Buzz for April 12 2011

UBC Students Shine

On Saturday March 26, 2011 the students at UBC got together and created this totally brilliant, creative masterpiece.  Andrew Cohen is a genius.  Watch it to the bitter end.  We are in awe!

Adolescents Use Condoms More Than Adults

The message of safe sex appears to be reaching teens.

Ricks Rant

The Rick Mercer Report for March 29, 2011

Let's Talk About Sex

"Whether you have children, teach children or are around children at all...this movie is a must-see." - Hugh Jackman. Visit this site, see the trailer and learn more.

The Power of Sports

This video is all about a special youth and the power of sports...and did we mention inspiration?

Students Need to Vote

The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations want you, in a video of 1-2 minutes, to tell Canadians why you think it is important that young people of Canada vote.  Go to their website to find out more and to hear from Strombo.

How Parliment Would Look if Only Youth Voted

Infographic braking down Canada's youth vote.

Teen-Line

This site has been running for over 30 years.  They handle 10 000 calls a year.  Fully operated by youth!

Tucker Performs

This is some of the finest vocals we have heard in a  long, long time.  The piano isn't bad either.

Buzz on April 5th

Quarter of Kids Have Mental Health Woes

In excess of one in four students in the Thames Valley District school board suffers from mental health issues - most strongly linked to bullying - this according to a recent study.

A Strong Cry Out

An 8th grader at Connecticut Middle School posts a video on YouTube about the nasty things said to her.

Research: "On Call all Night Leaves Teens Tired Out"

Children who text late into the night do not fall asleep as well as those who don't and they don't enter the deep sleep of Stage 4 REM sleep according to new research.

Youth Film Competition

The global film compeition 'Faith Shorts' aims to give young people under age 18 the opportunity to express what their faith means to them in their words and take this to the global stage by winning the chance to see their film premiered at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

Gallop International Youth Poll

Very interesting!  "If you would like to move permanently to another country, to which country would you like to move?" - Info-graphic.

Update from Raffi

Get the latest about Raffi's global movement that views honouring children as the best way to create sustainable, peacemaking societies.

Buzz on March 29th 2011

What Teacher's Make

Requires no introduction but it's well worth a listen.

Where Will it End?

Abercrombie Padded Bikini Top for 8 year-olds angers parents.

Picking It Up!

A flashmob with a difference... and it's Canadian.  Watch it to the end.  We think you'll love it!

Ten Who Went Beyond the Lemonade Stand?

While most kids stick with lemonade stands, some young entrepreneurs take their business much further.  Millions of dollars and multiple countries further, that is, with products in tech, software, business and even bacon.

Global Youth Service Day (April 15-17 2011)

Global Youth Service Day is an annual campaign that celebrates and mobilizes the millions of children and youth who improve their communities through service and service-learning.  It's a great initiative that has been growing since 1988 - Sad that it's relatively unheard of in Canada.

Favourite Video for March - And a Nod to the Japanese People

Ten Japanese "businessmen" perform a synchronized street performance.  Fun and imaginative!

Buzz for March 22!

Always My Son

This short documentary tells the story of how the Plata family moved from struggling with EJ's sexuality to becoming a model of support.  Powerful and moving!

The Future of Education

This is the video that people, particularly educators, around the globe are talking about. It just goes to show that great initiatives often come from small ideas.

The President talks to Youth

President Obama dropped by a roundtable meeting featuring youth leaders to discuss issues of concern to them and to also announce a new youth initiative.  Imagine for a moment this happening in Canada!  Visit the White House site and click on the video.

State of the World's Children

Young people are the key to a more equitable and prosperous world, according to UNICEF's new flagship report, 'The State of the World's Children 2011 - Adolescence: An Age of Opportunity,' launched in February.

Youth Leadership

The National Youth Agency believes that young people should have a voice in everything that affects them, and that the performance of services will be improved by taking proper account of that voice.  They have just published "Challenge and lead" a resource designed to help young people who are passionate about creating positive change, and/or those who work with them, to identify issues important to them and to follow through by organizing a campaign that will lead to positive action.  Question: Is there a Canadian organization with a similar mandate?

More U.S.  Youth Say They Are Not Having Sex

According to US research the number of U.S. teenagers and young adults who say they are abstaining from sex is on the rise, even as more young women report having sexual contact with each other.

Do Something

Does anyone know of a youth organization in Canada that comes close to "DoSomething.org"?  We have followed this US group for years and have come to respect it's relationship with the private sector over a reliance on government?  We invite you to check out this video and check out this site.

Great or Questionable Parenting

Hilarious 30 second video.

Words & Actions: The Community Sector & Canada's New Narrative

"...the act of volunteering must evolve beyond today's view of it as an option for individual expression of personal values to one that is viewed as the defining act of citizenship in a democratic society..." An interesting item written by Tim Broadhead for the Tamarack Institute.

One-third HIV cases in age group 15-24

Of the over 33 million HIV-AIDS cases reported worldwide every year, around one-third are adolescents of the age group 15-24 years.  This from a new UN Children's Fund report.

Buzz for March 16th!

Hi Everyone!
We want to  let you know of the changes to Buzz.  Our new system uses MailChimp to pick up the weeks newsletter from our blog!  So now, if you need to look back at an old issue of Buzz you can find it on our blog!
Due to the change over, we had a bit of a glitch last week - we do apologize for that.  Last week's  newsletter is on the blog also, if you want to see what you missed!

