YIUE Participants
Armenia
1. Hamo Danielyan
Date of birth: 15.11.1984
Yerevan, Armenia
Hamo.Danielyan – at - gmail.com
Currently I am a PhD student in political science at Yerevan State University and in the center of my academic interest is democratization and developments in South Caucasus. My PhD research topic is “The influence of foreign actors on democratization of Armenia since 1991”. I am studying political science since 2000. Last year I also took a yearly postgraduate course of Caucasian Studies at Caucasian Media Institute, Yerevan.
In addition, I am an alumnus of Center of Leadership Development (CLD) which has a mission to develop a new generation of leaders. After completion of a course on Leadership, we organized a group of volunteers to share our knowledge and skills with the youth of Armenia’s regions. As a result we managed to complete a couple of 5-6 month length courses for students thus providing them powerful tool for solving independently part of the problems of their communities.
Since 2002 I am also a volunteer of Land and Culture Organization. This grassroots international organization has already implemented many projects for promoting development in Armenia rural communities.
Currently I am working in “Youth for Achievements” NGO and I am a colleague of Edgar Arakelyan, the other participant from Armenia. I am implementing a project aimed the promotion of dialogue among public decision makers and civic sector.
Though I don’t have a serious background in environmental organizations, my experience in different organizations proved me the importance of the issue. Particularly, the growing number of cars in the capital of Armenia in recent years has already brought some serious troubles for normal and secure functioning of the city. Though municipality has taken some important steps to solve such problems like traffic and pollution, I think that their effectiveness is quiet poor yet. This is the major reason why I want to participate in the event.
2. Edgar Arakelyan
Date of birth: (23 years old (17/04/1983)
e_arakelyan - at - yahoo.com
Yerevan, Armenia
I am very interested in Youth Exchange Program in Istanbul which will take place in Sept 2-8 organized by World Carfree Network.
I have graduated from the department of political science of Russian-Armenian State University (RAU) in 2004. During my studies I have had a success to combine my work and study. I have worked as a lecturer at the RAU, and as a translator of English language in the “Media-Group” local company, which deals with media monitoring and advertising. Now I am a third-year post-graduate student of the above-mentioned university.
Now I work in the Youth For Achievements (YFA) NGO as a Project Officer in “Youth Engaged in Society” project funded by Jinishyan Memorial Foundation and European Commission. My project is aimed at organizing and maintaining debates’ clubs in 80 Armenian secondary schools.
The participation in Youth Exchange Program will permit me to advance theoretical knowledge as well as practical skills concerning the youth participation and leadership, which will contribute considerably to my current job. The goal of the YES (Youth Engaged in Society) program is to build communication and analytical thinking skills and to shape leadership characteristics that will permit young Armenians to more actively participate, today and later in their adult lives, in the development of Armenian society. Thus, the program in Istanbul will serve a great opportunity for me to enhance my skills in that sphere.
In addition, I have a personal interest in communicating with young people from different countries and cultures and in establishing relationships for further cooperation.
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Bosnia-Herzegovina
1. Natasa Crnkovic
Date of birth – 02.12.1987
Banja Luka
Bosnia and Herzegovina
E-mail: natasa.crnkovic - at - czzs.org
Centre for Environment:
Phone: +387 51 433 140
Fax: +387 51 433 141
I am a member of NGO Centre for Environment from Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina. I am a member of this organization for five years. I’m studying Ecology and Environmental Protection on University of Banja Luka. I speak English fluently.
As problem of polluted air in urban areas are in increasing every day and knowing that car emissions are also responsible for that, my friend and I decide to organize a campaign about climate changes. Because of that I think that in my next contribution for our NGO as for environment, will be helpful. I was involved in few actions related to sustainable transport as an activist. Concerning that I have been experienced with youth exchange (France 2005, Ecotopia camp in Slovakia 2006, Greece 2006), that how I think my experience that I would like to share, plus will to learn more about this issues from other people and countries, will be useful for all.
2. Tihomir Dakic
Date of birth: 26.04.1980
Banja Luka
Bosnia and Herzegovina
E-mail: tihomir.dakic - at - czzs.org
Centre for Environment:
Phone: +387 51 433 140
Fax: +387 51 433 141
I am a member of NGO Centre for Environment from Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina. I am a member of this organization for six years. I am professor of Physical Education and Sport. I speak English and Italian fluently. In our Organization I’ve been involved in many actions as activist. In the year 2003 I have been involved in organization of Carfree Day. Next year 2004, I have organized Mobility Week also in Banja Luka. In the year of 2006 I have organized Bosnian part of Ecotopia Biketour.
