Merry Christmas!

Christmas trees, decorated streets and different markets.. Everything shows that it's Christmas time in Lithuania. Christmas seems to be one of the most important events in peoples life here. It's very nice to see how everyone is involved in preparation for Christmas Eve. 

Rabea went to Austria to meet Christmas with her family. I decided to go to Vilnius and spend time with other EVS volunteers there. 

For me, as officially I'm Orthodox Christian it's very unusual to celebrate Christmas on 25th of December because  we celebrate it on 7th of January. Actually it's first time when I meet Christmas according  to Catholic traditions. It's very interesting and unique experience for me :) So I will share with you after Christmas how was it. :)

Wish you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  

Manana

North Korea: An isolated regime

   

Facts

• Full name: The Democratic People's Republic of Korea
• Population: 23.9 million (UN, 2010)
• Capital: Pyongyang
• Area: 122,762 sq km (47,399 sq miles)
• Major language: Korean
• Major religions: Mainly atheist or non-religious, traditional beliefs
• Life expectancy: 76 years (men), 83 years (women) (UN)
• Main exports: Minerals and metals, cement, agricultural products

source:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/country_profiles/1131421.stm

The last 100 years

Mr Kim surrounded by military

Mr Kim, former North Korean leader who died last day because of an heart attack, inherited the leadership of North Korea from his father Kim Il-sung.

Shortly after he came to power, a severe famine caused by ill-judged economic reforms and poor harvests left an estimated two million people dead.

His regime has been harshly criticised for human rights abuses. Reports of torture, public executions, slave labour, and forced abortions and infanticides in prison camps have emerged. A US-based rights group has estimated that there are up to 200,000 political prisoners in North Korea.

Moreover the country is internationally isolated because of its pursuit of nuclear weapons.In October 2006 North Korea said it had successfully tested a nuclear weapon, spreading alarm throughout the region.

Since then, intensive diplomatic efforts have aimed to rein in North Korea's nuclear ambitions. After years of on-and-off talks, a deal was thrashed out in February 2007 under which Pyongyang agreed to shut down its main nuclear reactor in return for aid and diplomatic concessions.

In April 2009 North Korea walked out of international talks aimed at ending its nuclear activities. The following month the country carried out its second ever underground nuclear test and announced that it no longer considered itself bound by the terms of the 1953 truce that ended the war between the two Koreas.

Tensions reached a new high in spring 2010, when the South accused North Korea of being responsible for sinking one of its warships, the Cheonan, and cut off all cross-border trade. Pyongyang denied the claims, and in turn severed all ties with Seoul.

Now after the death of North Korea's leader, the nation and the whole world is looking into an uncertain future.

for further information:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16239693

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/country_profiles/1131421.stm

R.S.

North-Korean leader Kim Jong-il died

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has died at the age of 69, state-run television has announced.

Mr Kim, who has led the communist nation since the death of his father in 1994, died on a train while visiting an area outside the capital, the announcement said.

His designated successor is his third son, Kim Jong-un, who is thought to be in his late 20s.

North Korea's state-run news agency, KCNA, urged people to unite behind the younger Kim.

A newsreader made the announcement on state-run television

"All party members, military men and the public should faithfully follow the leadership of comrade Kim Jong-un and protect and further strengthen the unified front of the party, military and the public," the news agency said.

Country representatives all over the world have been put on alert after the announcement.

South Korea's military and its National Security Council is convening for an emergency meeting, Yonhap news agency reports. The Japanese government has also convened a special security meeting.

The White House said it was "closely monitoring" reports of the death. The US remained "committed to stability on the Korean peninsula, and to the freedom and security of our allies", it said in a statement.

South Korea's President Lee Myung-Bak spoke to US President Barack Obama by telephone.

"The two leaders agreed to closely co-operate and monitor the situation together," a South Korean presidential spokesman said.

Continue reading the main story

for further information: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16239693R.S.

Most Golden Globe nominations for silent film "The Artist"

The silent film homage "The Artist" leads the field at the 2012 Golden Globes, scoring six nominations in all.

for further information: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16198492

R.S.

Japan officials announce Fukushima nuclear site is finally stabilised

The nuclear reactors at Japan's Fukushima power plant, which has been damaged during last springs earth quake, have finally been stabilised, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has announced.

Fukushima power plant

The fatal earthquake and the following tsunami in March knocked out vital cooling systems, triggering radiation leaks and forcing the evacuation of thousands of people.
The Prime minister told the journalists, that the danger is not over yet, but at least the workers were finally able to stabilise the reactor.

