Please do so! The website and wiki platforms are beautifully running and the only thing left is for us to now use them! Please login to your wiki account and edit your personal info, add projects and resources. Decorate the website! Please send Jess photos of yourself or your SC taking action for sustainability. (jess.schulschenk@wscsd.org) Consider subscribing to the RSS feed for the website to stay posted with news and feel free to add your comments to the posts. Please contact Ryu if you would like to contribute to the website, share your ideas, or be interviewed (ryu.yanagisawa@wscsd.org). Sincere thanks for everyone who has contributed their part to the wiki and website thus far!! And take advantage of the ‘Projects’ space and ‘Calls for Assistance’ to initiate collaborations and overlaps with your international friends!

UPDATES _______________________________________ from SOUTH AFRICA WSC-SD Fort Hare, University of Fort Hare The World Student Community for Sustainable Development â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Fort Hare (WSC-SD Fort Hare) was launched on the 9th of October 2008. As a recently accepted partner of the global body, we appreciate the support we have received from the executive committee and look forward to working with other communities across the globe. WSC-SD Fort Hare was launched at an internal conference held at the University of Fort Hare whose objective was to assimilate perspectives on the conception of sustainable development within the context of the South Africa and Africa as a whole. A total of 63 participants attended the conference and a total of 9 papers were presented. From the outcomes of the conference, and in line with the context of our university, the emerging themes were inclined towards social and economic development. The primary focus our interventions will thus be aimed at improving the conditions of disadvantaged communities, particularly vulnerable and low income communities such as those in rural communities.

Since our launch event, WSC-SD Fort hare has been involved in a project to improve the learning conditions of disabled students at a community based centre in our community. This centre is resource constrained and requires assistance in identification of relevant skills to be taught to these students and the development of the curriculum to be taught to these students. To this end, the WSC-SD Fort Hare team has been undertaking a resource audit of what is available at the centre and an analysis of the exact needs of the centre.

Students at the Centre During one of our Visits We are in the process of developing modules for training soft skills and entrepreneurship skills for these students. We are also keen on working on proposals to raise funds / opportunities for acquisition of basic infrastructure and computers to expose these students modern learning tools that can enhance their learning experience. Our forthcoming projects for 2009 include assisting emerging entrepreneurs with basic business management and financial skills.

(14 of the 21) Members of WSCSD Fort Hare After the Conference 5

_______________________________________ from COLOMBIA Adriana Valenzuela, Individual Member

From 16th to 19th October in Bogotá – Colombia, was gathered young leaders, governmental institutions, and international agencies of cooperation in the “VII Latin-American Encounter of Youth for the Environment and Sustainable Development”, organized by Corporación Grupo Tayrona under the central topic “Actions against Climate Change”

The meeting reaches the issues of economical, environmental and social impacts of Climate Change, adaptation and mitigation measurements, public politic and participation, education and communication for sustainability, as well as the role that youth play like agents of change and social transformation. This event counted with participation of delegations from Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panamá, Dominican Republic and United States and established the Bogotá’s declaration that among its main agreements are: 1.

Creation the first World Student Community in Colombia, by the name “Jóvenes por el Planeta, of Corporacion Grupo Tayrona this are integrated by student from different universities. This is the first World Student Community in LATINAMERICA.

Creation of the Latin-American Alliance of Youth for Environment, ALMA, this will be a regional platform to promote the cooperation and participation of youth in environment and sustainability. Realization of a Regional campaign simultaneous on 5 of July called “Latin-American Campaign of Reforestation” to combat Climate Change and to carry out environmental educative process that contribute to the cultural transformation towards a sustainable. Rotating of the place of the Latin-American and Caribbean Encounter of Youth for the Environment and Sustainable Development in Latin-American and Caribbean countries to promote youth participation, being Dominican Republic the venue of the next Encounter in 2009.