As my country is one of the less rich in the region and that we are passing through transition, we are facing with a lot of developing problems. Living in the cities is no more nice and safe especially if you are disabled person, child or cyclist. I am everyday user of the bike in the city, and I feel many problems of the badly urban planning. There are a lot of problems that we are facing with and twice more obstacles to solve them. Some of the countries are more gone forward in some ideas and building urban areas. I didn’t have so much opportunity to learn from other people. I have some experience that I could share but for shore there are a lot of things that could learn and later use in my urban area.
In the next period I would like to engage myself more in the solving some of the problems in my urban region. I am hoping that I will like to get into the connection with other young people and that they will find some more information that they will be useful. I am highly interested in this exchange and to try to return cities to the people.
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Croatia
1. Marija Prsha
Zelena Akcija (Green Action)
marija_prsha - at - yahoo.com
Hello, My name is Marija Prša. I was born and live in Zagreb, Croatia. I am 21 years old and I am studying Mathematics at University of Zagreb. Along with my studies I like to read a lot of different literature, ride my bike and hang out with my friends, but a special part of my daily life is dedicated to my work as an activist in Green Action.
I became a member of this organisation four years ago while I was still a highschool attendant. The main reason I joined Green Action was my personal belief that certain things were not being done correctly and I wanted to take part in making it different and better. The concept of protecting and learning about our natural environment was as appealing as trying to make other people understand why it is important to take care of our planet.
Most of all I am intrigued in all the problems this modern city transport brings to our lives. In my opinion young educated people should be more included and willing to participate in organizing and designing our city lives and environment. Because of these personal aspirations of mine I really think I could learn a lot and perhaps give some examples and advices related to the situation in my own town and country. I would also like to mention my own experience in dealing with such issues. One of those is when I was taking part in planning and participating in our Car-free day when Green Action gathered a lot of people (especially younger ones) and sent a strong message about vehicle transport in the central part of the city of Zagreb. There have been many similar gatherings and actions where people who are interested in hearing such information could help and join us in trying to make a difference.
I am so into this travel because workshop brings together young people from different European countries and cultures and also provides opportunities for their mutual understanding and problem-solving work. I would like to visit local projects, listen other participants and experts and be a part of discussion and debates on such themes.
Seeing Istanbul and experiencing such an interesting and rich culture is a great thing for all of us but the main reason for trying to be a part of this group of people is the knowledge and information provided to us by ones who work on resolving the issues we all encounter in our daily lives. This knowledge will one day be a tremendous asset in Green Action and my personal life.
2. Full name: Bernard Ivcic
Date of birth: 22 January 1981
Organisation: Green Action – Friends of the Earth Croatia
Tel: ++385 1 4813 913
Fax: ++385 1 4813 096
e-mail: bero_za - at - zelena-akcija.hr
I have been volunteering in Green Action since year 2001 on several environmental issues such as GMOs, globalisation, illegal hunting, climate changes, energy efficiency and transport. In the 2002 I was co-ordinator of activist group in Green Action and the same year I was chosen to be “Activist of the year” of Green Action. For the last couple of years I have dedicate my activities almost entirely to transport problems of Zagreb and whole Croatia; promoting public transport and bicycle paths, lobbing to minimise or stop negative impact on the environment of transport infrastructure projects (if that impact had exist), destimulating construction of public garages in the centre of Zagreb... I have experience in organising the number of panel discussions, press conferences, protest actions and media work.
Considering that I have graduated on Faculty of transport and traffic engineering of University of Zagreb, from 1th January 2007 I became the co-ordinator of Green Action’s transport project. Except that, I’m a member of the new found Green Action’s Committee for urban planning (together with more than twenty architects, artists, sociologist, economists and transport experts), considering that urban planning has big influence on transport infrastructure which has major impact on stimulating or destimulating different types of transport modes.
For that reason, I’m very motivated to participate in this youth exchange so I could learn something from other people’s experience and use that knowledge in making Croatian transport policy more efficient and sustainable. For sure, my experience in activism and the education that I have will be useful for other participants in the youth exchange.
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Czech Republic
1. Justin Hyatt (exchange coordinator)
justin - at - worldcarfree.net
World Carfree Network
Kratka 26
100 00 Praha 10
Czech Republic
Tel/fax: +(420) 274-810-849
I am a US citizen, but I was raised in the south of Germany, and I graduated from university in Bulgaria. I have worked more than six years on environmental, social and transport issues in Budapest, Hungary - with Amnesty International, Indymedia, Hungarian Young Greens. Within the Hungarian Young Greens (ZöFi), a WCN member orgnanization, I established the transportation working group, which puts out a Hungarian language regional version of Carbusters magazine. In 2006 I wrote a guidebook on sustainable mobility for municipalities, which I delivered on a bicycle tour through Bulgaria and Turkey, where I met with the mayors and decision makers of towns that I travelled through. In June of 2007 I joined staff at the World Carfree Network, to work on Carbusters magazine, the YIUE exchange, as well as other tasks.
