We would like to remind you that the 31st of January is the last day to apply for the seminar in Poland. Click here to see what it is going to be about and sign up!
What is it?
Sober app is an application that makes the world a bit more drug free. It can be a game, it can be an app that gives tips on how to prepare alcohol free drinks, it can be an app that sums up all the sober activities wherever in the world you just go.
Sounds cool?
We think so too!
Where to get such an application?
That is the question. The answer is: There is no such thing yet.
So what now?
We ask you to come with a great concept for a smart phone application that contributes to making our world more drug free. Feel free to let your imagination do miracles. You do not need to be a programmer or technically skilled! We just want a detailed thought through concept from you and we will fix the rest! We will make sure that the winning concept will turn into a real application that will be available for all smart phones.
What else?
Ah we almost forgot…the winner will get a smart phone of course!
So when to start?
Yeah..as soon as possible but our deadline for final concepts emailed to office@nordgu.net is 29th of February 2012.
How to present your idea?
You can draw, you can make a video, you can write. Just make the description very detailed so the programming will be easier. The most important is to make it understandable so the jury can imagine how the app will work.
Each concept should include:
What is the aim of the application
Description of the application
Examples on how/when it can be used
Good app! Oh sorry..good luck!
Active - sobriety, friendship and peace is a European youth organization gathering 25 000 young people who have decided to live sober. We consider alcohol consumption an obstacle for development of individuals and society.
Active with its 500+ youth groups and 25 000+ members offer a safe and alcohol free environment where young people can experience friendship and trust. We are promoting alcohol free life style, we work politically to encourage alcohol and drug free environment. The main activities of Active are trainings, intercultural learning, campaigns and social activities. Active builds on international meetings, study sessions and workshops - educating it's members on topics such as democracy, human rights or alcohol. We believe that mutual understanding creates the base of equality and peace.
Since our present Secretary General is looking for new adventures and challenges we are in need of a replacement for her. In this position you are the main officer responsible for the implementation and development of the organization and its staff. You are directly accountable to the board of Active. You have a representative role for Active as well as responsibility for the organization’s total economy and accounting.
As Secretary General you work with both structural development as well as practical tasks on a day to day basis. The position requires work both some evenings and weekend.
Who are you that we are looking for?
You are young at heart and in passport. You are a devoted organizational developer that both can see the overall picture as well as the details, you are aware and understand the demands that a democratic youth organization have and you see the difference between an elected representative and an employed officer. You are a problem solving person with effectiveness and good results. You work well as a negotiator and have diplomatic and conflict management skills.
We are looking for a person with good social and policy knowledge from more than one European country, a formal degree and experience of leadership, economy and non-governmental organizations, as well as fluent English language skills. Earlier commitment in the sobriety movement is an advantage.
For employment you should be or become member in one of our member organizations.
Placement: Stockholm
Start: 1st of May 2012 (with possibility to negotiate)
Application and CV is sent to: andrea(at)activeeurope.org latest the 10th of February 2012.
Questions can be answered by:
President, Andrea Lavesson +46705191983, andrea(at)activeeurope.org
Secretary General, Kristina Sperkova +46739875919 kristina(at)ctiveeurope.org
The year 2012 will not be worse than the previous years. It will be actually great! We have two seminars for you: One in Poland, between 25th – 31st of March 2012 and one in UK between 21st – 27th of October 2012. There are few days left to register for the seminar in Poland so click here: http://www.activeeurope.org/Activities__.html/lid/146734
if you want to learn about social exclusion and how to fight it. The registration for the seminar in UK will open in April 2012.
Many say that 2012 will bring the end of the world so maybe there is no sense to plan activities for 2013 BUT in the case that the predictions are not correct, we would really like to have an Active camp 2013 as well. You know Active camps – many great people to meet, loads of interesting things to see, piles of great experiences and memories to collect. Is your organization the one, that want to make it possible? The this call is meant for you! Let us know whether your organizations wants to organize Active camp 2013 by mailing to office(at)activeeurope.org until 31st of March 2012.
…Icebreaker 2012 – the biannual Active Camp and Congress. The Active congress will be held between 8th and 10th of August, 11th of August will be covered by Nordgu congress and then 40th anniversary party of Nordgu. Besides the congresses, there will be lots of workshops, tours and just the genuine fun. We know that some organizations plan to arrive to Iceland before the camp starts and look around a bit more. If you want to join them, keep your eyes open (hint: Norway, Germany) Check the webpage for new updates from time to time www.icebreaker2012.eu
We have finished the video from our campaign in Sweden so now all the videos are done and can serve you as a presentation material if you want to arrange a workshop on one of the topics we took up in the campaign. If you need some more material, ideas or advice, you can either check the HRG webpage www.humanrightsgeneration.eu or contact the office at office(at)activeeurope.org
September 2012 – August 2013 might be the best opportunity to experience Active from the Active office. Preparation of seminars, planning, coordinating, seeing Active’s member organizations and helping them to organize exchanges or small workshops, learning about alcohol policy, how to make a campaign…the list is long but simply said: do you want to make the world more drugfree? It yes, you are welcome to apply for an EVS* position in the Active office starting in September 2012 and staying for 12 months.
Send us your motivation letter and CV until 15th of February 2012 to office(at)activeeurope.org. If you have any questions, feel free to ask using the same email address. While deciding, you might want to read how the current volunteers are doing at http://activeoffice.wordpress.com or to read more about European Voluntary Service here. http://ec.europa.eu/youth/youth-in-action-programme/european-voluntary-service_en.htm
Juvente Switzerland and Juvente Germany successfully organised their Winter-Camp, in Biel, Switzerland. 60 young Europeans spent wonderful 7 days, celebrating New year's Eve together, learning about topics of lifestyle and doing many adventurous activities.
ActiveUK is taking shape: while the youth group is going through the wheels of bureaucracy to establish a legal NGO, the currently 30 members (and growing) are having regular activities as well as meeting other young people in youth centres and libraries to discuss alcohol issues and a lifestyle of real freedom.
Juvente Norway has in the recent months been part of advocacy efforts of NGOs for a decrease of pub opening hours. Evidence is backing their case for reduced opening hours.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, CEM (Centre for Youth Education) is running a campaign this January, backed by 46 radio stations across the country, to address the issue of alcohol being sold to minors. Failure to comply with existing age limits for the sale of alcohol is a huge problem in Bosnia.
EU level.
Active has also received a grant for a Democracy Project, starting in March and lasting the whole year 2012. It will bring youth from five different countries, ten different organisations together, to learn about advocacy and do advocacy themselves - on local, national and EU level. A big project with the potential to make a difference for young people.
Active would like to wish you wonderful holidays and a rocking New Year!!!
We would also like to thank everyone who helped us in the year 2011 for making the world a bit more sober! We all together have created great activities!!!
We are looking forward to even a greater 2012!
10th of December 2011 was the International Day of Human Rights and Active has been working since April 2011 towards this day. We started the Human Rights Generational campaign, had our first meeting with the crew in May 2011 and from that meeting we were just rolling. In Slovakia, Poland, Latvia, Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sweden. We dealt with various topics all touching the situation of Human Rights in Europe. We wanted the young people to show their view, we wanted to hear from other organisations and activists about their opinion and we wanted to hear what politicians have to say to that. It went great for us and after 8 months of very very intensive work, we launched the webpage that summarizes this period of time. Feel free to have a look, You will find the videos, our stories from each country, more material for the topic and of course the final videos! Enjoy!!!
We all believe in human rights and especially in children rights in frame of them. But most of us are not aware of problems that faces socially exclude children. This seminar will relate to the topics of defining the main factors of healthy family and its role in societal development and raising awareness of difficulties that socially excluded children face. Seminar will have the form of “Reflecting Problems Theater”, where each day will be devoted to the topic related to the problems of socially excluded children (social inclusion and social environment, social consciousness and human rights) with “Live Theater Play” in the streets of Poland.
It will take place in Krakow the the second biggest city in Poland. The dates are 25th – 31st March 2012. Are you interested in the topic of the seminar, do you want to participate? If the answer is Yes then sign up your applications now. The deadline for applications is 31st January 2012.
Participation fee: 30 Euro - Non-EU and New EU countries. 130 Euro - Old EU + Norway, Switzerland, Faeroe Islands and Iceland.
We all believe in human rights and especially in children rights in frame of them. But most of us are not aware of problems that faces socially exclude children. This seminar will relate to the topics of defining the main factors of healthy family and its role in societal development and raising awareness of difficulties that socially excluded children face. Seminar will have the form of “Reflecting Problems Theater”, where each day will be devoted to the topic related to the problems of socially excluded children (social inclusion and social environment, social consciousness and human rights) with “Live Theater Play” in the streets of Poland.
Being in preparation team means following:
• Knowledge on topics such as socially excluded children
• Motivation and time to organise one international seminar
• Interest for theatre and art and expression on creative way
• Good organisation skills
• participating in a 3-days prep team meeting in Sweden
• developing a program
• during the seminar being responsible for your tasks and being responsible for the general success of the seminar
• all the travel, accommodation and food costs for prep team members are covered 100%
What? Active seminar Live theatre – am I IN or am I OUT (social excluded kids)!
Where? Poland!
When? 25.3 – 31.3.2012!
Who? YOU!
Send us your motivation letter and summary of your previous experience and what knowledge related to seminars topic do you posses. The last day to apply is 15th of December 2011.
SIGN UP!
Application letter send to office@activeeurope.org!
Dear grown-ups, decision-makers in the European Parliament, in the national peoples’ representations, in the national governments and ministries, in the European Commission,
We hope this letter finds you well.
We are not well. We are concerned because it looks like our future (is) broke. In our organizations and for many of the young people and youth organizations we are cooperating with, the picture is clear: young Europeans are concerned, often even scared.
We are extremely aware of the tremendous burden that is being put on each and every single young European, who will have to make huge efforts, work relentlessly to master the debt challenges collected and piled up by the grown-ups who have been making decisions in the past and do so today. Millions of young Europeans – in youth organizations, schools, universities and the public places all over the continent – ask: how are we ever going to be able to pay back these paramount debts that exceed any form of imagination?
With this question came another realization: we, Europe’s youth, need the best possible conditions, tools and qualifications to be able to tackle the debt piled up by yesterday’s and today’s grown-ups. In that sense and in many other ways, it is wrong to cut and try and save money on education, youth facilities, culture.
It is especially wrong when other measures go largely unnoticed. Therefore Active and (only) 30 of its members collected during 2 hours in Rome last weekend more than 130 postcards from people whom they met. 130
ideas what €125 Billion could be spent on – instead of paying for alcohol related harm every year.
€125 Billion is the amount of alcohol harm from the social costs: 25% of premature deaths of young men between 15 and 29 years old are alcohol related; 16% of cases of child abuse and neglect involve alcohol; 43% of 15 and 16 year-old pupils report heavy episodic alcohol use; more than 60% of all violent acts are alcohol related; 9
Million children and young people have to live with alcohol addicted parents; alcohol is the socially most harmful drug. The intangible social costs of alcohol harm in Europe – the heaviest drinking region in the world – are
estimated to be €270 Billion.
Alcohol intoxication predicts school drop-out and unemployment. Alcohol is the second largest risk factor for disease burden in Europe. The World Economic Forum “Global Risks 2011” report pointed out that Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are the 4th most severe risk in impact – where alcohol is a large NCD risk factor - and thus Mr. John Dalli, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy very recently highlighted that the “staggering €34 trillion NCDs are costing the world economy, gives all the more reason to commit ourselves to doing the right thing”.
The right thing is to put in place a new and better EU alcohol strategy – because alcohol policies not only improve health. They also improve the impact of EU spending of the European Social Fund. They contribute to
fighting youth unemployment. They increase the inclusion of young people into society and improve human and social capital.
Alcohol policies increase the chances of the European Commission and each and every Member State to reach the headline targets of the EU 2020 strategy: improve employment; reduce school drop-out rates; reduce poverty and risk of poverty.
The right thing to do is to ”increase taxes on alcohol, restrict access to alcohol and ban advertising”, which a 2011 World Bank Report clearly states.
The right thing to do is to implement what all EU member states signed in 2010: the WHO Global Alcohol Strategy that states that the right of children, young people and adults not to use alcohol should be protected.
The right thing to do is to save money on alcohol harm, before saving money on youth and our future.
In a period where literally every Cent is important, Europe cannot miss the chance to easily save €125 Billion a year – an amount which is more than the entire first rescue package for Greece.
In doing so, the impact of measures will be doubled and that is what the people in the streets suggest and what young Europeans deserve and demand from the grown-ups. Please give us a fair chance to tackle the debts you are burdening us with.
