If You Build It, They Will Come: Using Ning to Create a Virtual Classroom
Gillig website review
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Editor's Notes
Welcome to my website review of the “China Youth Network, By Youth For Youth.” In the following slides, we will review the structure of the website and the vision, mission and core values of the organization. We will also explore who they are, their efforts through education, advocacy and services, and the resources provided to youth.
“ CYN envisions a China where all young people’s voices are heard and all young people enjoy their sexual lives free from ill-health, unwanted pregnancy, violence and discrimination.” Their mission is to “promote people’s rights and access to inclusive sexual & reproductive health information, education and quality youth-friendly services.” Their core values emphasize effective health policies, nondiscriminatory access, reproductive & human rights, and young people viewed as valuable decision-makers in their health care choices.
CYN promotes peer education so youth may gain knowledge on sexual & reproductive health. Youth are taught life skills, healthy relationships, and responsible behavior. CYN supports local university-based student associations to carry out peer education for youth in and out of school (work place & military). CYN also promotes youth-adult partnerships so youth may have a genuine voice in policy development & implementation. CYN members participate in meetings & consultations with government & non-government agencies lobbying for young people to have the same rights and access to care as married couples. They also have an increasingly active global role with international agencies promoting youth sexual & reproductive health rights.
I enjoyed viewing the various memberships associated with CYN. Their friendly group photos, along with the core group’s individual links, brought a connective feeling to the actual youth working hard together to create an organization by youth for youth. I found the Resource link to provide valuable information on the workings of this organization and highly recommend viewing the Peer Educator Qualification Certificate System (2 nd half in English) and the CYN Advocacy Strategy Manual. Both are comprehensive looks at the organization’s training resources for peer educators, along with their strategic advocacy plan. The only draw back to the resource link was some documents were inaccessible due to formatting and/or were in Chinese.
In addition to CYN’s information, a host of supportive organizational links are provided. The China Family Planning Assoc. is comprehensive website devoted to the International Planned Parenthood organization. UNFPA is an international development agency that “promotes the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity.” The Marie Stopes International site is very well done, along with the YCI and FordFoundation. All could be added to our library of resources. The only link I DO NOT recommend is the Peoples University Of China for it was blocked as an “attack site.” All in all, I highly recommend the China Youth Network site for a look into the life of a youth organization run by youth in a country where advocacy is finally gaining momentum, and for it’s rich resources.