The Young world

How many young people are there in the world?

About one billion 12 to 18-year-olds.

Where are the maximum number of young people?

Almost nine out of 10 live in developing countries. The proportion of young people per country is highest in Africa and lowest in Europe. In Uganda 57% of people are under 18. In Italy, Greece and Spain they are 17% of the population.

This generation has the highest percentage of literates!

But still, 57 million young men and 96 million young women (aged 15-24) in developing countries cannot read or write.

What are the key concerns facing the young today?

Terrorism, war, education, employment, health, crime, global population......

[Status, Opportunities & relationship trends of today's youth]

This generation inherits a world that is well connected but divided; prosperous but not secure; unlimited choices but increasing obesity, heart attacks, diabetes, HIV AIDS; hi-tech gadgets and global warming............many challenges but a strong will to overcome.

Last year, Global Youth Fund launched the 'This I Believe' project to provide space for us to share our personal beliefs, philosophies and core values with each other. Young people from all over the world have written in and continue to write about what they stand for. You can write in too [Global Youth Fund's This I Believe]

How did Inventors create Inventions?

It is a myth that only certain genius "types" can invent, and it is also a myth that you need to have certain characteristics or learning styles to be creative or to be inventive. Anyone can be an inventor. Even I can be one. So can you. (18 year old Blaise Pascal had invented the first counting machine in 1642, 300 years before the calculator became popular. 11 year old Frank Epperson had discovered the way to make Popsicle in 1905.) We just need an idea....an inventive one. The Inventing your Future website provides some tips on becoming an inventor. You can even enter your ideas into the By Kids for Kids invention competition.

Interestingly, many of the worlds greatest invention happened by accident. Like X-Rays, penicillin, post-it notes, super glue, velcro, cheese, potato chips and posicles. There is a cute website called 'Oops we Goofed' which looks at some of these accidental inventions.

Cars, electricity and computers were all invented in the last three centuries. On the Amazing Inventors and Inventions, there is information on many important inventions and a timeline that shows the year they were invented. And the History of Invention site has the stories behind the making of the wheel, the toothpaste, the steam engine,the space shuttle, DVD..........

If you are interested in knowing how an elevator works? Or a compass, a radio, an airplane, bicycles and toilets work? Find out on the Whatcha’ Makin’: Inventors and Invention of the Past Millennium and Beyond site.

Organizations started by Kids and Teens

Did you know that a 4 year old set up an organization called Álex´s Lemonade Stand? If you think that you're too young to start your own organization, maybe you'll reconsider after seeing what these kids have done. [List of Organizations started by Kids on Idealist]

A Little White Rabbit Was Searching for 'Peace'. He found it. What about You?

Once upon a time, there was a mummy and a daddy rabbit who had lots of little baby rabbits of different colours - black, grey, red, brown, speckled and patchy ones. But among them there was one, the smallest, who was all white, as white as snow. This rabbit family lived with other families in a huge forest full of big green fir trees, magnificent cedars and beautiful birches where the birds could build their nests. The rabbit families built their houses under the branches of the cedars to shelter from the rain and the snow.

Sometimes, the little white rabbit was left all alone by his brothers and sisters and even by his friends just because he was all white. Nobody wanted to play with him because he was a different colour. And this made him very sad. Sometimes the others also poked fun at him because he was smaller than all of them. They said nasty things that hurt his little heart. When evening came and the sun gave way to the moon, the little white rabbit could not sleep because his brothers and sisters teased him. They nibbled his little ears, pinched his paws, slapped his back and tickled his little neck. The little white rabbit hated this. It hurt because he did not know what to do. He watched the shadows of animals wandering in the night and felt sad. He dreamt of living in harmony. He dreamt of a better life.

One morning the little white rabbit who was fed up with all this squabbling decided to go for a walk deep in the forest. While he was walking the little white rabbit hoped he would meet someone who could help him live in harmony and be free of his suffering and anger. After walking for a long time through the forest the he walked past a fox’s lair. He knew that the fox was crafty so he decided to ask his advice.

"Hello Mr Fox. I am the little white rabbit and I want to live in peace. You’re crafty, could you tell me what I should do?"

After listening to the little white rabbit’s story the crafty Fox said to him - "I think it’s very good that you are trying to live in peace, to find solutions to the conflicts in your life. When I was young I wasn’t as crafty as I am today. Time has taught me to be calmer. Now when I am in a squabble, when somebody hurts me or doesn’t think the way I do, I breathe very deeply, I imagine a blue light around me, it helps me to regain my calm. When I am calm like that, I can speak without arguing to resolve the conflict."

Happy with the advice, the little white rabbit thanked the crafty Fox and went off into the forest. Smiling, the crafty Fox called after him: "Remember, you can take three deep breaths to keep calm. That will get rid of your suffering and your anger and will make you happier. You breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth, my little white friend."

A little further on, the little white rabbit met Mrs. Owl. He had already heard of her. The other animals in the forest said she was very gentle. He decided to ask her advice. "Hello, Mrs Owl! I am the little white rabbit and I want to live in peace. Could you give me some advice because I have heard you never squabble."

"Oh, you know, I do sometimes squabble. But I always try to solve the problem by talking to the other person. I take the time to understand what the problem between us is, to see how we feel, what we want to change or improve. Together we find solutions to put an end to the squabble. Then we find the best solution, the one that suits us both best."
"And so that’s how you can live in peace?"
"Yes, that’s it. Remember, the clue is that you can talk to find solutions and you know it works!"