"We are now moving from trying to stabilise the nuclear reactors to decommissioning them.

"The Japanese government promises to clarify the roadmap from here and do our utmost, while ensuring we operate the nuclear reactors as safely as possible, to decommission them."

The "battle is not over", he said, adding that the next phase would focus on the clean-up operation, including decontaminating the ground around the plant.

for further information: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16212057

R.S.

Five dead, 122 injured in gunman's Belgium attack

On December 13th 2011 a gunman killed 5 and injured 122 in Belgian city of Liege. 
A former convict Nordine Amrani launched his attack in a busy marketplace in the Place Saint-Lambert, killing passers-by and himself.

Police have said he was known to them for previous drugs and firearms offences and acted alone in the attack.

Amrani, a resident of Liege, had spent three years in jail for firearms and drugs offences, Ms Reynders said.

Source of information: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16197303

http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/europe/6141413/Body-found-at-Belgium-gunman-s-home

Barcelona striker David Villa suffers fractured leg injury

The 30-year-old top player fractured his left tibia shortly before half-time in Thursday's Fifa Club World Cup semi-final against Al Sadd in Yokohama.

"Bad news for David Villa and Barca; the striker's left tibia is fractured," Barcelona said on it'sTwitter feed.

"The player has been taken to the Yokohama Rosa hospital for further tests."

Villa, a £34m signing from Valencia in 2010, was carried off on a stretcher after appearing to land awkwardly 39 minutes into a game Barcelona were winning 1-0.

Although they completed a 4-0 victory over the Qatari club to book their place in the final, Barcelona can expect to be without Villa for some time.

His injury may also put in doubt his participation at the Euro 2012, when Spain will attempt to defend their title.

R.S.

US military operations in Iraq came to an end

The flag of American forces in Iraq has been lowered in Baghdad, bringing nearly nine years of US military operations in Iraq to a formal end.

for further information:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-16192105

R.S.

Sir Isaac Newton's papers go online

In 2010 Cambridge University Library started a project "digital library for the world". The project is financially supported by the Polonsky Foundation, a charity that promotes internatioanl educational projects. 


The library started to  digitize "some of the greatest books in existence", including the papers of Isaac Newton.


The notebooks in which Sir Isaac Newton worked out the theories on which much classical science is based have been put online.


Other works which will become part of the digital library include the university's Charles Darwin collection.


For further information:  Sir Isaac Newton's papers go online


Cambridge University 'digital library for world' plan

Musical "The Devil's Bride" in Šiauliai

On 17th of December 2011 on 

Šiauliai arena 

Lithuania's first and most popular movie musical "Velnio nuotaka" ("The Devil's Bride") will take place. 

Event starts at 19:00 o'clock.

Ticket prices:

For adults: 65-125 LTL

Free admission: Children under 6 years old. 

For further information:

http://www.siauliai-events.lt/en/concerts/musical-the-devil39s-bride

From mid-2013 Croatia will join EU

Croatia has signed a treaty at the EU summit in Brussels after seven years of negotiations. It's becoming  the EU's second ex-Yugoslav member after Slovenia.

EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy welcomed the "historic" treaty. 

Mr Van Rompuy said Croatia would be an "active observer" in all EU forums until it became a full member.

Croatian President Ivo Josipovic told the leaders of the 27 existing EU states: "Today Croatia is entering Europe, but more importantly Europe is entering Croatia."

Source of information: 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16106982 - Croatia signs treaty to join EU in middle of 2013

First film footage of remote Amazon rainforest tribe

An isolated tribe living in the Amazon rainforest on the Brazil-Peru border has been filmed for the first time.

for further information: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12360013

R.S.

Youth conference in Naujoji Akmenė

Last Friday we volunteers attended a youth conference in Naujoji Akmenė in order to participate in a workshop about international volunteering.
The young people from different schools in Lithuania who attended this youth conference, were split into working groups, which focused on different topics.
One of those working groups was discussing the national and international volunteering with the "Eurodesk" Coordinator Evaldas Rupkus. They spoke about why it is important to do charity work, where you can be a volunteer in Lithuania, what possibilities there are to go abroad as a volunteers and what you learn while you are an international volunteer.


It was a great opportunity for us to present the "European Voluntary Service" in general and our program at Radijo Klubas. Hopefully we were able to make the attending students interested in the great option to become a volunteer abroad which the "European Voluntary Service" provides for everyone. 

Pictures taken during our presentation about Volunteering in our Working group

After the workshops in groups, all participants gathered to present what they discussed.

