Nearly 80 top representatives take part in the Energy Forum in Doha (Keystone)
Energy Minister Moritz Leuenberger has called for sustained efforts to cut carbon dioxide emissions in a bid to combat global warming.
Speaking at an international meeting in the Gulf emirate of Qatar he pleaded for close cooperation in the search of new technologies and renewable energy sources.
"We are now at the dawn of a new energy era. As with any period of profound change it is fraught with uncertainty and risks, but it is also a source of opportunity," he said during his opening speech of the International Energy Forum in Doha on Sunday.
The conference, which takes place every two years, brings together ministers from 65 countries, members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) as well as senior executives from major oil companies.
The two-day meeting which comes amid a recent surge in oil prices aims to discuss ways of improving energy security and creating a suitable environment for the oil industry.
Kyoto
Leuenberger praised the Kyoto Protocol as a key factor for investors to decide on energy technologies.
"Kyoto must be prolonged beyond 2012 and extended to emerging economies if efforts to combat global warming are to continue," he added.
Leuenberger recalled that $17 trillion (SFr21.7 trillion) are needed to cover the world's energy requirements until 2030.
Investors needed predictable framework conditions for their technological choices and these conditions had to take into account external costs, such as those of climate change, he added.
Leuenberger also called for close cooperation between governments, energy producers, consumers and private investors to bolster energy security.
On the fringes of the two-day meeting the Swiss delegation is also due to hold talks with members of the European Commission and other energy trading partners.
swissinfo
CONTEXT
Switzerland has pledged a 10% reduction in CO2 levels (compared with 1990) by 2010, the equivalent of four million tons of CO2.
In 2004 CO2 emissions stood at 41.4 million tons compared with 41.1 in 1990.
The Swiss CO2 law formally took effect in 2000 and foresees additional measures if the targets can't be met with voluntary means.
Last October the authorities agreed to introduce a levy on petrol and diesel on a trial basis, following opposition against a mandatory CO2 emission tax.
Property owners are challenging plans for the CO2 tax on heating oil, arguing instead for a voluntary levy.
KEY FACTS
The International Energy Forum is the top-level biennial informal ministerial meeting, bringing together energy producing and energy consuming countries.
Representatives from about 80 countries and organisations are taking part in the meeting in Doha, Qatar.
The Kyoto Protocol, an amendment to the UN Convention on Climate Change, was approved in 1997 and came into force in 2005.
RELATED SITES
Energy Forum Doha (http://www.10ief.com.qa/ief/web.nsf/homepage?ReadForm)
You did it! Working as ONE, call by call, you let our leaders know that you wanted America to do more to fight AIDS and extreme poverty-- and they heard you.
Late last week, the Senate agreed to two amendments that will add hundreds of millionsof dollars to the fight against AIDS, TB and malaria and save the lives of mothers and children around the world.
Thank you for speaking up and standing by four Senators who worked together to do the right thing: save lives. Senators Santorum, Durbin, DeWine and Leahy demonstrated real leadership by doing something we don’t see everyday: reaching across political divides to help people in the world’s poorest countries lift themselves out of poverty. To see if YOUR Senators supported this life-saving funding, check out the ONE blog.
Your calls helped change minds and votes, proving that when we come together as ONE, we really can do more.
Thank you!
The ONE Team
P.S. Did you know that around the world, 1 billion people – 20% of the population – don’t have clean drinking water? Wednesday is World Water Day, so on your way to the water fountain at school or work, take ONE minute to learn more about the global water crisis and how you can get involved.
Did you know that Patras, Olympic city in 2004 and fourth biggest city in Greece, is this year's cultural capital of Europe?
Besides its famous carnival in February and March, numerous concerts, exhibitions and other events are scheduled this year. This is a unique opportunity to discover the 2000-year-old city which, as its wealthy architecture testifies, has turned so many pages of our history from the Romans and the Francs to the Turks and the Venetians.
Every year, a European city is on the foreground. The European Union organises, labels and finances a series of events in that city, which celebrate its cultural heritage. These events also offer European artists, who represent their own national culture, as well as the Union's common culture, unique meeting opportunities.
The programme was launched in 1985 by the Council, at the initiative of the former Greek Minister Mélina Mercouri.
As for the Olympic Games, cities wishing to participate must send an application form describing, for example, how it would celebrate its cultural heritage, how it would ensure accessibility, and how the population would participate.