Yours sincerely,
Andrea Lavesson,
on behalf of Active - sobriety, friendship and peace
Kristina Sperkova,
on behalf of Human Rights Generation
To see the Open letter as pdf click here
SOBER TRIP!
UNF Sweden together with Active organizes sober trip in Sweden that will take place on 9 – 11th of December. Sober trip is about sharing experience and finding solutions and new ideas for organizations that work for alcoholfree life style.
We invite Active-organizations from Switzerland, Slovakia, Germany, Poland and UK to join us and participate on Sober Trip with two representatives from each country.
Have you always wanted to know more about the alcohol policies in different European countries about the challenges and success that the organisations face?
Here is your chance!
Please send us names of interested participants on office@activeeurope.org.
Deadline for applying participants is 18th of November. Participation fee will be 20 Euro. All the expenses are covered by Active and UNF.
Greetings from Active office!
In each Active Newsletter we announce the member organization of the month. We want to make sure that we are fully updated on what’s going on among our members and that is why we ask you to nominate a member organization. Send us your suggestion with the name of the organization together with few sentences about the activities done during the past 40 days that made you believe that your nomination should win.
Please send your suggestions until 14th of November 2011 23:59 CET to Melina@activeeurope.org
Thank you for being ACTIVE!
If some young person came to you in the street with the question “If you had 125 billion Euro, what for would you like them to be used?”, how would you react? Run away? Find an excuse not to talk? Or stop and think about it?
How would you feel in the shoes of a person who came to you with an open heart and true wish to know your opinion, and heard “No, I don’t wanna talk to you, don’t ask me such questions!” …
Italy, Rome. Vatican square – our live stage. Active people – actors of life. We came there to share our views, to show that we care, and to hear others… This time Human Rights Generation Campaign with logo “Our Future (is) BROKE” tagged “Financial Crisis”.
Monopoly game that participants of the seminar “Dare to ruin or dare to care” played in the smallest country in the world (Vatican) showed many aspects of how people deal with money, how they prefer to invest them, how they set priorities in different situations and how they are concerned about social and personal development.
“Postcard to politicians” was a part of campaign, and participants of the seminar were “hunting” for people’s opinion on “I would like 125 billion Euro to be used for…” People had a chance to write their ideas on the postcards that then we plan to send to politicians.
Different reactions, different opinions, different points on the “scale of care”… Was that painful for us to see in their eyes “I don’t care”? Was that pleasant for some of the participants to hear “From which country you are? Ahhh I’ve never heard that one exists…” But it didn’t stop us from spreading the word! And there were those who cared! There were those who made a stop in the hush of life and went deeper into thoughts about the question…
You might ask what for we are doing this? So, we care and we believe that every one of us can do something to make this world a better place!
125 000 000 000 Euro is spent every year to cover the costs of alcohol related harm! Would you like this money to be used in another way?
If some young person came to you in the street with the question “If you had 125 billion Euro, what for would you like them to be used?”, how would you react? What would be your answer?
On Wednesday, John Dalli, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, addressed the 9th plenary meeting
of the European Alcohol and Health Forum and in doing so conveyed several messages of hope for young Europeans and
their future.
“Today we express how gladly we welcome some of the key messages of Commissioner Mr. Dalli,” says Andrea Lavesson,
President of the European youth organization Active – sobriety, friendship and peace. “And the time for Mr. Dalli’s first
visit to the Alcohol and Health Forum has symbolic importance, too: as children and young people continue to suffer from
alcohol harm in many areas of their lives, the progress achieved under EU alcohol strategy to reduce alcohol harm will be
evaluated in 2012.”
Europe is the heaviest drinking region in the world. 9 Million Children and young people are exposed to growing up in families
with at least one alcohol addicted parent. 25% of young men between 15 and 29 years of age die too early. Under-age
alcohol use is more likely to kill young Europeans than all “illegal” drugs combined. Another aspect of this was mentioned
by Commissioner Dalli: “Despite our efforts, young people continue to drink at unacceptable high levels. Eight out of ten
people [aged 15 to 24] say they have easy access to alcohol.” Science shows that the earlier young people start using alcohol,
the higher will their consumption be later on in life – posing risks to individual health and to societal development.
More than 60% of all violent acts are connected to alcohol use. Every year the costs of direct social harm amount to €125
Billion.
The conclusion for Commissioner Dalli is clear: “We must invest in promoting good health, rather than spending on ill
health.”
“For us it was very important to hear these messages from the EU Commissioner for Health,” says Andrea, from Active –
sobriety, friendship and peace. “To prevent alcohol harm is the smarter way, economically sound and exactly what young
Europeans deserve and need. Europe is in a critical period and we need to make strong efforts on different policy areas,
including public health, so that the next generation of Europeans is more creative, more innovative, healthier and more
competitive.”
“Alcohol policy such as measures to ensure the legal age limits are upheld, youth is not target by industry marketing strategies,
prices are high to make it hard for youth to buy alcohol – which were all mentioned by Commissioner Dalli, is not only
about enhancing health,” explains Andrea, from Active. “It is an important tool to enhance the European society, make it
more inclusive, more fair and more attractive for young Europeans. It is a tool to increase freedom.”
“The Millennium Development Goal (MDG) Number 1 is `To Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger’. But eleven years into the new Millennium a tremendous rate of poverty continues to be a threat to people’s freedom and dignity,” says Mr. Sven-Olov Carlsson, the President of IOGT International.
According to the United Nations Development Program, the world has made progress towards achieving the MDGs, yet some countries are lagging and many of them may not be able to reach their goals.
“That’s what IOGT International’s call today is all about: to look closely at the facts and reasons why the global community is failing to eradicate poverty: a key problem that went unnoticed for too long is Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and their risk factors like alcohol or tobacco use,” emphasizes Mr. Carlsson.
The World Health Organization does not leave a doubt that NCDs (cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, diabetes, cancers) and their risk factors are closely linked to poverty, contributing to underdevelopment, lack of resources, hunger.
NCDs are a threat to socio-economic development, especially in developing regions, both at household and at macro-economic level. 60% of all deaths in the world are caused by NCDs. People living in developing countries die much younger from NCDs than in developed countries, because risk factors like alcohol or tobacco use have a proportionally bigger impact. Money spent on alcohol, often means there is no money left to be spent for the most basic goods for a free life in dignity.
The World Economic Forum “Global Risks 2011” report pointed out that NCDs are the 4th most severe risk in impact and John Dalli, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy very recently highlighted that the “staggering €34 trillion NCDs are costing the world economy, gives all the more reason to commit ourselves to doing the right thing”.
“The political processes in 2011 have created momentum to tackle the issue of NCDs and in doing so to make big leaps in eradicating poverty, to improve the standard of living of people all over the world,” says Mr. Carlsson, President of IOGT International.
“Decision makers need to harness this momentum in their efforts to eradicate poverty, to improve the global economy and to give people all over the world hope for a better future, with more freedom and dignity. The right thing to do is to prevent harm from risk factors of NCDs. That saves lives and improves lives and that’s what the day of Poverty Eradication is all about.”
Put your volcano ash gloves ready because this is going to be ógnvekjandi (awesom). Lot's of great minds together in the congress taking Active to a even grater level than we are now. Lots of creative and inspirational people making the camp into an untranslateable feeling. You better be there!!!
For information and regristation check out this link
See you there
Brussels, 10th October 2011 // Negative equity, instability, inequality, uncertainty, austerity, lack
of opportunity: the impacts of the global financial crisis can be seen all around us. On 10th October, World Mental Health Day, it is time to consider the often hidden effects that unemployment and financial insecurity is having in Europe, particularly on young people.
The economic and social pressures facing young people since the onset of the global economic crisis is undeniable. Despite being the most educated generation ever, the transition from education to employment is increasingly difficult for young people. In September 2011 Eurostat reported that in the EU, the youth unemployment rate was 21%, which is more than double that of the adult population.
Such high levels on unemployment will undoubtedly have social and health consequences. The European Youth Forum, in cooperation with the University of Maastricht has produced an Academic Study focusing on Unemployment, Mental Health and Well-Being in Youth.
The study analyses the relation between the rising unemployment rates amongst European youth and their mental health and well-being. The main findings follow the line of the latest research of the WHO, which have acknowledged that in recent years there has been an increase in mental health issues among youth, including: anxiety, depression, eating disorders and self-harm.
There is a lack of specific data on young people and mental health, but the WHO estimates that 10-20% of young people in Europe suffer from mental health issues, this figure is much higher among disadvantaged young people and migrants. Suicide remains the third most common cause of death among young people in Europe.
Young people have traditionally been more prone to mental health issues. There are many physiological and sociological reasons for this, but one core factor is that late adolescence and early adulthood is closely bound to socio-cultural pressures, with expectations to achieve adult status and autonomy. Young people making the transition from education to working life in recent years have been greeted with an increasingly unstable and volatile labour market, hugely inflated and unaffordable house prices, and a difficult and uncertain path to stable employment.
For many European policy makers the record level of youth unemployment has become a demographic embarrassment and an economic liability. It is also an issue of public health concern. Unemployed individuals consistently experience lower psychological well-being than their employed counterparts. This, coupled with the social pressures of adolescence and early adulthood, has the potential to create
a generation of young people suffering from mental anguish and social isolation.
“Positive rhetoric and a focus on youth is always welcome,” says Peter Matjašič, President of the European Youth Forum, “but as World Mental Health Day 2011 focuses on "Investing in Mental Health" we must consider the potential impact that cuts to health services, including youth mental health services, could have on young people.”
“As European leaders focus on controlling the financial crisis, they must also be careful to avoid a human recession, particularly amongst young people who have already borne the brunt of the crisis,” he concluded.
We have decided to recommend you a good webpage from time to time. Today we would like to navigate you to EUCAM or European Center for Monitoring alcohol marketing. EUCAM provides news and fact sheets on alcohol marketing in Europe. You can find there marketing regulations for your country, you can read summaries about latest research, for example about impact of alcohol marketing exposure on drinking behaviour of young people. It's jsut to browse around on EUCAM's web and you feel updated on the latest happenings. Enjoy!
It has been one week since the new volunteers arrived to the office. You will soon get to read about them more on our webpage and you can follow their lives in the office blog. Melina is the first one who has shared about the first days in Sweden.
From 7-11th of September, ACTIVE will be part of the organizations traveling to Brussels and providing the 100+ activities in the Volunteering Village within the biggest, most spectacular event for worshiping volunteerism - II Youth Convention on Volunteering.
Together with participants from UNF, our team of 17 will be responsible for one session, two exhibitions and three stands. The participants and visitors will be able to hear about motivation and empowerment, satisfy their curiosity by asking “20 questions” to our volunteers, see what the All Rights and Human Rights Generation campaigns are all about, stop by our PR stand , “Throw the Dice against Tobacco” for real and say a sober “Cheers” for their newly gained-alcohol knowledge. Seems like satisfaction for all the senses!
All this will be happening at the Esplanade of the European Parliament. Click for the Programme!
II Youth Convention on Volunteering and tribute to 2011 - European Year of Volunteering
In the beginning of September, all roads for the youth organizations throughout Europe will be leading to Brussels. The European Youth Forum, in the spirit of 2011 being the European Year of Volunteering, is organizing the biggest civil society event on our continent - the II Youth Convention on Volunteering.
The Convention will be happening between 7th and 11th of September, giving space to young volunteers to show how their contribution is changing the society we all live in, to present the work and activities of their organizations and simply, to celebrate the fact of making a difference. Consisted of four main activities (Stakeholders Conference, Volunteering Village, YO Fest and Volunteer Bridge) the Convention will also be the leading event for EU-China Year of Youth and will mark the 15th Anniversary of the European Youth Forum.
ACTIVE is also part of the 40 organizations traveling to Brusselsand providing the 100+ activities in the VolunteeringVillage. Together with participants from UNF, our team of 17 will be responsible for one session, two exhibitions and three stands. The participants and visitors will be able to hear about motivation and empowerment, satisfy their curiosity by asking “20 questions” to our volunteers, see what the All Rights and Human Rights Generation campaigns are all about, stop by our PR stand , “Throw the Dice against Tobacco” for real and say a sober “Cheers” for their newly gained-alcohol knowledge. Seems like satisfaction for all the senses!
We are looking forward to show the outcomes of the work that all of us have done and to ACTIVE-upEurope, the sober way.
Our biggest member organisation - UNF, has one free spot for EVS in the main office in Stockholm. UNF's main office is just next door Active's office and the cooperation between Active volunteers and UNF volunteers is granted.
