Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Welcome and See You in Bandung

The organizing committee is very glad to welcome and let you know that now we already have representatives from 15 countries that have been accepted as participants of International Youth Forum 2008, they are coming from:

  1. Afghanistan
  2. Burma
  3. India
  4. Indonesia
  5. Iran
  6. Kenya
  7. Kyrgyzstan
  8. Malaysia
  9. Nepal
  10. Nigeria
  11. Pakistan
  12. Philippines
  13. Rwanda
  14. Singapore
  15. Ukraine

The selection team is working hard on selecting the young fellow and make sure they are inspiring and really has doing things in their community. On the coming days, we will have more lists of participants from around the world that will be joining and coming to IYF 2008.

At Glance, Youth on Peace and MDGs

Here is wonderful work that has been going on around the world on these issues - and we want you to be as well before you get to Bandung. So please, read the following:

• The Casablanca Declaration - http://www.peacechild.org/www/pci/downloads/casablanca_declaration.pdf


• UN MDG Campaign - http://endpoverty2015.org/

• MDG Youth White Paper - http://www.takingitglobal.org/themes/mdg/youthinpolicy.html

• TIG / GYAN National campaign Toolkit - www.youthlink.org/gyanv3/home.html


• Rough Guide to a Better Planet - www.dfid.gov.uk/pubs/files/rough-guide/better-world.pdf


Millennium Development Goals
( http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals )

In September 2000, the United Nations held a ground-baking event. Together in New York, the presidents, prime ministers and royalty of the world’s 191 countries, pledged to achieve significant progress around eight major propriety areas by the year 2015. These „Millennium Development Goals” tackle many of the world’s most pressing challenges, and provide an ambitious framework through which many countries are now approaching development.

The Millennium Goals(MDGs) are to:

• Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
• Improve maternal health
• Achieve universal primary education
• Combat HIV/Aids, malaria and other issues
• Promote gender equality and empower women
• Ensure environmental sustainability
• Reduce child morality
• Develop a global partnership for development

Youth have too often been seen as a burden rather than an asset, a group to be taught but not to teach, and to receive not to give. Young people are in fact an ever-growing demographic force: half of the world’s populations under 25 who are disproportionately affected by major global issues. Young people must be actively involved in the effort to continually monitor and measure work towards attainment of the MDGs

.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Youth on Peace and MDGs

Here is wonderful work that has been going on around the world on these issues - and we want you to be as well before you get to Bandung. So please, read the following:

• The Casablanca Declaration - http://www.peacechild.org/www/pci/downloads/casablanca_declaration.pdf

• UN MDG Campaign - http://endpoverty2015.org/

• MDG Youth White Paper - http://www.takingitglobal.org/themes/mdg/youthinpolicy.html

• TIG / GYAN National campaign Toolkit - www.youthlink.org/gyanv3/home.html

• Rough Guide to a Better Planet - www.dfid.gov.uk/pubs/files/rough-guide/better-world.pdf

Millennium Development Goals
( http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals )

In September 2000, the United Nations held a ground-baking event. Together in New York, the presidents, prime ministers and royalty of the world’s 191 countries, pledged to achieve significant progress around eight major propriety areas by the year 2015. These „Millennium Development Goals” tackle many of the world’s most pressing challenges, and provide an ambitious framework through which many countries are now approaching development.

The Millennium Goals(MDGs) are to:

• Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
• Improve maternal health
• Achieve universal primary education
• Combat HIV/Aids, malaria and other issues
• Promote gender equality and empower women
• Ensure environmental sustainability
• Reduce child morality
• Develop a global partnership for development

Youth have too often been seen as a burden rather than an asset, a group to be taught but not to teach, and to receive not to give. Young people are in fact an ever-growing demographic force: half of the world’s populations under 25 who are disproportionately affected by major global issues. Young people must be actively involved in the effort to continually monitor and measure work towards attainment of the MDGs

Contact Us

IYF 2008 Organizing Committee Secretariat


Address: JL. Salak No.35A, Guntur Jakarta Selatan Indonesia 12980
Phone/Fax: (+62-21)8294734
Email: bandungforum@gmail.com


Official website: http://iyf.psap.or.id/

Official blog: http://iyf2008.blogspot.com

How to Fundrise

A Fund Rising Plan for You

As we have said the only sure way of getting to Bandung is if you raise the money yourselves. Try to make a plan of how to raise effective and in time this money!