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2. Jan Valeska
valda09 - at - seznam.cz
I am Jan Valeška the 27 years old graduate student of the Social and Cultural Ecology at the Prague´s Charles University. As I am in the long term interested in the urban transport, and cycling advocacy issues and would like to gain more knowledge about the issue from other points of view, I´m looking forward to attend the Youth Inclusion in the Urban Environment in Istanbul. On the one hand I hope would be able to share my knowledge in the field of urban mobilitiy and transport demand management which is the main theme of my interest and which I have been studying extensively last few years and on the other hand I would like to learn the virtues advocacy, lobbying and campaining in the field of sustainable urban transportation from other participants.
At the moment I earn my living in an environmental NGO focused on the organic farming and envrionmental friendly lifestyle in the Czech republic and is involved in various projects promoting organic farming and sustainable way of living and as an occasional English translator. Simultaneously I´m preparing for a Ph.D. studies of Environmental Science at the Charles University in Prague. The research is to be oriented on urban mobility management its social, envrionmental, legislative and financial circumstances. Additionally I now and then help WCN translating their materials into Czech.
3. Bas Ruyters
date of birth: 15.7.81
bas - at - worldcarfree.net
I come from Belgium and started as an intern through the European Voluntary Service programme in January 2007. I studied social-cultural work and got interested in environmental and anti-racism issues. Earlier I was involved in audiovisual arts by making short films for school or leisure time activities. Now I am looking for a way to combine these artistic skills with an interesting subject, like the carfree movement. I've mainly been working on Carbusters magazine.
By the time of the conference I'll be working about 8 months for World Carfree Network as a volunteer. For me it will be a great experience to come out of the office and meet people that are interested in subjects we work on. I'd also like to participate to meet young people from over the world that have different experiences and can learn from each other. I'll be contributing by making a video about the conference.
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Hungary
1. Vera Szabadkai
Date of birth: 27.12.1977
szabadkaivera - at - gmail.com
I am a member of ZöFi, a Hungarian youth environmental organization, a member of the World Carfree Network. I am quite enthusiastic about working to create change in the (urban) environment in which we live. I am especially interested in transport issues, and I am a regular cyclist. One interesting project that I am engaged with is call "Women teach Women to repair bikes". This is a way for local women in Budapest to learn from other women how to take care of their bikes better, and to do so in an environment in which they feel more free and comfortable.
I look forward to meeting participants from other countries and to make it a real useful exchange.
2. István Koch
date of birth: 1982.09.30
istvan.koch -at- vista.hu
Spoken languages: Hungarian, English, German
Budapest, HUNGARY
I would like to join the YIUE because i had very good experience from the last year's exchange in Bogota, at the Car Free Cities conference and youth exchange.
On one hand, I'm a ZOFI member and would like to make a lot of useful connections with NGOs from different countries. These connections are often necessary to include in differnt international tenders from which we can get funding for our action, projects. On the other hand we can see a lot of diferent practices how we can have a voice in designing our urban environment.
The major field of my interest is related to my other experience: For me the
most important is culture and biking.
Since I live in Budapest I am used to riding my bike nearly every day. If I can I
choose every happening wich has something to do with biking in the city.
Beside my full time job I work often at the Boat A38, a concert hall
and cultural center. I've done this as "hobby" for more or less 3 years. In
2006, I also organized a one day festival for the Planet Foundation (an NGO
promoting international volunteering) about multicultural thinking.
In addition to these things, I really care for environmental improvement as well,
so I joined the NGO 'ZÖFI' (Hungarian Young Greens Association) where I
organize different actions - especially around the problems of urban traffic
and cycling - and try to promote sustainable development.
3. Ráhel Takáts
My name is Ráhel Takáts, I am a 24-year-old Hungarian female. At present I am a university student, I study International Relations. I am still an undergraduate because I spent two years in the UK from 2002-2004. I teach English for living, my hobbies are reading and tai-chi and anything you can do outside.
I heard about your youth exchange through my organization which is called Keret. We are situated in the Western part of Hungary, a middle-sized town called Gyor.
The title of your project-as well as the objective of the project- drew my attention in the first place. I am aware of the fact that the EU Youth Programme is partly around this topic (and we also organized workshops about Youth Involvment and Improvement of Cultre of Gyor and will do one in the near future on urban development), still I am very keen on knowing more about youth inclusion. The reason why is because in my opinion in Hungary these process is at an early stage, and young people do not have enough information about the opportunities out there , and they do not see the advantages the EU can offer. Moreover there is a generation that could have much better prospects if they were more alert of the changes this new world can bring. I think nowadays more and more people are working on sharing the information with others to make a difference in Hungary, but I think this huge amount of work is still not enough and I would be delighted if I got the opportunity to take part in such an event like yours.
