Dear ECYI,
I am very pleased to announce that 2 highly qualified and inspiring young people stepped forward to run for the North American vacancy on the Youth Leadership Team! Please find their photos, attached. In their own words, here's a sneak peek at the two Candidates…
Anna Duhon, Massachusetts, USA
1. Please write a 1-paragraph biography of yourself.
My sense of home is grounded in the hills, small towns and farmlands of Western Massachusetts. I've studied anthropology, community and the environment, and am currently a Master's student in "Natural Resources and Peace" at the University for Peace in Costa Rica. Some of my most defining moments have been spent living in community, or working at the intersection of human and environmental needs and wellness. It is also my great joy and privilege to have worked with many different animals, from goats to box turtles. I particularly love to farm!
2. What inspires you most about the Earth Charter?
I am most inspired by the Earth Charter's possibility to be a force for transformative change that bridges the personal and the global – acting both within people's individual lives and larger international processes, and linking the two. I particularly like the all-encompassing concept of Earth Community.
3. What inspires you most about the ECYI?
Its potential to nurture the expansiveness of heart, care for the earth, and empowerment to action that is so needed to realize Earth Community. Also, the connective role it plays between people, organizations, movements, etc.
Yongjie Yon, British Columbia, Canada
1. Please write a 1-paragraph biography of yourself.
Yongjie Yon is a 27 years old Masters Gerontology student. He is doing research in the area of elder abuse and ageism among youth and seniors.
Yongjie is a founding member of a number of organizations including the SGI Canada Youth Earth Charter Committee in 2003 and the Intergenerational Centre for Action Learning (ICAL). He is also a member of the youth advisory committee for the Fraser Basin Council that contributes to the understanding of sustainability to specific target audiences including youth and the private sector. Furthermore, Yongjie has spoke at a number of local and international conferences and helped facilitated many local and regional sustainability projects.
2. What inspires you most about the Earth Charter?
The comprehensiveness of the Earth Charter in providing opportunities for individuals to make a difference in their communities has inspired me to collaborate with individuals and organizations towards a sustainable future.
3. What inspires you most about the ECYI?
Having participated in the global network of youth, who have come from all corners of the world, to share their successes, resources and innovative ideas has greatly encouraged and inspired me to take action at the local and regional levels.
Before we start our week-long "Town Hall Meeting and Elections" on the ECYI blog, I just need to ensure that the "comment" feature on the blog has been re-activated. I will keep you posted with details. Once we kick off the online meeting, you can ask questions of the candidates, learn more about them, and cast your vote.
Good luck to both Candidates!
Peace,
Dominic
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Dominic Stucker
International Youth Coordinator
youthcoordinator@earthcharter.org
dstucker@earthcharter.org
www.earthcharterinaction.org/youth/
www.profiles.takingitglobal.org/dwstucker
Earth Charter International
c/o University for Peace
PO Box 138-6100
San Jose
COSTA RICA
Supporting the Realization of the Millennium Development Goals and the UN Decade for Education for Sustainable Development ___________________________________________________________