1. Make Your Plan. Make a Contact chart or web. First list all the people you, your parents, extended family, friends, schoolteachers and others know who could help you. Put them at the heart of the web. Talk to them and ask them who they know – people in businesses, government, service groups, religious leaders. Remember: people generally give money to people not causes so a personal approach is far more likely to be successful than a letter to someone you have never met. Use the chart to list all the people you have approached along with the date you sent the letter, made the call, had the meeting and the day they replied, or the date when they said to call back. The following is a list of some areas you should explore:

2. Your National Airline. Contact your national airline. Ask to speak to the Head of Public Relations or Corporate Affairs. Show them the letter from the Forum organisers and explain that if they help you, they will get a credit at the Forum. See which is the nearest place they can fly you to through their network. (Many National Airlines do not fly to Jakarta – however if they fly to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or any Southeast Asia Capital, that’s a great start). If they are not prepared to give you a ticket, ask for the biggest discount they can give you.

3. Your Family. the closest source of money. Involve grandparents, uncles, cousins in your chart and your plan.

4. Local Corporations. Many corporations have community funds to support young people. Talk to the Head of Community/Corporate Affairs and explain what you are doing.

5. Embassies and UN Agencies. In developing countries, many embassies and UN agencies have discretionary funds that they can spend on your participation in events like these. The Ford foundation is also worth approaching.

6. Government Ministries. Try to approach the Ministry of Environment/ Youth Ministry or see if there are any Government scholarship programmes. All Governments were sent letters inviting them to support this event.

7. Individual wealthy people. If you or your family don’t know any – see if you can do some research and find out which people support local charity events. Look at concert programmes, or other charitable events and see who are the local donors. Find out what their interests are, what they support, where they are from and write a careful, enthusiastic letter saying what you want to do.

8. Churches, mosques, synagogues, temples: Talk to them and see if they can get involved in some way. Sometimes they will let you make an appeal to the community.

9. School, college, scout troops. See if they can help. Arrange a car wash, bake sale, sponsored walk or bike ride. Arrange a party or event and charge people. Ask for support from local discos at the university, college professors, holds a university rally. Be inventive!

10. The public campaign: See if you can get to your local newspaper and ask them to do an article about yourself in the local newspaper. This will help, because if you are doing a sponsored walk or whatever, it will get more publicity for you and more people might sponsor you.

11. Working Together. In many cases, you will not be the only participant from your country. Find out who the others are and work together. You will have more success and be able to reach more people. (To find out who else is coming from your country, check out the delegates profiles.)

How are you going to promote yourself?

You should work out a really good letter. Don’t be too stiff and formal – make it really personal, so that people get a sense of who you are, what you have done, what your interests are and why you feel it is important to attend this Forum. Ask a friend to look through the letter and give their honest opinion. Be prepared to write many letters!

Think about your presentation: If someone wants to meet with you to discuss this, plan what you are going to say and how you will come across. Draw on your past achievements – put together a folder of photographs of what you have done.

Fund Raising can be hard and depressing. It’s hard being rejected – but don’t give up!

source: www.scotland2005.com

Indonesia Visa Information

We are naturally informing the Indonesia Consulates in all your countries about the Forum event but there are certain things that you can do to ease the acceptance of your visa application:
Plan ahead: get your visa application form along with your letter of invitation in as early as possible. In some cases it can take up to 6 weeks to get a Visa interview.
Assemble the evidence: you have to prove to the consular officer why you will definitely be returning to your country. You should write down all the reasons for example job/university; family ties, bank account etc and have documents to back up your evidence e.g. letters from your employer, bank statements.
Raise the fee: A Indonesia Entry visa will cost you about US$ 45 in your local currency equivalent.
Provide a Passport size photographs of yourself.
Complete the application form:General requirements for Visit Visa.
- Passport must be valid at least 6 months at the date of entry into Indonesia.

