Youth and Service
Vienna, Austria - In commemoration of the UN International Year of Youth, youth spoke on the theme “Communicating Change: Youth Perspectives on Peace” at conference that opened on July 1, 2011, at the UN headquarters in Vienna.
Prespa Lake, Albania - As the summer recreation season approached, UPF organized a beach clean-up at Prespa Lake in eastern Albania on June 6, 2011, in honor of World Environment Day.
Yekaterinbrg, Russia - The complete text of the motto of the “Run Hour” activity that was held on Saturday, June 4, was “Outrun me on 100m and get your prize!” All those who know something about the activity also know that it is usually held on Sundays. So, why it was Saturday and with such a motto this time?
Korca, Albania - On the National Day of Orphans, May 21, young people worked with UPF and “Orphans in Focus,” an NGO in Korça, to bring food and a warm family atmosphere to orphans in the city.
Paramaribo, Suriname - The First Lady of Suriname, Ingrid Bouterse-Waldring, asked Suriname youth at a May 19, 2011 meeting to build on the spirit of volunteerism embodied by Religious Youth Service and a visiting "Generation Peace" team and initiate a national volunteer organization.
Moscow, Russia - A round-table discussion on “Foreign projects for volunteers” took place in the State University of Management under the support of the Moscow Department of Family and Children’s Policy “Sodruzhestvo” on April 28.
Moscow, Russia - The “Run Hour” program initiated in Urals region in 2008 by youth Peace Ambassadors was adopted by the Moscow City government this year as part of the Russian National Week of Goodness. Other cities took up the program even without UPF participation, and we do not know the extent of the program.
Yekaterinburg, Russia - Cleaning, helping infirm people – such forms of volunteer activity are traditional, therefore members of UPF, Ural chapter, were happy to meet creative citizens who could offer new ideas for charitable projects and carry out a joint creative project on April 17.
Tokyo, Japan - Dr. Ron Patterson of Christian Disaster Response conducted a training March 29-30, 2011, for 50 Japanese Youth who volunteered to help clean up after the March 11 tsunami that hit Japan's east coast.
Komarovo, Russia - After the young people arrived at the camp near St. Petersburg for the Guiding Star program, there followed settling into the accommodations, meeting, welcoming, songs, meeting the coordinators, learning rules, receiving badges, T-shirts, etc. Thus, the March 27-30 camp was launched.
At this time when the Japanese people are facing a disaster of monumental proportion, our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families. UPF International urges all chapters to join in solidarity and support with UPF-Japan and all the Japanese people.
Pokrovskoye, Urals, Russia - Activities connecting people from the village of Pokrovskoye in the Urals with people in the city of Yekaterinburg and beyond are taking place throughout the year