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FEATURE ARTICLES
Sponsor Schools to help
Purchase Solar Ovens
by
Michael Logan
As part of an ongoing commitment to improving the lives of refugees across the globe,
RESPECT is looking to implement a project allowing sponsor schools to support their
partner refugee communities by raising funds to purchase a Sun Oven.
Sun Ovens are an environmentally-friendly device used to harness solar power to provide
cooking facilities. They are manufactured by
Sun Ovens International from Elburn, Illinois, USA.
more>>
The Role of Youth
In Peace Building
by Francis Abayomi
Country Coordinator
RESPECT Nigeria
Approximately 6.6 million young people worldwide are currently displaced by armed
conflict. Many of them are exposed to violence, try to survive in acute poverty, and are
separated from their families and communities.
These young people often face the additional barriers of a lack of sufficient education,
health care, protection, livelihood opportunities, recreational activities, friendship,
and family support.
more>>
Youth Transforming
Conflict Training
by Francis Abayomi
Country Coordinator
RESPECT Nigeria
April 18th to 29th 2004, thirty-eight participants took part in the second phase of the
training course Youth Transforming Conflict. The participants represented eighteen countries,
mostly from West Africa.
The event was organised by the United Network
of Young Peacebuilders and Network University in Netherlands. The programme consists of
training in conflict transformation, project management, and campaigning.
more>>
PHOTO GALLERY
Source: 'Internally Displaced Persons Questions and Answers' UNHCR,
February 2004, pg 1.
Displaced peasants eat lunch in northwestern Colombia after being forced to
flee because of fighting between opposing paramilitary forces. Colombia has
an estimated 2.9 million IDPs.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
AFFILIATES
UNHCR
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was established shortly after
World War II to focus on helping refugees, the victims of the war. According to the UNHCR
website, as of January 1, 2003, there were an estimated 20.5 million refugees in more than
150 asylum countries.
The UNHCR also states on its
website, "[it uses] the 1951 Geneva Refugee Convention as its major tool,
it ensures the basic human rights of vulnerable persons and that refugees will not be
returned involuntarily to a country where they face persecution. Longer term, the
organization helps civilians repatriate to their homeland, integrate in countries of asylum
or resettle in third countries. Using a world wide field network, it also seeks to provide
at least a minimum of shelter, food, water and medical care in the immediate aftermath of
any refugee exodus."
Many of RESPECT's volunteers have volunteered through the United Nations Volunteer (UNV)
Online Volunteer
program.
EDITOR'S CORNER
IDP or Refugee?
by Will Wallace
Senior Editor
IDP - internally displaced person. IDPs "are individuals or groups of people
who are forced to flee their homes to escape armed conflict, generalized
violence, human rights abuses, or natural or man-made disasters."1
more>>
As in any newsletter or magazine, RESPECT e-zine is committed to striving for
interesting articles and announcements concerning refugee issues all around the
world.
If you have any suggestions or would like to contribute an article, contact the
e-Zine editor at
editor@respectrefugees.org.
To be removed from our mailing list, please complete the online form at:
subscriptions.respectrefugees.org.
1Internally Displaced Persons Questions and Answers,
UNHCR, February 2004, pg 6.
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