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Italy
1. Emiliana Porto
date of birth: 05-03-1984
emilianaporto -at- hotmail.it
Naples
I'm a young volunteer working in Legambiente of Naples.I'm very interested in this exchange since i'm getting a degree in Engineery for Environment and Territory at the University of "Federico II" of Naples. I've passed some exams in economic and tecnique of transports.
Moreover I'm going to write a thesys about sustainable mobility,so this would be a fundamental experience in order to ameliorate my knowledge about the issue.
Thank you very much for giving me this great opportunity.
2. Roberta Lombardi
date of birth: 05/01/88
freerobby2000 - at - yahoo.it
via vittorio emanuele 5 Portici (NA)
I am a young student volunteering for Legambiente regional committee of Naples.
I was informed about this Youth exchange by Susanna Iraci,a member of our ngo and of one of your steeries. I am very interested in participating in Istanbul cultural exchange: i see it as a chance for personal growth and as an experience of cultural enrichment.
What i am most excited about is the possibility to directly experience the kind of urban activism i see in your projects, through integration of what is my own cultural experience with a more european atmosphere and with that of youngsters coming from different backgrounds. I believe that through this kind of meetings I might get a chance to acquire the right information to transfer to my own local context and that in this way i'll be able to give a more effective contribution to my community, which is deeply in need of such interventions.
I have followed the network's activities in the past months through Susanna and I strongly believe in your views and share your idea that lesser cars mean better cities. Cooperation of young minds may represent the only solution for a real change towards new strategies aimed at shaping a more environmental friendly and fair cultural behaviour. Hoping to see you in Istanbul, or maybe Portland next year,
3. Margherita Drago
date of birth: 27.07.1981
Villafranca, TO
e-mail: marghitx - at - libero.it
sending association: GIOSEF
I'm a 25 years old Italian student in Intercultural Communication with a strong interest in intercultural mediation, anthropology and social and environmental development.
I read about the exchange in Istanbul, Turkey and I find it very very interesting! I'm writing because I would like to participate in the exchange, come in touch with new people from different countries, share our point of views and grow in a deep understanding of our responsibility in the society where we all live in.
First of all I'm very interested in the issues that we will discuss during the exchange, due to my studies and the subjects I'm studying such as anthropology, social immigration and political development and cooperation. I'm writing my final dissertation about the meaning of citizenship, the social issues that are involved with it, touching the subjects of a new European consciousness, immigration and political refugees. I take in consideration rural environment and urban environment as examples of contrasts and different social development. I think a main issue for our societies is to promote social inclusion especially among young people. We need to go beyond cultural boundaries and personal and social prejudice.
I'm aware this kind of experiences that bring together people from different countries, cultures and environment widen everyone’s vision. Sharing our points of view and ideas could help us to personal participate and getting involved in carry out in concrete terms solutions about youth inclusion and a larger equality. Moreover, it means building a special sensibility about differences and tolerance.
I've always loved to travel and I did it since I was very young. Every single travel enrich myself in different ways, with new challenges and new friends. Lately I spent 6 months in Helsinki as an Erasmus student. It was a great geographical point to reach different parts of the world! In fact I went to Sweden, Denmark, Russia (Moscow and San Petersburg) and the northern part of Europe. Coming from Italy, it was interesting to experienced Scandinavian way of life, culture and social policy for young people. In the past years I also went to United States for 3 months. From there I travelled to South America (Panama, Argentina).
It will be an amazing experience come to Istanbul, first of all because of his amazing history and culture. Then from a political point of view the country is front line nowadays as a future European country.
I collaborate with an Italian association, GIOSEF, involved in different campaigns such as alldifferent allequal, and works for promoting mobility among young people in Europe. It helped me to getting involved in a deeper way in social issues and to acquire a greater awareness of our potential as a individual and as a group.
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Germany
1. Silvia Gonzales
Date of birth: 25 May 1980
silvia.gonzalez - at - greencity.de
My name is Silvia González Chico and come from Madrid, Spain. My date of
birth is the 25th Mai 1980. I have studied Environmental Sciences in Spain
but live for 4 years already in Munich, Germany.
Since 2004 I´m working at Green City, a local environmental
organisation. Ecological city planning, environmental-friendly mobility,
extensive citizane involvement and the accomplishment of Agenda 21 goals
are central elements of Green City. Other activities include: solar
panels on public buildings, improvement in bicycle mobility and
private/public transportation, pollution awareness and children
education on environment issues.
During the last two years I have been working in the area mobility in
the project "Blade Night" (a weekley skate night during the summer), where I
was responsible for the coordination of 500 volunteers who care for the
security and traffic block.