If you are interested to join a sobriety youth organisation with more than 7500 members all over Sweden, to take part in arranging their activities, work with administration and learn a lot about how to run a youth organisation that is constantly growing, hurry up and contact us at office@activeeurope(dot)org
Deadline is 21st of August 2011
Due to huge interest we have changed the deadline for registration of the seminar in Italy "Dare to ruin, or dear to care...?" which will take place from 24th to 30th of October in Rome 2011.
A new deadline is 30th of August. Motivations will be the main criteria choosing participants. We wish you luck and we are looking forward to seeing you in the seminar.
Dear congress delegates.
I have to start by saying how proud and humble I am to be invited to talk to you at this congress.
All of you have decided that democracy and solidarity are the best way of building a great society and therefore you are here to spend a week of summer dedicated to this cause.
Norway has this last week been dreadfully reminded that we all need to stand up for human rights, equality and for each other, your open society that is full of love and caring for one another has been under an attack that is hard to put into words.
Even though this massmurderer is quite alone in his actions his opinions have been spreading through Europe for quite some time. These opinions that not all women and men are equal and have the same value are based on fear and ignorance. We all have the responsibility to educate and help each other to new knowledge and experience […].
The sobriety movement has been the place of education and the zone where we can debate and learn from our friends. The temperance movement has been for over hundred years now a place where we meet new people with new ideas and believes. We make new friends all over the world that together make us better people who are more open to different opinions and cultures. I think that what we learn from each other are important keys to be able to live on this planet together […].
Active – the umbrella organization for all the young temperance movements in Europe has this mission, to be the zone where we will meet and from our different views learn from our friends and make the world a little more drugfree […].
Just by being YOU, you make a big difference, by showing that you CAN choose sobriety you make the society more tolerant and open to accepting a drugfree lifestyle. Drugs are not needed for dance, it’s not needed to be brave and ask the girl or boy you like on a date, its not needed to make a speech, it’s not needed to have parties and it’s not needed to have fun. By being here in this congress you show all of this and you are the pride and future of a democratic open society and I want to end by again saying how proud I am to be able to meet all of you. The strength that you show will make the world more open and a little more drugfree!
Our Lithuanian press release about the law of the complete ban on alcohol advertising was used in the article published on Baltictimes news portal. Click here to read the article.
For immediate release 11th July 2011
How politicians prioritize – a riddle for young Europeans
Polish youth left wondering why EP President Buzek has no time for them, but finds time for alcohol tasting
On midsummer weekend, Polish and European youth gathered in the Polish town of Bytom for workshops and a public event addressing the issues of child poverty and the problems of children and young people living with alcohol addicted parents. Something that caught broad attention in the city of Bytom, among the media, local politicians and authorities and the general public.
“However, we and our young members were sorry to learn that the President of the European Parliament Mr. Jerzy Buzek – who is a role model for Polish youth – did not find time to either join us or to provide us with an interview, and encouraged us to contact him in the beginning of 2012 again 1” says Mirek Marutschke, President of IOGT Poland.
A whole press release in PDF also with Polish translation.
For immediate release 11th July 2011
Despite public support for total ban of alcohol ads, politicians start bowing to alcohol industry
Since its independence Lithuania struggled under tremendous alcohol harm. Therefore the Lithuanian Parliament put in place the Alcohol Control Law in 2008, as part of efforts to reduce the country’s alcohol problems. The law, that shows effectiveness, includes an amendment to install a total ban on alcohol advertising in 2012.
A whole press release in PDF also with Lithuanian translation.
Eurocare (European Alcohol Policy Alliance) is extremely disappointed with the shape of the Food Information to Consumers legislation which exempts alcoholic beverages from obligation to list its content. This is despite the fact that alcohol is high in calorie content, carbohydrates and certain ingredients used in its production can cause allergies or intolerances.
To read a whole press release in PDF click here.
June 20, 2011- In 2008 the Lithuanian Parliament accepted an amendment to the Alcohol Control Law that would install a comprehensive ban on alcohol advertising in the year 2012. Now with only 6 months left the pressure to withdraw the ban is steadily rising. The alcohol industry has stepped up its lobbying activities and politicians are backing out.
Click here to read the whole press release.
JOINT PRESS RELEASE Active and Eurocare
For release: Thursday 16th June 2011
Better alcohol control policy means less injuries, more safety and money saved
Budapest, Hungary, June 16, 2011- The European Union is the heaviest drinking region in the world. Therefore, in Europe we suffer from the highest alcohol related problems. It is estimated that 58 million adults in the EU drink at risky levels, and 23 million are alcohol addicted. Alcohol constitutes the primary risk factor for accidents, injuries and violence. Approximately half of the deaths attributable to alcohol are from injuries.
This issue is being addressed at the 3rd European injury prevention conference, organised by EuroSafe in cooperation with the Hungarian Presidency of the European Council. Today stakeholders in the prevention of accidents and injuries from Europe and other continents meet in Budapest to exchange, debate and discuss the latest results in injury research, policies and practices.
As the “Recommendations of the European Council on the prevention of injury and the promotion of safety” from 2007 highlight; every year, about 235 000 citizens of the Community die as a result of an accident or violence. In children, adolescents and young adults accidents and injuries are the leading cause of death, with alcohol playing a major role.
Over one fifth of the European population aged 15 years and older report heavy episodic drinking; 16% of cases of child abuse involve alcohol; 350 000 youngsters age 15 to 16 report fights involving alcohol. Alcohol abuse can be attributable to 4 out of 10 homicides in the EU and 1 in every 6 suicides involves alcohol. The list can be extended and thus injuries represent a huge financial burden on health and welfare systems, causing about 20% of sick leave and constituting a major factor for reduced productivity.
Andrea Lavesson, President of Active – sobriety, friendship and peace points out that “safety is a real welfare issue and injury prevention thus is a question with decisive influence on young European’s quality of life. That’s why we need and demand leadership to take the 2007 European Council Recommendations by their wording: better alcohol control policies reduce alcohol harm and in doing so improve injury prevention and make Europe safer and financially sustainable.”
Mariann Skar, European Alcohol Policy Alliance Secretary General, emphasized: ‘in the times of economic hardship we cannot afford to waste money in public health budgets on admissions that could be easily avoided. This can be achieved by better control and enforcement of drink driving regulations (BAC levels) and age restrictions as well as neither promoting nor selling alcohol at mass sports and music events which target audience is primarily young people.’
For more information please contact:
European Alcohol Policy Alliance
Contact: Mariann Skar
Email: mariann.skar@eurocare.org
Tel: +32 (0)2 736 05 72
Active – sobriety, friendship and peace
Contact: Maik Dünnbier
Email: alcoholpolicy@activeeurope.org
Tel: +46 7370 420 95
How many young people die yearly because of alcohol consumption? How many kids are growing up with parents who are addicted to alcohol? And how much does alcohol harm cost the society? Did you know that in 2000 alcohol was the number one killer of young men? And did you know that every other car crash among teens is linked to alcohol use?
Our latest material: "Alcoho harm and young Europeans" gives you quick overview about basic facts related to alcohol harm and young Europeans.
We have just opened the registration for our next seminar: Dare to ruin or dare to care. Click and register here.
The last day for registration is 30th of July 2011.
Cheers to families
The forgotten factor in family poverty
Confronting family poverty needs evidence-based alcohol policies
In his message on the International Day of Families 2011 the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon says: “On this International Day of Families, let us resolve to support families as they nurture the young, care for the old and foster strong communities”. [1]
The UN has a long history of efforts to protect families, especially women and children. This year’s theme is very important as it allows development organizations and governments to direct the spotlight on a hidden but key issue – the impact of alcohol abuse on families. Effective action here will radically improve the conditions and future prospects of children, women and families in general.
The World Health Organization has noted that “the impact of alcohol consumption reaches deep into society. It causes harm to the well-being and health of others. Diseases and injuries, for example, have social implications, including medical costs, which are borne by governments, negative effects on productivity, and financial and psychological burdens on families.”[2] Alcohol use can severely impair the individual’s functioning in various social roles – the performance as parent, spouse or partner and as contributor to household-functioning. Research has piled up evidence showing that alcohol is present in a substantial number of domestic violence cases. In the USA an estimated 480,000 children are mistreated each year by a care giver with alcohol problems[3] and in Europe 16% of all cases of child abuse and neglect are alcohol related.[4]
The economic consequences of expenditures on alcohol are significant especially in high poverty areas. Alcohol is a major factor in exacerbating poverty. In a month a rural laborer can spend as much as he earns on alcohol. The alcohol menace ruins families and contributes to the breakdown of the basic social fabric of society. Often it is the women who bear the brunt of this problem – wife battery, discord in the home, abused and deprived children, non-working or chronically ill husbands who become a burden to both family and society. [5]
Evidence clearly shows the correlations between alcohol abuse, burdens on the family and poverty. Celebrating the International Day of Families, we need to commit ourselves to actions which support family development and reduce poverty. We need governments to get this right and to intensify their efforts to address alcohol problems as part of their development aid, as well as to reduce alcohol availability and increase alcohol prices. Families all over the world, in each society and social class deserve these protective measures.
One more step towards reaching Millenium Developments Goals
WHO conference gives momentum to tackling non-communicable diseases.
The First Global Ministerial Conference on Healthy Lifestyles and Non-Communicable Disease (NCDs) Control was held in Moscow in the end of April. On this global platform India and the world community achieved a big success for the future fight against NCDs. It is thanks to the strong efforts of the Indian delegation that from now on Mental Disorders are included in the list of NCDs.
“The members of IOGT International and surely millions of affected people and their families all over the world congratulate the WHO for this resolution and express our special thanks to the stern efforts of the Indian delegation. NCDs are a major threat to global health and societal development, killing three out of five humans in the world,” says Mr. Sven-Olov Carlsson, President of IOGT International. “We need as comprehensive a strategy as possible to tackle this problem and the Indian efforts truly contributed to this.”
WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan termed the rise of chronic non-communicable diseases “an impending disaster.” The Principle NCDs are cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers and chronic respiratory diseases which together currently cause more than 60% of global deaths, 80% of which hit developing societies.
“Including mental health in strategies to reduce and prevent the tremendous harm of NCDs is important for holistic approaches to this complex issue,” says Mr. Sven-Olov Carlsson, President of IOGT International and continues:
“We will win the fight against NCDs and foster societal development if we address the broader social drivers of NCDs. A leading risk factor, and more harmful than tobacco, is alcohol. It is ranking 3rd highest globally as health hazard, playing its part in many cancers, in liver diseases, cardiovascular diseases and mental health disorders. People with alcohol problems are at increased risk to develop mental disorders and vice versa. The final Moscow declaration backed by 94 WHO member states is therefore yet another step into the right direction.”
For PDF file click here.
Dear members,
The European Youth Forum (YFJ) is recruiting an intern to work for 6 months, starting
between end of June and beginning of July 2011, in the Secretary-General’s Office.
For more information and how to apply, chick here.
Dear friends,
The organizers of "Route" 2011 summer camp in Latvia which will take place from 1st until 7th of August have launched an official webpage with an open registration. Thus start planning your participation in the camp! Click here to open the homepage.
We are all looking forward to meet you in the camp and have unbelievable experience!
Great Newsletter from Eurocare summarizing the latest updates from alcohol policy arena. Did you know that there is a proposal in Poland to remove alcohol from petrol stations with intention to reduce road accidents? Or that Swiss are preparing measures to engage the society in wide-ranging discussions about alcohol? You can read that and much more here.
The Sobertrip has started and our swedish friends are on their way to Dortmund (or some are already there) to meet Juvente Germany at their BJT++ - Juvente Highlight 2011: Eastercamp in castle "Burg Husen". You can read about the "Sobertrippers", follow their adventures and see them by clicking on their blog.
Are u educated journalist (or studying journalism)? Do you feel you are good at preparing repartages? Do you want to join Active's project about Human Rights in Poland, Slovakia, Latvia, Italy, Sweden and Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Human Rights Generation is a project that runs from May till December 2012 and willl take place in 6 countries where we will document violation of human rights and the perspective of young people on it. A team of 4 young people together with our member organisations will prepare reportage about each country. The whole project will finish by having an exhibition around Europe
Contact our office(at)activeeurope.org to express your interest and get more info.
Easy for minors to buy alcohol in European Union
Copenhagen’s bars willingly sold alcohol to 15-year old Swedes
The work of young members of UNF, The Swedish Youth Temperance Association, reveals the actual strength of actions by the alcohol industry in the European Alcohol and Health Forum. Young UNF members from Sweden’s border regions to Denmark went to Copenhagen to conduct mystery shopping and the results give a clear signal: of in total 7 tested bars and pubs, Swedish minors were without problems able to buy alcohol 11 times. 4 out of these 7 places are part of a project of City of Copenhagen and the alcohol industry.