We filmed while the participants who attended the workshop about volunteering presented what they were talking about in their working group. 

Moreover we got some useful information about the organisation "Eurodesk Lithuania". 
We will share this information with you in our next post, because we think it can be very useful for every Lithuanian student, who wants to be active in Lithuania, become a volunteer abroad or is looking for information related to education, travelling, politics and more.


We also wanted to say, that once again we were surprised about the incredible hospitality of our Lithuanian hosts and the warm welcome we received at this youth conference in Naujoji Akmenė.



R.S.

Britain and the EU summit

In order to stabilise the euro zone, France, Germany and 21 other countries have decided to draft their own treaty to impose more central control over national budgets. Britain and three others have decided to stay out. In the coming weeks, Britain may find itself even more isolated. Sweden, the Czech Republic and Hungary decided to to consult their parliaments and political parties before joining the new union-within-the-union.


For more information:


www.economist.com - Britain, not leaving but falling out of the EU


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16093316 - As it happened: EU summit

Our two friends from Turkey went back home

The two Turkish volunteers, Hasan and Beril, who stayed for 3 month in Lithania, both went back to Turkey last week.

Manana and I are quite sad that they left, because during their stay in Siauliai we became very close friends. However, we are planning to visit them in Turkey in the coming summer and then we will again have the pleasure to be around this two friendly, open and positive ex-volunteers. :)

It is planned that two other volunteers from Turkey will join us in Lithuania next spring. So maybe if everything will work out as planned, we again will have two Turkish people at Didzdvarius Gymnasium very soon. :)

R.S.

Youth in Action Programme: European Voluntary Service (EVS)

Youth in Action is the EU Programme established for the period 2007-2013. It is a programme for young people aged 15-28 (in some cases 13-30). The aim of the Youth in Action Programme is to inspire a sense of active citizenship, solidarity and tolerance among young Europeans. 


Youth in Action Programme promotes mobility within and beyond the EU borders, non-formal learning and intercultural dialogue, and encourages the inclusion of all young people, regardless of their educational, social and cultural background.


With a total budget of 885 million euros for seven years (2007-2013), the Programme supports a large variety of activities for young people and youth workers through five Actions: 

Action 1 - Youth for Europe 

encourages young people's active citizenship, participation and creativity through youth exchanges, youth initiatives and youth democracy projects.

Action 2 - European Voluntary Service

helps young people to develop their sense of solidarity by participating, either individually or in group, in non-profit, unpaid voluntary activities abroad.

Action 3 - Youth in the World

promotes partnerships and exchanges among young people and youth organisations across the world.

Action 4 - Youth Support Systems

includes various measures to support youth workers and youth organisations and improve the quality of their activities.

Action 5 - Support for European Co-operation in the Youth field


supports youth policy co-operation at European level, in particular by facilitating dialogue between young people and policy makers.


In this post we will speak about European Voluntary Service (EVS) as a part of the Youth in Action Programme. In next posts we will provide information about other parts of programme too.


What is EVS? 
European Voluntary Service is a programme which provides young people with the unique chance to express their personal commitment through unpaid and full-time voluntary activities in a foreign country within or outside the EU. In this way, it seeks to develop solidarity, mutual understanding and tolerance among young people, thus contributing to reinforcing social cohesion in the European Union and to promoting young people's active citizenship. It is a practical and intensive form of education. EVS also provides an opportunity for young people to gain working experience abroad. 

What are the criteria for becoming a volunteer? 

Age: 

volunteers must be 18 - 30 years old on the application deadline.

How to start and how to go on...

Inform yourself about the program. You can find information about EVS on Official web-site of European Commission.

Find a Sending Organisation and prepare your application (CV and Motivation Letter). 

There are few web-sites where you can find EVS projects and accredited organizations. Look for a project/Hosting Organisation on these web-sites.

1. The European database on EVS accredited organisations

2. http://www.youthnetworks.eu/ here you can find recently added EVS vacancies 

Keep the "deadlines" in mind. For projects submitted to a National Agency there are five application deadlines per year: 1 February, 1 April, 1 June, 1 September and 1 November. 

Find a project  you like, apply for it and after you are selected for this project wait for the approval from the National Agency.

After approval prepare everything for your stay :)

For further information please visit FAQ - Frequently asked questions on the European Voluntary Service

Good luck! 

Source of information: Youth in Action

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Michael Watson wants to light the Olympic flame

Former super-middleweight boxer Michael Watson wants to take another inspirational step in his recovery by lighting the Olympic flame at next year's London Olympic Games.


