Global Village Project - Background

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"Young People are not a Problem but a Resource"

In the last 10 years a lot of youth conferences and congresses have been organised around the globe, young people have come together to discuss issues and problems our world is facing today. Youth declarations on sustainable development and the Millennium Development Goals have been worked out and ratified by young people and sent out to important political decision makers around the world. In those conferences and congresses young people pointed out that they do not only want to talk and discuss about these issues and problems but that they are ready to take action and responsibility to help improve the local environment in the communities they live in.

"We have vision, we have passion – we have the connections and now all we need is the backing of civil society, of governments, institutions and business."
Amber Zirnhelt at the 3rd World Youth Congress, Stirling, Scotland 2005

Young people are a tremendous resource to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals. The adult world needs to see and acknowledge the huge potential young people around the world are ready to offer to reach those goals.

		"I know that many of you are involved in local initiatives helping to achieve any of these goals. And these initiatives are important because every human life that becomes more worth living because of what your activities do is worth it."
Eveline Herfkens, Executive Coordinator for the Millennium Development Goals Campaign at the United Nations, addressing young people at the World Youth Congress in Scotland 2005.

The Global Village Project 2006 connects and unites youth groups and youth initiatives in 15 countries around the world. It highlights and promotes their local youth led development action projects during the Global Village Project – Action Week from 28th May – 4th June 2006. All projects will be coordinated through the Global Village Project – Website and the Global Village Project - Mission Control Centre (MCC) at the University of Applied Sciences (FH JOANNEUM) in Kapfenberg/Austria.