Since mid-2006 I am responsible for the area urban planning and am
project coordinator of the projects "The walking trees" and "Bench and
tree".
"The walking trees": For the 16^th summer now, the environment
organization Green City e.V. has set up trees along bare and grey
streets in Munich. The trees decorate one area for approximately 6 weeks before they „walk“ –
with the help of man-pulled carts – to the next eyesore area.
The trees illustrate in a simple manner how much atractive our cities
could be if there were fewer cars and more greenery. During this time we
try to involve the citizens in watering the trees and campaigning for funds.
The aim of the project is actually to get the trees planted by the city.
Donations from private citizens or companies cover the extensive costs
of planting the tree. In return, the donors receive a life-long symbol
of their generosity: a sign with their name which is hung at eye-level
in the tree.
More than 100 trees have been planted in Munich as a result of the so
called „Walking trees“ project.
"Bench and tree" is a new project starting 2007 focused in a deprived
neighbourhood in Munich, where there is extreme lack of green areas and
sitting options. In this part of the city there are many immigrants from
east Europe, specially from Turkey. The lack of nice common areas to meet
and interact don´t contribute to their integration. The aim of the
project is not only the environmental aspect of achieving greener nicer
streets, but also the social aspect, local participation, one of our
headstones. In this project are the neighbours the ones who decide the
location of the bench and the trees, acording to their needs.
I am very interested in participating in the exchage "Youth Inclusion in
the Urban Environment" and contribute with my experience, as well as
learning from other initiatives and perhaps develope a frame for a
possible cooperation.
2. Susanne Dähner
Date of Birth: 16 May 1976
Address: c/o FUSION e.V., Rütlistr. 1-3, D-12045 Berlin
Phone: +49-30-2701 8755
s-daehner - at - fusionstreet.com
Since nearly four years I’m working for the foundation “FUSION – Intercultural Projects Berlin e.V.”. In a deprived urban neighbourhood of Berlin we work with children and young people who mostly come from socialy disadvantaged families and have a migration background in their families. Those kids often don’t have many chances to get jobs after school and on this account are not very motivated in school and in working for their future. While working with different ways of artistic expression we want to encourage the kids to find out about their talents and interests and motivate them to get active in designing their own future.
One of our main projects is the so called ‘youth street’ (Jugendstrasse), which brings our daily work with the kids out in the public urban space. The project started in 2002 with closing a small street for motorized traffic and giving it a new use as a street for children and young people of the neighbourhood. Students from a nearby school and visitors of our youth club participated in re-planning and re-designing the street for their own purposes. It began with a planning workshop and continued in reshaping the street – which used to be an ugly and dirty inner-city street mostly used as a parking place – physically. For example we built huge frogs as a gate, putting up big planting pots or building a café-terrace. As important as the physical redesigning of the street was bringing live into it and using it as a place for daily activities, street-parties and kind of neighbourhood meeting place. With all this we created and are still creating together with the kids a colourful urban public space which not only serves the requirements of young people but also is a place for the whole neighbourhood.
I think that our project fits perfectly into the theme of the exchange in Istanbul and I can bring a lot of our experiences into the discussions. On the other hand I’m looking forward to get to know other initiatives and projects which are working in similar contexts and fields, specially from different countries and with all different kinds of backrounds. To learn from other experiences and have an exchange about all different kinds of involvement in shaping our urban environment I see as very rewarding for my future work in the ‘youth street’ project.
Next to my activities and experiences in working for FUSION I’m an urban geographer with special interest in urban and neighbourhood development. I worked about programmes on revitalizing deprived urban neighbourhoods. With my ‘scientific’ curiosity on the topic I want to find out and discuss about the opportunities of urban development through participation of the inhabitants – thus experts – of the cities.
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Serbia
1. Danijel Vuckovic
03.09.1979
vuckopk - at - yahoo.com
Prokuplje, Serbia
I have completed Faculty of Traffic and Transport Engineering, Department for Road Traffic and Transport, University of Belgrade. My diploma thesis was “Analysis of Transport Costs by Methods Cost Recovery and Marginal Social Costs“. My research focused on road costs benchmarking in Serbia and Slovenia. These costs regards to: air pollution, noise, number of accidents and congestion. With calculated costs I defined the model for paying toll, based on these marginal costs.
I completed as well Master in Transport, Logistic and Economic Integration with the Balkan Area, with master thesis: „Moscow Toll Ring Road“, University of Trieste. I did internship and master thesis in StearDaviesGleave-London, office in Bologna. As a part of this internship I have announced one paper „Pay Toll Systems“ in Italian academically review.
