Onyinye Belinda Ndubuisi dnyildon yahoo com BRIEF PRESENTATION BY ONYINYE

Onyinye Belinda Ndubuisi 29/09/04 dnyildon@yahoo.com -1A BRIEF PRESENTATION BY ONYINYE BELINDA NDUBUISI : ON THE ACTIVITIES OF TAKINGITGLOBAL, ESPECIALLY AS THEY RELTE TO THE ROLE OF ICTS IN ENABLING YOUTH LIVELIOODS IN NIGERIA. The Organization TakingITGlobal TIG is an international not-for-profit, youth-led organization, empowered by technology. TakingITGlobal is taken to mean “taking youth ideas global through the use of information technology” The organization is at the intersection of three major global trends. The international scope of major issues the information and communication technology revolution and the demographic force of young people. TakingITGlobal vision • • • • • • Inspiration, information, involvement, action, connection- (I I A C) Provide young people with inspiration to make a difference Provide information to realize their potential Involvement where their voice counts Action opportunities to formulate their ideas into reality. Provide them with connection to a worldwide community to take it global. TakingITGlobal mission To inspire youths to follow their dream and create an environment where people are exposed to a new thinking, a diversity of voice and new opportunities. Driven by youth involvement in development, our goal is to foster a sense of leadership and social entrepreneurship through the innovative use of technology, creating meaningful experience for young people around the world. Onyinye Belinda Ndubuisi 29/09/04 dnyildon@yahoo.com -2- TakingITGlobal aims/objectives 1. To realize the potential of at least 5million young people as leaders for the benefit of their local and global communities. 2. To bridge the ‘continuity gap’ enhance the effectiveness of youth action by connecting all major youth activities events, programs and initiatives in a global network. 3. To mainstream recognition that young people are key stakeholders in all national and international policy making. 4. To produce the world’s most comprehensive and powerful knowledge resource-pushing the boundaries of online community and technology as a tool for social empowerment. 5. To instigate significant evolution is the present concepts of schooleducation by increasing global connection meaningful use of ICT’s information and communications technology. 6. To demonstrate innovation, excellence, creativity and professionalism is the management of a new style of international organization that is entrepreneurial, technology-enhanced and youth-driven. 7. To compliment-the effort of the educational authorities and administration to bring about a full and all round envelopment of the average child and youth through the TakingITGlobal framework.. 8. To sufficiently inform and educate youths in any global issues e.g. HIV/AIDS, Gender & Human Rights, Good Governance, Leadership Skills etc. Onyinye Belinda Ndubuisi 29/09/04 dnyildon@yahoo.com -3- Membership of TIG. TakingITGlobal is a youth organization with a youth initiative. It is in existence in 215 countries of the world with move than 1,000 members in each country and nearly 3,000 organization having their profiles within the TakingITGlobal database makes it one of the largest youth organisations in the world today. TakingITGlobal Nigeria has its country office in Port Harcourt, with its regional offices in almost every state in Nigeria. Role of youths in decision making of TIG TIG is conceived, led and run by young people who are inspired and informed to improve and change the world by building a ‘Net Generation’ of youths to share realistic views and ideas. TIG is unique, being an international organization with successful projects and a sustained presence run entirely by youths. We capitalize and realize the potentials of youth in every environment to create a global network and programmes that address international development priorities. (i) Structure of organization:- TakingITGlobal was established in the Summer of 2000 by two young Canadians, Jennifer Corriero and Michael Furdyk, who left their high profile consulting jobs. They had travelled across North America meeting young people asking them about their experiences in life. They wanted to ‘change the world’ and impact more on youths. TIG has a team of approximately 14 and in partnership with numerous major international organizations including 5 UN agencies. TIG is represented in 215 countries of the world by a group of volunteer youth Team that runs the Secretariat. They share the same vision and mission. Onyinye Belinda Ndubuisi 29/09/04 dnyildon@yahoo.com -4- Presentation:(Proper) Technology Platform: TakingITglobal has developed a powerful online community technology that is central to all programs and the backbone of various networks around the globe. About 45% of the rural dwellers are young people, some go to school and farm at the same time, while most have just finished school and have nothing to do. TakingITGlobal with other NGOs who work in the grassroots have created awareness and sensitized rural youths on the importance of ICT. As rural youths are not active citizens, many of them do not know what to do to themselves. TIG Initiation of ICT awareness and sensitization programmes has undoubtedly come to their rescue. Globalization, internet, email, dot com are the only language of the world. Capacity Building: From TIG’s monthly trainings, rural youths have been trained on basic computer and internet skills, as the examination bodies in Nigeria have now introduced the system of publishing their examination dates, centers, and information, enquiries and their results online thus making every youth keen to acquire basic internet and computer knowledge. This also helps them in cutting down their expenses and having their privacy. Onyinye Belinda Ndubuisi 29/09/04 dnyildon@yahoo.com -5- PARTNERSHIPS: TIG has also developed communication channels for the exchange of new indigenous knowledge and information with and among rural areas. There is an existing opportunity to join many other international affiliations/organizations, to share information since we say “ we take local ideas global” The forum will enable information sharing. DISCUSSIONS: TIG has provided a discussion thread, where rural youths have been trained on how they can post their projects, research, questions, and seminars on websites. They post in their thread for cross-fertilization of ideas .The forum/fora also enable the sharing knowledge on projects that have been implemented in the cities and other countries by other youths and youth workers. SKILLS Acquisition: TIG has through the DFID Community Based Initiative (CBI) in collaboration with ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT OF RURAL COMMUNTIES (ESERC) provided skills training for rural youths to learn various skills, which ICT can afford. With these skills some rural youths have set up their own business in the village with the knowledge of application of ICT setting building for the workforce development and employment creation. It has provided youths with enabling environment for the adoption of National Action Plan for Youth ICT in the rural areas. It will further help them share knowledge on national Strategies for youth leveraging ICT. Onyinye Belinda Ndubuisi 29/09/04 dnyildon@yahoo.com -6- ADVOCACY: TIG has provided a channel for youth to send messages across to their Government, on what seems to be the problem in our communities and country. ! -Government ! -Traditional rulers/church leaders ! -Youth leaders YOUTH PARTICIPATION: TIG has severally organised youth leadership and active participation and mainstreaming it with ICT has been of immerse benefit to the rural dwellers in access to information, agriculture and other socio economic activities, particularly participation in governance and decision making and solution to a variety of problems confronting youth. TakingITGlobal has several project groups for youths to participate or join in to acquire fresh knowledge from youth experts. For instance, ICT will open windows for rural youth to know where to access such information and to know how to utilize the information. There is also opportunity to interact with people from different parts of the globe to know current ideas and how to adapt and utilize them. Opportunity also exists to exchange ideas on various global issues/problems confronting them and what people in other parts of the world are doing to solve the problem; example HIV/AIDS, WAR, POVERTY, GENDER. Etc. Information is the most powerful tool available today and it will be wonderful if youths can avail themselves of it. Thank you.