Global

Planet Xpress is a positive, upbeat groundbreaking newspaper by and for youth, founded in January 1999. Young journalists, community leaders and innovators from around the world submit success stories, and pro-active, refreshing articles on global issues. The young contributors take a professional stance with regards to investigative journalism while keeping the tone both entertaining and motivating. They cover issues affecting youth, while retaining energy, sense of humor and realism. Planet Xpress brings life to earth issues, dispelling clichés around important matters such as democracy, health and technology. Planet Xpress firmly believes that given the inspiration, contacts, tools and rewards for their efforts in the form of favorable publicity, young people can create positive change in their communities and learn to lead more sustainable lifestyles.

Planet Xpress initiated the creation of Young Journalists Groups in its member countries, where youth build partnerships with mainstream media and contribute to the Planet Xpress Hard-copy newspaper. These groups are developing skills in journalism, multi-media, fundraising, and management. Many groups are establishing links with local youth NGOs in their countries and tapping into worldwide networks to outreach to young people.

To date, the project has been funded by UK based charity Global News Education Trust, and produced a hard-copy paper through a partnership with a UK paper, Positive News, and an informal partnership with international youth NGO Peace Child International. Sponsors have agreed to distribute recycled IT hardware to all our member countries.

There are currently 20 member countries with Young Journalist Groups, 6 Youth Regional Coordinators to oversee project development and publicity in their region, and worldwide outreach through partnerships with international youth organizations

Capacity building, Youth.

• Held a Webpage design workshop in May 1999 to establish Planet Xpress online (www.planetxpress.org). Young people aged 16-24 from Afghanistan, Argentina, Hawaii, Spain, France and the UK attended the workshop.

• Raised funds to increase distribution and outreach to hard-to-reach areas, and provided full support systems for youth groups.

• Held a 10-day journalist workshop summer 1999, which brought together 5 international young people to write and develop the first hard-copy newspaper. Those attending the workshop leaned skills in journalism, research, editing, design and typesetting.

• 75 000 copies of the paper were printed in Summer 1999, and distributed mainly throughout the UK in partnership with Positive News.

• Youth have a tremendous capacity to build networks, inspire their peers and establish groups which function efficiently if working with a project initiated by them and of tangible benefit.

• Comprehensive and well-researched support systems are a necessary resource to increase efficiency of youth-led groups.

• If youth are encouraged to celebrate their own regional and community sustainability, this raises esteem and fortifies intergenerational links. Group productivity is also increased.

• That starting small and establishing efficient working models is of great benefit.

• That access to technology, language, and inclusiveness must be at the forefront of thinking to establish a truly global, effective and sustainable media vehicle.