Youth and Adults Transforming School Together

We have never understood why young people are excluded from having meaningful input into their schools - their place of work.  That's why we were delighted to learn about a project in Vermont that brought 165 youth and adults from high schools throughout the state to "Be the Buzz": To speak up, dig deep, and work together for school transformation in their schools and across the state.

"I Have Sex"

Brief video requires little explanation.

"Strangers No More" Winner of 2011 Oscar for Best Documentary

In the heart of Tel Aviv, there is an exceptional school where children from forty-eight different countries and diverse backgrounds come together to learn.  Many of the students arrive at Bialik-Rogozin School fleeing poverty, political adversity and even genocide.  Here, no child is a stranger.  We can't wait to see the full feature.

"Guess who young Americans see as their most important Ally?"

You might be surprised at the response.  This fascinating study of young leaders that sheds light on the attitudes and values of an emerging generation.  It's well formatted and should you choose, it can make for a quick read or an in-depth study.  We would love to see Dr. Reg Bibby's take on this!  We would also love to see a similar study on young Canadian leaders.  Highly recommended!

Kraft Dinner in the School Gymnasium

Students at St.Elizabeth Ann Seton School in Ottawa collected boxes of Kraft Dinner as an addition to the monthly food baskets they provide to local food banks.  Watch what happens when a couple of thousand Kraft dinner Boxes are released in the school gymnasium.

Backflips!

Adam is 19.  He was born with Spina Bifita but he wasn't going to let this stop him from doing what other kids do...and then some.  This inspires!

The Michaëlle Jean Foundation

The recently launched Foundation pursues a series of creative initiatives designed to promote youth and the arts for social change across Canada.  It will collaborate with grassroots organizations, academic institutions, government, business and other sectors from across the the country.

Techie Toddlers

According to a new study 72% of children aged 3 to 5 use the internet for 30+ minutes every day!

Stalling!

A wonderful short and clever video on the act of procrastination...watch it later if you dare...

Buzz on March 8th 2011

Backflips

Adam is 19.  He was born with Spina Bifita but he wasn't going to let this stop him from doing what other kids do...and then some.  This inspires!

"Strangers No More" Winner of 2011 Oscar for Best Documentary

In the heart of Tel Aviv, there is an exceptional school where children from forty-eight different countries and diverse backgrounds come together to learn.  Many of the students arrive at Bialik-Rogazin School fleeing poverty, political adversity and even genocide.  Here, no child is a stranger.  We can't wait to see the full feature.

Kraft Dinner in the School Gymnasium

Students at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School in Ottawa collected boxes of Kraft Dinner as an addition to the monthly food baskets they provide to local food banks.  Watch what happens when Kraft Dinner Boxes are released in the school gymnasium.

The Michaelle Jean Foundation

The recently launched Foundation pursues a series of creative initiatives designed to promote youth and the arts for social change across Canada.  It will collaborate with grassroots organizations, academic institutions, government, business and other sectors from across the country.

Pepsi's Refresh Project

The Pepsi Refresh Project is looking for individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations with ideas that will have a positive impact on communities.  It's a great initiative that gives millions of dollars to those with the best ideas in a number os select categories.  Not unlike American Idol, Canadians across the country get to vote on the projects they consider to be the most deserving.

What's Wrong with Schools?

Jeff Jarvis, author of "What Would Google do?" presents a short video which we think is a MUST for educators.  This is not to say that all educators will agree with what he has to say.  We love this brilliant thesis...you might too!

Techie Toddlers

According to a new study, 72% of children aged 3 to 5 use the Internet for 30+ minutes every day!

Stalling!

A wonderful short and clever video on the act of procrastination...

We've launched a new format of Buzz!!  Now Buzz will be a newsletter and a Blog!  If you had previously unsubscribed and are receiving this newsletter, we apologize and ask you to unsubscribe again.  If you wish to pass this newsletter on to others, please do so!

Buzz on February 28th 2011

"It's not only children who grow.  Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours.  I can't tell my children to reach for the sun.  All I can do is reach for it, myself."  Joyce Maynard


Mobilze.org
Does anyone know of a youth organization in Canada that comes close to this one in the US?

Know Your Rights, Have Your Say!
In honour of National Child Day - celebrated every year on November 20th a number of national organizations have worked together to create a series of articles to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.  The site is currently offering the opportunity for participants to enter a contest to win an Apple 8Gb 4th Generation iPod Touch or a $250.00 gift card at Future Shop.
P.S.
Sadly, this site, while worth a visit, doesn't come close to the one listed above.

We Like...
This short video from UNICEF

We DO NOT Like...
This video from a marketing and communications organization in the UK...many people do!  This is a classic example of adults putting words in the mouths of kids.

Beethoven's Symphony No 5
And speaking of the capacity of youth...

Facebook Use Tied to Girls' Negative Body Image
New research from the University of Haifa reports that the more time adolescent girls spend in front of Facebook, the more their chances of developing a negative body image and various eating disorders.

Teenagers, Friends and Bad Decisions
Why do otherwise good kids seem to make bad decisions when they are with their friends?  New research on risk taking and the teenage brain offers some answers.