The origins of YETII date back more than forty years to when Brandon University and the local branch of the United Nations Association held an annual youth conference on global issues. In the mid-1980’s, the Marquis Project took over the event to ensure that it continued, and over the years it evolved into YETII, Youth Educating Themselves on International Issues. Topics for YETII have included Peace & Conflict, Latin American Issues, The Global Environment, and much else. Speakers have included media personalities, United Nations and government officials, university professors, and many peace and development NGO staff members. Many participants in YETII and its predecessor events have gone on to work in fields related to global and local social and environmental issues.
YETII 2010 “Market for Change: Poverty and Climate Change” was deemed a success as over 120 middle year and high school students from the Westman region attended. The purpose of this conference was to stimulate youth on topics of climate change and poverty, while equipping them with practical and creative skills to make change in their own lives, their communities and school, as well was the world at large. Highlights from this conference include keynote speaker Curt Hall, Project Manager of Climate Change Connection, hands on workshops such as “Travel without Impact” where students took part in discovering the benefits of biking instead of driving, and “Nature’s Meals”, where students learned how to classify and prepare wild edibles found in Manitoba.
Do to popular demand The Marquis Project has decided to make YETII a bi-annual conference! To coincide with The Marquis Project’s mandate, ideas of interest include World Aid, Universal Education, Culture and Gender Equality. If you have any suggestions or questions for YETII 2010-Take Two we would love to hear from you! Contact The Marquis Project by phone at 204-727-5675 or by email at education@marquisproject.com. Your comments and suggestions can help to make this conference the best one yet!