Youth and Service
Lake Seliger, Russia - The annual Seliger International Youth Forum concluded its work in Tver region of Russia on August 2. Thousands of young activists enjoyed the unique opportunity to present their programs, projects, and ideas to all interested parties and even to the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, who came to the Forum specially to meet the best of the best.
Lake Seliger, Russia - UPF's Play Football for Peace organizers were awarded a grant from Russia's National Prospects Foundation and met President Vladimir Putin during the annual Seliger Forum August 1 and 2.
The Religious Youth Service is a nonprofit organization founded in 1986 to give opportunities to young religious people to live and work together as a community. The RYS has done projects in North America and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania.
Taranaki, New Zealand - A Synergy and Empowerment Workshop July 6-10 at the Eltham Presbyterian Campsite in Taranaki launched the Youth Federation for World Peace in New Zealand. The 41 youths from various parts of New Zealand heard lectures, trained in Tong Il Moo Do martial arts, and enjoyed hiking and other outdoor activities.
Buenos Aires, Argentina - UPF-Argentina's Peace Council held a Charity Dinner on July 6; it was a pleasant time of brotherhood and good music to raise funds to carry on different activities and initiatives under the slogan with which UPF-Argentina began this year: "Where there is a will, there is a way."
London, UK - The annual Youth Achievement Award Ceremony of UPF and the Women's Federation for World Peace in the UK took place July 3, 2012 at the House of Commons.
Monza, Italy - Many say that peace can be reached through sports. The world-famous Pele himself said he has experienced how football can stop conflict at least temporarily, and this was exactly what UPF-Monza had in mind. On June 24, the final matches of the UPF Monza’s Trophy of Peace were held. It was the final day of a nearly three-month football tournament, organized by Carlo Chierico, the Monza UPF president.
Pokrovskoye, Russia - A program for children in the village of Pokrovskoye June 13-15, 2012, included talks about moral values, interactive communication, games, sports contests, good deeds, analysis and self-analysis, singing songs and staging skits.
Artyomovsk, Russia - A friendly football match on the theme “Play Football Make Peace” was initiated by UPF-Urals in Artyomovsk, Sverdlovsk region on June 10. Among the participants were teenagers of three teams: the sports club “Patriot” from Artyomovsk; the field sports club “Olympus” from Mostovskoye village; and a team from Pokrovskoye village.
Chitlang, Nepal - Thirty-six participants and four staff members set out by bus on June 2 from Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, to the village of Chitlang, where we would spend seven days together serving a school and local community. It was an interesting, valuable, and educational experience; we will never forget how we survived with limited resources, good lectures, and leadership training.
Since 2002, Religious Youth Service has been organizing service-learning programs to build understanding, respect and cooperation among youth of Nepal's Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim communities. Here is a sampling of reports of projects through 2012.
Vienna, Austria - Building the April 12 forum on Exploring Global Citizenship, Youth UPF Austria and AIESEC organized a workshop with the topic “Exchanging Experiences with Different Cultures” on June 2.