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The Youth for Peace: UNESCO intercultural leadership programme is an initiative designed to equip emerging leaders with the skills, knowledge, and resources to champion intercultural dialogue as a strategy to address pressing global challenges. Through this programme, UNESCO is cultivating a new generation of champions for dialogue, cohesion, and peace, empowering them to lead transformative action at local, national, and global levels. In its first year of operation, the theme for the Programme will be ‘Learning to collaborate for a shared future: Using dialogue to foster social cohesion in a world on the move’.

Selected participants will become part of a dynamic, international network of young leaders and changemakers, gaining the opportunity to champion intercultural dialogue and drive meaningful impact in their communities. This immersive journey includes capacity-building, financial grants, ongoing mentorship and an opportunity raise your voice on an international platform. More importantly, it fosters long-term engagement in a community of leaders committed to using dialogue to drive solutions and shape policies that promote cohesion and foster peace. The programme is a key part of UNESCO’s “Road to Peace: Dialogue and Action for Tolerance and Intercultural Understanding” initiative, amplifying youth-led action and contributing to systemic change worldwide.

What the programme offers
1.Capacity-Building: Participants will engage in a structured capacity building programme that includes:

Online Training Workshops – An immersive programme featuring strategic sessions designed to equip participants with the skills, knowledge, and tools to embody intercultural leadership, and implement concrete projects to champion intercultural solutions within their communities.

Ongoing Learning and Exchange – A continuing platform of training and exchange will help to further reinforce the skills and knowledge needed by participating Young Leaders as they begin to put plans into action through the implementation of projects in their communities (see below section for more details).

Peer-to-Peer Learning and Mentorship – Regular knowledge-sharing sessions and personalised coaching will be provided to help guide participating Young Leaders as they implement projects in their communities.

2. Financial Grants for Community Projects
Following the initial online training workshops, participants will finalise and submit plans to implement a project within their community, leveraging the knowledge and skills gained to design actions around the theme of ‘Learning to Collaborate for a Shared Future: Using dialogue to foster social cohesion in a world on the move’. Upon approval, they will receive a grant of 10,000 USD to implement their project, accompanied by ongoing training, peer-support, and mentorship.

3. A Global Network and Lasting Impact
Participants will also gain the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities to scale and institutionalise the impact of their work within global policy discussions, including:

 

 

Access to a unique Global Alumni Network, offering ongoing exchange, learning, and opportunities;

Participation in the Global Youth Dialogue for Peace, a unique global forum bringing together Young Leaders with established decision makers to support learning and best practice sharing, provide avenues for influencing policy development, and reinforcing networks;

Access to UNESCO resources, toolkits, and methodologies for scaling best practices;

Opportunities to contribute to the UNESCO Global Intercultural Action Observatory, a repository of insights and good practices to support ongoing policy advocacy in favour of intercultural leadership for peace and cohesion.

Tentative timeline
September 2025: Online training workshops

October 2025: Finalise and submit your community project plan (with mentor support); grants disbursed

November 2025 – May 2026: Project implementation, with ongoing mentorship and training.

April 2026: Participate in the in-person UNESCO Global Youth Leaders Dialogue for Peace in Guangzhou, China, with project presentations, dialogue with high-level leaders, and the launch of the Global Alumni Network.

May 2026: Submit final project reports.

From May 2026 onwards: Continued involvement in the Alumni Network and UNESCO-led opportunities for learning, advocacy, and collaboration.

Programme language
English will be the official working language of the Programme.
All project proposals must be submitted in English, and all training, mentorship, and communication with UNESCO will be conducted in in this language, unless otherwise agreed.

Who can apply?
To be eligible, applicants must:

Be between 25 and 45 years old as of 1 September 2025.

Have a proven record of leadership in their field.

Demonstrate a commitment to intercultural dialogue and social impact.

Have the potential to influence and create change within their communities.

Be available to participate in all components of the programme.

Community-led projects must:

Align with the theme: ‘Learning to Collaborate for a Shared Future: Using dialogue to foster social cohesion in a world on the move’.

Be able to be implemented within six months.

Be of local or national scope.

Selection Process
Step 1: Application Submission

Interested candidates must complete the online application form and submit the required documents by June 22, 2025, 23:59 CET (Paris time).

Step 2: Pre-Screening

Applications will be reviewed to ensure they meet the minimum requirements for eligibility.

Step 3: Technical Review

An international jury will evaluate applications based on the predefined criteria (see Terms and Conditions for more details).

Step 4: Validation

The final 50 participants will be notified by August 2025.

 Click HERE to access the application form and begin your journey toward becoming a champion for intercultural dialogue. 

The application deadline is June 22, 2025, 23:59 CET (Paris time). 

Please read the Terms and Conditions carefully before applying.  

The post UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme ($10,000 Grant) appeared first on Advert By Dotifi .Com Domains for Advert By Dotifi .Com Domains for almajiri.com.ng Hausa Music Blog, Entertainment ,News and Gossips .