Once ready, the application file must be sent to a jury composed of personalities representing European culture. In 2005 Cork (Ireland) was the haven of European culture.
Did you know that the European Capital of Culture has been exported well beyond our borders? For example, the Organisation of American States (OAS), comprising all 35 countries on the American continent, decided in 1997 to initiate an annual large-scale cultural event called the 'American Capital of Culture', modelled on our initiative.
Happy New Year TakingITGlobal members! If you are like us, you may find the start of the new year the perfect time to reconnect with yourself and your goals. Get a fresh start with the help of your friends at TIG. We have some exciting projects and events on the horizon, so read through this edition of the Dispatch to find out about the new things you can get involved in.
Wishing you all the best in 2006,
The TakingITGlobal Team dispatch@takingitglobal.org
Featured Theme: Lived Rights
TakingITGlobal is preparing to launch an interactive online forum to support the work of the International Women's Rights Project and the Forum on Women's Activism in Constitutional & Democratic Reform taking place in Ottawa this February.
livedrights.takingitglobal.org includes relevant background resources, blogs and discussion boards, as well as registration information for the Ottawa Forum. The discussion boards enable those planning to attend the conference to connect ahead of, and after, the conference. "Stay tuned" for details of an online Live Chat with international Forum participants, hosted by TakingITGlobal and Chat the Planet. Click here!
"Voice Your Views" on Poverty
Join young people from across Canada and around the world as they discuss issues that really matter: extreme poverty, the Millennium Development Goals and how youth can make a difference.
In association with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and in recognition of International Development Week, TakingITGlobal will host Voice Your Views, an online discussion forum taking place from January 30 - February 11, 2006. Click here.
Live Chats!
Want to discuss development issues that are important to you in real time?
TakingITGlobal is excited to invite all youth to our live chats on Saturday, February 4 and Saturday, February 11 at 1:00pm EST. Chat with youth and featured guest speakers with expertise in the realm of international development.
You won't want to miss these incredible online opportunities to have your voices heard!
Kenya Hosts Next Youth Employment Summit
The location and date of the next Youth Employment Summit has been announced. Join young people from all over the world in Kenya next September 13-16! The Kenya YES 2006 Summit will focus on identifying markets and building capacity for youth to serve those markets. Visit www.yesweb.org to register and for more information. Click here!
Cross-Canada Open Forums Dates and Sites
Mark your calendars! The Open Forums on Youth Participation in Canada are underway! The remaining events are:
Montreal:
January 26, 2006- 6-8 pm
Sauvé House
1514 Dr. Penfield
Quebec:
January 30, 2006- 6-8 pm
Forum jeunesse de la région de Québec
Bureau 50
Saint John:
February 2, 2006- 6-8 pm
The Teen Resource Centre
Room 7
Community Health Centre
Halifax:
February 6, 2006- 6-8 pm
St. Andrew's Centre
The Training Room
Please be sure to reserve your spot a minimum of one week prior to the open forum. More details can be found by downloading the city specific brochureson the project page: click here! Or by contacting: mapping@takingitglobal.org.
School Ties: New Member Profile Feature
Looking for TIG members who are colleagues or alumi? We've added a higher education database to member profiles so now you can search for members who went to your college or university! Go to 'Edit Profile' and click on the 'About Me' tab to add your school. Then, find others by clicking on the name of your school in your public profile. Click here.
Next Panorama Issue: Living with Disability
Around the world, millions of people are affected by disabilities. Although many are living full lives, persons with disabilities are often forced to the margins of society. The aim of this issue of Panorama is to promote an understanding of disability issues among young people and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. Help us present alternate visions of what constitutes disability through the experiences of young people around the globe.
Panorama is now accepting articles. Share your stories and opinions in Panorama. Deadline for submissions is February 5, 2006. If you have any questions, contact us at: editorial@takingitglobal.org
Featured Country Site: Bolivia
Without a doubt, these are historical times for Bolivia and its people; a new year, a new President and new challenges that are also opportunities. With a pledge for debt relief by the International Monetary Fund, overcoming poverty and achieving the other Millennium Development Goals are possibilities for Bolivia. So what are the millions of Bolivian young people in this new phase going to do?
In January, TakingITGlobal encourages Bolivian youth to meet each other, express themselves, share visions and experiences, and think of possible actions towards a positive social change in Bolivia. Have you visited our growing TIG Community in Bolivia? You can learn about this amazing country and its people by going to bolivia.takingitglobal.org: Click here!
