Waiting on the RH Law
The Supreme Court (SC) of the Philippines is to decide on the fate of the Reproductive Health (RH) Law after its final deliberations on April 8. Also known as the “Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012,” the law passed legislation December 21, 2012. However due to several petitions challenging its constitutionality, the SC […]
Laum: A MIFF Winner’s Reflections
A lot of things seem better in hindsight. For my thesis film, I actually had another story in mind. It seemed perfect since I conceptualized the story myself. But that story just couldn’t get a “go” from my thesis professor. After a series of revisions and alterations to the story to try and get that […]
Moral Courage Activated
”Wie niet waagt, die niet wint” means ”S/he who does not wager, does not win”. This is a Dutch proverb often used by my grandmother to encourage others, yet far more often to prepare herself for the ‘unpreparable’. When my grandmother, Hendrina Janna van Doorneveld was born, the year was 1922 and her zodiac prediction […]
World Youth Alliance Wears Mismatched Socks for World Down Syndrome Day
The World Youth Alliance wore mismatched socks to show its support for World Down Syndrome Day on March 21, and to celebrate the dignity, resilience, and the wonderfulness of every individual with Down Syndrome (DS). The purpose of the “Lots of Socks” campaign is to spread awareness of Down Syndrome (DS), express appreciation for those […]
Reflections of an Intern
My internship here at the World Youth Alliance is coming to a close. I remember when I first came here I had a lot of fears. I think a lot of my fears came from not completely knowing what I was getting myself into and I wasn’t sure if I would fit well with the organization. I think […]
Why 12 Years a Slave Is More Than Just a Movie: the Message Everyone Needs to Hear
After watching the film, 12 Years A Slave, I realized that a gruesome part of history has only become worse. The relevance of such a movie in today’s age of unrivaled human progress is distressing. Despite becoming illegal, the modern-day slave industry is thriving in every corner of the globe. It has a different name nowadays. […]
Pain or Freedom: Consequences of the Belgian Euthanasia Law
On Monday, March 10th, 2014, the World Youth Alliance Europe held a seminar, “Pain and Freedom Examined: Euthanasia, Evaluation and Perspectives for the Future.” The seminar called into discussion the recent extension of the Belgium euthanasia law to children. The Belgian House of Representatives and Senate voted the law into effect in December and February, […]
Promoting a Holistic View of Women and Girls at CSW58
The World Youth Alliance is currently attending the fifty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW58), which takes place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City from 10-21 March 2014. This is an annual two-week session where representatives of UN Member States, civil society and UN entities come together to […]
Empowerment Promoted at UN Commission for Social Development
The Fifty-second session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD 52) took place from February 11-21, 2014 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. This year’s priority theme was “Promoting empowerment of people in achieving poverty eradication, social integration and full employment and decent work for all.” At the close of the CSocD 52 […]
The Real Challenge at the UN: WYA’s Work on the Commissions
What is happening at the UN? The eighth session of the UN General Assembly Open Working Group (OWG) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) took place the first week of February 2014 at UN Headquarters in New York. The World Youth Alliance has been following the unfolding process for the creation of the SDGs, which will take over […]
