AYF-News> 2004 JVE General Assembly: First Report

[sena Alouka <alouka_josue@xxxxxxxx>]

Dear friends,

Iam very happy to inform you that our General Assembly
was a success based on the diversity of participants
but also the richness of the presentations and the
productive outcome of the workshops.

As the french report, more detailed will follow, bear
with me, the mistakes in the short report iam sending
you(The general report in french is been done by done
AKOUTOR Yawo and the President of JVE Tohoun). 
I have just written all this in the cybercafe. 

Thanks for all your support and hope to read you soon

----
Ordinary General Assembly of JVE 2004
Executive Summary

The General Assembly is chaired by Eudoxie Theophane,
TV Journalist and Sena Adessou, Program Officer.

We were privileged to have during the opening
ceremony, the Director of Environment, the Director of
Youth and Sports, the Representative of the Minister
of Culture, the Mayor of Lomé, and hundreds of
sympathisers as well as branch delegates.

You can imagine our joy to meet for the first time,
branch directors with whom we have been partnering
since 2 years, but only through telephone. It was
exciting to see JVE members from Cinkasse, the
northern boarder city of Togo, as well as Dapaong,
Bassar, Tandjoaré, Vogan, Mango, Sotouboua, Anie,
Tohoun, Hiheatro, Danyi, Notse, Aneho to name just a
few and a dozen of partner organisation all over the
country. At least 20 branches were represented. It was
more interesting to see young school girls from so
far. Most of the delegation were made up of a teacher
and two youth, mostly member of the local branch
committee. 

Unsurprising but fascinating was the presence of
delegates from JVE Benin, JVE Nigeria, JVE Ghana. Most
of them were so friendly that national members asked
if they were in the group since its inception. Other
international delegates came from France and Burkina
Faso. Refreshing also was the attendance of our host
families, friends and Members of Honour.

Every one agreed that this was the best event we have
ever organised as to the participation of the media.
At least 20 various media stations were present. The
pictures that are below clearly demonstrate that.

The opening ceremony was very appropriate for us to
launch PACHAMAMA, the environmental education guide,
provided by UNEP. The launching speech was delivered
by the Director of Environment. He emphasized in his
address on the importance of early warning and
information in order to either prevent of reduce
possible disasters. 

He started by saying '...if the population of Sri
Lanka was given a clear warning message a day before
the tsunami arose on the 26th dec, the casualties
would surely have been far less'. Also if all reacted
promptly as they noticed a possible danger coming from
the sea, thousands of lives would also have certainly
been spared.
Hence, the need of precautionary approach in all our
dealings with the environment. Why, environmental
education is very important. Quoting Klaus Toepfer, he
said :'Adults have acted irresponsibly in caring for
the environment. But young people are enthusiastically
dedicated to their future - a future where Mother
Earth is healty and where people work together to
solve our current problems'. After explaining that
Pachamama is very fitted as educationnal tool for the
'Ecology Conscience' program that JVE has been
implementing since three years. He expressed his
gratitude for UNEP for this precious gem been given to
our youth. He promised that his department will
provide the necessary support for a good use of this
material nationwide. On behalf of the Minister of
Environment he then declared officially launched
Pachamama and opened the General Assembly of the
visible biggest youth organisation in Togo.

The delegate of JVE College Protestant (a secondary
school) made a good impression on attendants during
the opening ceremony. In fact, Mireille DOUTI, the
information officer gave an appealing speech wherein
she called upon every individual to start  a
sustainable way of life. She, first of all,
highlighted the inefficiency of political strategies
in caring for the environment. Naming historical
tragedies she stressed on the importance of an urgent
action to save our fragile planet.

Before her, Basile ATTIKPA, the account commissioner,
on behalf of the Board of Directors, presented a short
report on the activities of the organisation since
inception , only three years ago: 

+800 members
+150 sympathisers
30 local branches
3 international branches (2 new in progress)
10 various projects 
15 international conferences
Almost every national workshop related to development

A memorable time during his presentation was when he
asked every branch delegates to stand up while a rain
of applauses were given. He thanked every good will
without whom JVE will surely have not survived the
test of time, lack of resource, lack of competence and
personal conflicts. 'Expatriate volunteers as well as
national benevolents all deserve our gratitude', he
said, after he named all the past (+/-30) volunteers.

The speech of the Director of Youth insisted on the
importance of youth engagement in development issues.
He said the input of the Young Volunteers for the
Environment is a landmark in Togo history and this is
demonstrated by the wonderful participation to the
General Assembly.