At the moment I work in COWI d.o.o. Belgrade, Danish consultancy company. My work is focused on different urban traffic projects which are more and more related with environment aspects. I have training in VISUM software at this moment, software for traffic modeling where environment is one of expected outputs. It could be very useful to link previous environmental knowledge with this software, but it is also useful to get up- to-date info. My work refers to different kind of urban and non urban, transport and traffic, projects and studies.
As a national coordinator for European Mobility Week and Car Free Day, I have a lot of experience about non-motorized situation, urban traffic and environmental protection. This involvement can help me to understand better, in generally, air pollution and noise situation in urban areas!
All of this my knowledge and interest areas can help me to avoid difficult ways to stay excellent expert for traffic and environment in forthcoming period!
How can I reach this?
The way is very easy: If you have good knowledge and good background you always need “a little more” experience, stronger and sustainable team work, that means investigate for more and more information in the field that you are interested in, and the conferences as this one is right way to achieve this topic!
The last one project where I worked regarding urban environment was Interial Ring Road for Belgrade where I worked with environmental protection from this road in the populated areas in Belgrade.
2. Jadranka Ilic
date of birth: 08/11/1982
jadranka_ilic - at - yahoo.com
jady - at - scnet.yu
Novi Beograd
I’m a member of NGO Yugo Cycling Campaign and Young Researchers of Serbia. I will graduate soon the subject of photography at the Academy of Arts “BK”. Although my occupation doesn’t have much contact with environmental questions, I’m very interested in urban environment, ecology, sustainable transport and urban planning as well, and have a lot volunteer experience in NVO-s. I have participated last year in the World Carfree Network Training Seminar for NGOs held in Tabor, Czech Republic, and have experienced and learned a lot there. It had brought me a big motivation and knowledge about the subject. Besides, I have been involved in a few campaigns which promote using the bikes in the purpose of reduction pollution, and in many events and voluntary workcamps with ecological thematic, including campleading experience in international traveling workcamp which promoted sustainable transport in Serbia (2006.).
I started riding bike frequently about 8 year ago, when I regarded it as a perfect way of transport for shorter destinations, but unfortunately, the conscience about that is poorly developed in this region. Riding the bike as a way of transport is not the usual habit in Belgrade, neither in Serbia, and there’s not enough consciousness about importance of ecology. The number of cars has been quickly increased for the last few years and, as the country is passing through transition (after big economical crisis during 90’s), the ecological questions are not primary problems. The number of motorized vehicles is still growing incessantly. Raising awareness on the importance of sustainable way of transport in Serbia is more than necessary at the moment, including the education of the people.
Successful projects can provide rising of the idea of sustainable transport and paying more attention to “softer transport options” - cycling, walking, rail and other forms of public transport, together with more aggressive control of car use in central areas in coming years. The result of successful operations could be increasing number of bicycle paths in the city and the number of the cyclists on the streets. So, influence to the decision-makers and instigating the people to use bicycle as a way of transport in everyday life is what we can do. Cities belong to the people, not to the individuals. We all have to make compromises, not just a few of us.
I hope the cooperation between all the participants, sharing the ideas and the points of view, as learning from experienced members, will be more than useful for all of us! Inspiration and motivation is always needed.
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Sweden
1. Liv Markström (group leader)
date of birth: 19.06.1982
Gothenburg
e-mail: lillaliv_82@hotmail.com
date of birth: 1982-06-19
lillaliv_82 - at - hotmail.com and Liv.Markstrom - at - mjv.se
representing Miljöförbundet Jordens Vänner (Swedish part of Friends of the Earth)
Who am I? My name is Liv Markström and I am a 24 year old Swedish environmental activist nearing the completion of my studies of Human Geography. I grew up in a town in northern Sweden, but moved to the country’s second largest city Gothenburg five years ago. I am applying to the YIUE because I take an active interest in democracy and the environment. These issues are important to all of us living in cities but also on a global level. So when it has come time to write essays and do research I have chosen to write about attempts to involve citizens in local planning decisions, the connection between risk, riots and planning, and measures to promote cycling as a means of urban transport.
How am I involved in my urban environment? I volunteer for Friends of the Earth Gothenburg, doing all sorts of campaign work so I have learned a lot about making things happen and letting people know about it with very little resources. We in Friends of the Earth Gothenburg have focused much on transport issues and we’ve organised a petition for a car free city centre. Lots of interesting changes are taking place in Gothenburg as the central brownfields and harbour areas are being transformed into exclusive neighbourhoods. The area on the north side of the river was quickly planned and built up and as a result of the criticism, the city attempted to make the planning process on the south side more inclusive. The suggestions from the citizen groups were quite political in their social awareness, and caught the city officials off guard. I’ll know more about how that all worked out in September!