The City of Copenhagen runs a project, called “tryg den af” (engl.: “Have fun. Be safe”) together with the alcohol industry for responsible selling and serving. It is about certified bars and pubs that take responsibility for not selling alcohol to youth under the age of 18. How responsible selling and serving really is in Copenhagen was now revealed by UNF members.
“It is worrying how easy accessible alcohol is, not only for Danish youth but even for all young Swedes and other Europeans who regularly travel to Copenhagen. We are especially disappointed about those pubs and bars that say they would take social responsibility. But their certification evidently turned out to be empty words. It is obvious that the alcohol industry’s self-regulations do not work,” says Joakim Book Jönsson, coordinator of the mystery shopping and Secretary of UNF Skåne.
The Swedish youth delievered yet another example of the poor compliance with legal age limits all over Europe. Already in November 2010 at the 7th EAHF plenary did we see a presentation of mystery shopping results from all around Europe showing that the alcohol industry falls short in respecting the legal age limits.
“For us these brand new results add to the picture that the alcohol industry uses the EAHF to promote itself as socially responsible. But the reality is obviously very different,” says Kristina Sperkova, Secretary-General of Active – sobriety, friendship and peace.
The EAHF is a one pillar of the EU strategy to reduce alcohol related harm. As a matter of fact not long ago NGOs and public health experts had issued an Open Letter to the members of the EAHF calling upon the alcohol industry for real action: “There have been several positive outcomes of the Forum, in terms of discussions and reports produced. Furthermore, it has increased action and coordination among NGOs. However, the NGOs in the Forum feel that it could achieve a lot more if the economic operators had not been continuously trying to divert attention into unproductive areas. Most of the commitments made by the economic operators to the Forum are in the areas of education and information. Alcohol industry educational programs and information campaigns are often misguiding and use ambiguous terminology.”
“The proverb ‘all that glitters is not gold’ certainly fits for the alcohol industry in the EAHF, “summarizes Kristina Sperkova from Active. “Self regulation is evidently not working. Over the years evidence for that has been piling up. To reduce alcohol harm and to protect young people we need decision makers who step up now and take measures. We hope that the City of Copenhagen learns the lesson.”
Kristina Sperkova
Secretary General
If you have knowledge and experience in such fields as environment, historical psychology, youth participation and development, humanity and human rights, and ready to share them with others! If you possess organizational skills and strong motivation to make your personal impact into success of the seminar! If you are a flexible person with a sense of humour!
Feel free to apply for prep team for the seminar “Dare to ruin or dare to care”, that will take place in Rome, Italy, from 25th till 31st of October 2011!
To apply, please write a motivation letter where you should describe your experience and skills, motivation to work in a prep team, as well as a possible impact you can do into the seminar success and participants' development.
Send your motivation letter to office(et)activeeurope(dot)org!
The dead line to apply is the 30th of June 2011
Dear friends,
Enjoy the briefing about what’s going on in Active, your organization of opportunities, adventures, challenges.
1) Active rocks Social Media – are you rocking with us?
To reach more of our members where they are and to spread our ideas and messages to external people in the fight for a drug free society, we are using facebook and twitter more systematically.
On https://twitter.com/#!/ActiveeuropeOrg we spread news from Active, share our thoughts on current events in the world and promote important resources for information about alcohol and other drugs. Are you following us already? Join us today and be always updated about Active and have access to resources and opportunities. See you in the tweets!
You can find us on facebook here and get an easy access to many opportunities that are open to you as Active member through Active’s membership in and cooperation with other organizations. Interested in making the world better? Like us on facebook. And of course you’ll also see there what’s going on in Active and its members.
2) EAHF – one more representative needed
As you know, Active has joined the European Alcohol and Health Forum to fight even harder for preventing alcohol harm and protecting young people from it.
Active is represented there by its Political Officer. But he would like company very much. We have one more seat to fill. So, if you are interested in alcohol policy and processes in the EU, you are now invited to send a simple mail with your motivation to maik(at)activeeurope(dot)org
3) Summer Camp website online now
Sometimes it is better to let pictures do the talking. So instead of writing novels here about how awesome this summer’s main event is going to be, you can check it out yourself here
You can also update yourself about the workshops, events, seminars and parties offered on www.activeeurope.org
4) Active is starting a new campaign "Human Rights Generation"
The campaign will document young people's opinion on a situation of human rights in their country. The campaign will take us to: Poland, Slovakia, Latvia, Sweden, Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The outcome of the campaigns will be movies, photoexhibtion and study material. We will keep you updated!
European School of Alcohology and Ecological Psychiatry in cooperation with WACAT organize a one-week international course on the "Social ecological approach to alcohol related problems" that will be held in Lignano (Italy) in the end of May.
This course offers deep theoretical and practical learning about the problem; work with experts and knowledge exchange.
The price of the course is 350 Euro including accommodation and meal.
If you're interested in the topic and want to take part in this course, contact Active office office(at)activeeurope(dot)org for further details and information.
Dear President of the European Parliament Mr Buzek, we hope this letter finds you well.
My name is Andrea Lavesson and I am President of Active – sobriety, friendship and peace. Active is a European youth umbrella NGO with 38 member organizations in 27 countries from all over Europe.
In this letter I am sending you our thoughts and experiences as well as our wishes – in reaction to the most recent unveiling of the “cash-for-amendments” scandal that threatens the trust of young Europeans in the independence of their elected representatives.
That four corruption cases involving MEPs , from different political groups and countries, have been discovered by journalists and that more discoveries seem to be likely has shocked and surprised us. We are truly worried and quite frankly alarmed. We wonder about what the implications are for the political efforts of so many of our members and their initiatives towards the European Parliament.
Many Active members from all over Europe engage in advocacy to share their visions of a better Europe. We write e-mails with ideas and questions. We call and we try to meet MEPs, when we have the (financial) resources to go to Brussels.
That some MEPs are obviously prepared to sell their publicly entrusted mandate to push through specific amendments shows that something is clearly wrong in the European Parliament and the connected lobbyism practices.
Therefore, Mr Buzek, we are now glad to see that the first steps are being taken to draw lessons from the scandal and to improve the system of democratic participation in the European Parliament. The will for reforms shown, under your leadership together with the leaders of the political groups, this week sends a clear message to young Europeans that the vast majority of MEPs is willing to reform the system and protect the ethical and democratic values that are the foundation of Europe.
We send you this letter, to express our appreciation for the displayed will and determination to defend the integrity of the European Parliament. We fully support your call for the European Commission to prepare legislation for a legally binding mandatory lobby register as well as for putting in place measures to secure de facto mandatory transparency in the meantime.
If Europe shall be a project for and of its citizens, the steps you are now taking are crucial. According to our experience, Mr Buzek, it demands a lot from civil society organizations, especially youth organizations, to effectively engage in political work, to formulate our ideas so that we can contribute to the political processes with them. We in Active hold, and that’s our clear message today, that the European Parliament has done well in many ways: open committee meetings, the presence of MEPs in social media, press services, access to documents – all these things are important for young people like, Active members, to feel that they are part of the European democracy which the European Parliament stands for. Now we believe that this scandal gives opportunity to become even better.
Thus we support the reaction of The Alliance for Lobbying Transparency and Ethics Regulation (ALTER-EU) and its clear policy recommendations for even better measures to tackle the problems alleged with lobbyism today. Moreover we want to share, as mentioned, our experience for you to take into account when striving for reforms of the lobby system and practices:
Active and its members are working for a democratic, diverse and drug-free society since more than twenty years and we are thus engaged in the quest to reduce alcohol-related harm in Europe, improve public health and prevent young people from alcohol harm. In our efforts we’re dependent on financial grants from the Council of Europe and the European Commission and on membership fees. But mostly we’re driven by voluntary work. The (alcohol) industry lobbyists in contrast are backed by the billion-dollar business that alcohol is in Europe (while Europe is the heaviest drinking region in the world and alcohol harm costs at least €125 Billion a year ). Like so many other NGOs we are facing such a tremendous misbalance in our policy area, too. The (Alcohol) Industry and other economic operators can afford influence – through employing consultants, lobbyists, expensive dinners and mingles conferences and special interest clubs for MEPs, like the EP Beer Club .
Mr Buzek, relating to the on-going scandal, the current tremendous misbalance creates disillusioned young Europeans because we’re simply outnumbered in economic strength which leads to immense problems: The European Parliament is not an equal playing field today – if we compare the chances for civil society, especially youth NGOs with economic interests, like the alcohol industry, to influence policy-making. But money does not equal excellence. And money does not equal community interest.
And so we ask you to level the playing field so that civil society organizations like Active, and so many other youth NGOs, have at least the same chances to contribute with our know-how, expertise and picture of reality.
Please Mr Buzek, include this problem description (that many MEPs have expressed earlier as well) into the measures taken now.
It is simply hard for young people to believe that they can contribute with their ideas to the welfare of the European Community when MEPs have a background in the industry while they deal with similar issues and policy areas as MEPs and return to the industry after their time in the EP.
Mr Buzek, we thank you for your time and attention and wish you and your colleagues good luck in working with this highly important matter. And of course, we are ready to share our experiences and insights or simply explain in more detail the points put forward in this letter.
Thanks a lot and
Yours Sincerely,
Andrea Lavesson
President Active – sobriety, friendship and peace
You can find this letter in PDF here.
Dear members,
There will be Tobacco Taxation Training going on in Paris 6-8 June 2011.
TobTaxY (making Tobacco Tax TrendY) is a new European Commission funded capacity building project with the aim of training the public health and tobacco control community on tobacco taxation and smuggling issues. Training will be given by renowned international tobacco taxation experts in five separate workshops taking place across Europe. The first workshop will take place in Paris, France (6,7,8 June 2011) and will focus specifically on training individuals on generic and specific jurisdictional data related to either Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal or Spain.
The Training
The purpose of the training (amongst others) is to give participants:
*
Increased understanding of the economics of taxation at national level
*
Increased understanding of different methods that can be applied in this area (i.e method to estimate tax as a share of price)
*
Formulation of rebuttal arguments through skilled debate (via role play situations) and strategic action
*
The ability to interact successfully with Ministries of Finance at national level
Practical Details.
The Training will take place on 6,7,8 June 2011 in Paris, France. It will be provided in English only.
Successful applicants will be offered training – and will be reimbursed travel, sustenance and hotel expenses for the duration of the workshop
In order to apply and to get more information, please contact Active office office(at)activeeurope(dot)org.
Application deadline 6 April 2011.
Monday, 14 March 2011
Mid-term EVS
Last week I got back from the EVS volunteers’ mid-term seminar. It took place almost 3 days in Stockholm in people’s education center called ”Folkshögskola”. I was expecting to see some new volunteers from Sweden whom I haven’t had a chance to meet, but it turned out to be the old ones. In fact I was very happy about that. We met each other as being old friends and it was very nice.
In the first day we had team-building activities which are my favourite ones because I love working in a team and having fun. The reason why I like that is that it is such a pleasure to work in a team, to help each other and you come up with the strategies and the solutions how to accomplish tasks much faster than being on your own. I think there is a true power working in a group because I tend to believe if there are two or more people that agree on a common purpose then there is nothing impossible. And the joy and fullfilment having achieved a goal is so sweat and amazing. As a result our facilitator called us a special group cos we dealt with our tasks very well and fast. Hahah, but it is not the case. I told Alyonka about this(Alyona and Eliina were 2 weeks prior in the seminar), that we were an ”extraordinary group” and she says ”oh but that man tell this to every EVS group that has a seminar in Folkshögskola”. This made me really lough and just be happy about this situation.
The second day we presented our EVS projects. It took us almost the whole day but it was so interesting and exciting. What I liked about was that every project is unique, differend. It is just amazing how many differend youth organizations are in Sweden and that all of them are making a difference in the world. Either it would be a work with little children or adolecents in the youth centers or a work with refegee children organizing activities with them, all organizations are helping people, providing a non-formal education, free time activieties for young people which is incredibly honorable.
I almost forgot to write about the food heh heh heh. I mean really I haven’t seen such a place were you can eat as much as you want and the dishes are so good, tasty and fresh. I already miss this place!!! Every volunteer that comes to this poeples’s education center never complain about the food on the contrary they are so satisfied about that. But the question is, does the food itself make this good impression? Well it is just a part of a puzzle for me. What really made this food so good was a nice company at the table. I always enjoy having meal with EVS volunteers and discussing different thing while eating.
