Stories about Youth from December, 2008
Bahrain: The Ignored Generation
Ali Abdulemam, from Bahrain, wonders why politicians don't ask the young generation for their views on the issues they are facing.
Western Sahara: Controversy Over McDonald's Maps
The Moroccan McDonald's franchise faced controversy last week after it released a children's “Happy Meal” toy which included a map of Morocco. The borders on the map separated Western Sahara from Morocco; the Western Sahara is a disputed territory between Morocco and the Algerian-backed Polisario Front. The controversy ended with...
Palestine: Terrorist Dolls Not the Best Stocking Stuffer
“What could be more enjoyable for your kids this year than a doll resembling an Al-Qaeda terrorist?” asks Palestinian-American blogger Nawal of Bloggin' Banat. Maya Norton picks up the story on the doll, fashioned after the classic Lego, and tells us why we will not have our hands on it soon.
Haiti, U.S.A.: Relief Delay
The Haitian Blogger reports that storm victims are dying of starvation because of the delay in getting goods to the island: “The situation is that aid agencies are in control of foreign aid to Haiti and the Haitian government as usual, is being cut out of the picture and were...
St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Differently-Abled
“I thought that not so long ago, children with disabilities were like dirty family secrets to be kept hidden away and far from curious eyes”: Abeni attends a Christmas programme at a School for Children with Special Needs in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and comes away with the realization...
Armenia: Anti-Corruption Day
Armenia: Higher Education & Sciences comments on how Tuesday's Anti-Corruption Day was marked in the country. However, the blog concludes that given the amount of corruption in the education system, such an event should be held daily rather than annually and ironically notes that a recent survey of university students...
Greece: Photos From Athens
piran café posts photos sent by a friend in Athens and writes: “This looks more like Beirut than the city that hosted the 2004 Summer Olympic Games.”
Egypt: Inanities on Homosexuality
Sarah Carr, blogger and journalist addresses how a published feature titled “Honey, I’m homosexual” and online comments perpetuate myths about homosexuality and, in doing so, contributes to the culture of intolerance in Egyptian society.
Israel: Perceptions of Breastfeeding Throughout Jewish Tradition
In “Breastfeeding and Judaism: Why Moses’ Mother Didn’t Put Bottles Into The Ark Of Bulrushes,” Hannah Katsman of the Green Prophet explains the importance of breastfeeding in Jewish law and tradition compared with its role in Israeli society today.
Dominica: Rights of the Child
“The stunning reality is there are a number of incidents of uncalled-for brutality and abuse against children every day in our society”: Dominica Weekly says that there is a fine line between discipline and child abuse.
Afghanistan: Young Female Politicians Meets Youth
Azar Balkhi reports that Fawzia Koofi, 32, Deputy Speaker of the Lower House of the National Assembly of Afghanistan, paid visit to Kabul University students. This lady is getting more and more popular as a modern young leader among the youth in Afghanistan.
Greece: Riots in Athens Continue
For the past three days, the capital of Greece, Athens, has been rocked by demonstrations and rioting as thousands have taken to the streets in protest at the fatal shooting by a police officer of 15-year old Alexandros Grigoropoulos in the Athens district of Exarchia on December 6, 2008.
Central & Eastern Europe: Mikołajki, Mikuláš
In Poland, “Santa Claus visits twice” – according to the POLSKI blog: on St. Nicholas Day and for Christmas. Same in Slovakia, writes The Foreigner's Guide to Living in Slovakia, and in the Czech Republic (more about it on CzechFolks.com and on My Czech Republic Blog.
India: Interest in Mizo Elections.
Kima posting on the illusionaire blog announces the election results in Mizoram and talks about the high turnout and intense interest in the polls.
Iran: Students Protest Dictatorship and Gender Apartheid
A group of students held a protest rally against the Iranian government and president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the University of Tehran on Sunday to commemorate Student Day, the anniversary of the murdering of three students of University of Tehran on December 6, 1953.
Brazil: How to become Santa Claus in four weeks
Anton M. Steeman describes one of the many courses in Brazil that leads to qualified Santa Clauses, a welcome Christmas temporary job. “The most difficult part of being a good Santa Claus is the hours and hours sitting in a chair, showing a slight smile, taking punches and pushes, a...
Jamaica: National to be Awarded UN Prize
Abeng News Magazine is proud that Jamaican Dr. Carolyn Gomes “was recently announced as a recipient of the prestigious United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights for 2008.”
Americas: Songs Supporting OLPC in Peru and Uruguay
UCPN [es] posts links to two new songs that were written to support the One Laptop Per Child projects in Peru and in Uruguay, which was written by Jorge Drexler.
Bolivia: Irresponsible Driving in School Zones
Marisol Medina of Lenguas Cultura y Sociedad [es] witnessed an unfortunate accident in El Alto, Bolivia, when a bus hit a student and she faults the bus driver to not being aware of pedestrians in school zones.
Vietnam: New regulations on blogging
Vietnam authorities want to impose new regulations on internet use and blogging in Vietnam. The ministry officials said “The law will not interfere with bloggers’ privacy, but will help in the healthy development of the Web-log environment.”
Imagine what 20 million Egyptians could do
Naguib Sawiris's Mobinil is positioned as the leading mobile service operator in Egypt. Scene & Heard hails Mobinil's inspirational campaign “Imagine what 20 million Egyptians could do."