Adriana Valenzuela, founder and regional director of World Student Community says “the work we are developing to promote the capacity building, empowerment and active participation of youth in environmental topics, are a contribution in the construction of a Latin-America more equitable and sustainable in which solidarity and cooperation between of nations will be the basis for a different future”

_______________________________________ from NAIROBI SfGS-UoN, University of Nairobi, Kenya As we conclude the year 2008, we thank the almighty God who has led us this far. To us, just like other Kenyans, the year begin on a very sad note. Nevertheless, SfGS-UoN has risen above the animosity and tribalism that was planted in many people’s hearts, through the post election violence, to forge healthy and friendly working relations among its members. A number of our members come from the major tribes which were involved in the previous conflict: Luos, Kalenjins and Kikuyus. September – December 2008 Activities: This was the shortest part of SfGS’ calendar. Having only seven weeks (21/10/2008 – 11/12/2008), we could not realize many projects. However, we can report the following initiatives: 1. SfGS-UoN Partnership: Through the help of Mr. Philip Osano (of the world Y.E.S Forum) Mr. Otieno visited UNEP’s Environmental Education and Training office in Nairobi (on 12/09/2008) and acquired some of their publications for the purpose of stocking SfGS-UoN’s database. UNEP offered to work with SfGS-UoN continuously. They have offered to delegate resource persons to SfGS-UoN organized workshop on sustainability between January to March 2009. SfGS-UoN’s executive committee is currently liaising with UNEP to organize an exhibition of Green companies in Nairobi to link the students with the co-operate world, especially in the context of sustainable production. Discussions on these initiatives will continue in 2009. 2. Tree Planting Initiative: Through the GreenEarth Club we had 1000 seedlings planted at Upper Hill Secondary School. Even though the seedlings had been

earmarked for planting at the University of Nairobi, they were transferred to Upper Hill School because most members of SfGS-UoN were on an end of academic year vacation (August – Mid October) yet the seedlings were overgrowing. This exercise marked the launch of collaborations between the GreenEarth Club and local high schools. Through such initiatives, SfGS-UoN hopes to mentor the students to grow as environmentally conscious leaders. In an effort to find more partners to support the Greenearth Club, Mr. Nickson Otieno got an opportunity to talk to the Director of Green Africa Foundation. The foundation has donated 1000 seedlings to SfGS-UoN for planting at the University of Nairobi at the beginning of next year (2009). We are still looking forward to receiving more seedlings from the foundation in the future. To realize this, we requested the University of Nairobi to assist us transport the seedlings from the foundation’s nursery (in Kitui) and assign caretakers to maintain the trees after planting. We are still waiting for response. The foundation has also welcomed SfGS-UoN members for a field visit to their chemistry laboratory (producing biofuel from jatropha seeds). 3. Members meeting: SfGS-UoN held members meeting on 30/11/2008. This was a crucial meeting in the history of the group, held just after the graduation of four executive committee members. Members reviewed the groups’ annual activities and discussed potential projects for the year 2009. New members were also encouraged to be actively involved in the group’s day-to-day initiatives. 4. WSCSD’s African Initiative We are glad to be part of the World Student Community for Sustainable Development’s African Project Team. The project comprises African SC leaders and IMs working under the able leadership of Christopher Hedvall, 7

European Regional Director. This project, though still at its conceptual stage, presents a great opportunity for SfGS-UoN’s engagement. 5. International conferences: SfGS-UoN is greatly privileged to be represented in the 2009 WSCSD’s AGM and the Students Summit for Sustainability holding in Zurich between 23rd January and 1st February 2009. We take this chance to thank WSCSD and AGS for sponsoring Mr. Nickson Otieno and Miss Sylvia Essendi’s participation at the meeting and the summit.

categories, but to highlight the most important ones, we could mention our scientific campaign, projects, extending to Cairo University, and finally launching our website Recovery and Purification of Methane Gas: Recently we had a group of graduating seniors who are working under the umbrella of the Quark on the Recovery and Purification of Methane gas with innovative techniques. If any body is interested in contributing, co-operation, or supporting this project, contact directly the project co-ordinate, Amer Yehia, (aamerbebo@hotmail.com)

SfGS-UoN’s Pledge: We would like to pass our sincere thanks for all who have supported SfGS-UoN’s activities in one way or another. We still invite partners, individual and cooperate sponsors to support SfGS-UoN as we strive to achieve our goals. We are still faced with the challenge of mobilizing financial resources to carry out our activities. An example is our major initiative, the GreenEarth Club, that lacks petty cash for transportation of seedlings from donor nurseries to planting sites. We are looking forward to working more closely with our partners, well wishers, and sponsors to-be in the New Year of action (2009). THANK YOU ALL! MERRY CHRISTMAS AND PROSPEROUS 2009! -Otieno Nickson Otieno, President SfGS-UoN _______________________________________

