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Stand Up And Take Action (MGESUTA)
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The international development community and the world at large are recognizing the
urgency with which we must work to achieve the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs). On October 17-19, 2008, people across the world stood up and
took an inspiring pledge to contribute and work towards the MDGs. Moreover, organizers
and participants addressed the seventh MDG on environment through a targeted leadership
intervention - Great Green Project. This initiative
involved a worldwide campaign to plant and to adopt 100 million trees and was aimed
at mitigating the ill effects of climate change through practical, scalable, and
sustainable means.
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The overall strategy and technical approaches utilized in MGESUTA 2008 by WAYE feature
a strong community-driven element. WAYE carefully planned
several mega-youth events and education programs between August 15 and October 19,
2008, which took place all over the world. One of the events, which happened all
over India, was the UTSAV under
program.
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Enhanced leadership skills - Youth marketed MGESUTA using banners, posters &
even cable TV.
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Strong team building skills – WAYE volunteers leveraged
existing networks to increase outreach.
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Inspiration to engage in community service - Youth simultaneously involved in tree
plantation.
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Unleashing of one's full potential & abilities - Partnerships established with
many universities.
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Greater self-esteem - Corporate partnerships set up.
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Enhanced interpersonal skills - Strong Teamwork!.
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On August 9, 2008, during a huge UTSAV in Mumbai, Vikram
Hazra, a nationally acclaimed musician, carried out a mega concert. The central
thrust of the event was the promotion of MGESUTA 2008. This concert was instrumental
in galvanizing the youth of Mumbai and getting them involved in the MDG cause. With
approximately 1,000 young leaders participating in the UTSAV
program, a dynamic platform for success in the Fall was established, and a critical
mass of participants and organizers was assembled in preparation for the Stand Up
events.
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Another critical tool for WAYE to build tremendous momentum
heading towards MGESUTA 2008 was WAYE’s Youth Empowerment and Skills Workshop
YES!+. This program was implemented in universities and to college students all
over the world with phenomenal success. A seven-day community development and leadership
program, YES!+ .
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Together strong leaders and provided them a platform to engage in collective action.
Humanitarian service and civic engagement is a central focus of the program and
allowed our WAYE faculty and organizers to easily bring
people on board for MGESUTA. Thousands of young people learned about the United
Nations-WAYE collaboration and became inspired late in the summer to get involved
in the fall pledge and tree planting/adopting events.
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In addition, a strong capacity development and community organization element was
integrated in our technical approach to MGESUTA 2008. WAYE
faculty was actively involved in organizing introductory sessions to MGESUTA in
various universities, institutions, and even in informal settings, such as people's
homes. Word-of-mouth was a critical tool for WAYE to
raise the profile of the event, as well as for kindling interest in the cause of
the MDGs. WAYE also facilitated numerous training-of-trainers
sessions, by engaging its faculty with volunteers, students, and leaders who had
committed themselves to making MGESUTA 2008 a success. Its faculty administered
invaluable training in areas such as public speaking, environmental education, leadership
and organizing, negotiations with public officials, and much more. This experience
empowered MGESUTA volunteers and gave them the skills and confidence to make substantive
contributions to the movement.
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WAYE is uniquely positioned to sustain the momentum of MGESUTA
activities, while also ensuring a strong result focus. YES!+
and WAYE leaders and organizers have played a crucial role
in keeping communities together and connected through a variety of methods, including:
community service, musical events, education programs, and many more.
WAYE has laid the foundation for achieving future outcomes that move us
closer towards the MDGs.
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