So to sum up, I really enjoyed this last our EVS seminar in Stockholm it was fun and full of good moments. Hopefully it is not the last time we, EVS volunteers see each other. We already started making plans for summer thinking about where we could meet what kind of outside activities we could have and arrrange it ourseleves already. And so I am happy about that!
Tadas
PRESS RELEASE: 100 years women’s fight passed by alcohol industry unnoticed. Active criticizes alcohol industry’s distorting picture of women
8 March 2011 marks the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. It is this day, this historic era and the achievements of and for women all over the world that Active – sobriety, friendship and peace and all its
members celebrate today.
“In Active, we dedicate a lot of work to Human Rights issues and gender equality is certainly a crucial one,” says Andrea Lavesson, the president of Active – sobriety, friendship and peace, “our members today do benefit from the 100-year long fight for women’s rights. But we also see that we have to continue fighting gender stereotypes
and insulting portrayal of girls and women in society because they’re still today obstacles for true societal advancement.”
The alcohol industry and the multi-billion dollar investment into marketing of its products strongly contribute to perpetuating gender stereotypes. The report “They’ll drink bucket loads of stuff” by Prof Hastings that analyzed internal documents from the alcohol industry, documents a shocking willingness to exploit sexual stereotypes.
Andrea Lavesson, Active President, explains that “the alcohol industry objectifies girls and women in two ways: since in most countries the alcohol use of girls and women used to be lower than of men, especially girls and
women have been identified as new market. Girls and women became the new target group for increasing profits.
The second form of objectification can be seen in the commercials: women are displayed as sexual objects.”
In fact, to seduce girls and women to start drinking and increase their use of alcohol, the alcohol industry does not consider ethics: tapping into gender stereotypes is their strategy. Therefore they designed “diet” alcoholic beverages, developed a variety of fruit flavoured beer that soon was called “chick beer” and promote these
products in connection with items, like handbags, high heels, make-up, that are highly associated with women.
Sexualization is when a person’s value comes only from his/ her sexual appeal or behaviour to the exclusion of other characteristics.
“It is this strategy that the alcohol industry ruthlessly employs – according to the motto ‘sex sells’ – in order to increase their profits. The 100 years of struggle that women went through all over the world don’t seem to
bother the alcohol industry,” points out Andrea Lavesson. “On this historic day, when we remember how far we’ve come in terms of women’s rights, we need to address how to improve in the future. There is still a lot to
improve for the young girls today to grow up in a fairer and more equal world. It is clear that the alcohol industry and the distorting picture of women it portrays is an obstacle to this end.”
Dear members,
Youth forum just openned calls for different work groups.
1.Call for candidatures to the Pool of Facilitators and Trainers of the European Youth Forum 2011-2012.
For more information check this link.
The deadline for the application is 6th of March.
2. Call for a Hosting organisation for the Polish PPO.
For more information check this link.
The deadline for the application is 6th of March.
3. 1% Solidarity Fund 2011 - Second Call for Projects.
For more information check this link.
The deadline for the application is 8th of March.
4. Call for nominations: European Youth Forum Working Group on Youth Work Development.
For more information check this link.
The deadline for the application is 11th of March.
5. Call for nominations: European Youth Forum Expert Group on Youth Rights.
For more information check this link.
The deadline for the application is 11th of March.
6. Call for nominations: European Youth Forum Expert Group on Youth in Action.
For more information check this link.
The deadline for the application is 11th of March.
7. Call for nominations: European Youth Forum Expert group on vote@16.
For more information check this link.
The deadline for the application is 11th of March.
8. Call for nominations: European Youth Forum Project Group on Cooperation in the Eastern Europe and Caucasus region.
For more information check this link.
The deadline for the application is 11th of March.
9. Call for nominations: European Youth Forum Working Group on Volunteering.
For more information check this link.
The deadline for the application is 11th of March.
10. Call for expression of interest: Database of young experts on new media.
For more information check this link.
The deadline for the application is 13th of March.
11. Call for information on MO involvement in the EYV 2011.
For more information check this link.
The deadline for the application is 13th of March.
12. Call for input to the European Youth Forum publication on the value of volunteering in you organisations, in the context of the European Year of Volunteering 2011.
For more information check this link.
The deadline for the application is 13th of March.
13. Call for input to the YFJ Fact Box on the Rights of Volunteers!
For more information check this link.
The deadline for the application is 20th of March.
14. Do you want to be European Youth Capital 2014?
For more information check this link.
The deadline for the application is 29th of April.
For those who want to apply, please contact Active's office ec(at)activeeurope(dot)org as you will need a confirmation letter from Active.
Dear active members,
Please check our blog from the seminar ”You can see, but do you understand?” which took place in Berlin on October 25th-31th, 2010. There you can find photos, vidoes and more information about the different activities we had during the seminar.
Dear members,
We would like to annouce that we have some latest information about the "Route" summer camp 2011 in Latvia. The organizers of the camp have decided that the price for the participants from Eastern Europe is 70 euros, from Western Europe – 100 euros. If people pay from the 24th untill 31th of July then they will have to pay plus 10 euros, if they pay when arriving to the camp then there are plus 20 euros. So that is about the participation fee.
Camp will take place from the 1st untill the 8th of August. 1st is arrival and 8th is departure day.
The web page of the camp has just started working and you can find it here.
PRESS RELEASE: Boo! This is taboo!
Action week for children of alcoholics comes to an end but momentum must last
From Norway to Turkey have Active members worked for raising awareness about the problems that children
and young people have to grow up in families with alcohol addicted parents. “We’ve been on the streets, have
established co operations, been in contact with both politicians and the media and we’ve occupied the cyberspace,”
says Andrea Lavesson, President of Active – sobriety, friendship and peace, and continues: “We need
this momentum that Active and many, many other organizations created all over Europe to continue and grow
because one week is not enough to bring about change. 9 Million children in the EU alone long for change and
we need NGOs, authorities and the media and their long-term commitment to make that happen.”
12% of children in the EU have to live with parents who are alcoholics. Data from Germany, where more than 2
million children are affected, shows that 1/3 third of these children will become alcohol addicted themselves.
Another 1/3 will develop psychological and other social problems.
“These facts show that there are children of alcoholics to be found in every school class, in sports clubs, everywhere.
It’s something that the children are exposed to because of their parents’ drinking but it is the children
who will bear the scars and consequences all life long,” explains Andrea Lavesson from Active.
Research done by STAD in Stockholm indicates the magnitude of the problem by showing that 67% of schools
lack a policy on alcohol and narcotics. Schools that have these policies are much more likely to identify and help
children of alcoholics.
“We believe it’s a reality all over Europe that schools and teachers know too little about how to identify children
of alcohol addicted parents. To improve this is important. Obviously, if we cannot identify the children they’ll remain
invisible and without help,” points out Andrea Lavesson. “Schools need to start acting now by developing
policies and educating teachers and communes need to support this by investing into more help groups and
more alcohol free environments for children and young people.”
As many other organizations, like NACOA in Germany and the UK or CAN in Sweden, have emphasized, these
political measures need to be accompanied by action in society that makes the stories of children of alcoholics
visible. Many children of alcoholics who suffer from neglect and the exposure to violence blame themselves for
the situation at home. “This topic has been taboo in Europe and cause these children to alone and ashamed.
Therefore we need open dialogue in society that breaks the taboo around children of alcoholics. Together we
need to make sure that affected children and young people see and feel that it is not their fault that parents
ended up in addiction. This week and the activities in many countries were important but it needs to last, for
the sake of Europe’s children.”
Pick up just about any beverage on store shelves and you’ll find on the packaging information about the calories, ingredients... etc. Unless, that is, the beverage is alcohol. In 2011, it’s inexcusable that alcohol is still the only product sold in the European Union for which you cannot tell what is inside. Do consumers deserve more information?
Eurocare invites you for the lunch seminar "What's not on the bottle". If you are interested, register here untill 10th of March.
NB! Active is not covering expenses connected with this event.
Are you gong around wondering what we are up to this week? Just follow the news feed on All Right's web and you will get your answers.
This week is European action week for children of alcoholics and many organisations do their best to bring the topic up in our everyday lives. Because it is in our everyday lives we meet people who have been growing up with parents with addiction or risk consumption of alcohol. It's not an easy life unless you consider early responsibility, blame for parents' problems, violence at home and fear an easy life.
The more people are aware of the problem, the higher chance that the problem can be prevented. Join our efforts this week!
...children of alcoholics. Read our latest press release that we published together with Eurocare.
Active and Eurocare Press Release
For immediate release: 14th February 2011
Nine Million Too Many
Active and partners launch action week for children of alcohol addicts
Today, Active - sobriety, friendship and peace and partners from all over Europe join to pool and concentrate resources to bring attention to the situation of children and young people who have to grow-up in families harmed by alcohol abuse.
Approximately 9 Million children in the European Union are affected by their parents’ drinking problems[i] . These children suffer from neglect, feelings of shame and self-blaming for their parents’ addiction and from continuous conflicts at home. Many children and young people have to witness and suffer violence[ii] .
It is estimated that in Europe alcohol is a causal factor in 16% of child abuse and neglect cases[iii] . Studies from all over Europe have shown that children and young people from alcohol addicted families are much more exposed to other health risks, to negative influences on their intellectual capacity and to their mental health[iv] .
“The problem is huge and needs to be taken care of immediately. On Valentine’s day, when people take the opportunity to express their feelings to loved ones, we think of all affected children. Nine million are nine million too many!” says Andrea Lavesson, President of Active. “We need open dialogue about this issue. It can no longer remain taboo. We also need better support measures: states and municipalities need to invest into more alcohol free leisure time environments for children and young people .”
During the Europe-wide action week, Active will arrange meetings with parents and children, visit schools, cooperate with partner NGOs from the local community, participate in panel discussions and issue public statements. ”Already in 1998 a report by McNeill showed that 20% of children under the age of 15 were living in households affected by alcohol misuse[v] . That’s 13 years ago,” as Andrea Lavesson points out. “Therefore we need this action week not only to bring attention but also to push for concrete measures in the communities.”
Children living in families with alcohol problems are one, however very acute, example of the devastating effects that alcohol has on the European society. In 2003 alone the intangible costs of alcohol (which describe the value people place on suffering and lost life) in the EU was estimated for €270bn[vi] . And a recent study from Nutt et al. showed that alcohol is the most dangerous drug in terms of harm to others than the user him/herself[vii] . The harm inflicted upon others is not merely a side problem but is by far the most widespread problem related to alcohol use[viii] .
Mariann Skar, Eurocare (European Alcohol Policy Alliance) Secretary General supports this initiative: “I hope that Active and its members’ efforts to raise awareness and break the taboo around abusive alcohol consumption will be picked up by other stakeholders across Europe and lead to the creation of a European Week of Attention for Children of Alcohol Addicted Parents. All children and adolescents have the right to grow up in an environment protected from the negative consequences of alcohol consumption. We should all reflect on our alcohol consumption and consider if it has any negative impact on our surroundings.”
[i] Anderson, P. and Baumberg, B., 2006. Alcohol in Europe. London: Institute of Alcohol Studies.
[ii] Ibid
[iii] Ibid
[iv] Ibid
[v] Mc Neill, A et al, 1998, Alcohol Problems in the family: A report to the European Union, Brussels, Eurocare
[vi] Anderson, P. and Baumberg, B., 2006. Alcohol in Europe. London: Institute of Alcohol Studies.
[vii] Nutt, David et al, 2010, Drug harms in the UK: A multicriteria decision analysis
[viii] Fekjaer, Hans Olov, 2010, Passive drinking – the collateral damage from alcohol, Eurocare seminar in the European Parliament, February 2010
Although recent statistics indicate that alcohol consumption is falling, worrying trends such as binge drinking, under-age drinking and drink driving are emerging. The problems needs to be tackled. How? There is a possibility to discuss that on 13th of April at the International Symposium in Brussels. If you are interested, contact ec(at)activeeurope(dot)org latest on friday 11th of February 2011 at 23.55.
Dear members,
Apyn is organizing training course ”The role of youth organisations in Alcohol Policy“. It will take place on 4th – 8th March 2011, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Deadline for applications: 19th February 2011.
For those you want to apply, contact Active office office(at)activeeurope(dot)org since you will need a confirmation letter from Active.
Dear active members,
APYN is organizing the "European-wide consultation on Promotion, Marketing, Price and Availability of alcohol beverages".
1st meeting is on 20th February 2011, London or Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Deadline for applications is the 10th of February 2011.
For those who want to apply, please contact Active office office(at)activeeurope(dot)org as you will need a recommendation letter from Active.
