YTNF has reached its half-way stage - phew!

An appropriate time to pause for breath, evaluate what has happened (which is what the Steering Group will do at its upcoming meeting in Ukraine) and hopefully execute a good strategy and decisions for the remaining period.

Looking at the world around us, I have been struck in recent months by how little we come across the word "solidarity" in our media anymore. Instead, the focus is almost entirely on individual gain, making private profit & maximising the expolitation of human and natural resources in order to achieve that aim. What is more, governments and multis seem to be working hand-in-hand on this, disguised under the name "globalisation". Above all, energy companies and the arms industry would seem to be the main profiteurs from such policies.

Long gone are the days when society as a whole was a caring one - looking after those in need or less advantaged than others Instead - when there is a complete absence of positive visions for the future (apart from making money) - each & every person is left on their own to find their own way of "escape", which would partly explain the increasing clamouring towards different extremist religions or religious sects promising high morals & a good conscience, community singing and protection from all evils of this life...

Fortunately, or unfortunately, voluntary service does not offer any such simple solutions to the world's problems. On the contrary, it demands of each & every volunteer a good deal of self-sacrifice, hard work and personal commitment, with no financial reward. Voluntary organisations themselves are not listed on Wall Street and therefore are not profiting at all from the current boom on the financial markets. As yet, few of those financial riches have trickeled down to those desperately in need, but instead probably been spent on yachts, rolex wrist-watches, holidays and other luxury items.

What voluntary service can offer, however, is a feeling of belonging to a movement which has not forgotten the words solidarity, peace or social justice, but which is working on a day-to-day basis to create an alternative, and hopefully better, world than the one we are currently experiencing. One which ackknowledges the human rights of both individuals and minorities, one which believes in solving conflicts by non-violent means, and one which believes that peace comes first and foremost through social justice, fair trade and a more equal distribution of the world's wealth and natural resources. One which allows each & every individual to contribute to society, empowers young people and allows them to develop their skills & aspirations by both words and concrete deeds.

Last not least, voluntary service is also fun! It is about understanding different cultures and learning from them, whether it be a complex theory, a simple dance or a new cooking recipe. There is a growing feeling that we can only solve all our problems - wars, climate change, social deprivation, hunger, disease - when we all learn to work together and share our experiences. This, indeed, is what the YTNF is all about. You are welcome to join - at least for the next 18 months, & beyond!

Amities,

John Myers

Senior Manager