By 9jabook

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From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5 The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Article .From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5: The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Report on the Shifting Landscape of Substance Abuse in Nigeria Nigeria faces a severe and evolving drug crisis, particularly among its youth. What began with the widespread abuse of Tramadol has progressed through mixtures like “Canadian” to newer pharmaceutical diversions such as Exol-5. This shift reflects deeper issues: easy access to prescription drugs, weak regulation, socioeconomic pressures, and aggressive street-level marketing. NDLEA operations and health studies reveal a public health emergency that threatens an entire generation. Phase 1: The Tramadol Epidemic (2010s–Early 2020s) Tramadol, a synthetic opioid prescribed for moderate to severe pain, became Nigeria’s most notorious street drug. Cheap, potent, and widely smuggled (often from India and other Asian countries), it offered users energy, euphoria, and pain relief — appealing to commercial drivers, laborers, students, and young men seeking confidence or stamina. Scale of the Problem: Millions of tablets seized annually by NDLEA. High prevalence among young males aged 15–35. Linked to increased crime, sexual violence, organ damage (kidney failure, seizures), and mental health breakdowns. Contributed to broader opioid misuse alongside codeine cough syrups. Government responses included tighter import controls and public awareness campaigns, but these only displaced demand to other substances rather than eliminating it. Phase 2: The Rise of “Canadian” (Mid-2020s) “Canadian” or “Canadian Loud” emerged as a popular code for high-grade cannabis (often indica-dominant strains) or cannabis mixed with other synthetics. It gained traction as users sought alternatives or combinations to Tramadol’s effects. This phase marked a move toward imported or locally cultivated premium weed, sometimes laced with stronger chemicals. Youths in urban centers like Lagos, Kano, Jos, and Onitsha embraced it for its perceived “cleaner” high compared to opioids. However, it fueled polydrug use — combining cannabis with opioids, sedatives, or alcohol — amplifying health risks. Phase 3: Exol-5 – The Current Threat (2024–2026) Exol-5 (Benzhexol Hydrochloride / Trihexyphenidyl 5mg), originally a prescription medication for Parkinson’s disease and drug-induced movement disorders, has become the latest pharmaceutical being heavily abused. Why Exol-5? Euphoric Effects: Users report intense euphoria, hallucinations, and a sense of detachment — making it attractive as a cheap “upper” or escape. Accessibility: Sold over-the-counter or on the black market despite being a controlled prescription drug. NDLEA has seized millions of pills in single operations (e.g., 3.1 million pills in Kano in late 2024, and over 5.6 million combined with Tramadol in other busts). Street Names: Exol, Artane, Benzhexol, “Farin Mallam” (in Northern Nigeria). Demographics: Prevalent among youths, laborers, and even psychiatric patients who divert prescriptions. Studies show abuse rates as high as 25% among certain outpatient groups. Health Consequences: Anticholinergic toxicity: Confusion, dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, and in high doses — delirium, psychosis, seizures, and heart issues. Long-term: Cognitive impairment, addiction, exacerbated mental health disorders. Often mixed with Tramadol, codeine, or cannabis, creating dangerous synergies. In cities like Jos, Exol-5 sits alongside diazepam, Rohypnol, and Tramadol on street markets, easily available to teenagers and young adults. Why This Evolution Continues Supply-Side Failures: Porous borders, corrupt officials, and overproduction of pharmaceuticals enable diversion. Demand Drivers: Unemployment, poverty, peer pressure, trauma, and the pursuit of performance enhancement (e.g., for “hustle” culture). Weak Regulation: Many pharmacies sell restricted drugs without prescriptions. Online and street vendors fill gaps. Displacement Effect: Cracking down on one substance (Tramadol/codeine) pushes users and dealers toward the next available option. NDLEA reports ongoing large seizures, but the problem persists due to high profitability and low risk for mid-level distributors. Broader Impacts on Nigerian Youths Education: Increased dropout rates and poor academic performance. Mental Health: Rising cases of psychosis and depression. Economy: Lost productivity among the working-age population. Crime and Violence: Drug-fueled robberies, cultism, and family breakdowns. Public Health System Strain: Overburdened hospitals treating overdoses and chronic complications. Young people aged 15–39 remain the hardest hit, with national surveys showing drug use prevalence significantly above global averages. What Must Be Done Stronger Enforcement: Consistent prosecution of corrupt enablers and large-scale traffickers. Regulation: Crackdown on rogue pharmacies and better tracking of prescription drugs. Prevention & Rehabilitation: School programs, community outreach, and expanded treatment centers (currently woefully inadequate). Economic Alternatives: Address root causes like youth unemployment. Public Awareness: Honest campaigns highlighting real dangers of “Exol-5” and similar drugs. Conclusion From Tramadol’s opioid grip to “Canadian” cannabis culture and now Exol-5’s anticholinergic highs, Nigeria’s drug crisis is mutating faster than responses can contain it. Exol-5 represents the dangerous new frontier — a legitimate medicine turned youth destroyer due to misuse and greed. Without urgent, multi-layered intervention — combining supply disruption, demand reduction, and socioeconomic support — an entire generation risks being lost to addiction. The time for half-measures is over. Nigeria’s future depends on winning this fight.