Stories about Youth from March, 2011
Turkmenistan: Crackdown on youth
As revolutionary tremors continue to be felt throughout the Middle East, Turkmenistan is rolling out its usual assortment of repressive tactics, but with new robustness and an extra anti-youth edge, reports neweurasia’s Annasoltan.
Twestival Brunei
Twestival Brunei (or Twitter Festival) will take place on 24 March in support of the Child Development Centre. The beneficiary is an active NGO which provides assistance to special children.
Nigeria's Golden Opportunity for a Social Revolution Through the Ballot Box
Oluniyi D. Ajao speaks with ‘Gbenga Sesan about his involvements with several non-partisan initiatives around the forth-coming 2011 Nigeria General Elections and the role of social media in the general elections. ‘Gbenga runs a social enterprise called Paradigm Initiative Nigeria, which connects Nigerian youth with ICT-enabled opportunities.
Russia: Photos of Saint Patrick's Day Parade in Moscow
Photoblogger Dervishv publishes [ru] extravagant photos of Saint Patrick's Day celebration: all kinds of green, Moscow hipsters, Irish flags… and police (the parade was officially banned). At least, some parts of the police forces were in green uniform.
Syria: Protests Continue to Gain Momentum
Monday 21 March, 2011, protests continue in Daraa, in the Syrian south, where five protesters have been reportedly killed yesterday and another one today. While news reports claim that protesters have later on set fire to public buildings, netizens argue that it was the state security forces who have burnt the buildings. Many on Twitter argue that Daraa would be what Sidi Bouzid was for the Tunisians.
Guinea: Miss Guinea France 2011 Speaks Out against Excision
Interviewed by Mrs Nenette Baldé on the blog nenehawa.com, Binta Diallo, the winner of Miss Guinea France 2011, thinks [Fr] that: “The worst is that little Guinean girls associate excision with purity and believe that this is what will make them honorable, exceptional women. That's why I evoked the risks...
Morocco: Peaceful Marches Across the Kingdom
Inspired by the Tunisian and Egyptian uprisings, Moroccans have been taking to the streets since last February 2011, demonstrating week in, week out, calling for a reform of the constitution and for the establishment of a democratic parliamentary system. Peaceful marches were held on Sunday, March 20th, across the kingdom. Minutes of the marches were followed on the Internet via Twitter, Facebook and Youtube.
Bahrain: A Video Timeline of Police Brutality
As international media focus shifts toward Libya and the rapidly unfolding events there, Bahrain government is unleashing a violent assault on pro-democracy protesters. Amid the media blackout, citizens are taking their cameras out and capturing the violence the state-run media is carefully concealing.
Lebanon: Anti-Sectarian March on Mother's Day
Trella posts (Ar) the call for the Anti-Sectarian March taking place today, March 20, 2011, and considers it as a gift to all mothers. Mother's Day in Lebanon is celebrated on March 21st, which is also the first day of the Spring Season.
Lebanon: Anti-Sectarian Movement
Isqat Al Nizam (Bringing Down the System) is a blog (Ar) dedicated to the rallies and demonstrations aiming at dismantling the Lebanese sectarian laws and system.
Malaysia: Twestival Kuala Lumpur 2011
Twestival Kuala Lumpur 2011 will be held this week in support of a Malaysian NGO for single mothers and children living with AIDS/HIV.
Azerbaijan: “Great People's Day” Protest Criticism Answered
Following a youth protest held in Baku, the Azerbaijani capital, on 11th March, some bloggers have been critical of those responsible for organizing the action via Facebook. As a result, one of those organizers answers such criticism on a new blog.
Cuba: The Malecón
“Territory of lovers. Rest-stop of Bohemians, drunks and nighthawks”: Iván's File Cabinet blogs about the Malecón.
Trinidad & Tobago: What Mothers Do
“For each decision I had to puzzle through on my own, I give them the tools and advice to make the best choices they can. I want them to be independent and powerful women, but I don’t think they need to learn those skills the hard way, as I did”:...
Paraguay: One Laptop for Every Child
In Camino al Paraguay [es], Juan Carlos Rodríguez posts a video and a slideshow presenting a project led by the Ministry of Education and Culture to give a laptop computer to every child in Paraguayan public schools.
Syria: Protests for Release of Political Prisoners, 38 Detained
On March 15, following a "day of rage" in Syria, a group of around 150 protesters gathered outside of the Interior Ministry in Damascus, demanding the release of political prisoners. So far, at least 38 have been detained.
Côte d'Ivoire: When Ethnic Hate Shadows Politics
Abobo and Yopougon are two districts of Abidjan, the economic capital city of Côte d'Ivoire. Different ethnic and religious groups have mixed peacefully in the areas, until the recent Ivorian political crisis began. For the last ten days, they have witnessed incidents of ethnic violence, crystallising political disputes and the threat of civil war.
Venezuela's Hip-hop Schools (Video)
Caracazo Media shares their short documentary featuring interviews (with English subtitles) and performances of students from an EPATU (Popular School for the Arts and Urban Traditions) hip-hop school in the “overcrowded barrio of La Vega in the hillsides of Caracas, Venezuela.” The film incorporates video filmed by the youth.
Russia: New Website Fights Corruption in Moscow University
New website MGIMOleaks.com is designed to fight corruption at prestigious Moscow State University of International Relations. People are urged to inform the site administration about any cases of bribery, scams, abuse of powers, etc. The information will then be published on the site and given anonymously to the police.
USA: Student Blogs Seeks Middle East Voices
Students from Middlebury College in Vermont (former exchange students in the Middle East) manage the blog Mideast Reports which features audio, video, and links about ongoing protests.
Barbados: Girl Power
“That’s not to say that there aren’t some things that need changing or work, but it’s good to see international recognition and confirmation that Bajan girls and women have every opportunity to be the best that they can be”: Barbados Free Press is pleased with a report that says the...
