Summer summer yeah!!

Let's see...with TIG stuff, things have been going well. I contacted every person that I met at Citizen You and am starting to build relationships with people in various countries with regard to TIG initiatives. Am very excited about the YR and Int'l stuff that has been developed (Connect & Local .TIG.org) and that the YR's are all excited about TIG Youth Day. Right now, that's my main focus and I've started organizing the various initiatives. As well, super happy that Jessica and Ben are helping out with the zine. Yeah yeah!

Also have been working on my personal plan for the next year - have chosen classes, more research on thesis....working a lot at the salon and on the tall ships. Tonight we're hosting a rave that goes until 4am and then I start at the salon at 9am....e gads...

But mainly am super duper jazzed up about all the fresh energy being generated by TIG Youth Day from youth reps everywhere. Great idea Rana!!

Wow! What a great two weeks!
From June 30-July 6 I was at the Citizen You conference in Sunderland, England.
Before I left, I worked with Susheela on revamping how creative writing volunteers are understood. I also worked on ICubed a bit, on the summer project plan, approving articles, and contacting writers.
As well, worked on text for the Take Local Action site and revamping how the Youth Reps are understood.

Prepared for the Citizen You conference - it wasn't what I expected, but very inspiring and successful! Was expecting young people that were "in the know" and have done the conference thing before...instead, it was young people from the 54 Commonwealth countries, many of which are developing nations, and many of the youth delegates had never travelled outside their countries. I was working with and speaking on the globalization theme, and for many delegates it was their first chance to truly explore the idea and all that it contains. Some delegates didn't have email or use the internet and it was great to be able to teach people new skills. It was so inspiring connecting with people that are attempting to positively impact their communities!

I learned a lot from the experience - about speaking, responding to questions....about perceptions and expectations...my belief in the vision of TIG was renewed, and I am finding most valuable the idea of creating a meaningful network of people with common opinions, hopes and goals. Many of the friends I met from Africa told me how their countries are being torn apart by HIV/AIDS...yet these people were the most inspirational, optimistic and positive individuals I've ever met....how fortunate I am to be a Canadian citizen, and how necessary it is for me to use the opportunities handed to me to help others.

Well, I've dun it! Today I spoke as one of a group of three speakers for Citizen You today. I was first, which I liked so there's no time to be nervous! I discussed globalization and how it affects young people, then discussed a few trends of globalization and how TIG is taking ownership over the process to create positive impacts. It was really interesting, because I've noticed these past few days that the group overall didn't really have a clear understanding of all the elements within globalization. I used it as an opportunity to show that the process effects so many things - education, mobility, disease, human rights, technology, politics - and really emphasized the positive opportunities that globalization can afford us. The question and answer period afterwards was REALLY challenging as people from all over fired these questions (and sometimes just statements of frustration that I was expected to respond to) at me regarding who drives globalization, who benefits from it, what about small island nations, do you really think we can do anything...etc. etc. It was such a learning experience for me to be in that position, in just that few hours in that role has truly taught me. The feedback afterwards was so great and supportive, and also positively critical - I've made some connections for TIG in Mauritirus, Monserat, Ghana, Singapore....it meant so so much to me that people could approach me and say I spoke inspirationally! There is more and more to say, but I suppose I will stop...it's funny how close people can get just within days...we all feel powerful, and powerless all at the same time.

H'way the lads!

Ello! Mornin to all ye...yesterday was a GREAT day here at the conference - lemme see...I'm still amazed at how many different countries are represented here. It's wild! I've had some really interesting conversations with people from Fiji, the Grenadines, Swaziland, Ghana, Cyprus, Malta, the BVI, Anguilla, UK, Bangladesh...they're an interesting bunch coming from an interesting network. I'm really looking forward to speaking tomorrow to the whole group about TIG and globalization.

Yesterday the opening ceremonies featured Prince Edward and Sophie, and also this absolutely fabo speaker from CIVICUS named Kumi Naipoo - he was definately an inspiration for all of us. I spoke to him afterwards and we talked for a bit about TIG and I told him we have CIVICUS on the site - very impressed!

I'm just so humbled by all the people here, and love so much learning about their countries and what they're involved in. Tis all for now, will update tommorow to inform of how presentation went!

Day 2 at the Citizen You Conference! Yesterday was a fabo first day - nice adventure getting up to Sunderland, a small city that reminds me of Hamilton. The University of Sunderland is a great venue. Everyone is so friendly...practically every nation in the Commonwealth is represented, and it's crazy - every person I meet is literally from another country. No problems communicating - except with the Northern English - e gads, the accent! :) Today there will be a royal visit (!!!) from Prince Edward and his wife...guess I better learn to curtsey pretty quickly. :) Looking forward to working in groups today and talking with more people!