Scientific Awareness Campaign (Physics): During the last semester AUC Physics Professor Karim Addas conducted a few scientific lectures. In these five lectures Professor Addas tried to explain the basic and deep theory of the relatively new physics branch called Quantum Electro Dynamics (QED). The students, along with three physics professors watched together video lectures of the late Dr Richard Feynman, the author of the Noble winning prize theory of QED. Both the Professors and the Students engaged in critical arguments over the highly controversial new theory and gained valuable insights on the matter. Extending to Cairo University: Cairo University is the biggest and the oldest university in Egypt and due to the good spreading reputation of the Quark. There has been a large demand on open recruitment in Cairo University and finally we have done that, so wait for news about our many new upcoming projects and may be opening another branch for Quark there.

from CAIRO Quark Society The American University of Cairo, Egypt During the past few months Quark has witnessed various achievements in different

Quark Website: We have finally been able to launch our website and Quark toolbar to be able to follow to spread out the word about our projects and achievements. You could visit our website on: http://clubs.aucegypt.edu/quark 8

_______________________________________ from CANADA Regina Chapter of the WSC-SD University of Regina, Canada Compliments of the season! We are in the process of exploring the creation of a provincial wide initiative in Saskatchewan that will focus on sustainable development issues that are crucial to the province. We have been holding meetings and brainstorming sessions, and have initiated a study to better understand what value such a new organization may potentially bring to Saskatchewan if it comes into existence. The last brainstorming session took place at the end of November and the study was initiated at that time. A first draft report is expected by January 15. In the meantime, the University of Regina has just completed its finals (exams) and is currently on holidays. Our activities begin again in January.

In this festival, members of WSC-SD in Tokyo, include students in University of Tokyo and its alumni, guided by Sanae Ohshiro, opened the exhibition selling “Sustainable Coffee”, demonstrating “Uchimizu”* and showing pictures from WSC-SD members. (Pictures are the ones shown in SSS2008, Regina, Canada.) It was a great success. Hope you come and visit Japan during the next Music festival season!! *“Uchimizu” is Japanese old custom, to pour water on the ground to cool down during summer. -Ayumi Arakawa, Sus-Plus, AGS University of Tokyo Student Community

Here's wishing you a Merry Christmas and the very best in the New Year! Warm regards, Nnaemeka

Pic.1 Sanae Ohshiro (Right) demonstrated “Uchimizu”.

_______________________________________ from TOKYO sus+ Alliance for Global Sustainability University of Tokyo Students Community, Japan [World Happiness Festival] WSC-SD made “World Happiness” Happier!! During summer, there are tons of music festivals in Tokyo. This year, a SPECIAL music festival was held in Yume no shima (Dream Land), Tokyo. “World Happiness” was special because it’s got a big message that, “We should think, talk and dream about World Happiness with a greatest music!”

Pic.2 Can you see the logo of World Happiness?

undergraduate students, Department of systems innovation,environment & energy course. They are trying to organize an energy forum with other Japanese universities' student study groups,is being planned in Tokyo next year. We join their meeting as advisers, to share our knowledge and skills. (Kazunori Iritani)

Pic.3 Pictures from SSS2008 was shown.

Pic.4 Organizers. (Right to left: Sanae Ohshiro, Yuri Koike and Ayumi Arakawa) [AGS meeting presentation] We gave the presentation about SUS+'s 2008 activities to professors of AGS the University of Tokyo. Professors gave us the frank questions and comments about our activities, and after that, we interacted with them more frankly in the party. We think such a opportunity is important to make our community governance and finance sustainable. Maybe this opportunity made professors' feeling about our activities better. (Takanori Tomozawa) [Energy Working Group] Energy Working Group (g-Enesis) started to collaborate with Student Environment Energy Forum(STEP),which is consisted of

