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Africa:World Bank Computer Game Encourages Youth to Tackle Social Problems
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- Category: Youth News
- Created on Sunday, 18 April 2010 00:00
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Africa:World Bank Computer Game Encourages Youth to Tackle Social Problems
Rachel Pollock
The World Bank has launched an online computer game called Evoke, which tackles world issues and urges young people to solve problems like poverty, disease, conflict, climate change, education, and healthcare.
On the launch of the game on 3 March 2010, over 4,000 players in more than 120 countries were pre-registered. According to the World Bank, the game is a simulation of real world scenarios, but top players have the opportunity to earn real world distinctions like honors and mentorships with business leaders and social innovators.
Bob Hawkins, who is the executive producer for the game, told MediaGlobal: "The various communities we have targeted--students, universities, young social entrepreneurs have responded very positively to the game thus far. The aim is to raise awareness of development challenges and seek to empower the players to identify issues that they are passionate about and think creatively about innovative solutions to those challenges -- collaborating and forming innovation networks with other players through the course of the game."
Currently, the game is being marketed to university students in South Africa through social media, various networks of universities, and non-profit organizations like Ashoka, International Youth Foundation and IEARN. The hope is that by enhancing knowledge of the world's youth in developing countries through an interactive program, there will be more of a global interest in humanitarian issues.
Credit: allafrica.com
No commentsCouncil reviews care of hanged girl Charlotte Avenall
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- Category: Youth News
- Created on Saturday, 10 April 2010 00:00
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Council reviews care of hanged girl Charlotte Avenall
A council is carrying out a serious case review into the care of an eight-year-old disabled girl found hanged.
Mother and stepfather Susan and Simon Moody were jailed for child neglect over the death of Charlotte Avenall of Mansfield, Notts, in September 2009.
The court heard social services had known Charlotte was vulnerable but had not made a follow-up appointment after a failed attempt to see her in August.
The county council said the aim of the review would be to find improvements.
'Revolting and squalid'
Chris Few, the independent chairman of the county's safeguarding children board, said: "Charlotte's death is a tragedy. No child should ever die in these circumstances.
 The conditions in which she [Charlotte] died were the most shocking I have ever had the misfortune to see in my career
Det Supt Adrian Pearson, Nottinghamshire Police
"The purpose of this review is to look at the way agencies worked together with Charlotte and her family to see what action should be taken to make improvements in the future.
"The public can be reassured that all agencies are working together to improve their services and ensure children in Nottinghamshire are as safe as they can be."
Charlotte's mother and stepfather were each given 12-month prison sentences at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday.
They had earlier admitted wilfully neglecting, abandoning or exposing Charlotte in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to her health, between 14 August and 12 September 2009.
The court was told that no-one except Charlotte had been into her bedroom at the family home in Moor Street for four weeks or longer.
Her bedroom had faeces smeared all over the walls and on the floor, bedding and soft toys.
Charlotte was locked in her "revolting and squalid" bedroom for 12 hours each night, the court was told.
Learning difficulties
She was so neglected by her 24-year-old mother and 32-year-old stepfather that police officers said they had never seen a room as filthy as her bedroom.
The youngster was forced to use her chest of drawers as a toilet.
Det Supt Adrian Pearson, head of Nottinghamshire Police's public protection unit, said: "The conditions in which she [Charlotte] died were the most shocking I have ever had the misfortune to see in my career."
The eight-year-old, who had severe learning difficulties, was found hanged from a cord tied to a window and then round a pink bunny soft toy.
Social services knew Charlotte was vulnerable and had visited the family's home in June last year.
But when social workers from Nottinghamshire County Council tried to visit in August there was no-one in.
The court heard that no follow-up appointment was made, despite the child's school raising concerns.
Charlotte's parents withdrew her from the school after staff reported she was regularly dirty and did not turn up with the right clothes for winter conditions.
It was also revealed social services were aware Charlotte was locked in her bedroom at night.
Officials had accepted the Moodys' explanation that she would sleepwalk and the door was only locked when they went to bed.
13 held after youth cup disorder
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- Category: Youth News
- Created on Saturday, 13 February 2010 18:11
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13 held after youth cup disorder
{sidebar id=11 align=right}Two men were injured and 13 were arrested following disorder that broke out after an FA Youth Cup match, police said.
The incident occurred in Birmingham after a football game between the Millwall and Aston Villa youth teams.
Two men were found with injuries after being attacked, West Midlands Police said.
One of the men, aged 41, suffered bruising, and the other, a 42-year-old man, suffered a cut to his head after being attacked with what officers believe was a bottle.
The attack was thought to be a racially aggravated assault, said police, who were called to Aston Lane at Wenlock Road, Aston, at about 8.30pm on Friday.
A short time later, officers stopped a private minibus in Witton Lane outside the Aston Villa coach park and 13 men aged between 20 and 40, all from the London area, were arrested in connection with the incident.
They are currently helping police with their inquiries.
Police are appealing for anyone who may have seen the attack or anyone who may have seen a minibus driving around the Aston area between 8pm and 9pm last night to contact them.
The minibus is described as a white Transit van with Premier Travel Services written on the side in blue lettering and dark tinted windows.
Credit: www. uk.news.yahoo.com
10-year-old Akai wins Sky1's Got To Dance
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- Category: Youth News
- Created on Monday, 15 February 2010 00:00
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10-year-old Akai wins Sky1's Got To Dance
Ten-year-old street dancer Akai Osei won Sky1's Got to Dance contest on Sunday night.
Akai, from Orpington, Kent, was crowned Britain's Best Dance Act and scooped a £100,000 cash prize.
After six acts performed in the main final, Akai was voted through to the top three alongside ballet dance group The Box and street dance troupe Jukebox Juniors.
All three acts then performed their routines from the semi-final stages of the competition to secure votes to determine the show's winner.
As host Davina McCall announced Akai had won, he said: "This is amazing! It's been the best night of my life."
Akai, who has only been dancing for a year, said he wanted to spend some of his prize money on a new mobile phone.
He added: "I also want to give money to charity."
Diversity, featuring the show's judge Ashley Banjo, also performed during the finale.
Source: Sky News, 15 February 2010
Children cite family conflict as main cause of unhappiness
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- Category: Youth News
- Created on Saturday, 06 February 2010 00:00
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Children cite family conflict as main cause of unhappiness
By Joe Lepper
Children & Young People Now
{sidebar id=10 align=right}Family conflict is the biggest factor in causing unhappiness among children, according to a survey by The Children's Society involving around 7,000 10- to 15-year-olds.
The charity asked children how different aspects of their life affected their happiness.
The survey found that seven per cent of children were significantly unhappy. Family arguments were the biggest determining factor, while the structure of families made a negligible impact on children’s sense of wellbeing.
Concerns about appearance were mentioned by 17.5 per cent of respondents and 16 per cent said they were unhappy because they did not feel confident. Children from African, Caribbean and Indian subcontinent family backgrounds were far happier with their appearance than white children.
One in 10 children surveyed said that the lack of freedom and choice in their life made them unhappy. Schoolwork made 12 per cent unhappy and where they live was a factor in unhappiness among 14 per cent of respondents.
Bob Reitemeier, chief executive of The Children's Society, said: "Family conflict emerges in this study as a major cause of childhood unhappiness. This report is a stark reminder that our actions as adults can have a profound impact on our children's wellbeing – and the importance of listening to what children are telling us."
Source: cypnow.co.uk