Discuss relevant topics about young people in Bolivia.
Express yourself througth articles, interviews and poems about Bolivia and its people, go to Panorama!.
Publish your pictures and other artwork about Bolivia at the Global Gallery.
Access great tools to take action on the Millennium Development Goals.
Discover many aspects of the TIG site where you can comment on Bolivia and make your voice heard!
Wrap Up
Your interest, support and involvement with TakingITGlobal helps our community to grow and encourage more young people to become inspired, informed and involved everyday! In being a member of TakingITGlobal, you are part of a community that is 100,000 strong coming from over 250 countries and territories. Thank you for having a vision of positive change. Your work makes a difference!
In friendship,
The TakingITGlobal Team
Copyright 2006 TakingITGlobal
The TakingITGlobal Dispatch is the official newsletter of TakingITGlobal, electronically published via email, and compiled from various events and news from within the TakingITGlobal network. Contributions should be sent to dispatch@takingitglobal.org. Please include your full name, age, and your TIG username.
Excitement was high in the Toronto office as all eyes were on the growing five figure number on the homepage. With our visiting board of directors looking on, young and old(er) alike were restless with anticipation. Why all the fuss? On the afternoon of December 2, our 100,000th member joined the TIG online community! With a year of many milestones under our belt -including TIG's 5th Birthday- we have to thank you, the members, for your sustained interest in our community. On the topic of "sustainable communities," we want you to check out our latest Featured Theme on Urban Sustainability through the very cool World Urban Café web portal. Read more about the Theme page here, along with many other exciting new projects already underway!
Wishing you and your loved ones health and happiness wherever you are,
The TakingITGlobal Team dispatch@takingitglobal.org
"Virtual Citizenship, Real Safety" Global Gallery Contest Winners:
Featured Theme: Urban Sustainability and the World Urban Café
In preparation for the World Urban Forum III next June, TakingITGlobal and Environmental Youth Alliance present the World Urban Café! Featuring the music of socially aware artists Ani DiFranco and K'naan, you can find information, take action, be creative and communicate now on critical urban issues at the World Urban Café. As cities around the world face rapid urbanization, young people must be active agents in re-visioning city planning to become more sustainable and just. Share your views and learn more about the issues on local and global scale. Connect with your urban environment at the World Urban Café!
TakingITGlobal launched TIG Xpress-HIV/AIDS on December 1, 2005 at a World AIDS Day Breakfast. TIG-Xpress uses photographic analysis to undertake HIV/AIDS education based on social justice, transnational communication and global solidarity between youth. The images were created by participants in TIG-Xpress initial Toronto-based workshop series as part of broader strategy to produce a toolkit for use in Canadian Schools set to be released in June 2006. The World AIDS Breakfast was a partnership with Business Professional Women of Canada and Voices of Positive Women. It also featured the official launch of the Canadian Blueprint for Action on Women and AIDS.
Thank you to everyone that was able to make the World AIDS Breakfast (especially the youth invitees and TIG members). Click here!
AIDS: Picture Change Launch
TakingITGlobal is a lead partner in a new initiative call AIDS: Picture Change that was launched at Canterbury High School in Ottawa on December 1, 2005. AIDS: Picture Change is a multimedia exhibition that will travel to Canadian high schools and universities. The launch was organized by Canterbury High School, and featured poetry, music and drama.
The poem "Take My Hand, Divided" was written by Chelsie Smith:
Tomorrow may be another day,
Today must still be conquered
Stay her, next to me,
Let's dodge this bullet together
New Project: Cross-Canada Mapping of Youth-led Initiatives
Are you part of (or do you know of) any Canadian youth-led or highly youth-engaged initiatives? Would you be interested in participating in the Open Forums and capacity building workshops?
With support from The McConnell Family Foundation, TakingITGlobal is currently operating a dual capacity building and research project with a focus on youth-led initiatives in Canada. The goal of the project is to assess the needs and to build capacity of youth-led groups across Canada by introducing them to the web-based tools and collaborative technologies provided by the TakingITGlobal Canadian portal: http://projects.takingitglobal.org/mapping.
All workshops will be held in the month of January 2006 in: Vancouver, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, St. John, and Halifax. We would greatly appreciate your insight and support! Contact the Research Team at: mapping@takingitglobal.org
WSIS, Tunisia: One Great Summit
TIG had a key role (and a good time!) in creating a youth presence at the World Summit on the Information Society Phase II in Tunisia last month. TIG staff and members were able to raise awareness on issues such as youth empowerment through ICTs, online safety and security, and youth and the digital divide. We were also able to conduct workshops, participate in panels, announce new partnerships, host youth hub visitors, present youth awards and even manage to get coverage in international media. The summit proved to be an excellent team-builder and re-energizer for the work that lies ahead.
