Team Thailand

Team Thailand will link to the campaign work of Amnesty International. They hope being a Youth Ambassador with AI’s support can give them more confidence to work in their field.

Yingcheep Atchanont
Actually I am a lawyer but I’m working for a little NGO called “iLaw” which doing campaign on law reform. We have website “ilaw.or.th” but sorry that we have only Thai version. Our interest is Freedom of Expression and civil participation by using new media.

I sometimes volunteer for many kinds of activities and create some Human Rights youth camp. I am looking for an opportunity to learn more about how to do Human Rights campaign in many ways besides my routine job.

Nuengnaya Laingam
I am a master student at Mahidol University, Thailand. Now I am working on my thesis about “Human Rights and Thai Drama: A Case Study of Thai Situation Comedy (Sit-Com)”. My hobby is trevelling which makes me happy to learn how beautiful the world is!!!

This program gives me the opportunity to learn Human Rights in practice and light up inspiration to society.

Boonsan Ransikarbum
I am undergraduate social worker as working in the field of Youth both for Youth for Local Wisdom network, the running alternative education organization, and ASEAN Youth Movement Network, the new space for the young blood social workers that get along with the ASEAN People Forum, which I participate in the media team.

Taking the photograph is my most favourite hobby. The street photograph style most inspired me because you will see the people life, thought and how do they feel in that moment through their eyes and their appearances.

Human rights are actually something new to me, but I intend to learn more about the human rights which we all are getting into it in every 24/7 of your moves. Furthermore, the demonstration cracked down during May in Thailand was something unbearable to me, and it is also being the inspiration to me to learn more about the FOE and Democracy.

Besides, being the Ambassador would give me chances to learn more from people and friends around Asia, and being supported by APYN and AI Thailand as well as give me clarify more about the FOE.

I will be in Jakarta, Indonesia in this 1-5 May for ASEAN Youth Forum and ASEAN People Forum. If any of you will be there, I would like to talk to you more, too.

Team Indonesia

This team from Indonesia will bring up the issue – Poverty is a human rights violation that we ARE capable of lessening – to the direct community within school and children living in the kampong area. They are working with a group of children in kampong and teaching them to play soccer. They will also collaborate with clubs at school to raise awareness of human rights and poverty at school.

Parina Lalchandani
Hi! My name is Parina Lalchandani, and I’m sixteen years old. I’m an Indonesian of Indian origin, and I’ve lived in Jakarta my whole life. My other group members are Jason Masong and Ajay Taunk. My reasons for joining APYN are primarily because I had the opportunity to meet several APYN ambassadors in March last year for a Global Issues Network Conference in Hong Kong. I was inspired by their actions, and passion for service, which I also share. More importantly, I feel as though being in this position will help me further learn about how we can bring about change, and help me understand and learn more about human rights issues in the world. I’m so looking forward to working with you all!

Ajay Taunk
Right now I’m in High school (which, as I have come to understand, is not common the Youth Ambassador Program) so I have never had opportunity to focus on a certain area of study at a university level. What my school, Jakarta International School (JIS), offers is the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, which I have enrolled in. I am pursuing a career in finance or business.

Two of my biggest hobbies are basketball and videogames. I play basketball at an inter-scholastic level and I fan of Los Angeles Lakers (of the NBA). Videogames are also a hobby of mine. Whether it be strategy or sports, I love all genres of videogames.

I actually heard about this position from Parina. As she told me about this opportunity, my excitement only grew. By the end of her explanation I was bubbling with excitement. As a young person in this world, I believe I can view things differently, and approach seemingly impossible tasks in varied manners but, simultaneously, I have much to learn about the world in which I live. I believe that this platform would offer me the ability to learn about the human rights violations/issues that plague our region, and the world today. With this new found understanding, I want to make a difference in the world.