Two decades have passed since the night a 26-year-old Watson was paralysed after his infamous second fight against Chris Eubank at White Hart Lane on 21 September 1991.

"Everywhere I go I want to inspire people and young teenagers," says Watson, now 46 and still partially paralysed. I want to play a role in the 2012 Olympics."

Continue reading the main story

"I still go the boxing gym - that's my home, working on the punching pads - and do some training. I love to keep active and training will always be part of my life"

"A lot of people still think that I'm in a wheelchair. They think I'm bed-ridden, they don't even believe it's me. I looked death in the face. People said Michael Watson would not survive, they said I would become a cabbage, but I can think for myself, I can walk and talk."

"If the public see Michael Watson light the Olympic torch, they'll be astounded, because I should really be nothing, I should be bed-bound."

"I think that my involvement in the Olympics will inspire everyone as they will see that, if you are positive, you will succeed against all the odds. I want them to look at me and see how I overcame difficulties and remained positive."

read the whole interview: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/boxing/16073787.stm

R.S.

Continue reading the main stor

Official song of EuroBasket 2011

Marijonas, Mantas, Mia - "Celebrate Basketball"

R.S.

Mafia boss found in bunker

Italian police arrested the chief of a Naples mafia clan, Michele Zagaria, who has been on the run for 16 years.

"You won. The state has won," Zagaria told anti-mafia investigators as he was being arrested.

A total of 50 police officers were involved in the operation to remove Zagaria, 53, from the underground bunker, discovered beneath an anonymous building in his rural hometown.

The bunker structure itself was made of reinforced concrete up to five metres thick, according to Italy's Il Corriere della Sera newspaper.

Dozens of houses and buildings in the area had been searched by a team of 350 officers before he was found, La Repubblica reports.

Police in Caserta greeted the news with joy

The Casalesi clan is one of a number of groups within the Camorra criminal network, which dominates the underworld in the Naples area. Zagaria is thought to be the most senior figure in the Camorra who was still at large.

for further information: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16065556

R.S.

HMS Ocean's Christmas video :)

for further information: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-16066600

R.S.

Volunteer‘s Week in Wroclaw - “2011, European Year Of Volunteering: Everyone can make difference"

In November 2011 Šiaulių Didždvario gimnazija, in cooperation with EKOLA school Wroclaw has implemented a project “2011, European Year Of Volunteering: Everyone can make difference". 

Everyone can make difference“ is an exchange project in which students from Lithuania and Poland participated in order to explore the importance of international volunteering. The project took place in Wroclaw from 13-19th of November, 2011. 

The aim of the project was to encourage young people to do voluntary work in different social institutions such as orphanages and houses for disabled people in order to learn through experience how volunteering can influence your own and other peoples lifes in a good way.

The 24 participants consisted of 11 polish students and their IB-Coordinator Monika Kloczko and 7 students from Didzdvarius Gymnasium with their teacher Beirute Kuiciene. This group of international students was lead through this workshop about volunteering by the 4 EVS-Volunteers who are currently working at Radijo Klubas.

Identifying Expectations, Fears and Wishes about the project.

 We, Manana and Rabea, spent most of our working time since we arrived in Siauliai 3 month ago preparing activities such as different workshops about volunteering, teambuilding tasks and moreover charity work in 2 orphanages and 1 house for mentally disabled people. The two Turkish volunteers, Beril and Hasan, assisted us during this week and led a workshop about Turkish Cuisine in which the participants cooked a traditional turkish dish called „Cuscus“.

Cooking "Cuscus"

In addition all participants were invited to the „UNESCO-Day“ at EKOLA school. At this day, we volunteers and the lithuanian students had the opportunity not only to present our home countries and gain some information about UNESCO. We volunteers were also asked to lead a workshop for non-polish native speakers. Because of that we conducted a simulation game about difficulties that might arise while being abroad due to cultural differences.

Presentation of home countries - Armandas Vaitkus is presenting Lithuania at UNESCO-day in EKOLA school

During the whole week the participants developed a video clip containing the message „Volunteering can be fun“ and a radio show called „Helping for Happiness“ in which they had the opportunity to share their experieces and feelings.

Developing idea about the Video Clip

Working on the Radio Show 

Mid-term evaluation of the project

Volunteering in 

orphanage

Playing and having fun with orphan children :))

Singing Lithuanian and Polish songs.. :))) 

For us it was very nice to see how young people from different countries work together as a team, work with people who are in need and furthermore simply spend a good time while living together in hostel.

Hopefully the students will always remember the positive experiences related to international youth volunteering which they gained during this week in Wroclaw.