The little white rabbit thanked Mrs. Owl and went on his way. He was happy he had learnt this new trick. After a while he bumped into the young Lynx. This little wild cat was famous
for being a good listener.
"Hello, Mr. Lynx! I am the little white rabbit and I want to live in peace. Can you help me?"
The young Lynx looked at him and said "With my Lynx eyes I can see things that are invisible. I know you are looking for ways to live in peace, so listen! In the past I kept things that bothered me inside; I was often angry and sad. I thought about no one but myself. Today, you see, I can say what I think, what I want and how I feel. On top of that, I ask others how they see things, what they want and what they feel in their hearts. In this way I can live in peace and so can the others. Now you know that it’s by considering yourself and others that you will avoid squabbles and be able to live in a happier world."

The little white rabbit thanked the young Lynx and went home. When he was nearly home he met some of his friends who once again teased him, said nasty things, poked fun at him because he was so little and of a different colour from them.

The little white rabbit took three deep breaths and imagined a blue light around him. Feeling calm, he headed for the youngest ones to have a word with them. He asked them why they were doing that and told them that what they said made him sad. He told them how he wanted to be treated too. Together they found a solution that they were all happy with. Once the conflict was settled, the little white rabbit went home.

He told his parents about his adventure and how he could remain calm by following Mr. Fox’s advice, how he could speak to settle arguments as Mrs. Owl had explained to him, how he could consider himself and others to live in peace as the young Lynx had suggested. His parents listened carefully and congratulated him. That night the little white rabbit had wonderful dreams because he now lived in a world where there was a little more peace.

Did you like the story? Do you also feel like the little white rabbit when someone hurts you? Do you remember the tricks he learnt?

[Click to read some more Peace Stories. About a King, a Farmer, a Samurai Warrior and a Bat]

Can a Battle be Won Without a Gun?

Guns seem to be booming everywhere - Iraq, Israel, Sudan, SriLanka.....and in our neighbourhoods. What are people fighting for? Must be something very important to them, if they are ready to hurt each other, shed blood and take lives. But can their battle be won without the gunfire and bloodshed? Can bullies be tamed without a fist fight?

Mk Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu are some real life heroes who took a different approach - Nonviolence. How much do you know about them? Can you identify their pictures? Do you Know which nonviolent means of protest did each one use - civil disobedience, satyagraha, non-cooperation or hunger strike? Click on the photos to see if your guess was right and read their story.

• But what is non-violence? [Read About Nonviolence].

How effective is this weapon that does'nt hurt anyone but wins battles? [Play some games], [A Force More Powerful- Game]

If you decide to take the nonviolence approach to solving your problems and creating social change .....what key things you need to keep in mind? [Lessons to remember]

What can you do? Why not start by making small changes in the way you respond to situations. You could even start a group with other friends like the Peace Leadership Clubs.

Have you read about the brave man who stood alone infront of a fleet of tanks?
[TIME's 100 Leaders & Revolutionaries]

Have you planned something for the Space Week?

Every year, the World Space Week is held from 4th to the 10th of October. 4 October is the date that Sputnik-1, the first artificial satellite,was launched in 1957. And 10 October is the date that the General Assembly adopted the Outer Space Treaty of 1967. The purpose of World Space Week is to internationally celebrate the contribution that space science and technology can make to the betterment of human condition.

During the week a lot of activities, programmes and competitions are organised in approximately 50 countries. The theme for this year, 2006, is "Space for Saving Lives." In your school, with friends or at home you can develop projects or hold programs on the many ways that space helps to save lives on Earth. This includes disaster management, such as after the major tsunami in Asia, telemedicine, and environmental protection. [Space Week activities and ideas]

Last year, the theme for Space week was "Discovery and Imagination". The United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs (OOSA) had invited grades 5 - 8 school students from around the world (mostly from Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia) to participate in designing a base on Mars. Each class was asked to build a model of a Mars base that is suited to the conditions on Mars and that includes everything the researchers would need to survive and work on Mars. After building the base, participating groups submitted photos and descriptions of their Mars base. [See Photos of the Mars base designed by other children]

If your teacher participates in the space week, he or she can compete for the Heinlein Award. And if the teacher wins.....the prize will be the visit of a real space suit to your classroom. So tell your teacher to participate. You and your friends can help the teacher win. [Space suit visit]

Harry Potter's Brave & Responsible Magic can also Save Forests

Raincoast Books, the Canadian co-publisher of Harry Potter, has worked a little of its own magic for biodiversity and the world's forests by printing the Canadian edition of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on ancient forest friendly paper. The approximately one million copies of the Canadian edition are the only ones in the world to be printed on 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper. By doing so, it is saving 39,320 trees (56 times the size of forests at Hogwarts). Do you know what the savings are in Muggle's terms? [Find out]

As JK Rowling, the creator of Harry Potter said "The forest at Hogwarts is home to magical creatures like unicorns and centaurs. Because the Canadian editions are printed on Ancient-Forest Friendly paper, the Harry Potter books are helping to save magnificent forests in the Muggle world, forests that are home of magical animals such as Orangutans, Wolves and Bears. It's a good idea to respect ancient trees, especially if they have a temper like the Whomping Willow."

[What and where are the Ancient Forests?Why do we need to protect them]

Do you know.....

Where do snowy owls like Harry Potter's owl, Hedwig, really live?
What kind of owl is Ron Weasley's pet, Pigwidgeon?
What do owls like Draco Malfoy's eat?
How much do you know about owls? Take the Owl Quiz.

Conscience Cola

Do you like drinking cola's? Here is an interesting short film on the history of Coke and the effects a soft drink has on the planet. You can watch it online.

[Watch Conscience Cola]