Jason Masong
Like my colleagues I’m in high school at JIS, but I hope to study abroad in the Unites State after I graduate from high school. Furthermore, I’m not enrolled in the IB diploma program as Parina and Ajay, instead I’m taking a mix of IB and AP (American advanced placement courses, such as AP US history). As a career I’ve had a lot of deliberation and figured that something that will show me the world should do, either it be being a journalist, gourmet chef or even better, a travel writer! As long as I have a roof on my head, I’m cool.

My hobby – BOLA! That’s soccer in Indonesian. I’m a big fan of Chelsea FC and the German National team, unless of course, The Garudas are playing.

I actually heard about this position from Parina. I did this to initially help her out, but then it grew to something bigger; I mean we never expected to get chosen anyways, but heck why not eh? Anyways, I have a considerable amount of free time and I like exploring new things as well, that’s why I gave this a shot.

Hope to hear more from you guys, because I am still quite lost here, naive may I add. You guys have the experience and we have the energy, so I believe that we can collaborate to form a strong synergy for years to come.

Team Indonesia

This Youth Ambassador team from Indonesia aims to set up a home school centre for children in Jayapura, Papua. They want to raise the awareness about the importance of education to the community with local approach. Local friends will be recruited and trained as volunteer teachers.

Christina Enny
My name is Christina Enny, from Indonesia. I am glad to see the movement of young people around the world who are ready to make difference on the earth we are living in.

Team Malaysia

Nur Adilla
Hello there everyone. I am currently studying in International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in English Language and Literature. I have always wanted to know more about the world and its people. When I discover that there are many people who are living in a bad condition, some affected by poverty and sickness and other issues concerning humanities, I told myself that since I am lucky enough to live a peaceful and almost conflict-free life, it is a duty for me as a fellow human being to help those who are in need. Don’t you think so too? I guess that’s why all of you join the ambassador program. I also believe that by joining a program such as APYN Ambassador I will be able to learn more about the condition of people around the world, since our project this time will be on South East Asia, I am excited to know about the condition of people there and what I can do to help. My friends and I are committed to do our best and conduct our three action plans effectively.

Peace from Malaysia to all the ambassadors…

Mohd Zafi Zakaria
I have completed my bachelor degree in TESL, last year, practically I’m just fill in the time to do something and servicing to people, anyway I heard about this when Dilla posted on her facebook, and I am always love doing humanitarian campaign.

Nisha
I am currently studying in International Islamic University Malaysia, taking English Linguistics and Literature while at the same time doing minor course on Political Science. I am now in my final year in which will complete my study by the end of this year.

I am interested in doing humanity program and I want to contribute something to the society.  Moreover, I want to gain experience and improve myself in any ways.

Stay tuned for information on Team Philippines and more details on the cluster youth ambassadors

Munkhchimeg Yadamsuren
Hello! I am Munkhchimeg Yadamsuren. I’m a 24 year-old history teacher in Mongolia. I consider myself a philosopher and a gender activist. In 2009, I organized a film discussion on human trafficking. I believe that through film discussions, we can raise awareness to prevent women and girls from being recruited by human traffickers!

Tengis Munkh-orgil
My name is Tengis Munkh-orgil. I’m 15 years old. (Perhaps, I’m the youngest ambassador!) I play acoustic guitar. I am a debater and an athletic person, too! Last year, I helped in organizing a Human Rights Parade, where I met a lot of new people.

Erdembayar Bayanjargal 
Hello Friends! I’m Erdembayar Bayanjargal. Just like Tengis, I am a debater, too. I also helped in the preparation of the Human Rights Parade. I like meeting new people for it helps me see things in a different angle.

Team Taiwan

This team from Taiwan organized a concert called ‘Sounds Right’ last year. They said the concert aimed to engage youth in human rights activities through music. This year, they wish to re-stage the concert but this time they will have youth unemployment as the theme!