[Climate Change Working Group] Four members of CCWG were fortunate to participate in COP14/CMP4 held in Poznan as observers. Each member has 2 topics, one is from each background (topics about deforestation, negotiations between USA and China, adaptation and the role of IPCC) and another is focused together on the future framework of climate change as their common topic. During negotiations they analyzed true meanings behind statements utilizing their own expertise and sharing the results among them. After returning from Poznan, the members held a presentation reporting happenings and decisions which came out of COP14 along with their own interpretation of negotiations and interviews. This naturally led to discussion over global issues and international negotiations for climate change among the UTSC members, through expressing each interesting point of view. (Yasuaki Kanbe) [Education Working Group] SusEdu (Sustainablity Education Working Group)'s annual aim is to research educational programs for sustainability education and hold workshops on them. We have 2 story we would like to share with WSC-SD members. One is about DEAR and the other is Learning Theatre. DEAR(Development Education Association & Resource Center) is network organization that promotes sustainable development through education. On August 23rd and 24th, DEAR Annual meeting was held in Tokyo. Three members from SusEdu took part in this conference. As debriefing Session, SusEdu held workshop "Global Classroom" which was 10

presented in DEAR. 15 people participated and discussed how they feel about taking action for sustainability. The other story is about Learning Theatre. Since many social movies, like "An Inconvenient Truth" "The 11th hour", are delivered world-wide, it is great chance to watch those movies with people who don't have much concern for sustainability. Not only watching the movie, but sharing feelings after that together deepen our knowledge and concern for sustainability. SusEdu starts project "Learning Theatre” that consists of movie session and café-talk session. University of Tokyo holds student project contest every year. We entried the application of Learning Theatre to this contest and had chosen to be one of the finalists. Although it was not chosen, we are willing to organize it to spread consciousness for sustainability. (Ryu Yanagisawa)

The MIT Generator This movement exists to unite and catalyze student groups working on local energy, environment, and sustainability projects with a campus focus. In October Sus@MIT held the first “Generator” of the year where students pitch sustainability ideas and form groups for actual realization of the successful ideas. Projects from last year gained more support, and a few new ideas were sparked! For more about the MIT Generator see: http://sustainability.mit.edu/Generator

_______________________________________ from USA Sustainability@MIT MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA This summer 2008, Students for Global Sustainability at MIT joined forces with other sustainability-focused student groups Share A Vital Earth, the MIT Generator, S*, and the Sustainability@Sloan Speaker Series to form Sustainability@MIT, a larger group dedicated to environmental sustainability. We now boast 800 members!! With more students involved and stronger connections to faculty and administration, Sustainability@MIT will more efficiently promote green practices and policies on campus and beyond. We have the manpower so that we are simultaneously pursuing endeavors related to campus greening, community activism, curriculum development, green jobs, MIT events, media outreach, and more!

Business As UnUsual Sus@MIT hosted a series of collaborative art events with artist Cindy Snodgrass to better understand how climate unites us all as members of the same amazing earth system with a responsibility to conserve earth's resources for balanced living. During the MIT Family Weekend event and two subsequent workshops, staff, students, siblings and parents contributed to a collaged map of the world depicting the predicted impact of climate change on agricultural yields. They also used wood block stamps to print onto prayer flags,

reused t-shirts, and recycled burlap and other reusable grocery bags. The prayer flags created at MIT were incorporated into a growing wind fabric sculpture: “Wings and Prayers: Blessings for Water and Food,” which went up outside of the student center on both weekends during the event series. Inside, at the Weisner Gallery, the collage map, t-shirts, and bags went up for a month-long installation. Together, we imagined, nurtured, and created "substantial" art experience. http://sustainability.mit.edu/BAU2 The artwork is now displayed in a storefront display case on Massachusetts Ave- the main street in Cambridge!

Zero Waste Event Info Session & Party After several successful “Zero Waste” events in the past Sus@MIT has now instilled this principle of minimizing environmental impact into all of our activities, and this semester we decided to share our knowledge and experience to influence other events on campus to make them less wasteful. Key event organizers, staff, department and student leaders attended this zero waste event which consisted of two