- For the Multiple Entries, the passport must be valid at least 1 year.
- Passport contains at least one blank visa page. Amendment and endorsement pages
- cannot be used for visa purposes.
- Application form (in duplicate) must be completed and signed by the applicant. The
- application form could be downloaded from the website.
- Two recent color photographs (passport size) on picture-quality paper.

All travelers to Indonesia must be in possession of passport valid for at least six months from date of arrival and have proof (tickets) of onward or return passage.

This section seeks to provide you with all the relevant information and procedures regarding the different types of visas issue by the Consulate for those who wish to visit Indonesia. Therefore, it is advisable to surf through Procedures and Applications as the first step.
In conjunction with Decision No.18/2003 signed by the President of the Republic of Indonesia with regard to the new visa policy, from the 1st September 2003, there will be a change of regulation on the Visa-Free Short Visit to Indonesia for Tourism.

Source : · http://www.kjridubai.ae/visa.htm (AE)

There are nationals of 11 countries who are entitled to visit Indonesia without a visa. On the other hand, there are nationals of 19 countries who will need an approval from Immigration Authorities in Indonesia, for any type of visa, before entering Indonesia. Information on the said countries and entry requirements can be seen at either the Visa free short-visit or Various visas issued on Approval. For Journalist visas, applicants will have to contact and apply through the Information Department of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia.

General visa enquiries may also be obtained either in person at the Visa Section (Indonesian Consulate General, Al Hudaiba Community 322 Villa No. 1) or by post to PO Box 73759 - Dubai (please enclose a Self Address Envelope and contact number).

Visa Procedures

1. Applicants must hold a full passport which must be submitted upon request for

inspection when applying for a visa.
2. Passport must be valid for at least 6 (six) months from date of entry into Indonesia.
3. Non-passport documents (such as Travel Documents, Certificate of Identity,

Certificate of Registration etc.) will not be accepted.
4. Applicants should fill in the correct visa forms according to the purpose of their visit,

as once a visa is issued (stamped in the applicant passport), it cannot be cancelled

or transferred to another type of visa under any circumstances.
5. Please write clearly in capital letters. Illegibility may prevent your application from

being processed.
6. All questions must be answered, and all documents in support of an application

submitted. Failure to do so may result in delay.
7. Application forms must be original and personally signed by the applicant. Forms

down loaded from the Consulate website must be printed double-sided as only a

double-sided completed application is accepted.
8. One recent passport-sized color photograph of the applicant must be submitted with

the application.
9. All applications are subject to approval. Submission of a visa application does not

necessarily mean that a visa will be granted.
10.Applicants whose applications need referral to the Authorities in Indonesia should

NOT purchase their travel tickets (plane, boat or otherwise) before the approval for

their visa application is received.
11.All visa applications must be submitted between 10.00am and 1.00pm, Saturday to

Wednesday (except on Indonesian and UAE public holidays) through the Visa Section

of the Indonesian Consulate General in Dubai.
12.If granted, visa can be collected within two to three working days, between 10.00

am and 01.00pm.
13.The granting of a visa is, in effect, only a form of pre-entry clearance. It does not

grant permission to enter Indonesia. The Indonesian Immigration authorities at the

port of entry reserve the right to refuse entry into Indonesia.
14.All applicants must reside in United Arab Emirates.
15.All visa regulations are strictly adhered to for the good of each and every individual

who wishes to visit Indonesia, in order to prevent any problems and complications

with regard to their entry into Indonesia.
16.Due to the fact that Indonesia and Israel do not, at present, share diplomatic

relations, nationals and passport holders of Israel are unfortunately unable to enter

the Republic of Indonesia as a tourist or otherwise without special authorization

from the Immigration Office. Therefore, all such applications have to be sent to the

Immigration Office in Indonesia.
17.All visitors, regardless of their nationality, who wish to travel to Aceh and Irian Jaya

must obtain a special permit from the Indonesian Immigration Office, and also the

State Police Department in the Capital city of Jakarta before entering these areas.
18.It is most desirous that any traveler to Indonesia understands and duly respects the

Indonesian Immigration regulations as well as the Consulate rules.