Online Safety Theme Celebrated at WSIS
TIG's Online Safety Day at the World Summit on the Information Society, presented in partnership with Microsoft, brought the issues of online safety and security to the forefront for conference delegates. As with any community, discussion around the future of the Internet as a global community has to focus on maintaining a safe space for the exchange of ideas. To find out more about issues we discussed, from intellectual property to computer security to cyber bullying, visit our featured theme on Online Safety & Security. click here
Panorama Current Issue: Urban Life
Our current issue on Urban Sustainability is a collection of writings on everything from the youth riots in France, community resource management, hip hop culture, curfews on youth in cities, and public transportation in developing countries. After reading, you can post a comment on any article you read. Feel like expressing yourself on urban life too? Then write and submit your work to Panorama...see you in there! We invite you to read articles from the current issue: click here.
A city is an infinite collage of spaces that are constantly in transit and motion. Gaps often go unnoticed and build a new landscape that is blurry and out of focus. The 'urban' lives and breathes in between these gaps, relations between places and people, that also often go unnoticed. It is all periphery put in focus only by our gaze, as citizens or travelers, within and through a city. Our gaze is the only true epicenter of a city.
The aim of our current contest is to put your city into focus - to literally frame a space, a gap, a place, a person, an issue and people - with the objective of capturing that one fragment that for you reflects the feeling and essence of a city. Your submission can be any medium (e.g. photograph, painting, drawing, digital graphic manipulation). Go to the Gallery.
Featured Country Site: China
Do you know that TIG's web site is now available in Chinese? This became possible thanks to the amazing work of our team of Chinese e-translators who completed the translation in a record time. This month we invite you to take a virtual tour of the China Country Site which has over 300 members. Check out recent art work and articles from China! See you at china.takingitglobal.org
Wrap Up
Your interest, support and involvement with TakingITGlobal helps our community to grow and encourage more young people to become inspired, informed and involved everyday! In being a member of TakingITGlobal, you are part of a community that is 100,000 strong coming from over 250 countries and territories. Thank you for having a vision of positive change. Your work makes a difference!
In friendship,
The TakingITGlobal Team
Copyright 2005 TakingITGlobal
The TakingITGlobal Dispatch is the official newsletter of TakingITGlobal, electronically published via email, and compiled from various events and news from within the TakingITGlobal network. Contributions should be sent to dispatch@takingitglobal.org. Please include your full name, age, and your TIG username.
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM, like a doctor’s code of ethics, means "First, do no harm." It is basic to good destination stewardship.
Sustainable tourism does not abuse its product—the destination. It seeks to avoid the "loved to death" syndrome. Businesses and other stakeholders anticipate development pressures and apply limits and management techniques that sustain natural habitats, heritage sites, scenic appeal, and local culture.
It conserves resources. Environmentally aware travelers favor businesses that minimize pollution, waste, energy consumption, water usage, landscaping chemicals, and unnecessary nighttime lighting.
It respects local culture and tradition. Foreign visitors learn about and observe local etiquette, including using at least a few courtesy words in the local language. Residents learn how to deal with foreign expectations that may differ from their own.
It aims for quality, not quantity. Communities measure tourism success not by sheer numbers of visitors, but by length of stay, distribution of money spent, and quality of experience.
GEOTOURISM adds to these principles by building on geographical character—"sense of place"—to create a type of tourism that emphasizes the distinctiveness of its locale, beneficial to visitor and resident alike. Geotourism is defined as tourism that supports the geographical character of a place—its environment, culture, heritage, aesthetics, and the well-being of its citizens.
Geotourism is synergistic: All the elements of geographical character together create a tourist experience that is richer than the sum of its parts, appealing to visitors with diverse interests.
It involves the community. Local small businesses and civic groups work together to promote and provide a distinctive, authentic visitor experience.
It informs both visitors and hosts. Residents discover their own heritage and how the ordinary and familiar may be of interest to outsiders. As local people develop pride and skill in showing off their locale, tourists get more out of their visit.
It benefits residents economically. Travel businesses do their best to use the local workforce, services, and products and supplies. When the community understands the beneficial role of geotourism, it becomes an incentive for wise destination stewardship.
