YOUTH unemployment is undoubtedly one of the greatest consequences of the economic crisis, and nowhere more so than for the hundreds of young people finishing their university degrees yet unable to find jobs.
With the crisis challenging people to reassess their priorities and change their mentalities, a youth foundation set up in 2007 aspires to help young people explore their potential.
IEEN, the Youth Employment and Training Foundation was created by a group of 17 adults from different professional sectors and with enough experience abroad to realise that Cyprus’ youth is academically advanced compared to other EU countries, but lacks empowerment, work-related attributes and the ethics to thrive in the labour market.
Filios Savvides, president of IEEN, explained that this is a problem resulting from the post-war period in Cyprus.
“Because of the invasion,” he said, “people were more protective of their children. They didn’t want them to go and study something that wouldn’t guarantee financial security. Children were driven by their families. They usually went into the profession chosen for them and were not allowed to decide freely for themselves. They therefore had no aspirations for excelling or for professional development.” IEEN, a registered charity since 2008, believes that young people should begin their training young - ideally while still at school - and acts as a link between employers and the young. Combatting clientelism and nepotism in the workplace is a major focus.
“About a year and a half ago, coincidence had it that a group of people who shared these views were brought together and decided to act as volunteers,” added Savvides. There are currently ten adult volunteers helping to organise various projects and events that involve young people.
The biggest of these is Second Life.
Inspired by Tigadoo (a Nicosia based eco-friendly children’s products and services provider) and in collaboration with IEEN, the project aims to change consumer habits and the negative perception that surrounds second-hand objects.
Aude-Marie Auphan, owner of Tigadoo and volunteer at IEEN explained that the project aims at involving young students as volunteers who collect books, toys, clothes and accessories in good condition, clean them up and if needed re-package them, put them on display to be bought and given a second life. All proceeds are given to charities.
Both Auphan and Savvides, referred to the negative perception that second-hand items have in Cyprus. Savvides said that “people feel that buying second-hand is something beneath them, like it is something only poor people would do. But that is not the case.”
“The idea is to raise awareness,” said Auphan, “to produce less waste and to change the habits we have as consumers.” It is also about giving young volunteers a different perspective on consumerism and teaching them sustainability and how to become more environmentally friendly in their habits.
“Second Life is not aiming to create a revolution,” Auphan said, “just an evolution. This is the best time to ask ourselves about our consumer habits and change them.”
“The crisis is allowing people to rethink their priorities”, said Savvides, “and in Cyprus people need to reassess their fluidity. They need to understand that just because they are high-income families now, this doesn’t mean that will always be the case. Parents should teach their children to be flexible, as well as other attributes that come along with that - sensitivity to others, responsibility etc.”
The Second Life project collaborates with four Nicosia-based private schools - American Academy, Highgate Private School, the American International School, and the Ecole Franco-Chypriote. Other schools (as well as other businesses and organisations) have shown an interest and the organisers are hoping to expand it as much as possible.
Second Life organised its first “One Day Boutique” of second-hand children’s items last October, with young volunteers joining forces with the elderly members of the Materia Nursing and Rehabilitation Unit, in order to prepare the second-hand items on sale. All profits from the event were donated to 12 charities that are each focusing on a specific target group. The success and the positive reception have led the organisers to establish it as an annual event.
Volunteers participating in the project and other IEEN events are as young as 12 years old and as old as 26.
“IEEN is open to anyone who feels young and uncertain,” Savvides said, adding that IEEN encourages young people to participate in a range of activities that will stimulate self-confidence and social responsibility, and will enable independence and self-reliance. It even hosts a mentoring and work placement programme where young people can talk to professionals and widen their horizons about professions they are interested in.
Auphan said “IEEN is about opening the doors to become curious, so that they are in a position to make their own choices and feel satisfied with them”.
“Business doesn’t mean making money,” added Savvides. “Young people need to realise there is more to life and they need to be independent and self-sufficient enough to be happy.”
The aim is to avoid the overqualified symptom in Cyprus which leads so many young people to depression because they can’t find a job in their field. If they know what the potential of their chosen profession are, they will be more prepared when entering the labour force and most importantly, according to Savvides, will become more flexible and better able to respond to the changes in their lives, and even reinvent themselves in times of crisis.
IEEN hopes to have its physical premises available before mid-2013. The charity’s base will host the offices, as well as seminar/workshop rooms.
“We are happy to welcome people who want to explore, who want to share and extend their network and advice, and who want to volunteer with us,” said Savvides.
IEEN operates exclusively on volunteerism. It receives small funds from various EU and national youth programmes distributed by the Cyprus Youth Board. It is a grassroots charity, encouraging youth to present and indulge in their ideas and to develop a critical approach to life.
For more info on IEEN and Second Life: www.ieen.org, info@ieen.org.cy, as well as on Facebook.
Contact: Filios Savvides 99574549, Aude-Marie Auphan 99576496, Marina Polycarpou 99607567
The four Nicosia-based private schools mentioned operate as collection points for donations for Second Life. Points of Sale also operate in Nicosia at the Highgate Private School, the Makarios Avenue Branch of the CDB Bank, and the Potenzia Del Arte Academy.
Second Life Oct 2012 event