Visa free short visit for tourists
(As from 1st February 2004)

In conjunction with the Presidential Decision No. 103/2003, signed by the President of the Republic of Indonesia on 17th December 2003 regarding the new visa policy, from the 1st February 2004, the following countries do not require a visa to enter Indonesia for a Tourist visit of up to 30 (thirty) days:



1. Brunei Darussalam
2. Chile
3. Hong Kong SAR
4. Macao SAR
5. Malaysia
6. Morocco
7. Peru
8. Philippines
9. Singapore
10. Thailand
11. Vietnam




Please be advised that Visa-Free Short Visits may only be extended upon approval from the Minister of Justice and Human Rights/Director General of Immigration of the Republic of Indonesia based on natural disaster, illness or accident, but cannot be transferred to another type of visa. Overstay visitors incur to pay a penalty of US$20.- per day (for under 60 days stay) whilst over 60 days stay will be a 5 (five) year prison sentence or pay a fine.

Short vist tourist visa issued on arrival
(As from 6th June 2006)

In conjunction with the Presidential Decision No. 103/2003, signed by the President of the Republic of Indonesia on 17th December 2003 regarding the new visa policy, the Indonesian Minister of Justice and Human Rights has issued and signed a new decree no.M-06.IZ.01signed on 6 June 2006 as amendment of previous decree No. M-04.IZ.01.10 2003 that starting from the 6 June 2006, Nationals of the following 51 (fifty one) countries and 1 (one) territory can apply for their tourist visa upon arrival at certain Airports/Seaports in Indonesia for a maximum visit of 30 (thirty) days :


1. Argentine

2. Australia

3. Austria

4. Bahrain

5. Belgium

6. Brazil

7. Bulgaria

8. Cambodia

9. Canada

10. China

11. Cyprus

12. Denmark

13. Egypt

14. Estonia

15. Finland

16. France

17. Germany

18. Greece

19. Hungary

20. Iceland

21. India

22. Italy

23. Iran

24. Ireland

25. Japan

26. Kuwait

27. Lao Republic

28. Liechtenstein

29. Luxembourg

30. Maldives

31. Malta

32. Mexico

33. Monaco

34. New Zealand

35. Norway

36. Poland

37. Russia

38. Saudi Arabia

39. South Africa

40. South Korea

41. Spain

42. Suriname

43. Sweden

44. Switzerland

45. Taiwan Territory

46. The Netherlands

47. United Arab Emirates

48. United Kingdom

49. USA

50. Portugal

51. Oman

52. Qatar




Please be advised that Visa-Free Short Visits may only be extended upon approval from the Minister of Justice and Human Rights/Director General of Immigration of the Republic of Indonesia based on natural disaster, illness or accident, but cannot be transferred to another type of visa.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR VISA ON ARRIVAL (VOA)
1. Passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 (six) months as from the date of entry

into Indonesia.
2. Onward or return tickets are compulsory
3. No compulsory vaccinations
4. Visitors must enter through the following airports and seaports in Indonesia. There

are 7 (seven) Airports and 13 (thirteen) seaports across Indonesia that has the VOA

facilities:

For this case you just need here
Airports
1. Soekarno Hatta in Jakarta (Capital of Indonesia)

Tourist Visa

1. Nationals of countries not included in the list of the 11 countries that are eligible for

Visa-Free visits must have a visa to enter Indonesia and should submit their

application accordingly.
2. National of certain countries can either get a Visa on Arrival (VOA) upon arrival in

Indonesia, which length of stay may not exceed 30 (thirty) days and cannot be

extended / transfer, or apply at the Indonesian Embassy to stay longer than thirty

days.
3. Visa issued at the Embassy has a maximum length of stay is 60 (sixty) days, and

cannot be extended / transfer.
4. Tourist visa application from certain nationals would need to be referred to the

Immigration Office in Indonesia (see various visas issued on Approval). This process

can take up to two months before a decision is made and the visa is granted.
5. Type of entry : Single Entry only.
6. To return the passport by post, a Self-Addressed Special Delivery Envelope should be

provided.
7. Visa is issued within five to six working days from receipt of application.

