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Greetings from Bob Persiko
Dear Alumni of the P4L YES program:
I am happy to report to you that the YES program
is thriving and growing. From 160 participants in 2003-2004 the
number increased this year to a current 450, and in the coming year
(2005-2006) it will likely grow again to 650-675. President Bush
has just submitted his request to Congress for fiscal year 2006
and has requested an increase in funding for the YES program, so
we are optimistic that the upward trend will continue.
Now that you are back home we are beginning to hear
about some of the activities you are engaged in that demonstrate
your leadership on behalf of your societies. The goal of the YES
program is to give the participants tools that will enable them
to be successful while on the exchange and when they return home.
The program's success will be judged as much by what you achieve
as alumni as it is by what you did in the U.S. Where there are a
large number of alumni in a country, it is easier to form an alumni
association and undertake projects as a group. In some places the
small number of alumni from the first year makes this more difficult.
It will help when the second year students return, but I would encourage
you to look for opportunities to serve now even if your numbers
are small. As individuals you can offer your services as volunteers
for organizations that are working in your communities on social
and environmental issues or in other fields that interest you. Additionally,
there are international organizations appealing for volunteers.
Here are three:
- Youth Action Net - Connecting Youth to Create
Change: A dynamic website created by and for young people, YouthActionNet
spotlights the vital role that youth play in leading positive
change around the world. Launched in 2001 by the International
Youth Foundation (IYF) and Nokia, YouthActionNet serves as a virtual
gathering place for young people looking to connect with each
other – and with ideas for how to make a difference in their
communities. http://www.youthactionnet.org/who
- Taking It Global: TakingITGlobal.org is a global
online community, providing youth with inspiration to make a difference,
a source of information on issues, opportunities to take action,
and a bridge to get involved locally, nationally and globally.
Membership is free of charge and allows you to interact with various
aspects of the website, to contribute ideas, experiences, and
actions. http://www.takingitglobal.org/home.html
- Global Youth Service Day - April 15-17: Millions
of young people in countries everywhere highlighted and carried
out thousands of community improvement projects. http://www.gysd.net/home/index.html
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