parts: the first educated groups about how to make their events have less environmental harm (with ease!), and the second demonstrated and celebrated the success of this goal by having a zero waste party ourselves. Information about food caterers, event advertising, food waste, and resources that Sustainability@MIT can offer were presented. Attendees were very enthusiastic in trying new things to minimize waste with the many, many meetings, events, and conferences that they organize on campus! http://www.appropedia.org/MIT_ZeroWasteEv ent_PlanningGuide_Wiki FreeMeet III and IV Given the *huge* success of our FreeMeets last year and many inquiries into more, Sus@MIT hosted FreeMeets at the beginning of the semester and another near Thanksgiving. The idea of this event is simple: Bring stuff to get rid of, take stuff for free. The event itself was simple too: we just needed a large room space, big paper to label the various categories of stuff, and a team of Sus@MIT members working on shifts throughout the day-long event. Our target for the event was to promote reuse of goods, reduce waste and sending things to the landfill, and reduce unnecessary consumption of new goods. Likely there were more than 350 people who came by! Leftover items at the end were donated and very little “junk” had to be begrudgingly thrown away! Looking ahead Sustainability@MIT has a strong new executive council that has aims to bring our sustainability work to the forefront of MIT’s agenda and beyond the MIT campus to do some true “community service.” Already in the works is organization of MIT’s first Sustainability Symposium: MIT and the Transition to a Sustainable Economy (April 16-18, 2009). Sustainability@MIT and others are organizing 12

the 2009 Sustainability Symposium to engage the MIT community and its supporters in a discussion on the Institute's current research, teaching, and service. We will be bringing world-class leaders in research and industry to campus to help guide a discussion on what MIT is and should be doing to speed the transition to a sustainable economy. _______________________________________ from GHANA Cyril France, Individual Member World Urban Forum The World Urban Forum is held biannually, the Forum is the world’s premier conference on cities and the problems they face in a world that is urbanizing faster than at any other time in history. As in Vancouver and Barcelona, youth leaders from across the world had an opportunity to witness the brain trust, dialogue filled, and educative World Urban Youth Forum (WUYF). The third biennial session of the WUYF was held on the eve of the Forth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF) at the Nanjing International Expo Centre in Nanjing, China, approximately 500 youth delegates from over 50 countries congregated to deliberate and discuss issues on the theme, “Harmonious Urbanization: The Challenge of Balanced Territorial Development.” The 2-day conference was hosted by the Nanjing Municipal Committee of the Chinese Communist Party Youth League.

At the opening ceremony of the forum dignitaries and leaders in urbanization affirmed their commitment to fostering youth-led development. Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka, The Executive Director of UN-HABITAT, as noted in her profound statement, Mrs. Tibaijuka said “now is the dawn of a new urban era,” with half of the world’s population already living in towns and cities, and a projected increase to twothirds, by the year 2030. She was quick to emphasize that the only way to meet the challenge of urbanization was through unadulterated dialogues among young people. She acknowledged that innovation and creativity are traits of youth/young people, and that this is a key for overcoming the challenges of urbanization and poverty. Joaquim Chissano former President of Mozambique, and also UN-HABITAT’s Youth Ambassador, expressed his passionate quest that in his role he was searching for leadership and guidance from youth to judiciously implement his duty to the outmost best. A member of the Standing Committee of the Nanjing Municipality, Ms. Xu Huiling in a welcome statement, wished all youth delegates from home and abroad productive dialogues and future collaboration. Mr. Per Nygaard, Assistant Director General of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Norway, in his presentation, he outlined some of Norway’s commitments to the development of youth. Additionally, he made remarks in relation with

Norway’s contribution to the new UN-HABITAT Opportunities Fund for Urban Youth-Led Development. Mr. Nygaard stated that Norway had reached its commitment to a development assistance target of 1% of GDP. The youth forum gave young delegates of global grassroots and youth-led initiatives an opportunity to engage with experts from the public and private sectors, Aid and development agencies, on ways youth could address urban challenges and issues such as engendering Child and Youth-friendly Cities, Harmonious Urbanization: The Youth perspective, Youth as Peace Builders: Building Bridges, Climate Change and the City: Harmonizing action for the Environment, amongst others. Notably, frontward sentiments form young delegates throughout most sessions was geared towards efficient, effective and greater inclusion of young people as partners in the development of policies and creation of youth-friendly urban

