Stories about Youth from August, 2012
Côte d'Ivoire: Debate Rages over University Fees
The universities of Côte d'Ivoire are getting ready to re-open their doors on September 3, 2012, bringing to an end long months of closure, controversially ordered by the Ivorian president. Joy at this announcement was swiftly replaced by a wave of indignant reactions following the decision of university heads to increase registration fees. Debate continues to rage in the Ivorian media as well as various social networks.
Chile: Doubts Over Origin of Violence at Student Protests
Last Wednesday, August 8, 2012, thousands of students tried to march on the Alameda avenue in downtown Santiago in a non-authorized protest that ended up with three public transportation buses burnt. This caused the government to accuse students of fostering an environment for riots with their protests, while some protesters wondered if the thugs were actually part of a set-up.
Morocco: Students Demand Education Reform
In July, a group of Moroccan students launched a Facebook page called "The Union of Moroccan Students to Change the Education System". In less than a month, it attracted unprecedented support using social media.
Kirani James Delivers on Grenada's Olympic Dream
Earlier this week, Kirani James won the Gold Medal in the Men's 400 Metres race at the London Olympics with a time of 43.94, making him the first person from Grenada and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States to win an Olympic medal of any kind. The region celebrates.
Kenya: ‘Do Milk!’ Campaign Targets Fast Food Generation
The Kenya Dairy Board and milk processors in the country have decided to launch a nationwide campaign to encourage the consumption of milk, using the title ‘Do Milk’. This is in line with changing lifestyle attitudes in the country, which has seen many of the youth abandon healthy eating practices for fast food.
Jamaica, Bahamas: Long Way to Go?
Two bloggers, Stunner from Jamaica and Pure Fawkery from the Bahamas, consider how far their countries have come – or not – since independence.
Trinidad & Tobago: The Power of Words
Online reaction to a statement that one of the country's athletes should retire after not winning a medal at the London Olympics prompts West Indian Mother to examine “how we, as a society, tend to function, and how it adversely affects our children.”
Mauritania: Bribery and String-Pulling, Made in China
"The Chinese accused of bribing escaped any legal pursuit. What matters is, as far as I know, that he is the first civil servant to report a bribery case in Mauritania." After three Chinese investors tried to bribe him, Mauritania's General Director of Taxation locked them in his office and called the police.
Video: No Pool? No Problem! Creative Solutions to Beat the Heat
The hot summer in the Northern hemisphere is forcing many people to seek ways in which to escape the high temperatures or get some relief. These next images and videos show how with creativity and ingenuity, people young and old find ways in which to beat the heat.
Cyprus: First Ever Olympic Medal at London 2012
The London 2012 Olympics will be a landmark in Cyprus’ sport history. Twenty-two year old Pavlos Kontides, who is from Limassol, Cyprus, became the country's first ever Olympic medalist. Kontides won the silver medal at single-handed Laser class in Men's Sailing.
Venezuela: Fencing Win Brings First Gold Medal in 44 years
Venezuela enthusiastically celebrated their first Olympic gold since 1968 as Rubén Limardo won a gold medal in fencing at the London 2012 Games. One blogger commented: "Known around the world for their beauty queens, oil richness, and love of baseball, the olympic gold of fencer Rubén Limardo deepens Venezuela's foray into the sporting world."
Zambia: State TV Ignores Homegrown Sprinter for Jamaica's Usain Bolt
On the day a Zambian runner - Gerald Phiri - qualified in third place for the men's 100 meter semi-final at the Olympics, the national broadcaster, Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC), led instead with the qualification of Jamaican superstar, Usain Bolt.
Brunei's First Female Olympian
Delwin Keasberry of Projek Brunei was able to interview Ms Maziah Mahusin, Brunei's first female olympian in the 2012 London Olympics.
Chile: Mapuche Women Demand Withdrawal of Police Forces
Leyla Noriega from online citizen newspaper La Opiñón [es] reports that three indigenous Mapuche women have been occupying UNICEF headquarters in Santiago for over one week. The women are requesting that the organization ask the Ministry of Interior to withdraw police forces from Mapuche communities in southern Chile.
Brazil: Justice for Brutal Attack Victim Vitor Suarez
On July 30, 2012, a Brazilian judge announced the release of five young men from preventive prison. They had been there since February after brutally attacking Vitor Suarez, a student who was trying to stop them from beating a homeless person. In response, the victim who is still recovering from his injuries, started a wave of protest on Twitter under the hashtag #JusticaVitorSuarez.