Yingfen Wang
Hello! I am Yingfen Wang! Human Rights in Taiwan are associated with dirty politics. It’s hard to appeal the youth to be involved. But, I believed that each one of us has a responsibility to the global society no matter where we live. I want to be part of this campaign and put my learning in Political Science into practical use!

Chang Yu-Ting
I am Yu-Ting Chang. I am in junior year in National Chiao-Tung University studying Communications and Technology. I play bass for a metal band. I volunteered last year for a human rights concert called Sounds Right. I met Yingfen there. The concert was much better than what we expected it would be! Through the concert, I learned how to face different situations and deal with problems.

Yu-Shan Chang 
My name is Yu-Shan Chang! Last year, I went to Germany to study and worked as a volunteer in a organization called ‘Student For A Free Tibet Deutschland’. I helped in organizing the concert, together with Yingfen and Yu-Ting. The themes of the Sounds Right Concert were Demand Dignity, ICCPR and ICESCR.

Team Mongolia

The Youth Ambassadors of this team consider one another as close friends despite coming from different cities in Mongolia. They will do a human rights campaign about children working in markets.

Enkhjargal Burenjargal
I am Enkhjargal Burenjargal. I love to read and plant flowers. I have been part of Amnesty International since I noticed how actively young people are involved in global issues. I was leading the Climate Change team in 2010 and volunteered for the art gallery project on Death Penalty. I am now very interested with Demand Dignity.

Otgongerel Mygmarjav
Hello everyone! My name is Otgongerel Mygmarjav. I participated in a human rights training sponsored by Amnesty. Last year, I had an acting stint with Amnesty International. I played for the Demand Dignity play.

Enkhbayar Batzul
My name is Enkhbayar Batzul. I like poetries and writing articles. Since 2006, I have been doing human rights works like Death Penalty and a campaign called ‘If you know your human rights, it tastes like chocolate’. It’s a quiz bee! I am friends with a lot of young activists like Buya and Tuuru. Buya was an APYN ambassador for 2010 and Tuuru designed the APYN logo. We have this friendship for human rights for 5 years now. Some of us have graduated but we still meet.

International Human Rights Day commemorates the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December 1948.
There are many ways to recgonise Human Rights Day , take action today!

• sign an online petition
• update your facebook or twitter status,
• join with APYN,
• volunteer for specific campaigns or initiatives ,
• attend local events in your area by human rights organizations
• tell a friend about what you do to defend human rights or share this
• create a response to ‘what does living with dignity mean to me?’ (like the one above!) and email it to APYN : add your voice
• start a discussion at work or school about why human rights are important

… and so many more ways.

Leave a comment below on how you have recognized Human Rights Day today!

Let’s join activists around the region to Demand Dignity!
>>> check out the (((Demand Dignity))) Launch events

You can take action online to be part of the activities!
If you have:

• 30 seconds today:

Log your location on our map petition & tell your friends about it!

• 30 minutes today:
• Follow us on Twitter and respond to our questions;
• Post your voice on http://www.demanddignity.org and invite some friends too!
• Encourage your friends to join the Asia Pacific Youth Network.
• Log your location on our map petition & tell your friends about it!
• Invite 30 of your friends to join the Asia Pacific Youth Network on Facebook
• 30 hours in the next 3 months:

Organise a local activity with your friends over the next 3 months exploring the themes of the Demand Dignity campaign – “What does Dignity mean to you?”. You’ll need to email your idea and plan to us.

• 30 days over the next 6 months:

Today – log on to your favourite social networking site, create an APYN Demand Dignity group, and invite 30 of your friends to join. Email us the pathway to your group to find out the next 29 actions to sustain your network of young human rights activists!

• 3 months:

Become youth ambassador!
Look out for details next week on this site or email your interest to us!

Set yourself a target, devise an action plan and implement it! It’s a longer term project that connects you with other people who want to Demand Dignity! Email us for more information.

Got a better idea? email it to us or post comment below!

Look forward to hearing from you or seeing you in one of our activities!