The digital world of connections and networking has been made possible with the aid of mediums/platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Youtube to broadcast ideas and identities. There is an increasing level of importance placed on people and businesses to integrate social networking in their day-to-day lives. The benefits of social networking have been made clear over and over; it is bridging gaps and bringing people together. It is not necessarily about the social media tools that help us engage, but it is about the connections that are created with people. I recently read an interesting article.

that pointed out that social networking is still about the relationships created; they are the currency to finding jobs in today’s markets. “Only you can make the relationship. Connecting with people still means you can’t be a dinosaur and ignore what is going on around you thinking nothing is changing. Change is constant”. Recently at the 17th annual iEARN conference held in Barrie, social networking was on the forefront. It made global classrooms possible and collaborations could take place across the world. However in learning about the social media, I also began questioning words that were being used to describe the benefits of these tools, such as breaking through “cross-cultural boundaries”. What role does social media play in bridging worlds, and does this bridge lead to a homogenized culture. In engaging children and youth to be active within social media platforms we are also exposing them to information that is increasingly homogenized. I was reading a recent Adbusters.

magazine on a beautiful beach on the lake, connected to nature and my surroundings. I found an article called "Ecology of Ecology".

to particularly resonate with the today’s generation of youth. The Jumpy Brain Syndrome is our endless feed of information being fed to us at all times through our blackberry devices, our netbooks and ipods. “The Kaiser Family Foundation reported that American children between the ages of 8 and 18 spend an average of 7½ hours a day using some sort of electronic device.” This did not take me by surprise but I did realize this was probably the first time in a month I was not plugged into technology. I had left all my devices and gadgets at home and I felt exposed and the compulsion to get an update on the world outside. Although I am not saying we should not use the amazing advantages of social media to connect, but we should also be aware of the increasing demands to be integrated into all components of social networks. Youth are buying into this alternative universe faster and easier than ever, given their ability to shape and recreate their individualistic representations. Which is why we need to promote using these mediums and tools of social connections for something of value. TakingITGlobal has always been a forward thinker for introducing social media for social change.

Like many Torontonians, I have been plagued by the media focuses on the upcoming June G8/G20 meeting in our city. However, what we usually find in the media are reports on security threats and preventions, and the threats of rioting and disruptions to take place.
The first issue that usually jumps out is the price tag; the summit is costing a small fortune alone in security. The cost for the G8/G20 already tops $1 billion and has turned our city into what some refer to as “Fortress Toronto”. There is a growing uprising against the summit and it is founded in some deep issues. I am no expert on the mechanics of the global economic system, but I do feel some outrage and (admittedly) fear in the power the G20 holds in deciding how to build economic policy of the world.

All of this is highlighted continuously and much more eloquently in the outrage of our communities, with specific needs and more specific unjust treatment. But I want to reinforce the youth involvement in this movement against the G8/G20 2010 summit as part of a youth community. Some of the opposing and protesting organizations includes youth forces such as the, Students Against Israel Apartheid, Young Onkwehonwe United and the Ryerson Student Association. These are just to name a few, but represent a young population opposing some of the outrages of this summit. I feel that exposure to these issues are vital to TIG and we need to continue to highlight how youth are part of the social movement against global and local issues. The protests of G20 are necessary, we have the right to be heard.

Urban planning is a critical component in creating social equity, but how can we further engage in changing the ways our cities are built? As a recent Urban Planning graduate I still find it difficult to explain what exactly planning is… But what I am most concerned with is using planning tools to implement equitable change. I am able to tell you the processes of what would constitute as fair planning processes for a country like Canada, but what reinforcements are there for equitable planning in countries faced with poverty and political pressures?

For Zanzibar, their rapid tourism expansion beginning in the 1980s and has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry. There are 173 tourist accommodation establishments in Zanzibar and this number is growing with new developments coming up (http://www.zanzibartourism.net/). The tourism industry relies greatly on the natural features Zanzibar has to offer, with their mission statement being “To be the most exotic, diverse island destination in the Indian Ocean Region Exotic as it is wrapped in a mysterious Arab/African ambience and flavored with palm fringed, tropical beaches” (http://www.zanzibartourism.net/). However, this aim in becoming a top tourism destination is conflicted with the degradation of their natural resources through rapid tourism development of hotels and paradise spots for tourists to visit. The rapid expansion of Zanzibar in the 90s and today has led to environmental degradation, social change and disruption. Pressures to develop on delicate coastal areas have increased through tourist related infrastructure and population growth of 3 percent (Jiddawi & Lange).

Zanzibar relies on their tourism sector for attracting new investments and businesses, such as world-class hotels and restaurants. The tourism sector accounts for about 47 percent of their GDP; “Overall Zanzibaris obtain 47 percent of tourism GDP, but only 20 percent accrues to local communities; most goes to government in the form of fees and taxes (15%), and to Zanzibaris from outside the local communities (12%).” (Jiddawi & Lange). In realizing the importance of this industry to the sustainability of Zanzibar’s economy, how do we enforce the need for environmental and social sustainable practices?

How can youth enforce governments to bring the focus back to essential issues and services? I believe this question can’t be summed up in a single word or action.
One of the tools TakingITGlobal provides youth with is training in capacity building. The Global Coalition on HIV/AIDS (GYAN) in part with TIG has an approach to education and understanding that can be transferrable to youth understanding how to influence urban policy. Political Advocacy courses are offered through GYAN, as well as e-courses on that provide knowledge, skills, resources and opportunities. The realm of urban planning can be vague for people unfamiliar with what it entails, but realizing the effects of poorly planned communities are impactful to everyone. We need to break down the complicated language surrounding the policies and decisions that are passed that exclude and segregate. Youth need to engage in lobbying for social advocacy and fair practices in developing in their communities, whether it is in North America or Africa. I realize the comparison of learning about HIV/AIDS and ways to form fair cities are quite different in spectrum, but education is the first step to making a difference regardless of the issue.

How can youth increase the inclusiveness of essential services such as transportation, housing and jobs in our cities?

Check out Jiddawi and Lange’s journal - Economic value of marine ecosystem services in Zanzibar: Implications for marine conservation and sustainable development. (2009). Ocean and Coastal Management.