The Mayor welcome all the audience to his beautiful
city of Lome currently suffering from many ecological
problems. He expressed his wish for a good success of
the Assembly. 

The Executive Director, forgot no problem of the
current world in his powerful address, that impressed
all the participants. 'We are outraged', he started.
Recalling the tragedy (explosion) of the pesticide
industrial plant of Union Carbide in Bhopal (dec
1984), India, he expressed his feelings regarding the
lethargy that most of the authorities are displaying
nowadays. 'Otherwise, why can you explain that victims
of that tragedy that killed hundreds of innocents has
never been recognised by Union Carbide and survivors
are left to their lot without any medical support nor
financial resource.' He called upon government to stop
the unjust world system powered by the World Trade
Organisation. M ALOUKA also shared his personal
experience within the organisation since its
beginning. Whereas he needed back in 2001 to ask for a
seat in national workshops today, JVE is today
officially invited to all environmental events and is
even an expert and consultant for the Ministery of
Environment on biotechnology and communication issues.
His best moment in the organisation so far, he said, 
was 'when with support from expatriate volunteers and
Rotary club USA, JVE enabled the rural village of
Danyi Ndigbe to drink potable water, again after years
of water shortage.' Seeing populations happy and
excited  as water flows through their water pumps was
an unforgettable day, for him and his colleagues'.
Also, reading from volunteers how their stay in Togo
chaged their lives is undescriptible. While grateful
for the valuable input of expatriate volunteers (such
Sibylle, Julie, Becky, Steve, Julia, Britt,Eeva
...sorry not to mention all...) he expressed his
greatest thanks to those who helped in the begining of
the initiative (Kudjo, Adeline, Laura Mable, Mathias,
Isaie, Parfait...). 'My best source of inspiration, is
after my personal religious beliefs, my mother', he
said. All the house applaused for her and for all
mothers who gently nurtured all those who turned to be
volunteers. He ended by saying that he believes in a
better tomorrow and invited every good will to
continue supporting the organisation, should
opportunity comes their way.

In the evening, very interesting communications were
presented on 
1- the state of the planet and ecological issues in
Togo, by the Direction of Environment
2- Globalisation and its effect on youth and Africa,
by JVE Benin, and Emilie, President of an NGO in Benin
that manage more than 3000 women and Euloge of AJAD
Benin.
3- Climate Change, by Professor AJAVON, president of
the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
4- The Creation and Management of Local branches , by
Felix Agbozo and ABalo Marc
5- Sustainable Development 
6- Can GMOs solve the Hunder problem in Africa, by
Sena ALOUKA, consultant on the project biotechnology

The morning of the 29th December 2004 was very
interesting as JVE adopted a common position,
presented by Azel Adedzi that contained about 20
points on various hot ecological issues in the world
and Togo. Interestingly, JVE now clearly express its
desire for a precautionaly approach as far modern
biotechnology is concerned. The paper while not
condemning traditional biotechnology, vividly states
that GMO will not solve on their own, famine in
Africa.

The main moment in the day was the presentation of the
General Report of JVE for 2003 & 2004. The Director
gave details on the four main program that were
implemented the last two years:
1- biodiversity conservation and access to natural
resources (GMO campaing, water projects, land
issues,reforestation, Project WET...)
2-environmental education (TV and Radio program,
monthly newsletter (enjeu), press release,
international days, ecology and conscience project...)
3-youth development and volunteering (summer youth
camps, exchange programs, partnership with LSU (sweden
youth organisation network)...)
4- capacity building (participation in meetings and
workshops, legal upbuiding, Organisational
Development...)

In the whole, the participants appreciated the report
and asked many questions that shed light on specific
aspect of the activities, mainly funding issues.

The financial report, presented by M Isaie, General
Treasurer and partially confirmed by M ATIKPA, account
commissioner provoked a very interesting debate in the
hall as everyone was interested in a better
transparency and more proactiveness in mobilising
resource. While the organisation roughly used an
amount of 72.727,00 USD in 2003 and 2004 (air tickets
comprised), JVE currently has in account 1685 USD with
a negative debt of 2500 USD. While many wished the
financial report were more elaborated, the general
feeling was that the organisation is in dire need of
funds and needs more competent human resource to care
for its Treasury. Important to note, the Treasurer
thanked every generous donator especially Florence
Moreira, Sibylle Studer, Eeva Sederholm, Aluka Inno,
Aluka Leon, Aluka Anani, Eklou Toussaint, Julia
Schmid, Kudjo Akpawu, Julie Millet, Project WET, UN,
ABN, Francophonie, ILC, Earth Day Network, LSU and all
past volunteers of the Executive Staff who used their
own resource to  care for the day to day activities. A
special thank was also given to all those who work
hard in the shadow for the good of the organisation.

