September 2006 E-news

Internship Program

Check out the summer internship positions at Museobus with Marie-Eve (she’s from the Quebec Chapter of the Youth Steering Committee)… Museobus is working to teach students about environmental and science values, and their two interns worked incredibly hard to share their ideas with everyone who came through the program.

“Hi! I’m Marie-Ève from the “Comité de direction des jeunes” (Quebec Chapter of the Youth Steering Committee). Last week I had the opportunity to visit the interns at the Muséobus program and I would like to share with you how great it was.

If you didn’t know it already, there were Green Street internships all around Canada with the Youth Engagement Program this summer. Muséobus (the one I visited) is in Otterburn Park near Montréal (Quebec). The site is really nice; there are woods and paths, and also great biodiversity.

I met Odette Gariépy, the program’s director, and she explained the goals of a compost project named “Coeur de pomme”. With the Youth Club of Muséobus, they make and sell compost baskets. Moreover, they want to make families aware of how simple and useful it is to make their own compost at home. The Youth Club wants to share their environmental values with other citizens, and don’t want to just talk about environment – they want to make concrete actions. They even did an “Eco-car-wash” with rainwater last week.

After that, I met the interns who are two really engaged guys. They were both at a Museobus summer camp when they were children and they were both volunteers last summer. So you may not be surprised to hear that they really know what Muséobus is when they talk about it! This summer they were co-monitors and members of the Youth Club of Muséobus, and they really enjoyed their experience. The work team over there seems really motivated and they find it so inspiring! They learned a lot of skills and environmental information by both working and having fun!

Finally, I just want to say that I think this internship program is a great opportunity for youth to find a job and also to talk about environment all the summer!

Stay tuned and visit the Youth Action Center regularly to know all the opportunities coming soon with Green Street!!!”

Marie-Ève Paquin
Coordinator of the Comité de direction des jeunes of Green Street

Sierra Youth Coalition’s Youth Action Gathering 2006 by Liz Kreitner

"I arrived at MacSkimming Outdoor Education Centre not quite sure what to expect. The site was beautiful and there were smiling faces everywhere but I was still unsure if I had made a mistake coming to this week long camp in Ottawa, so far from my Toronto home. However, I could tell very soon into the day that this was like nothing I had ever experienced.

The SYC gathering brought together more than 20 youth from across southern Ontario to learn about issues confronting the world today both socially and environmentally in a non-judgmental environment. Some of the workshops included action planning, anti-oppression, nuclear phase out, climate change, food miles, fair trade, the Otesha Project, Native rights, and more. We have been given the motivation, information, and tools to take our dreams and make them a reality.

Personally, while I learned a lot and I have many plans that I want to bring to my community I feel the best part of the camp was the people. At this gathering you had people from many walks of life. Some were just starting to join the activism scene and others have been involved all their lives. Everyone was passionate about different things, learned from each other but most importantly, everyone was accepting and encouraging to their peers. We all supported each other, comforted, congratulated, and cared for each other from day one.

While I try to put into words what an ideal, even utopian place this was, I am reminded of the last day of camp while we sat in a circle sharing favourite moments and a camper stopped and said eight words that sum up this life-altering experience perfectly: “This is Love, this right here is Love.” I am empowered, I have new lifelong friends, and I will never forget my week at the Youth Action Gathering 2006."

To learn more about the Sierra Youth Coalition, visit www.syc-cjs.org.

YES! Youth Environmental Summit.

200 environmentally aware youth, ages 16 to 25, are being invited to attend a summit hosted in Kananaskis from October 11th to October 13th. The summit’s purpose is to give youth from across the province the opportunity to discuss and learn about environmental issues in Alberta. AND, the goal is to help you create an enthusiasm and a commitment to the environment, helping to create the next generation of environmental leaders. Sound interesting? Check out the Summit's website at www.environment.gov.ab.ca/yes/ to learn more.

International Youth Leadership Conference, Prague 2007

The 12th International Youth Leadership Conference is a week-long youth forum on world politics, international law, and relations. The theme of the conference is "A cross-cultural exchange of young ideas concerning the future of world leadership", and will explore relevant and current themes about the future of the many governments and international issues on this planet. The topics will all be covered in an exciting environment and tight-knit community, with a huge emphasis on cross-cultural communication and an open exchange of ideas.

The deadline for the next round of acceptances is, September 15th , 2006. Check out www.czechleadership.com/application.php to learn more.

Dreamcatcher 2006 - coming October 13 - 15, 2006

What is your destiny?
The theme of the Dreamcatcher 2006 conference is to to honor the East with the theme "new horizons, linking destinies…" The conference started in 1993 with a vision to bring aboriginal youth together to celebrate strength and vitality – today; over 1800 youth come together from across Canada and the world. Workshops include balancing education and culture, personal development, developing role models and helping you to focus your strengths to realize your dreams. And check out the music, arts, storytelling and spirituality sessions as well…

Dreamcatcher 2006 is from October 13-15 in Edmonton Alberta for youth from 14-17… The conference costs from $185 to $235 depending on when you register, and the registration deadline is October 6, 2006. Visit their website to learn more about the conference and how to participate at
www.dreamcatcher.macewan.ca.