cities. Additionally, delegates reiterated the imperative role local authorities do play in engendering involvement of young people in the advancement of youth-led initiatives and development. Being a Rapporteur for the WUYF was quite a challenging and unique learning experience, especially having to report on the Session 13 – “Youth Participation Urban Development – The Chinese Experience”, though stimulating it also triggered diverse opinions from delegates. This session served as a platform for both Chinese and other international delegates to share experiences and to learn more about Chinese youth participation and urban development. The common consensus reached from the session attendees was that urban development does not only signify the place where people reside, but also represents the concept of a “market” for daily transactions and improving the core essence of a harmonious culture both within and outside a nations scope of operation. Delegates also avowed that economic growth brings about urban development because without economic growth, it makes it very difficult for nations to develop their urban cities, hence making economic growth an antidote to urban development. The intent of every urban development should be for the development of people. Sustainability must be a benchmark in addressing youth and urban development. Observably, session 2 (“Youth as Peace Builders: building Bridges”) was very intriguing as innovative, youth-led initiatives and programs were presented, focusing on the role of young people/youth as agents for peace building, conflict prevention and transformation at local, national, and international levels. During the session, youth delegates shared some ideas and workable actions towards peace building from their own experiences. In 2007 during the 21 session of the Governing Council that oversees the work program, and budget of UN-HABITAT, member countries passed a resolution for the setting up

interact with each other thereby enhancing cooperation. Categorically, the World Urban Youth Forum was not just interesting and educative but also mindboggling coupled with splendid organization of events and activities. I feel privileged to have been able to witness such an experience. _______________________________________ from BANGLADESH of a special fund to help young people living in poverty. This led to the conception of the Opportunities Youth Fund, discerning messages from some dignitaries and selected youth delegates preceded the formal launch of the Youth Fund. The Opportunities Fund for urban youth-led development is designed to improve understanding, and lead to more effective ways of involving young people in sustainable urban development. The fund seeks to facilitate achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and their youth-related targets. It will also be used to strengthen youth-related policies, help governments, civil society organizations, private sector, and address youth concerns, and support new information and learning channels for young people. The Fund is keen to ensuring that gender concerns are incorporated into all policies. In other to foster cooperation the Opportunities Fund will be managed by a committee of experts drawn from UN-HBITAT, donor governments and youth representatives. A noteworthy sphere of the forum was the Youth Roundtable and Launching of the Youth Advisory Board. Intensive dialogues categorized the Youth Roundtable jointly hosted by UN-HABITAT and the Government of Norway, the cordial working ambiance propelled youth delegates to discuss how the new Opportunities Fund for Urban Youth-Led Development can be used to help young people. During the Launching of the Youth Advisory Board it was noted that harmonious urbanization requires a process in which both youth and policy makers

Istiak Ahmed, Individual Member We recently formed a team and organized a workshop regarding Sustainable Development issues in Bangladesh. It has come to end with a great success. We received a good feedback, which inspired us to move on forward. We have decided to make project for this. Project proposal already been sent to the Asian Co-Ordination. Background: In Bangladesh our education system is not enough to build awareness and make the students conscious and effective regarding sustainable development issues. Even on completion of the graduation course a student gain inadequate knowledge and ability to work for sustainable development issues both in his professional carrier and his social life. As a result in every sector (government and private) sustainable development issues does not effect or has less important matter in countries development strategy and planning. In order to improve this situation advanced and concerned students like WSC-SD Members should come forward. Experience shows that those students are concerned on these issues can take effective role in the society. From this point of view we would like to introduce a research and training project together with implementation strategy in every possible aspect.

The project: Include organize workshop and training regarding environment, nature, global warming, pollution, biodiversity, social work and carrier development issues for the students. Objectives: • Involvement of students in decision-making process. • Encourage them to approach local government • Works for international institution being member of the organizations of the related to issues mentioned above. • Working for awareness building by the students in the society. • Prepare them and assist them for the international course and training programme. Date, Venue and time: 19 December 2008 at a party center in Sylhet district, a city located eastern part of the country. A daylong workshop from morning 10.30 am to evening 4.30 pm. About participant: 80 (eighty) Selected College and University Students from different university and colleges of the country from different background attended this workshop. The number of college and university were 14 took part this workshop. Both female and male students were present. However in spite of our great effort we could not make a balance between the mail and female. I think Female students are not so interested. Male students were majority. About team members: We were eight lecturers, seven co-team members, one official photographer works as voluntary basis. Without their voluntary effort it I may not possible for me to do so. One official Video camera man and three technical assistances (projector, operator etc) actively work for this workshop.