What will I bring to the workshop? My studies and my involvement in Friends of the Earth have given me knowledge of urban planning and how the process works in Sweden and I have had some practice in working with an NGO lobbying local government. I am looking for a chance to combine these two parts of my experiences in a way that I can stand for and that makes a difference. I believe YIUE is a good place to start and I can contribute with Swedish examples from physical planning, from alternative spaces for young people and from attempts to include more groups in urban planning.
What am I hoping to get out of the workshop? While much urban planning is carried out under the flag of “public interest” the general public and especially young people are rarely consulted or brought in to the decision-making. I hope that we learn from each other and start bringing urban planning closer to the people affected by it. I like the idea of a workshop to get in contact with other young people, sharing ideas, techniques and inspiring each other. Cooperation between different groups is something we need in Gothenburg and one way to start could be by presenting the results of the YIUE workshop to other local organisations when I return home. I will make use of what I learn at the workshop in my ongoing work with Friends of the Earth Sweden trying to influence local decision-makers and by organising discussions about sustainable cities and how young people fit in with that concept.
2. Camille Delepierre
date of birth: (age 23)
Lund, Sweden
Mail : camichoux - at - hotmail.com
I am extremely interested in the Carfree Network project about Youth inclusion in the Urban
Environment. I am 23 years old, currently live and study in Lund, Sweden (though I am French).
I have passed with distinction a 3 year program in City and Regional Planning at the
Professional University Dept. “Envar” (=Environment and Regional Action) at the Lille University,
France (I have enclosed my CV). During the program, we worked on projects about local,
participative democracy, public space issues, land appropriation... The youth inclusion in urban
policy and decision making wasn’t deepened, though it is an obvious way to reconcile inhabitants with
their environment (an issue that totally needs to be addressed in France).
I am therefore familiar with issues like: individuals in their urban environment, social
exclusion, inclusion of local population in urban planning processes (we visited a project well-led by
municipality and local inhabitants in Roubaix, northern France). I’ve carried out 3 mains projects
during the program: urban planning on university campuses, accidentology and children behaviour in
front of a primary school in Villeneuve d’Ascq and commuting by train-tramway and bicycle in the
Strasbourg area (3 months internship).
I am currently studying a Master at Lund University in Environmental Studies and
Sustainability Science (LUMES) at the Lucsus research centre. The program is in English, with 35
students coming from all over the world. As I’ve been fond of transportation issues (safe routes to
school, firm transportation plans, bicycles policies, intermodality…) for a long time, I’m doing an
internship this summer with the Mobility department of Lund municipality and writing my thesis work
(January-June 2008) about transportation issues.
What I can bring to the exchange
Thanks to my current study and my previous trips, I am used to cross-cultural experiences,
this can help the exchange. As the project totally fits my interest topics (I love urban planning and
transportation issues), I am very motivated about the whole concept and project. I am rather
knowledgeable about the topics through French and Swedish experiences which might enrich the
exchange.
What use the exchange will be to my work back home
I will work in the urban planning and transportation field, as it is my passion. This experience
would be very rewarding and useful for my future, and might help me know in which field I would
like to specialize. My “theoretical” knowledge needs a hands-on experience.
In 2007-2008, I will study the second year of my Lumes Master. As a transportation course is
planned, I intend to make a presentation of my experience to my class mates. And I could make such
presentation to several student organisations that I am in contact with in Lund (Sustainable University,
Fältbiologerna, GreenStudents…)
3. Alfred Hallmert
Date of birth: 25 may 1979
E-mail: alfred - at - klandestino.se
Johanneshov, Sweden
I got information from Liv Markström about the Istanbul youth exchange in september. It seems really really interesting and fun! I have been engaged in decreasing car traffic campaigns in Stockholm, Sweden for a couple of years now, in a organisation called Alternative City (Alternativ Stad). I think it would be really inspiring to meet up with other engaged people from around Europe!
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Russia
1. Alexey Tcharykov
Carfree Russia - founder and associate
date of birth: 12.05.1979
Moscow, Russia
E-mail: tch - at - ruz.net
2. Anna Tanganova
Date of birth: 30.11.1984
Moscow, Russia
e-mail: queenmgu - at - gmail.com
I am writing to enquire about the Exchange under the title “Youth Inclusion in the Urban Environment”.
In June 2006, I graduated from Lomonosov Moscow State University; faculty of Public Administration and my specialization is " Strategy Planning ". Important to add, that my THESIS (diploma) is devoted to the role of Models and Role Games in Ecological Education for Sustainable Development. I have always been a green-oriented person and that is why I decided to organize a deep year research for my thesis, based on international platform with several European Youth associations.
Working internationally, I thought it is important to know several languages. I speak English fluently and have basic knowledge of German and French. I have a considerable experience in dealing with people and working in a team environment.
