YARD

I talked to Eka and it was very interesting to know that he is still working to fight HIV and drugs. He also will welcome a new born in this world and is completly happy.

Eka, 26, currently works as the Coordinator of Young Changemaker Program at ASHOKA Indonesia in Bandung West Java Indonesia. Previously he manage a Drug Recovery and Treatment Center in Aceh, Indonesia, he also established and managed a drop-in center for young people. Eka is an experienced peer educator, counselor and trainer for young people on various issues such as HIV/AIDS, drug addiction, reproductive health and co-related problems.

Beside in ASHOKA he built a Youth organization call 25 Messengers with his friend. They work with young people at a school, in the community, in the drugs user (IDU and non-IDU) population and in the prisons.

Eka also participated with the UNAIDS Research Team in the assessment of care, support, and access to treatment for People Living with HIV/AIDS in West Java, Indonesia, and also as a program assistant in the Empowered Youth Aceh program, which is supported by UNICEF. In 2005, Eka worked as a Field Officer for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) helping tsunami victims and their families In addition to his work with HIV/AIDS, Eka also facilitated an Outward Bound program that uses the therapeutic elements of nature to help children with special needs.

Young Ambassadors for Rural Development
The Young Ambassadors for Rural Development (YARD) are
a selected group of young women and men from all over the
world aged between 20 and 30 years old – having a rural background
and actively infl uencing and changing the situation in
rural areas. In their “Dialogue of Generations” at the European
Development Days, they discussed key issues such as fi nance
and infrastructure, climate change and local governance with
Heads of State and a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

Young citizens promoting rural development
The future of rural areas also depends on the commitment of
young citizens. Rural areas need not be doomed to continuous
brain and body drains. They need schools, accessible and
affordable medical services, roads and employment opportunities.
Revitalisation of rural areas would give a reason for
young people to stay. Reconstruction measures in some partner
countries have focused on urban areas and rural areas
have fallen behind. As a result, many of those who have
migrated to the cities “don’t see rural areas as attractive
places”, argued Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, President of Liberia.
Rural areas have potential to provide self-sustaining livelihoods
and opportunities. Services such as banking are
increasingly available in rural areas through mobile communications.
Expanding Internet access will open new
opportunities in education, business and medical services.

PROCEEDING

S EDD. STOCKHOLM 22-24 OCTOBER 2009.

© European Communities, 2009
Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged

Friday, 15th January 2010, 10.00 – 12.00 hrs,
International Congress Center (ICC) Berlin, Hall 3

Introduction from the events website:
A dozing giant or the birth of a new emerging economy – Africa’s role in global agriculture trade lies above all in its importance as an exporter of agricultural commodities such as coffee, cocoa and other special crops. However, there is little room for optimism. Agriculture in Africa suffers from chronic underperformance. Due to low productivity, a lack of investment and inputs, African farmers are hardly able to secure their livelihoods. Hunger and poverty are once again on the rise. In Africa, competitive, high-yield and climate adaptable agriculture is nothing less than a matter of survival. It is also becoming increasingly clear that the world needs Africa as an economic area and partner, and more and more as a supplier of agricultural commodities and processed agricultural products and foods. There is a need for solutions that foster both cooperation between partners and economic success.

The weakness of African agriculture is at the same time its greatest hope. Fallow agricultural land is not only a burden, it also offers chances for dynamic agricultural development that could benefit many. With its huge agricultural resources, the African continent is already attracting both private and public investors. Whether this is a blessing or a curse, one thing is clear: calls for a paradigm shift and fundamental reforms and modernisation are being increasingly heard. Africa must become more productive agriculturally and position itself as an equal partner in global trade, both as a producer and a market for agricultural goods.

What will Africa’s agriculture sector look like in five, ten or twenty years? Is the future of small-scale farming to be found among baobabs and loam-brick huts, in high-tech agriculture, or somewhere in between? What role will new stakeholders, for example private investors, have? What does sustainability and good governance mean within the context of a new and forward-looking agricultural sector? What will be the influence of climate change on these developments?

For more information please visit:
www.gffa-berlin.de/en/modernisation-of-the-african-farming-and-food-economy-adap.html

This is a little interview that Elena YARD Ecuador had with Zolo our YARD Mongolia about the new magazine for youth people.

Elena: Why do you think that a magazine is an important tool? why not internet or radio?

Zolo: In our country the infrastructure is not developed much therefore we are trying to give latest information and advice to the youth in  rural areas as well the magazine is a hardcopy so youth can read it any time and share in info with each other the uniqueness of our magazine is that the articles and issues are written and brought up by youths themselves.

For more info about YARD Mongolia magazine visit their website www.yard.org.mn

Our YARD Germany -Fabian Bloechl went to the Conference VISION SUMMIT 09 in Berlin, 08 November, 2009. “The conference was about social business, and there was nearly 1000 people”, said Fabian who talked to Prof. Yunus at the event.