PRESS RELEASE: 2-P’s to save lives
Actives commemorates World cancer day
Today is the World Cancer Day. Today millions of young Europeans remember their relatives and friends who passed away too early because of cancer. “On this day” says Andrea Lavesson, who is the President of Active – sobriety, friendship and peace, “we also think of all those who are right now fighting to defeat cancer and wish them all the strength and hope possible. But to policy makers we turn, too,” continues Andrea Lavesson “in the need to stress once more that there are ways to save these lives.”
One year ago, on World Cancer Day 2010 the WHO regional office for Europe said: “Changes in lifestyle and improved prevention and screening policies could prevent up to 40% of all cancer cases.” Nevertheless, every year more than 3 million Europeans are diagnosed with cancer. This makes cancer the most common cause of death in Europe after heart disease.
“Millions of lives could be saved if decision-makers would implement the 2-P’s: Prevention, for behavioral change and Policies, fostering healthy lifestyle. Tobacco and alcohol use – in EU-speech called ‘lifestyle determinants’ – increase the risk of cancer and thus need to be addressed by prevention campaigns and in policy making” says Andrea Lavesson, from Active – sobriety, friendship and peace.
Over the years evidence has accumulated showing that the use of alcoholic beverages increases the risk of cancers. The risk for cancer tends to increase with the amount of alcohol drunk. In contrast, there is no evidence of any safe amount of alcohol drunk. “Therefore we demand the “European Code Against Cancer” from 2003 to be updated to state that there is no clearly identified safe amount of alcohol in terms of cancer risk” says Andrea Lavesson.
Alcohol use is strongly associated with the risk of primary liver cancer. More than 100 epidemiological studies found that the risk of breast cancer in women is increased by increasing alcohol use. In fact, Dr Robert Baan from IARC is quoted at a “cancer round table” in the European Parliament in December 2010: “For regular consumption of 15g alcohol per day, the relative risk [of breast cancer] is significantly increased…” At least since 1987 there is sufficient evidence of the carcinogenity of alcoholic beverages.
“Unfortunately, the scientific knowledge is not reflected in the state-of-the-play of alcohol policy making in Europe. The EU strategy to reduce alcohol related harm, for instance, does not mention cancer at all. Prevention programmes do not focus on fostering behavioural change and healthy lifestyle in young people, but are mere education campaigns. This is appalling because reduced alcohol consumption in Europe’s youth reduces, among others, cancer risks. It saves lives. Therefore we need more political will to use all the measures at hand to reduce alcohol consumption in young Europeans and to create alcohol free environments for healthy lifestyle promotion. The World Cancer Day should help politicians to realize that.”
Monday, 31 January 2011
There’s always a little hope.
You probably don’t know this but I’m mostly responsible in Active to collect news and give out our newsletter. I like it, mostly. I’m quite good at ‘scanning Google’, meaning I have lots of sources to find the news from. What isn’t good are the news that I find. News in general are unfortunately depressive and people seem to like them like that. For some reason this minor shock of an article is what makes them feel alive. Just think about it- when you have the newspaper in your hand, first you scan the titles and you usually end up with articles which title was the most intriguing. It’s the ‘How can this be?’ reaction that will get your interest. And happy news- they don’t sell. And the big publishers- they know it. No wonder our world is so screwed up in so many senses.
So let me ask you one question- what if it becomes too much? Right now I feel a bit overwhelmed with the pouring news, I feel that I relate too much- I put myself in the situation and in the shoes of the characters in the news. I feel like I am one of the bystanders in a city in India where a bus driver finds a newborn baby in a sport bag, on a bench, with the umbilical cord still on its belly. I feel like I’m one of the police (wo)men who finds a 4-year-old girl dead of alcohol poisoning with her drunk father and aunt standing close by with their impassive faces on. I’m not a journalist so I’m not supposed to be a ‘professional’ in that sense that I will treat these horrible news as work and with the attitude ‘That’s life’. I’m a human being and I feel. I read these articles about alcohol and tobacco and I see that people like us, the abstainers, are suppressed and questioned all the time, and what a struggle it is. But the cool thing is- they still keep fighting this overpowering substance abusing industry and I love it! The knowledge that I’m not alone gives me strength to carry on. It gives me strength to remember the victims of alcohol and fight for the purpose to keep the victim number as low as possible. To fight for a better future. Every life counts! And that’s why Active is here and I’m thankful for that.
Eliina
EP Youth Intergroup discusses ‘Youth on the Move’ with Commissioner Vassiliou and young people
The Intergroup on Youth of the European Parliament welcomed today Mrs. Androulla Vassiliou, Commissioner for Education, Youth and Culture to discuss ‘Youth on the Move’, the European Commission's flagship initiative launched in September 2010 in the framework of the Europe 2020 Strategy.
This initiative includes actions in the field of education, training and the mobility of young people, proposing 28 key actions and concrete measures, such as the creation of a European system of student loans, a European Youth Mobility Card, and a Youth Guarantee.
Commissioner Vassiliou stressed that the European Commission is always keen to work towards improving the lives of young people in Europe. With the flagship initiative 'Youth on the move', the Commission aims at increasing mobility opportunities for all young people and improving skills and qualifications so as to facilitate access to the labour market. In the future months, she committed to strongly support a Recommendation on Non-Formal and Informal Education and in promoting a European skills Passport.
Miklós Soltesz, Hungarian Minister for Social, Family and Youth Affairs, highlighted how the Hungarian Presidency has great interest in bringing forward to the European Council strong conclusions in the framework of the work done with the Spanish and Belgian Presidencies within the Structured Dialogue, while taking the opportunity to invite all the present to the upcoming EU Youth Conference in Budapest on 1-4 March.
“Today's debate highlighted the need for Member States to act and commit enough financial resources and propose concrete plans for the implementation of these proposals. The ambitious objectives of YOTM can only be reached by respecting the rights of young people and involving them in the decision-making that directly concerns them. Europe needs to listen to and invest in young people!” says Peter Matjašič, President of the European Youth Forum.
“We have to be very happy about the ambition of the European Commission in making Europe more accessible to young people, with a great enlargement of youth mobility programmes for all. The Europe of mobility is the Europe of concrete actions!” concluded Damien Abad after the debate with young people, MEPs and the Commissioner.
To see the press release click here.
Monday, 24 January 2011
Friends meeting at Kristina’s apartment
There is a saying “We cannot choose our family but we can choose our friends”. Probably one of the things that bring us happiness is being in a good friends’ company.
And so on Saturday Kristina with Maik invited us, EVS volunteers, Andreas Holmberg, Steffi Geilhf old friends of her to spend an evening together at her apartment. I was thinking that day: ohh finally I’ll have an opportunity to see TV serial “Friends” cos I’ve never watched them before. And the answer was YES. But the most exciting thing was to get together in the informal environment, to talk about life, just to be together, laugh together, to get to know each other deeper. I always said friends that have common ideas, values when you enjoy time spent with them are one of the most wonderful thing in life. This friends’ evening just confirmed it.
Kristina prepared potatoes salad and smoothie from all sort of fruit and the salad, the smoothie were so good, so delicious. I have never drunk such a fresh and absolutely natural drink. Big THANKS to Kristina she’s a very good cook. We also brought something for the evening, Eliina’s made chocolate cake which was incredibly tasty after the “main cource”.
I couldn’t mention Kristina’s and Maik’s dog Dante. He’s so cute, tiny, warm creature, we couldn’t stop playing with him all the evening. It brought us a lot of pleasant moments.
During the evening we watched free “Friends” episodes from free first seasons so I managed to make a view what this serial is all about. We were laughing a lot, almost everything was amusing. After the watching we started sharing various situations, surprises about travelling with plane, flight delays even misses and how each of us managed to cope with these moments. It is strange what life can bring us sometimes but actually this is what also makes our lives a challenging experience which makes us grow as characters and brings joy and fulfillment. “Nobody can grow without a challenge” once Jim Rohn personal development coach said. Thus I am really grateful for this time spent with friends it was a remarkable, joyful evening. Thanks to the friends who were there!
Tadas
Thursday, 13 January 2011
According to one saying “the way u meet a New Year is the way u’ll spend it”. The question is “to believe in it or not to believe?”…
Everything’s white, snow’s falling down…so hard to believe that several days ago before my eyes was another picture of green grass and “summerish” blue sky! On 22 of December “Malev” brought me from snowy Stockholm to Albania.
“Alyonka, bring warm clothes with u, it’s pretty cold here” – voice of Lazjon Petri warned me over the phone. Plane landed and warm air reached my lungs… Cold? Albania was generous to bring warm sunny weather for Christmas! The question is “what is cold for Albanians?”
I was the only one from EVS who didn’t go to home country for Christmas, I even tried to blame myself a bit coz of this, but…unsuccessfully…my conscience was sleeping calmly, evidently the reason of it was the recent visit of my mother and my “jumping” heart waiting for the meeting with one Albanian snub nose guy.
25th of December, Christmas … what do u usually do on this day? Cooking? Shopping? Expecting some guests at your place? Or maybe u prefer to be a guest? Well, my Christmas was full of work, meeting new people and laugh! The whole day we spent making final arrangements to the exhibition on Biodiversity, organized by Lazi in his home town Korca. So many people gathered together in the historical building of Korca Shtepia Rumune just to help with exhibition, or maybe just to escape from cooking at home :D So, if u had a question how Albanians celebrate Christmas – now u know the answer!
Then back to Tirana for New Year’s Eve! Evidently the saying “the way u meet New year is the way u’ll spend it” stuck in our mind and we decided to meet it “internationally” by visiting lots of places of different cultures. The question is “What is waiting for us during the year then?”
6th of January –Russian Christmas! Cold bus brought us to Berat – one of the historical places I really wanted to visit in Albania. Castle that still have inhabitants, Mangalem – the spirit of the 2nd century, as if we made step into the past. Berat - “the city of thousand windows” is in my heart!
Time flew so fast… and I’m already in the airport… Stockholm is waiting, but it’s so hard to say goodbye to Albania… Collecting the best moments in my memory I slept for all the flight! So fast, and I’m in Stockholm already… Tadas is waiting for me in the Central Station, Eliinka is cooking dinner at home… The question is “where is my luggage?” At the arrival desk I was informed: “You bag is travelling to Viena, we’ll bring it back to u tomorrow!” Remember while talking with my mum in skype before my departure I said “My bag is so heavy, it would be cool if smb sent it to me right to home”! The question is “am I predictor?” – wrong question! It must be conclusion “think before saying smth”! …or “always see the bright side”, so did I, and my heavy bag successfully arrived from Austria!
Tadas is in the Central station, Eliina is cooking dinner, my bag is travelling to Viena, my Swedish remains Albanian… that’s how I started my year! The question is “Will be Eliina cooking dinner for all the year?”
Alyonka
In other parts of the world scientific data is collected about the hightened dangers of combining alcohol with energy drinks.
Europe has yet to identify this area for regulation.
For more information click here.
Dear Active people and members,
It is a pleasure to announce that the next Active summer camp will take place from the 31st of July until the 6th of August. As congress decided the camp will be held in Latvia’s city called Sigulda. There will be different kinds of activities – workshops, excursions, dancing classes, motivational trainings, movie making classes, sport competitions and a lot more. Thus the “Leadership’11” summer camp is waiting for you. We are looking forward to see you there and spend a great time together!
Here comes the last Active Newsletter of 2010. Read about the All Rights! campaign, find out that our member organisations LINK and CEM made it to the TV and work on putting alcohol policy on the political agenda and enjoy the success of White Christmas campaign on Faeroe Islands. Pretty great end of the year 2010, don't you think?
Thusday, 19 December 2010
Christmas evening
Yesterday we, active office team me, Eliina, Alyonka, Kristina and Maik had a wonderful Christmas evening at our apartment in Skarpnäck. It was the gathering before everybody goes for holidays to spend time with families and friends.
Maik and Kristina were late a bit because of the problems with metro trains, they did not go, something was wrong with rails. There has been snowing a lot during the past days that caused problems with traffic. On the other hand it is great because of the stunning beauty of nature. I haven’t seen so much snow for a long time when everything is covered with snow. Anyway regardless of all the snowdrifts and obstacles the Secretary General and the Political Officer arrived. Alyonka and Eliina prepared delicious, delicious vegetarian food called Cannelloni with salad and as for desert there was a student apple pie and a cake. We were cheerful, everybody laughed and made a lot of jokes.
After the meal there was time to share the presents. I adore Kristina, she drew the cartoon pictures for each of us and every picture had specific meaning related to our personalities. Oh, it was so nice, lovely. In addition to that I got DVD about my favourite, most respected, basketball legend Michael Jordan. So any time when I lack motivation I will watch the DVD and regain the power that is within me. Eliina and Alyonka got books. We are so grateful to Maik and Kristina for the presents they gave us, we hope they liked the presents of ours too. We wish them Merry Christmas and happy New Year.
