INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS DAY

"As budgets tighten, we are seeing austerity measures that discriminate against migrant workers, xenophobic rhetoric that encourages violence against irregular migrants, and proposed immigration laws that allow the police to profile migrants with impunity. During economic downturns, it is worth remembering that whole sectors of the economy depend on migrant workers and migrant entrepreneurs help to create jobs." /Ban Ki-moon/

18^th of December was proclaimed as the International Migrants Day in the year 2000. This day aims to recognize the efforts, contributions and rights of migrants. It is undeniable the weight the day carries, hence United Nations (UN) called upon the whole world to commemorate this day by sharing information on human rights and fundamental freedoms of migrants.

Figures show that throughout the years, migration has amplified in numbers, with 2013 recording 232 million migrants worldwide compared with 175 million in 2000 and 154 million in 1990. The increase between the year 2000 and 2013 shows that as we advance in time so does the movement of people across the globe. The top three most migrated places are the United States of America which hosts the largest number of 45.8 million, followed by the Russian Federation with 11 million, and Germany harboring 9.8 million migrants.

Young people are the most affected by migration and they make up the largest migrant group that accounts to 35 million of the total 232 million migrants worldwide. It has been observed that among this 35 million, there are more males than females.

At the 13th Melaka International Youth Dialogue (MIYD), there was a focus on prioritizing the right to freedom of movement for/ among youth, as one of their fundamental rights. During the dialogue, key stakeholders shared their  ideas and thoughts towards agreeing in efforts of educating, promoting and raising awareness regarding youth migration, at different levels of society.

It is upon all of us to undertake action to ensure the protection of migrants. Happy International Migrants Day!

HUMAN RIGHTS DAY: “20 YEARS: WORKING FOR YOUR RIGHTS”

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.― United Nations, Universal Declaration of Human Rights

What would become of the world without humanity? The results would be shattering and beyond comprehension.  This year we celebrate 20 years since the inauguration of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). In December 1993 the United Nations General Assembly formulated the mandate of High Commissioner to safeguard and promote all human rights. It is today that we emphasize on informing our communities on their rights and privileges and the prominence of maintaining them.

Special focus should be made most on the most vulnerable sectors of our societies. The OHCHR has been a thriving in its efforts to benefit vulnerable groups worldwide over the past 20 years. It did a tremendous job working to advocate women rights, migrant rights, the rights of indigenous people and minorities, and the rights of children. Through the implementation of treaties, individual complaints and promotion of freedom expression the OHCHR has managed to bring human rights issues to the forefront in development matters. 

World Assembly of Youth (WAY) recognize the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the basis of  action and services. It is committed to the promotion and protection of human rights. WAY ensures that young people understand that whatever their place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, language, or any other status, they are all equally entitled to human rights without discrimination. 

Let us continue in our efforts to create more awareness by allocating more academic programs for human rights and let us encourage the participation of more international non- governmental organizations on matters related to human rights.Happy Human Rights Day!

INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERS DAY FOR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: “YOUNG. GLOBAL. ACTIVE”

‘Volunteers are not paid – not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless.Sherry Anderson

Volunteerism remains the backbone to progress within society. The efforts and endeavors of young volunteers today, are fundamental to attaining the aspirations to a better tomorrow.The 5th of December was particularly chosen to show appreciation to the voluntary deeds of many, and encourage acts of benevolence within society in pursuit of a world free of opportunism and rich in compassion, selflessness and generosity. 

This year in accordance to the theme, young people are celebrated as agents of change within their communities and globally. 

World Assembly of Youth (WAY) joins the many other organizations in celebrating WAY Volunteers as well as the masses of young people engaging in selfless acts worldwide. Volunteers deserve all the praise and acclaim due, for it is not easy to find people willing to give their own time, to the greater benefit of another. WAY aspires to nurture youth volunteerism, by encouraging young people to partake in communal service and promote the principles of charity. They have inaugurated a volunteers program with which we seek to foster a dedicated group of young minds, willing to assist in WAY programmes and initiatives around the world. In so many ways we wouldn’t have succeeded in our events and activities without our dedicated volunteers who offered their time, skills, and resources when called upon. WAY appreciates volunteerism, the world appreciates volunteerism.

Happy International Volunteers Day!

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: "BREAK BARRIERS, OPEN DOORS: FOR AN INCLUSIVE SOCIETY AND DEVELOPMENT FOR ALL "

"A true friend knows your weaknesses but shows you your Strengths; feels your fears but Fortifies your faith; sees your Anxieties but frees your spirit; Recognizes your disabilities but Emphasizes your possibilities - William Arthur Ward "

The 3rd of December has been picked out by the United Nations to celebrate over one Billion people who live with some form of disability. This day has been commemorated since 1992. The theme for this year, "Break Barriers, Open Doors: An Inclusive Society For Development And For All "addresses how persons with disabilities face physical, social, Economic and Attitudinal barriers That exempt them from taking part fully and Effectively as equal members of society worldwide.

Many people living with disabilities around the world, Remain Marginalized and Lack equal access to basic necessities, color: such as education, employment, healthcare and social and legal support systems. They suffer from higher rates of mortality and most of them live below the poverty line due to being subject to exclusion and Lack of Opportunities. 

In spite of this situation, disability has remained Largely invisible in the mainstream development agenda and itsprocesses. World Assembly of Youth stand for equality for all regardless of who they are.That is why it is essentials to Emphasize the Importance of Including young disabled people in society alldevelopmental plans. 

We believe Opportunities Should be given to all without being biased. We hope that today will pave way for further Awareness of disability to be raised and for accessibility to be put in place. We have to Ensure That all types of barriers are removed, and to Emphasize the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities in society and shape the future of development for all. Let us use this global observance to reflect on the theme and what we Ought to do so that we see a difference tomorrow. 

WORLD AIDS DAY: "GETTING TO ZERO: ZERO NEW HIV INFECTIONS. ZERODISCRIMINATION. ZERO AIDS-RELATED DEATHS"

“We live in a completely interdependent world, which simply means we cannot escape each other. How we respond to AIDS depends, in part, on whether we understand this interdependence. It is not someone else’s problem. This is everybody’s problem.” /Bill Clinton/ 

Of all the age groups young people are the most affected by the AIDS pandemic especially girls in the Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2012 alone an estimate of 35.3 million people were living with HIV with Sub-Saharan Africa being the most affected with 69% of the people in the area living with HIV. 

The 1st of December has been selected to commemorate World AIDS Day yearly since 1988. The theme for this year’s World AIDS Day continues to be "Getting to zero: zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS-related deaths” a theme that speaks not only to the progress that has been made in the worldwide effort to eliminate HIV/AIDS, but also the work we must continue to do to achieve our “zero” goals. This theme seeks all stakeholders to work together as one and share responsibility towards the fight against HIV/AIDS. Halting and reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS is a key Millennium Development Goal and a challenge that the World Assembly of Youth (WAY) has given principal priority in all its development activities. 

 

Adopting a multi-sectorial approach that solicits committed participation of all stakeholders in the fight against HIV /AIDS has been and remains a high priority for action throughout all our work from both behind the office desks to the field.  It is the time to work hand in hand and build defenses to save our future generations and to protect the people infected and affected by the epidemic. Let all acknowledge this challenge and commit to respond with renewable responsibility, sensitivity and vigor.We should not let all our past efforts to combat this disease go to waste; it is only a matter of time for us to achieve our goal. 

Like President Barrack Obama said, “An AIDS-free generation is within our reach”, we need not despair.