Project Diaspora skillfully responds to OLPC. Their response makes me think of a discussion we are having at BOSCO (see a reply to PD’s post with some thoughts in the comment section): How to provide more than computer skills and the Internet? How can we engage people to use the Internet, for example, as a tool of learning or economic empowerment?

Let’s call this, for a lack of anything catchy, ICT+. Going beyond the basics of operating a computer to really engaging on the Web and creating content. I constantly refer to the “knowledge of power” concept and the fact that the Internet allows for a distinct reversal of this imbalance. How do we both provide access to the Internet while encouraging users to contribute?

Thus far, BOSCO has used a Web 2.0 training curriculum which is available here. I haven’t been around long enough to know what kind of an impact we are having through this program, but feel free to contact long-term BOSCO staff via myself for an idea of how we do it and what developments we’ve seen thus far.

Practicing what I preach (or trying to address what I complain about), I have recently joined an international team planning for the Global Youth Participation Week.

The Global Youth Participation Week (GYPW) is an opportunity to help bridge that gap. The GYPW will be a globally coordinated campaign shining the spotlight on youth participation. Imagine:

• a week where not only young people and youth organizations, but also media, policy-makers and civil society will align their attention and efforts for the cause of youth participation;
• a week that will act as a catalyst for funding, mobilization and capacity building;
• a week that will serve as a container for ideas and projects by the young people who want to address some of their existing needs with the opportunities provided by this initiative;
• a week of reflection and action on the context-specific critical challenges that can be addressed by global cooperation;
• a week where local activities are coupled with a global outreach campaign that relies on new and old forms of media;
• a week that practices what it preaches: all efforts will be led by youth, in equal partnership with older generations.

We’re still looking for a few more members to round-out the team. As an international effort, (all) we’re looking for is 8-10 hours a week for a year, as well as a somewhat functioning Internet connection for Skyping.

New on THIS.org: Tips for young journalists [well, anyone] who want to work in international development.

Education for Marginalized Children in Kenya funded this early childhood development center at Abakore Primary School. I would consider this good working conditions for children in Kenya: there are tables and chairs, some light, lots of books, and space.

I will be doing a bit of editorial advising over the coming months with The First Drop. However, in order for any advising to be done, we’re looking for a set of founding contributors!

Writing opportunities with The First Drop

We want to provoke passionate, informed and accountable discussion among Canada’s next generation of leadership. We plan to do this by supporting a slate of contributors with widely varying views, and pushing them to generate the most enlightening discussion possible. We are now accepting applications for the first round of contributors.

Contributors! We Want You!

We’re looking for about 20 people who will become the core of the community at The First Drop: our founding contributors, ready to roll as we launch in the next month or so.

Contributors will write 1-3 short articles a month on a topic that matters for Canada’s future. That’s the subject: Canada’s future. In any way you choose. Politics, business, civil society, it’s all good. From what perspective? Legal, artistic, entrepreneurial, military, academic or the snowboard shop. East, West or North (we don’t really have a South, do we?), you’re all welcome. Conservative, Liberal, NDP, Bloc, Green. C’mon in. We don’t care, so long as you can write a good, reasoned, reality-based piece and trigger a great conversation.

Actually, that’s what we really care about – the conversations that emerge from your writing. Have a voice, but no way to get it out there? TFD can be that way. Have a blog or book already? TFD can help you reach a bigger audience and draw in new perspectives. Just want to help us create a community of future Canadian leaders? Great.

Interested? Have a look at our Guidelines to get an idea of what we’re looking for, fire Brendan an email with any thoughts or questions, or just apply and let us know you’re interested.

A classroom in the Greenhouse.

Parents of deaf children learn new income-generating skills.

Children play in the Greenhouse school yard.

This week on THIS: Unique deaf school in Nairobi slum is a sign of hope for disabled Kenyans

This week on THIS.org, A world-changing consensus emerging at the UNESCO Youth Forum in Paris. More information on the 6th UNESCO Youth Forum can be found here.

Flying to Paris in just under seven hours. Follow the 6th UNESCO Youth Forum here (Twitter) and here (blog). As one of the five youth journalists, I will be representing the North America/Europe region. If you want to contribute to the Forum, feel free to contact me and write-up a guest post on the UNESCO blog. The main theme is “Investing out of the crisis: towards a partnership between UNESCO and youth organizations,” with the cross cutting theme, “Investing out of the crisis – through action in social domains (Education, Sciences, Culture and Communication).