In the afternoon, various workshops were formed and
these came back in the plenary session with
interesting propositions on
- how to maximize the input of volunteers
- financial management
- summer youth camps
- the by-law (with a main change about international
representation)

Then, the 2005 action was unveiled with a great
importance granted to 
*Water projects, mainly Project WET (water education
for teachers), 
*and environmental education program (PAchamama, TV
weekly program, and the newsletter). 
*A special attention will be paid to the reinforcement
of our national branches and the legal upbuilding of
international representations. 
*The financial management also will be improved. In
this regard, it has been recommended to give in a more
constant way, some financial assistance to all those
dedicating their energy in working with the executive
staff. 

The support of you all is particularly welcome!!!

When night fell on the courtyard of the Minister of
Culture, everyone was very TENSE and stressed as that
was the time for elections.

This was a wonderful proof of the maturity of JVE. A
democratic vote then occured with serious and strict
elections with neutral electoral committee and
observers (AKAKPO, TVT Journalist, ALUKA, School
Headmaster and an NGO Director).

The new administrative face (board of directors) of
JVE goes hence onward like this:
1- AGBOZO Felix (JVE Amlame): President
2- ADEDZI Azel (member of the ex board): Secretary
General
3- ATTIKPA Basile (ex account commissionner):
Treasurer General
4- Ndoda Mama (JVE Tsiko): First Advisor (information
officer)
5- ABALO Marc (JVE Hiheatro): Second Advisor (projects
officer)

As you can notice, gender has been considered for once
in this commmitee. Though not enough, it is definitely
a start.

The new Account Commission (to check the exactitude of
the financial report of the Treasurer and report to
the Assembly) is composed of:
1-KOUGBENYA Mathias (JVE Lomé)
2-BEGUEDI (JVE Bassar)

So said, JVE has today a new face with new rules and
new dynamics that will undoubtedly give a new momentum
to this young but ambitious group.

Some issues are left undiscussed like the real status
of international representations. This will be
discussed later.

The audience was also privileged to receive messages
from all over the world namely from 
Laura and Adeline (US), Jing Dela Rosa (ILC, Italy),
Yonas and Million (ABN, Ethiopia), Sibylle, Kudjo and
Julia (Switzerland), Leopold (Ghana), West African
Youth Forum, Mame Sow (interested in creating  JVE
Guinea), Aluka Inno (Chicago), Florie (France), Carol
and Marion (UNEP, Kenya)...

The closing ceremony consisted of presentations of  
Attestations of Member of Honour (distinction
members)to 5 personalities who outstandingly assisted
the organisation the last 2 year
- GBADOE Kuessan (who played a central role in the
success in the the ecology and conscience program in
his school)
- Mama José (she supported the organisation by caring
for many of our volunteers)
- ADJAWLO Godfroy (Chief of the youth in Kpele Tsiko,
he proved to be a good support to the organisation
since inception. He facilitated every administrative
contact in his community)
- DJERI-ALLASSANI Bougonou (the Director of
Environment. He personnaly assisted the group many
times and was the only sponsor of the General
Assembly)
-Inno ALUKA (He personnaly sponsored the cultural
biodiversity week and has supported individuals of the
organisation since 2000.)

For your information, past Distinction Members are 
- AMOUSSOUVI Aimé (he provided all the electronic
equimpment)
-ALUKA Ananivi (he donated money and gave a two
computers)

The last ceremony was the presentation of Attestation
of Recognition to the ex-board members (Parfait,
Isaie, Mathias, Joyce, Azel). 

A certificate, a beautiful sculpture and the JVE
T-shirt were given to all these valuable
personalities.

You can easily imagine the feeling of satisfaction
that prevailed when the new President of JVE Agbozo
Felix, declared officially closed the 2004 General
Assembly of the Jeunes Volontaires pour
l'Environnment. Rendez-vous is given for Dec 2005.

Hope you will be there!!!


=====
Sena ALOUKA
Executive Director
Young Volunteers for the Environment
Tel: (+228) - 2200112 / 2200034 / 22064940
Fax: (+228) - 2514739
Box: 80470, Lome, Togo (W/Africa)
yvetogo@xxxxxxxxxxx
www.cooperationtogo.net/jve
http://theearthcenter.com/ff47spotlight.html
http://www.inmotionmagazine.com/global/jsa1.html
http://www.iucn.org/reuters/2002/winfrafricafr.htm



        
        
                
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