Best wishes,
Tadas
We would like to send you Seaon's greetings and wish you all the best for 2011. We are very thankful for all your efforts and cooperation in the year 2010 and we are looking forward to even better activities together with you in 2011.
Active office will be on holidays and closed from 23rd of December untill 10th of January but sobriety and friendship are constantly on in our small and big acts.
Happy holidays!
Active is still looking for preparation team for the next seminar “Speak up for environment”.
Active's next seminar “Speak up for the environment” takes place from May 15th to 21st of May 2011 in Kiev, Ukraine. We need to raise awareness about environmental issues among our members and seek for the results that will provide safer living standard.
Does the topic sound close to your heart? Do you want to run the seminar together with 4 other members of the preparatory team? We have opened the application process now so it is just to send us your motivation letter and summary of your previous experience related to the topic and Active seminars.
The last day to apply is 15th of January 2011.
So get out your word documents and start typing!
Being in preparation team means following:
– participating in a 3-days prep team meeting in April in Sweden
– organizing a special seminar, opportunity to bring new ideas and to create an unforgettable week for participants
– developing a program, organizing the travel and accommodation for participants
– during the seminar being responsible for your tasks and being responsible for the general success of the seminar
- all the travel, accommodation and food costs for prep team members are covered 100%
If you are interested, send the motivation letter to office@activeeurope.org
PRESS RELEASE: Youth Rights in alcohol culture – all right?
Active proudly presents ”All Rights” booklet
Today is Human Rights Day and on this day the European community looks to the situation in China and Liu Xiaobo. While this is important, not least for the children and young people there, it is essential to assure at the same time not to loose sight of the European situation.
“In Europe we’ve developed the bad habit to always think of development countries and dictatorships when we talk about Human Rights violations. While that’s convenient, the truth is that there happen Human Rights, even Children’s Rights violations on our continent. They happen in open street. They happen in children’s rooms. Every day. We cannot afford to waste time to combat them”, says Andrea Lavesson, President of Active – sobriety, friendship and peace.
To live up to the needs and demands of millions of young Europeans, Active today launches its most recent publication: a booklet zooming in on the rights violations caused by alcohol harm and alcohol culture in Europe. Find the booklet for download: http://www.activeeurope.org/attachedFiles/documents/allrigths_booklet.pdf.
An Active working group, consisting of 12 young Europeans, analyzed every article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Not less than 15 breaches of the UDHR attributable to alcohol harm and the European alcohol culture were found. The severity of breaches is even magnified by decision-makers on all levels who ignore to primarily consider the Best Interest of children whenever deciding on policies.
Studies show that alcohol harm inflicted upon others can be found everywhere and affects children and young people disproportionately. For example, alcohol is a causal factor in 16% of child abuse and neglect. In Germany, between 2000 and 2008 the number of alcohol intoxicated youth ending up in emergency rooms increased by 170%. Alcohol is responsible for 7, 4% of disability and premature death in the EU.
“Our booklet shows that availability, affordability, aggressive marketing of alcohol amount to many threats and concrete violations of Human Rights affecting all young Europeans”, tells Andrea Lavesson. “This disastrous situation in Europe is even multiplied by the current alcohol culture: it’s not a question whether but when a child starts drinking. Extreme pressure from the grown-up world and the alcohol industry has created an intoxicating culture for young Europeans to grow up in. This is an enormous threat to the self-determination and dignity of children and young people.”
More and more adults realize the tremendous problems of the current culture. Therefore 77% of Europeans support a ban of alcohol advertising targeting young people and other measures.
“Despite obvious public support, politicians continue to ignore the priority of youth rights and refrain from taking restrictive measures that would protect young people from alcohol harm and intoxicating culture. We lack alcohol free environments all over Europe. Instead we see alcohol advertising everywhere. We lack resources to provide children and young people with conditions to develop freely and independently. For Europe to be the global protector of Human Rights, it needs to address these issues at home because they make a difference for children and young people’s lives. Young people cannot thrive upon their rights in an omnipresent alcohol culture.”
To download our latest material connected to Young people's rights and their violation in Europe's alcohol culture, click here.
What’s up in alcohol policy?
1) EAHF
Active is proud to report that we’ve now joined the European Alcohol and Health Forum (EAHF). This Forum is an important pillar for the implementation of the EU strategy to reduce alcohol related harm.
Active joined at the brink of a new era in the EAHF, as a new leadership just took over. We’re there to present and represent all the knowledge and best practices from Active member organizations about how to fight against and to prevent alcohol harm.
We are also there to give a strong voice for the need to create and sustain more environments for young people that are alcohol free. So, the EAHF is a good place to show what we’re doing and to spread the experiences of young people in Europe who demand better policies and strategies against alcohol harm to people and society. If you want to get involved in this and maybe also go to the EAHF in Brussels, contact Active’s Political Officer at alcoholpolicy@activeeurope.org
2) Thailand
Earlier this year Active send out a press release called “alcohol is not like oat” and also wrote a blog where we pay attention to the European Commission’s role in diplomatic talks with the government of Thailand. The European Commission puts pressure on the Thai government to treat alcohol like it was oat, a trade commodity, when it actually destroys many lives and families and costs billions of Euros. You can be sure that Active continues to monitor these processes. In short: while the Thai people have in public hearings and consultations declared to EXCLUDE alcohol from the trade agreement with the EU, the business sector, the EU, the alcohol industry all put on pressure on the Thai government to do something against the will of the people. If you agree with Active and think that this is unacceptable, that alcohol is not and should not be treated like oat, you can give your voice here: http://www.activeeurope.org/will+of+people+vs+alcohol+industry__.html and support the stop-drink-network of our Thai friends.
Inside Active
1) All rights campaign
Next week Active will launch the website for the ongoing campaign ALL RIGHTS that was designed by Active to start discussion on violation of human rights in European homes caused by alcohol consumption. The campaign’s main focus is on children to alcohol addicted parents and on Active’s and Active members’ task to raise awareness and initiate various actions in their countries. The participating Active member organizations have after an intense phase of planning now launched their impressive activities. Stay tuned for catching the campaigns webpage or contact the Active office: office(at)activeeurope.org
To give you a taste of what we’re accomplishing out there in Europe right now:
In Moldova and Slovakia they have so far done a drawing competition for children and a baking competition of gingerbreads and other goods is on its way. The competitions are arranged with intention to show how children experience their time at home
In Sweden, Germany and Norway they have an on-going White Christmas campaign where they are actively gathering supporters for alcohol free Christmas days (24 – 26.12.2010). You can check their websites accordingly at www.vitjul.se ; www.weisse-weihnacht.info and www.hvitjul.no
In Macedonia they’ve done so far a drawing competition, a round table discussion on the topic of ‘Presence of alcohol in everyday family life’ and a high school project where they told the kids about REACT and Active.
2) Finland
UNF Finland is preparing a big re-fresh action. The organization plans to have two EVS volunteers in their office, hold recruitment activities, and launch a new identity of the organization so it is more attractive for young people in Finland. UNF Sweden is ready to contribute with ideas, activities and human resources to make this project successful. NORDGU and Active are there to give a helping hand and to keep the fire burning so we together bring this attempt to a happy end.
3) Switzerland
In Switzerland the government is about to pass a new alcohol law and our friends and Active members KIM Switzerland and Juvente Switzerland send out, very recently, a press release both commenting on the first proposal of a new law and criticising the proposal for its blank spots and weaknesses. Our Swiss friends strongly criticised that the government did not consult with them – something really strange as IOGT Switzerland is one of the oldest and most experienced organizations working in the field of preventing alcohol harm. We are waiting for the further developments.
New alcohol policy blog for the weekend.
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
Bowling med UNF var mycket bra!
The Swedish organization UNF invited us for bowling yesterday. It was our first bigger mingling with them. I was looking forward to it since we got the invite. First- I love bowling and second- I already liked the people from the building and I wanted to spend more time with them.
As expected, it turned out to be a great evening. The bowling lanes were crooked and the first game was just awful- nobody scored really good. But our skillfulness of missing so many pins made us just laugh more. In a way it was good- we all were equal! By the end of the second game I reached my goal- 100 points, which made me happy.
After bowling we went out for dinner. It was a nice evening with lots of laughter. I really enjoyed the fact that the Swedes didn't talk English all the time, we need to learn Swedish and in my opinion spending time in an environment where the language is, you kind of force yourself to understand. Otherwise the Swedes are always too nice and switch to English just to make it easier for us. I don't need to be comfortable, I need a challenge. I already feel that I'm lazy in learning Swedish. I should know it more than I know now. But I'm trying to behave and yesterday I made my first post in Swedish on Facebook=)
So far we, the volunteers, have been quite private, not really integrating. Here's where it all will change, I hope. Already this Friday we'll watch Idol with some Swedes. I need to update myself on this topic!
Hugs,
Eliina.
What do Harry Potter and alcohol drinking have in common? Both are shown at the same time on the silverscreen. A 13+ movie shows underage drinking with positive message. In 2009 and 2010 there were published several studies proving the connection between alcohol placement in movies and young people's drinking. The more alcohol is shown, the more are young people prone to drink alcohol. It is a common sense logic and that is why the fact itself is not shocking. If you want to see a systematic overview of how alcohol was potrayed in the Europe's most popular movies, check out EUCAM's (European Centre for Monitoring Alcohol Marketing) trend report here.
Alps! Skiing! Snow and sun! Alcohol and smoke free environment. Active people of all ages around and as a bonus to all that possibility to experience Basel's carnival lasting 3 days. This can be your week in March if you choose to take part in it. Click here and read about the registration, fee and location.
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Kristina’s birthday
After some time of volunteering we started blogging. We have a very kind, funny always helpuful our wondelful mentor Kristina. And today is her birthday. We wish her great and happy moments with EVS volunteers, patience with them and tremendous goals achievements in her life.
We got up a little bit earlier today in order to come to the office before Kika’s coming and arrange her a surprise and a joyful morning with greetings and the song “happy birthday to you”. We brought balloons with us and we put up them everywhere in the staircase going up to kika(kitchen) room leaving arrows for Kika. We thought we don’t have much time so we were in a hurry as Kika was supposed to come in the same time as usual. I was standing next to Saras’s(our lovely receptionist) when I so Kika from some distance coming to IOGT, at least it was a girl very resembling to Kika. I started shouting “Kika is coming” and when we ran like crazy up to the fika room to wait for her with a present. Five, ten minutes passed she didn’t come. When I went downstairs and figured out that I confused our mentor with someone else. But it was so funny and we were so excited at that time we were running to the fika room! What a great day I thought. It didn’t take much time for Kika to come and once she went up to the fika room we greeted her kindly with hugs and a song.
Now we( Eliina, Alyonka and me) are working in the office, dealing with different tasks. I am still finishing my financial report from Berlin seminar. Thanks to Jemmie, he helped me a lot during the seminar fixing and sorting out all the receipts now I have less work here in the office. But still since it’s my first experience writing financial report I haven’t done it before so I do not want to rush myself and still I have some time to finish it.
Actually that’s way I chose to be a volunteer because you are gaining useful skills, making mistakes, learning from them, accomplishing tasks you haven’t done before and even maybe you wouldn’t have faced it in normal life. I mean who knows…
Tadas
Another Advocacy course arranged by APYN is here. The deadline to apply is 3rd of December. The advocacy school will be held in Slovenia between 15th and 19th of December 2010.
Don't you know what "advocacy" actually is? Or you know but you want to know more and you want to know how to involve your organization? Or you are an expert and you would like to share your knowledge with other friends from Europe? This event is something for you! Download the call, fill it in and send to Active office - office(at)activeeurope(dot)org
Brussels, 17 November 2010
Eurocare Press Release
Alcohol industry called upon to take more effective action!
Ahead of the next Alcohol and Health Forum meetings, public health experts and NGOs in the Forum have issued an Open Letter to its members calling upon the alcohol industry to take responsibility for their share of the problems caused by their products in Europe.
The EU Alcohol and Health Forum (EAHF) will meet this Thursday and Friday under the auspices of the new Director General, Ms. Paola Testori Coggi. These meetings will mark the beginning of a new era in the Forum.
There have been several positive outcomes of the Forum, in terms of discussions and reports produced. Furthermore, it has increased action and coordination among NGOs.
However, the NGOs in the Forum feel that it could achieve a lot more if the economic operators have not been continously trying to divert attention into unproductive areas.