It supports integrity of place. Destination-savvy travelers seek out businesses that emphasize the character of the locale. Tourism revenues in turn raise local perceived value of those assets.
It means great trips. Satisfied, excited visitors bring new knowledge home and send friends off to experience the same thing—which provides continuing business for the destination.
In September 2000, the Heads of States and Government of 189 countries celebrated the new millennium with the adoption of the United Nations Millennium Declaration. This declaration sets out eight concrete objectives to reduce poverty by half by 2015:
Did you know that 
Join young people from across Canada and around the world as they discuss issues that really matter: extreme poverty, the Millennium Development Goals and how youth can make a difference.
Live Chats!
The location and date of the next Youth Employment Summit has been announced. Join young people from all over the world in Kenya next September 13-16! The Kenya YES 2006 Summit will focus on identifying markets and building capacity for youth to serve those markets. Visit www.yesweb.org to register and for more information. 
Mark your calendars! The Open Forums on Youth Participation in Canada are underway! The remaining events are: 
Looking for TIG members who are colleagues or alumi? We've added a higher education database to member profiles so now you can search for members who went to your college or university! Go to 'Edit Profile' and click on the 'About Me' tab to add your school. Then, find others by clicking on the name of your school in your public profile. 
Around the world, millions of people are affected by disabilities. Although many are living full lives, persons with disabilities are often forced to the margins of society. The aim of this issue of Panorama is to promote an understanding of disability issues among young people and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. Help us present alternate visions of what constitutes disability through the experiences of young people around the globe.
Without a doubt, these are historical times for Bolivia and its people; a new year, a new President and new challenges that are also opportunities. With a pledge for debt relief by the International Monetary Fund, overcoming poverty and achieving the other Millennium Development Goals are possibilities for Bolivia. So what are the millions of Bolivian young people in this new phase going to do?
TakingITGlobal launched TIG Xpress-HIV/AIDS on December 1, 2005 at a World AIDS Day Breakfast. TIG-Xpress uses photographic analysis to undertake HIV/AIDS education based on social justice, transnational communication and global solidarity between youth. The images were created by participants in TIG-Xpress initial Toronto-based workshop series as part of broader strategy to produce a toolkit for use in Canadian Schools set to be released in June 2006. The World AIDS Breakfast was a partnership with Business Professional Women of Canada and Voices of Positive Women. It also featured the official launch of the Canadian Blueprint for Action on Women and AIDS.
TakingITGlobal is a lead partner in a new initiative call AIDS: Picture Change that was launched at Canterbury High School in Ottawa on December 1, 2005. AIDS: Picture Change is a multimedia exhibition that will travel to Canadian high schools and universities. The launch was organized by Canterbury High School, and featured poetry, music and drama.
TIG had a key role (and a good time!) in creating a youth presence at the World Summit on the Information Society Phase II in Tunisia last month. TIG staff and members were able to raise awareness on issues such as youth empowerment through ICTs, online safety and security, and youth and the digital divide. We were also able to conduct workshops, participate in panels, announce new partnerships, host youth hub visitors, present youth awards and even manage to get coverage in international media. The summit proved to be an excellent team-builder and re-energizer for the work that lies ahead.
TIG's Online Safety Day at the World Summit on the Information Society, presented in partnership with Microsoft, brought the issues of online safety and security to the forefront for conference delegates. As with any community, discussion around the future of the Internet as a global community has to focus on maintaining a safe space for the exchange of ideas. To find out more about issues we discussed, from intellectual property to computer security to cyber bullying, visit our featured theme on Online Safety & Security. 
Our current issue on Urban Sustainability is a collection of writings on everything from the youth riots in France, community resource management, hip hop culture, curfews on youth in cities, and public transportation in developing countries. After reading, you can post a comment on any article you read. Feel like expressing yourself on urban life too? Then write and submit your work to Panorama...see you in there! We invite you to read articles from the current issue: 
Contest: Global Gallery Contest: Frame Your City
Do you know that TIG's web site is now available in Chinese? This became possible thanks to the amazing work of our team of Chinese e-translators who completed the translation in a record time. This month we invite you to take a virtual tour of the China Country Site which has over 300 members. Check out recent art work and articles from China! See you at 
In September 2000, the Heads of States and Government of 189 countries celebrated the new millennium with the adoption of the United Nations Millennium Declaration. This declaration sets out