Seven Lessons From My Family
Here in the WYA blogspace, we write about a lot of different issues and we give our opinions and try to get discussions going on many fronts. We represent lots of different cultural, political, socio-economic and religious backgrounds. It is important for us to be open-minded and respectful as we explore the issues we deal […]
It All Started with the Family
This article was written using the ideas of a group of intellectuals at a discussion today. None of these ideas are my own ideas, only the interpretation of a discussion regarding the truth about the person by analyzing the difference between religious and non-religious groups. This discussion analyzed the different systems and institutions that developed […]
The Family: A Kenyan, Or Rather a Nairobian, Perspective.
Each time I think of family what comes in mind are those beautiful Christmas celebrations, birthdays ,at times weddings, since those are some of the times I get to bond much with my family members, and keep those awesome tokens as souvenirs for the future. Sixteen years ago I lost my younger sister and the […]
Strong Bonds: The Chemistry of Filipino Families
It was just a simple gathering at a house in a rural poor community and I was making a native dessert together with a Tita (Aunt in Filipino), her Sister-in-law, and a Lola (Grandmother in Filipino). They weren’t my blood relatives but that’s how it is here in the Philippines, we automatically feel like family. […]
ISF: A Participant’s Recap
The International Solidarity Forum 2013 on Health and Sustainable Development was my first experience working with WYA and it was better than I could have ever imagined! Being a 15-year-old high school student, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to participate as well as others due to my lack of experience and knowledge on the subject. […]
Children Are Protectors of the Future
Research has shown that poverty, violence and other challenges faced by young children, especially girls, are a deterrence in achieving their potential and dreams. This is because, when at a very tender age young minds are sexually, physically and emotionally abused, harassed, and due to poverty faced with poor sanitation, poor health and do not […]
Individualism Vs Family
What about the family? According to article 16.3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “the family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.” Within the family we can find two distinct types of relationships. First, the affinity ties between spouses (also known […]
Conservative or Progressive?
Every once in a while we face the question: Should we be conservative or progressive. Limits have been well established: no one who identifies with conservatism will promote any idea related to progressivism and vice versa. This has created a huge polarization in our societies. Does this have any logic? Apparently we are being victims […]
Heated discussion over Sustainable Development on the ISF
Despite the intensive schedule and overnight negotiations, participants still showed high spirits while engaging in the discussions on sustainable development, entrepreneurship and human capital on the third day of the WYA International Solidarity Forum. Among the discussions today, there was a key word that was mentioned repeatedly: “Investing.” During a lecture given by Andreas Wildmer, […]
Learning from a UN Ambassador
H.E. Carlos Garcia, the Permanent Representative of El Salvador to the United Nations, graced the participants of the International Solidarity Forum to talk about the United Nations as a key actor in facilitation and mediation of discussion between nations. In the United Nations, countries have the ability to speak out for policies in different levels […]