About Sponsor: We managed an official sponsor to provide logistic support i.e. technical cost, accommodation cost (food and Hall room fair), Digital banner cost, photocopies cost, students communication cost etc, for this whole workshop. As I have already mentioned that our team members including lecturers works for this workshop voluntarily. Our official sponsor lives in UK but born in Bangladesh. At present he is visiting Bangladesh. Next week he will go back to UK. About Lectures: 1) Introductory lecture on presentation, rules and regulation of the Workshop: Under this heading one of the speakers inform to the participants about rules and regulation, selection criteria, what to do what should not do during the workshop, manner and etiquette etc. 2) Introduction on United Nations: In this lecture we discussed about UN and its organs, major functions, committees, history of UN and its head quarter, background and institution of the UN, source of money of the UN etc. 3) Millennium Development Goals (MDGs): In this are we discussed MDGs and its target, national and international achievement, role of NGOs (Positive and negative) etc. 4) Environment and Climate change: In this topic we focused on local, national and global environmental and climate change issues, definition of environment, nature and climate, cause of environmental pollution and climate change, How to promote environmental awareness, local and international major environment pollution issues and role of administration, students etc. 5) Role of Students National and International Perspective: In this topic we highlighted students activities in national and international 16

level, differences of education method in different country, how a student take a vital role in all level national and international. 6) Social Work role of youth and students: In this area we highlighted social activities and its history in local, national and international perspective, teamwork, co-operation, achievement, etc. Moreover we highlighted the role of youth and students for building evil and civilized society. We also provides few assignment during the lectures i.e. group painting in particular topics and presentation, question and answer, brain storming, taking opinion in particular area etc. All lectures delivered through power point presentation with relevant pictures, data etc through projector in a giant skin. About selection process: During the lecture: we carefully consider attentiveness, active role, question, presentation, concentration, discipline etc. After the Lecture: We decided to take interview. We have finished interview of all participant. It was started 20 December and finished on 29th December. We took interview one by one. From this interview we are taking decision will be going to our project members.

OPPORTUNITIES _____________________________________ International Student Energy Summit Registration for the International Student Energy Summit is now open. Take part in one of the largest student gatherings for sustainable energy in the world today. From June 11-13 of 2009, ISES will bring together 500 post-secondary students from across the globe to Calgary, Alberta, Canada – one of the fastest growing energy centers in the world. As an ISES student delegate you will have the opportunity to learn and network with industry experts and global thought leaders. Topics will include: *Finance, Regulation and Sustainability; *Global Energy Cooperation; and *Technology and Innovation. Register early and win back your registration. Not only will you save $100.00 off your registration fee, if you register before the Early bird deadline of February 28, 2009, your name will be entered into a draw for a chance to win back $595 registration fee. Join hundreds of passionate students from around the world in learning about, and helping to shape the future of energy. http://www.studentenergy.org We would like to thank you for your time and consideration, and look forward to hearing from you. Regards, Crystal Li Student Association Partnership Team International Student Energy Summit studentpartnerships@studentenergy.org

____________________________________ Consilience: The Journal of Sustainable Development The Editorial Board of Consilience: The Journal of Sustainable Development invites both undergraduate and graduate students to contribute to the journal. The first issue of Consilience was published online in February 2008, and we are pleased to announce that the next issue is due to be published November 2008. We accept submissions in English only, but offer help to those for whom English is not their first language. Consilience: The Journal of Sustainable Development is the first student-founded academic journal of sustainable development and is based at Columbia University in the City of New York. The aim of Consilience is to juxtapose different disciplinary approaches of students worldwide to confront the challenges of sustainable development. Thank you for your consideration and I welcome you to visit www.consiliencejournal.org to view our first issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me at hsl2103@columbia.edu or another member of the editorial board at contact@consiliencejournal.org with questions regarding the submission process and Consilience. With regards, Hannah Lee Editor-In-Chief Consilience: The Journal of Sustainable Development con·sil·i·ence (noun): The joining together of knowledge and information across disciplines to create a unified framework of understanding.

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