Stories about Youth from September, 2012
Guyana: Seeking Justice for 17-Year-Old Victim of Police Shooting
Today marks a week since 17-year-old Shaquille “Georgie” Grant was killed as a result of a police shooting. The police claimed that a shot was fired and that they were simply returning fire - but this version of the events was contradicted by an anonymous eye witness.
Malaysia: Parenting Guidelines on How to Spot Gays and Lesbians
A parenting seminar in Penang, Malaysia became controversial after it issued guidelines for parents on how to detect symptoms of homosexuality. The guidelines were allegedly endorsed by the Ministry of Education. According to the guidelines, gays often wear V-necks and sleeveless tops
Japan: Imagining Future Japanese-Korean Relations with ‘Free Hugs’
A "free hugs" video filmed in Korea by a young Japanese man attracted another round of attention this summer. The creator's intent was to "prove that there is hope for the future of Japan and South Korea". The deterioration in international relations between the two countries, reported upon daily in the media, has been causing a stir recently.
Egypt: Teenager Confronts Militarization of Schools
As criticism of the military institution grows in Egypt, a young man takes a brave step to confront military interference in the education system. Ahmed Awadalla speaks to Ahmed Hassan, who has stood against the militarization of schools.
Mauritania's Online Journalism Director Hires Hackers
Mauritanian activists on Facebook and Twitter uncover the attempt of the electronic journalism director, who is close to the political regime, to hire hackers to counter activists who oppose the Mauritanian regime. Dedda Weld Sheikh Ibrahim reports
Tajikistan: Bribes and Neckties in Universities
Now students pay bribes to be admitted to universities, study only to get their [diplomas], but happily wear neckties to classes… Temur Mengliev summarizes [ru] the changes that have taken place within Tajikistan's colleges and universities over the recent years.
Young People, Technology and the Welsh Language
An increase in the percentage of young people able to speak Welsh has coincided with some profound technological transformations. While the presence of the Welsh language in these technologies will not by itself save the language, an absence of the language will surely damage it in the eyes of young people.
Biking from Tunisia to China for Wetland Conservation
Tunisian Arafet Ben Marzou, 31, fulfilled a childhood dream when he gave up his university job and cycled from Tunisia to China, to draw attention to the conservation of wetlands along the way. Afef Abrougui checks out the highlights of the trip he shared on Facebook.
Palestine: Protests Erupt Against High Prices and Unemployment
Protests are growing in the Palestinian territories, especially in the major cities of the West Bank. Demonstrators are complaining about the high cost of living, and the high rate of unemployment among Palestinian youth.
Kenya: Murder of Muslim Cleric in Mombasa Sparks Riots
The killing of Sheikh Aboud Rogo, a Kenyan controversial cleric, on August 27, 2012, caused riots and unrest in Mombasa, a coastal city and a main tourist destination in Kenya. The riots, which resulted in more than ten casualties, prompted netizens to discuss issues such as extra judicial killings, human rights, religious tensions and long-standing local grievances over land ownership and employment opportunities for Kenyan youths in Mombasa.
Peru: Youth Organize Aid Initiative for Otuzco
Global Voices contributor Gabriela García Calderón blogs [es] about her nephew's initiative to bring aid to three communities in the Otuzco province in northern Peru. She points out that the group of young people volunteering for this remarkable initiative are working on their own, without any sort of sponsorship.
Hong Kong: TV Station Claims London, Washington Behind Anti-National Education Protest
One of the two free terrestrial television stations in Hong Kong, Asia T.V, propagated that the anti-national education in Hong Kong is manipulated by foreign power from London and Washington to destroy Hong Kong. (More details in Badcanto)
Jamaica: For Every Child, a Laptop
Active Voice reports that the “One Laptop per Child” project has come to Jamaica.
Civil Service Under Pressure in Francophone Africa
Civil servants in Francophone Africa are coming under increasing pressure to do more with less. The Windhoek Declaration revealed the overdue recognition of the crucial impact of the public administration on growth and redistribution of wealth in Africa. The structural adjustment programmes of the 1980's led to a reduction in the number of civil servants, leading to the current strained situation
Colombia: Guerrilla Group's Peace Negotiation Rap Video
The Colombian government has accepted the start of peace talks with the longest lived guerrilla group in Latin America, FARC (Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces), and in response the group has released a musical rap video.