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Posts Tagged ‘Global Youth Forum’

Sneak Preview #2: More ISP Members

Thursday, August 12th, 2010
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Last week we introduced you to three of the seven students who will form the International Student Panel at PTPI’s Global Youth Forum in November.  Here are interviews with two more!

Mohammed Lamarana Barry

Where do you live? I am from The Gambia but I do not live in Banjul.  I will be moving to South Africa for my studies in September 2010.

What is one thing people may not know about your country that you’d like them to know? My country is where Alex Haley‘s ancestor Kunta Kinte came from!  People mistake us for a French speaking country instead of English.  Besides that – we are the smiling coast of Africa!

What is your favorite song or musical group at the moment? My favorite song is called “La Difference”, sang by Salif Keita.  Although I do not speak his language, deep inside my heart I understand what he is trying to put across.

If you had a free day to do whatever you wanted, how would you spend it? It would be one of the greatest days of my life as I spend most of my time doing something.  Let me think…I will to to the beach and have some sunshine, travel to rural communities and also jump on my bed whilst listening to music by Salif Keita.  Of course I will Skype and Facebook as well!

Why did you want to be a part of the International Student Panel? I represent the voices of an unheard generation and speak for those who did not have a voice before I spoke!  There is a need for someone to represent the valid and clear views and concerns of other young people on a global platform like this and therefore it is a huge pleasure for me to accept the trust bestowed upon me to be part of the ISP.

Pakinam Moussa

Where do you live? Beheira, a city in the northern part of Egypt that is famous for its farms and green areas.

What is one thing people may not know about your country that you’d like them to know? Ancient Egypt was one of the earliest civilizations in the world and Egyptian culture has influenced cultures of Europe and Africa.  It is also famous for the mummies, as it was discovered that Egypt has more than 1 million human and animal mummies.  Finally, Anwar El Sadat was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for signing the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty in Washington, D.C. USA and finally stopped the war in Egypt.

What is your favorite song or musical group at the moment?Fairytale” by Alexander Rybak.

If you had a free day to do whatever you wanted, how would you spend it? I would go to the beach with my family or friends, or help in a community service.

Why did you want to be a part of the International Student Panel? To know other people, culture and places.  I’d like to know more about others’ PTPI experiences, as well.

Sneak Preview: the 2010 Global Youth Forum ISP

Friday, August 6th, 2010
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What is the ISP, you ask?  It’s the International Student Panel, made up of seven students from seven different countries.  The ISP is a much-loved session that takes place during PTPI’s Global Youth Forum (GYF) each year.  Members of the ISP take questions from their fellow delegates – it is an opportunity to learn more about the similarities and differences of students throughout the world.

This year’s GYF will take place November 10-14 in Atlanta, Georgia USA.  We really hope to see you there…and for those who can’t make it, we’re bringing you an ISP sneak peek!  Here are interviews with three of our ISP members:

Dusan Bogicevic

Where do you live? I live in Leskovac, a small town in the south of Serbia, a small country in southeastern Europe.

What is one thing people may not know about your country that you’d like them to know? That Serbia is on the Balkan peninsula and has a long history and culture dating from the 7th century.  We are very friendly and temperamental.

What is your favorite song or musical group at the moment?  ”Mirror Mirror” by Blind Guardian

If you had a free day to do whatever you wanted, how would you spend it? With my friends, going to the places in my country where I haven’t been yet.

Jeanette Mwendwa Gitobu

Where do you live? Cambodia, South East Asia

What is one thing people may not know about your country that you’d like them to know? Currently, Cambodia is home to one of the wonders of the world.  Tourists, politicians and celebrities from around the world fly into Siam Reap to be captivated by its history and unique beauty.  Angkor Wat, the pride of the ancient Angkor Kingdom, still stands today.  The temple took approximately 300 years to build.  If given the chance, take time to explore the wonders of Angkor Wat and marvel at its history.

What is your favorite song or musical group at the moment? Hmm, I really have no definite genre of music because I’m a very diverse person.  However, my all time favorite is “When You Believe“by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston

If you had a free day to do whatever you wanted, how would you spend it? Getting involved in hands on activities such as Habitat for Humanity or volunteering at a church potluck where they assist people in need of food and basic supplies.

Ewa Dudzic

Where do you live? I am from Poland, a country in Central Europe.  The city I live in is Katowice, in the southern part of Poland.

What is one thing people may not know about your country that you’d like them to know? Nicholas Copernicus, who started a scientific revolution when he published the Heliocentric Theory (in which all the planets, including Earth, revolve around the Sun), was Polish!

What is your favorite song or musical group at the moment? I don’t really have one.  I like many types of music and my choice of songs to listen to depends on my mood and the situation I am in.

If you had a free day to do whatever you wanted, how would you spend it? I would travel to a place I haven’t visited yet…or you would meet me wandering around in Rome, Italy.

5 Minutes with Alex Sher and Lissa Leibson

Monday, December 21st, 2009
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Big thanks to Alex and Lissa for coming down to PTPI World Headquarters for an afternoon and volunteering their time!  (We always welcome volunteers, and there are ongoing volunteer opportunities at the Operation International Children Warehouse in Kansas City, Missouri USA as well!)  We asked Alex and Lissa a few questions about why they decided to give up their free time to help out around PTPI.

Lissa and Alex at the front desk of PTPI's World Headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri USA

Lissa and Alex at the front desk of PTPI's World Headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri USA

1. We know you’re on holiday break from school, so you didn’t come here to get out of class…  Why did you want to spend the day volunteering for PTPI?

Alex: I wanted to volunteer because it sounded like a fun thing to do, I wanted to help out, and also it was a way to have fun with my friend.  We were so relieved to know we didn’t have to miss class to volunteer.  :D

Lissa: I volunteered because PTPI was so much fun so I thought if I got to work at the headquarters, it would also be fun!  (And I was right!)

2. Well, you were a great help.  Would you come back?

Alex: YES!

Lissa: Totally!  It was great to see the headquarters and help out where I could.

3. You both attended the Global Youth Forum (GYF) in Washington, D.C. last month.  What was your favorite part of the GYF?

Alex: My favorite part was probably just meeting all the great people who were all interested in the environment.  I met a lot of interesting personalities and made some great friends.

Lissa: My favorite part was meeting all of the people!  I made so many friends from all over the world.  I will never forget them!  We are like family.