Required documents which should be submitted are as follow :
· Passport (with a minimum validity of 6 months from the date of entry into Indonesia)

with blank pages to affix the visa sticker
· One completed visa application form
· One coloured passport size photograph
. Valid and confirmed ticket to travel to Indonesia
· Must be UAE Resident (with at least one month exceeding the validity of the

requested visa)
· Travel itinerary (proof of booking), including details of onward or return journey
· Hotel Reservation (if applicable)
· A recent letter (less than 1 month old) from applicant's employer. If self employed, a
confirmation letter from applicant's solicitor, or accountant, or Bank Manager. For a

student, submit confirmation letter of attendance from school, college or university.

All of the above type of letters must certify the applicant's obligation to return after

the visit to Indonesia
· Written approval from the Immigration Office in Indonesia (only for applications that

need referral to the Authorities in Indonesia ; See various visas issued on Approval)

Various Visas issued on Approval (for specific countries)

All visa applications for Business, Tourist and Social Visits from nationals of the following countries need an approval from Immigration Office in Indonesia before traveling.



1. AFGHANISTAN
2. ALBANIA
3. ANGOLA
4. BANGLADESH
5. CAMEROON
6. CUBA
7. ETHIOPIA
8. GHANA
9. IRAQ
10. ISRAEL
11. NIGERIA
12. NORTH KOREA
13. PAKISTAN
14. SOMALIA
15. SRI LANKA
16. TANZANIA
17. TONGA



The requirements vary depending on the propose visit to Indonesia. Therefore, applicants should refer to the type of visa that suits the purpose of their visit and add the following :
· Allow four to six weeks before the Consulate receives the decision of the referral

application

from the authorities in Indonesia.
· DO NOT purchase any airline tickets before the visa is granted.
· Visa is issued within five to six working days from receipt of application provided all

documents are in order.
. Yellow fever certificate for African nationals.


Jakarta Arrivals
If you did not obtain a visa before coming to Indonesia, keep an eye out for the visa counters, which are located near the arrival gates. Visitors from 36 nations, which includes the U.S., EU and GCC countries, can get a visa on arrival. The visa needs to be purchased before going through immigration. You do not need to complete any forms or submit photographs to apply for the visa on arrival. The costs are US$10 for a 7-day stay and $25 for a 30-day visa. Do not get in line at immigration until you have your visa.
At the immigration counter, submit your passport with visa and the completed immigration form. Immigration will return the passport with the departure segment of the immigration form inside. Be sure to keep the departure card with your passport, since you will need to submit it when you leave.
Once you've passed through immigration, you can collect your bags and proceed through customs. Give your completed customs form to the customs officer, and you'll be asked to pass your carry-on bags through the scanners.

For more information, guidance and an application form for a visa:

· http://www.kjridubai.ae/visa.htm (AE)

http://www.embassyofindonesia.org/consular/consularfront.php (USA)
http://www.indonesia-frankfurt.de/en/(Germany)
http://www.indonesianembassy.org.nz (New Zealand)
http://www.indonesianembassy.org.uk/consular_visa.html (UK)

Please click here for information on the address of Indonesian Consular Office and the Foreign Consular Offices in Indonesia

What is IYF?

International Youth Forum

The Role of Youth; Action on Millennium Development Goals toward a Peaceful World

June 23rd-30th, 2008 - Bandung, Indonesia


International Youth Forum 2008 is a forum for youths to learn, share and experience mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation among world youth faiths leader communities through real conversations on what things that matter the most, so that they can be the agents of a peaceful change in their own communities. The IYF 2008 will bring about 300 young people ages of 18-30 from around the world that have been actively engaged or interested in this program.

Program's Goal:

· To promote mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation among interfaith, international, and inter-civilization youth leaders in the world.

· To bring clarity of divisive issues and help forge greater understanding towards peace.

· To build a peace network

· To provide creative space for peace thoughts, interactions, and social movement.

· To build a Global Youth Action Plan and recommendation on achieving MDGs 2015

Program Format:

This program will offer a mixing speakers to share their own experiences of peace-building toward MDGs and youth empowerment issue, country paper sessions, inner reflection and sharing in which individuals can share their peace-building stories, panel-discussions, quiet time, world cafe, dialogue, field practice, social workshops involving the local communities, free time, workshop on practical exercises for skill improvement, cultural event, and family groups.

You're Invited!

Every student, young people or NGO member from around the world can participate to IYF2008, with the condition of having age between 18 – 30 years old on June 23, 2008