Last year I used to be a co-organizer of a seminar in Moscow about Ecological Education. I'm very curious if probably I can expand the network in Russia with the help of the biggest and most famous Russian State University, to raise awareness or promote it in my city, which is really need to become more environmentally friendly and car free. Probably, there are follow-up steps could to be taken.
This opportunity is a really challenging experience both on the professional and the human point of view. I believe that it is the right place to learn better ways of practical solution of my ideas. The event I have been looking for a long time. After attending the workshop sessions, improving research skills, working on global ecological problems with a group of people from many European countries and having insights on the national and international problems, I do believe I will feel myself more confident to cope with the world outside. As a student born and raised abroad, who has always been concerned of ecological situation, I hope to bring new perspectives to classes.
Besides, my expectations are about learning more what are the real values of Europe today. I hope to look deeper on cultural European concepts and advantages of intercultural learning, although all my life nowadays is based on it. What is more, I really would like to get information from professionals how to deal better with diversity promoting eco-citizenship in Western and Eastern Europe.
To sum up, my motivation is:
To get practical experience working with professionals
To open the culture of hosting country and participants' countries; to realise how they deal with car free issues
To get the knowledge of ecological problems widely and then competently implement them in my work and life
To practice language skills
To practice public speaking abilities by chance, etc.
It takes optimism to move to another country, and to study in a culture radically different from one's own. At this point I am looking to gain the requisite skills to grow as a professional; I know that this exchange is the best place for me to accomplish this objective. "
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Turkey
1. Meltem Parlak (group leader)
date of birth: 13.06.1984
ISTANBUL
meltempr - at - gmail.com
I am city and regional planning student in Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University. As an urban planner one of our goals is create and improve livable places for everybody. This purpose includes from decision making with participation to design. Planning process should involve key strategies within physical planning. Designing does not suffice without correct strategies. Developing new strategies with different ideas are an important part of designing the urban environment. Because combining policies and physical decisions makes the plan more sustainable and stable. Experiences show that, if local people take part in decision making process, it makes the plan more practical and attending. At that point youth inclusion especially in developing countries like Turkiye becomes more important. Because it makes chance to form the environment that young people will be living in the future. So;
What can be the key strategies for the future?
Which part of the planning process that young people can be effective?
Practical Solutions vs. Strategies
These are the questions and topics that can be important in that concept.
2. Burge Elvan Erginli
date of birth: 04.08.1985
ISTANBUL
burgelvan - at - gmail.com
I am a student of Istanbul Technical University, Faculity of Arhitecture and Department of Urban and Regional Planning.
As students, what we are thought is the fact that if a plan is made, others will follow. That is why; it is obvious that the decisions taken and plans made are very important for the future of a city. In Turkey, however, the public that lives in a city has a little or no contribution in choosing what the plans will be – for example which parts of the city will expand, what kind of transportation and social facilities will be build etc. We defend the idea that it must be the public – who is most affected from these plans and decisions – itself to choose how, where and in which way to live. However, all the decisions and plans are made by government. We think this as a major flaw in the decision making process and therefore in the fate of a city. The youth, constitutes a very high percentage of Turkish population yet their contribution and participation in these decisions are even less.. With all these ideas in mind, the subjects I am most interested in are:
1. Is it youth to make the first step to participate in the decision making process, if so, how can they do it?
2. How can we join the youth together to defend their virtuous rights in the decision making process and how can we make them more aware and responsive?
I hope we can find answers to all these questions together…
3. Erman Topgül
date of birth: 13.11.1985
ANKARA
ermantopgul - at - gmail.com
I'm a student of Ankara University ,Faculity of Humanity and Department of Sociology.
Societies are very much affected by the outside factors. The reason for this is that the people have not been always living in the cities, which shows that the humanity had been living dependent on the nature before. However, in our era it is mainly lived in the cities. Moreover, the migration from countrysides( village da kullanabilirsin) to cities in Turkey is at very high levels. As the cities don´t have a good infastructure system, they have been going into big problems. These difficult conditions have been worsening the life quality of the citizens.
If cities don´t have more appropriate living conditions, it may result in big corruptions in the society. Only the youths have the power to stop it, while they and their children are the ones who will live in these cities afterwards.
Furthermore, as hobby, I am a scout; the first aim of which is to make the young people be in harmony with the nature. Despite living in the cities, we should not be alienated from the world we live in and we shall make everything we can to protect it. The most important slogan of Scouting, which celebrates its 100th birthday this year, is “ One World, One Promise”.
According to these my aims are:
In which way the cities can be developed, so that it can be in harmony with nature and offer a good quality of life.
What can be done so that the youth can be aware of the pollution and bad urbanization that will affect their futures.
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