Most of the commitments made by the economic operators to the Forum are in the areas of education and information. Alcohol industry educational programs and information campaigns are often misguiding and use ambiguous terminology. They are mainly a disguised advertising and simply serve to advance the industry’s public relations interests.
Marian Skar, Secretary General of Eurocare, a European-wide advocacy group which campaigns to reduce alcohol-related harms, said:
‘We would like to call on the economic operators to commit to actions that are meaningful and effective. For example, inform consumers about what is in their drinks (ingredients, kilocalories etc); disclose their expenditure on marketing activities; refer in their advertisements to the actual characteristics of their products instead of suggesting that the portrayed lifestyle can be attained by drinking alcohol, and stop selling to minors. From a more practical point of view, they could reduce harm by introducing plastic glassware at high risk venues’
Click here to read the Open letter
What’s up in alcohol policy?
1)
The scientific proof of the dangerous connection between alcohol and energy drinks is piling up mountain high. In the USA the markets are swamped by these products while here in Europe we’re are mostly spared by them – so far.
An important report was published by the alcohol policy watchdog Marin Institute as early as 2007. Read it here: Alcohol, Energy Drinks, and Youth: A Dangerous Mix. This report highlighted the various ways that manufacturers target youth through their branding, pricing, and marketing strategies. It also highlighted the health and safety dangers of the drinks, citing their high alcohol content and the physiological effects of mixing caffeine with alcohol. The message is unmistakeably clear and we cannot afford to ignore it here in Europe. The alcohol industry uses product design and packaging to target young people. They use the mix of energy drinks’ sweetness to disguise the alcohol and attract young people. Active member’s stand is clear and reflected by our Alcohol Policy Paper: “Alcoholic beverages should not taste like candy and should not contain other substances like caffeine or other substances with the same effect. Alcohol beverages should not be designed to overcome the natural rejection of children’s and youth’s taste. Alcohol product packaging and labelling should not be allowed to create a misleading impression about the content of the beverage, about the effects of the alcoholic beverage and they must not appeal to minors”.
We must take this message to our local governments, national health ministries and the EU to avoid the upshot of these products and more alcohol harm here in Europe. If you want support in doing so, feel welcome to contact Active’s political officer at alcoholpolicy(at)activeeurope.org and we will assist you in contacting your governments.
Inside Active:
1) The news from a fresh scientific study travelled fast around the world and was published in many different media. Active prepared a press release to spread the message: Alcohol most harmful drug and yet most advertised one! Check out our latest press release where we point out the harm caused by alcohol and the screaming paradox that alcohol is not only widely advertised but even supported and expected in European culture. We point out that the grown-ups have created and imposed this problem on us young people and demand action.
Of course also we need to continue being Active! So, translate the press release into your language and send it to your government. If you need their e-mail addresses, you’re welcome to contact Maik Dünnbier at alcoholpolicy(at)activeeruope.org or staff(at)activeeurope.org.
2) Active, and maybe your own Member Organizations, has long been working with mystery shopping – a.k.a beer buying campaigns. The results were all too often shocking, as we found out that young people under the legal age can easily buy alcohol, everywhere in Europe. The kings of mystery shopping are our Norwegian friends from Juvente Norway. They do it systematically and organized every year. So, on 19th November, the president of Juvente Norway Adrian Farner Rogne will present the findings of our beer buying campaigns (from Sweden, Norway, Slovakia, Latvia, and Germany) at the European Alcohol and Health Open Forum in Brussels. If you don’t believe this amazing news, please check the agenda here: http://ec.europa.eu/health/alcohol/docs/ev_20101119_ag_en.pdf
Adrian, who many of you might know as musical talent from the summer camp 2008 in Sweden, will speak about the need for better enforcement of the existing legal age (where it is 18) and for an increase in the legal age (where it is 16) and he’ll be clear about that alcohol should be much less accessible and much more expensive.
Our work truly is important and appreciated by the European Commission! Great job NOM Slovakia, JAF Latvia, Juvente Norway, UNF Sweden and Juvente Germany. If you feel inspired to conduct a “beer buying campaign” with your organization, feel welcome to contact the Active office at staff(at)activeeruope.org. We’ll support you with everything you need and maybe even Adrian will come to your activity!
3) In the last week of October, Active held another one of its infamous Active seminars. An incredible number of 49 young Europeans met in Berlin under the seminar title: “You can see but do you understand” The participants once again challenged their own limits by experiencing for one week how it is to live in our society with a physical impairment. The seminar was made possible by the cooperation of Active members and visually impaired people. In one week in Berlin, we learnt about each other’s worlds, practiced patience and tolerance and thus made the world a bit more like Active’s vision: A democratic, diverse and peaceful world free from alcohol and other drugs where each individual can live up to his or her full potential.
Get inspired by watching the picture blog from the seminar http://youcanseebut.blogspot.com/ and feel welcome to sign up for the next seminar in Kiev in May 2011 http://activeeurope.org/Activities__.html/lid/120337
From the 25th to 31th of October Active seminar “You can see, but do you understand” took place in Berlin. It was organized by Active in cooperation with IOGT Germany and visually impaired people. The main aim of the seminar was to raise an awareness of exclusion of visually impaired people in today’s society, to show what problems visually impaired people face with in their lives and invite participants to find solutions for it and make a change, get participants familiar with the world that people who cannot see live in. It was done by having different activities such as international evening, team building, role plays, sessions and discussions with visually impaired people, having experts to give the knowledge to the participants about education and integration, job marketing of the people having eyesight disabilities. There were also outside activities such as visiting school and museum for blind people, blind football, interviewing people in the city, dinner in the dark restaurant. During the seminar there was a video diary where participants could express their impressions and emotions of the day. Officially the seminar ended up having a great helloween party in the IOGT house.
What's the purpose of the European Parliament's Beer club? Is there anything like "Young people's rights club" or "Ecological food club" as well? Read our our opinion about that in our alcohol policy blog.
A recent study shows that alcohol is socially most harmful drug and yet it is freely advertised. You can read Active's opinion about that here.
German advertising council fails. Will alcohol advertising be banned in Helsinki? How is alcohol industry talking to youth? You can read more about it in the latest newsletter from EUCAM (European Centre for Monitoring Alcohol Marketing)
PRESS RELEASE: Alcohol is not like oat – the European Commission of all should know!
Today, in reaction to calls from their Thai partners and friends, young Europeans send an urgent call to the European Commission, the Member States of the EU and the broader public: alcohol is no ordinary commodity!
Andrea Lavesson, president of Active – sobriety, friendship and peace, explains the background: “We have received calls for support from our Thai friends in protecting the health and social safety of young people in Thailand, where right now the European Commission is conducting negotiations with the Thai government about mutual Free Trade Agreement. The problem is, and that bothers many young people in Thailand, that the European Commission puts pressure on the Thais to include alcohol into the Free Trade Agreement even though the Thai government is against it for the simple reason – to protect public health.”
In fact, the negotiations have been put on halt for the Thai government to consult with civil society and assess the health and social impacts if alcohol be included as trade commodity in the Free Trade Agreement (FTA). While civil society protests against an inclusion, the business sector of importers, hotels, tourism enterprises, restaurants and alcohol industry mount heavy campaigns to get alcohol from Europe into the country.
Alcohol costs the Europeans 125 Billion tax payers € per year, an amount that is more than four times higher than what alcohol production, retail and consumption contribute to the economy. A disproportionate amount of the medical, psychological and social costs has to be shouldered by young Europeans under 25. Despite these facts and the apparent economical imbalance, the European Commission labels alcohol as an important agro-food export commodity.
“This alarms both Thai and European youth – and together we say: alcohol is not like oat. It’s surely no ordinary commodity,” says Andrea Lavesson, “even the WHO global alcohol strategy reflects that truth by stating that Public health should be given proper deference in relation to competing interests. We demand that the European Commission protects the integrity of that document that all EU Member States have ratified this year.”
“In Europe we make the experience every day that the alcohol industry makes its way to the decision makers”, tells Andrea Lavesson, “therefore it is important to understand that the alcohol industry’s business methods in developing countries are – and I’m not exaggerating – highly immoral. Alcohol industry violates their own codes of conduct wherever possible and target young people. Beer girls are, among other methods, used to promote alcohol drinks and increase sales.”
Andrea Lavesson sends a clear message to the European Commission and Member States: “Such an industry should not be invited to the table of diplomatic negotiations! If not the European Commission, who is to safe guard the interests of young people and to be a role model in public health protection?”
Not only that Active's seminar "You see but do you understand" has started today in Berlin, in addition to that, we have just launched our Alcohol policy blog. The first entry is accessable by clicking here.
PRESS RELEASE: Young Europeans alarmed over public health ignorance shown by Council President Van Rompuy
Active sends its updated alcohol policy paper to the European Council President
The EU is the heaviest drinking region in the world, where the consumption per drinker amounts to 15 litres per year. This is an alarming fact and has caused both the European Commission and the EU member states to act. This spring the WHO adopted a global alcohol strategy, signed by all European countries. Clearly today, there is no doubt among European governments and citizens that alcohol places a paramount burden on all aspects of human life in Europe.
“It has been a long way to understanding the harms alcohol causes in society, but we see now political will to tackle the problems caused by alcohol in Europe”, says Andrea Lavesson, president of the European Youth Temperance movement.
Despite these facts, the alcohol industry continues to euphemize the vast problems. The latest example is a “gala” organized by the beer lobbyist Brewers of Europe, gathering industry lobbyists and political leaders. “Europeans have to drink less alcohol and this threatens the profit interests of the alcohol industry. Of course the alcohol industry wants to hinder political measures that can accomplish change. That doesn’t surprise anybody. But what is truly alarming is”, according to Andrea Lavesson, “that the President of the European Council joins their ‘gala’ and holds a speech in which he underlines the role of alcohol in culture.”
Mr Van Rompuy is to be quoted assigning “an important social role” to beer. “This is what happens when politicians join the cause of particular interests. They obviously don’t see the whole picture and miss significant facts”, states Andrea Lavesson. The past year, 7 million Europeans were exposed to violence connected to alcohol. 9 million children grow up in families with at least one alcohol addicted parent. These are the facts commonly known and giving a clear picture of the social harm caused by alcohol. “It worries the young people in Europe that the President of the European Council doesn’t consider these numbers, that indicate human and citizen rights violations inside the Union he is supposed to enhance sustainable policy making for” urges Andrea Lavesson. Mr Van Rompuy showed yet another misjudgement when saying that beer was “culture and tradition [and] also economy”. Active’s president answers that “alcohol causes the European tax payers 125bn € easily avoidable expenses every year, which is more than twice as much as the entire alcohol industry is calculated to contribute to economies. I’d like to tell Mr. Van Rompuy that young people have to shoulder a disproportionate amount of the alcohol burden, caused by the grown-up world. Therefore I’ll send him the Alcohol Policy Paper that the congress of the European Youth Temperance Movement updated this summer.”
To see Active's Alcohol policy programme, click here.
This is the first coordination meeting after the birth of APYN and the setting will be sunny and warm, as the venue is central Lisbon. On the three-day long agenda are elections of the new General Coordinator, as well as evaluation of APYN’s work done so far and decisions about APYN’s new strategic plan for the coming two years.
The Active members are represented by the Political Officer, Maik Dünnbier. Active wants to continue to play an active part in the development of routines and consultative mechanisms within APYN and in capacity building for youth organizations all over Europe in terms of alcohol policy and youth involvement in public health advocacy.
Please feel free to ask any question and to give input if you have ideas and recommendations: alcoholpolicy@activeeurope.org
36 participants were chosen from 20 countries. Prep-team wants to welcome all the confirmed participants and is looking forward to meet them very soon in Berlin seminar which is to start on 25th of October.
Already for a week now there are new faces in the Active office, sitting behind the computers and trying to figure out Swedish commands in them. Good luck with that!
They are- Alyona from Russia, Tadas from Lithuania and Eliina from Estonia. Welcome, Eastern Europe! Check out their profiles under ’The Office’ and put together the name with the face.
For any help or advise or just chatting don’t hesitate to contact them ;) And their couch in Stockholm is always ready to accommodate visitors!
How do media, night life and public health go together? What does Facebook do to the health of young people? How is the promotion of drugs and alcohol in social media? How does twittering impact the night life of youth?
There is a seminar in Brussels arrangen by University College Ghent.
You can see the whole programme here.
And register for the seminar here.
IMPORTANT: Active is not covering the costs of the participants.
Here are our new addresses:
Post address:
Active - sobriety, friendship and peace
Box 12825
112 97 Stockholm, Sweden
Our location:
Gammelgårdsvägen 38
Stora Essingen, Stockholm
You are welcome to visit!!!
