Through grant supplied by the Australian Aid Organisation, the MYDC has been able to establish an Internet and Computer Training Facility for local young people. The MYDC aims to place these resources in the hands of young people who may not be able to afford to use commercial Internet cafes or to pay for formal computer training. It is expected that this center will produce a high level of interest in the young people who use the MYDC, as it intends to provide opportunities for training and development in information technology skills, which may become a stepping stone to employment.
The MYDC currently has 6 computers available for the scheme, all of which have access to the Internet. The training scheme utilises these resources and will continue to develop and expand. A marketing strategy will be developed to ensure more Mongolian young people have access to these important tools.
In addition, the computers have been used to establish this website, which is to assist in promoting MYDC as well as raising awareness into some of the many issues young people face in Mongolia today.
Library
The
MYDC is creating a library for the general use of young people who come to the
centre, providing them with a broad spectrum of information, which they may not
have access to under other circumstances, including general information on
health issues, vocational training, and education. The MYDC is still searching
for further funding to extend the library to include a broader selection of
reading matter, and information. To date the British Embassy has donated 500,000T
(US$500) towards the library, many private individuals have supplied materials
and the MYDC hopes that the SOROS foundation will offer additional funding.
The aim of this initiative is to provide modern information in a range of subject areas in a self-service, low-pressure environment. A selection of brochures and booklets will be made available to cover a range of courses, both international and local.
There have been two web pages created to give both young people and those dealing with youth issues information directly, as it is important to increase access to information and to increase communication between individuals organizations and government.
Voice of Youth Website
The “Voice of Youth” website will be devoted to issues specific to young people. The website will contain information about news, health, education, employment, leisure activities and all topics that are relevant to the needs of youth. The website will also be used to hold regular online youth discussions, following the pattern of the online discussions with Prime Minister Amarjarhal. These online discussions would facilitate the exchange of information and ideas. For youth in rural areas, without access to the Internet a system would be created to enable them to read discussions in hard copy, and communicate their own ideas through a telephone line.
The Young Generation Website
The “Young Generation” Website would contain information of all youth related activities and projects, which would enable donors and implementing agencies to co-ordinate their efforts more effectively.
A regular newsletter would be sent from this website to all professionals and organisations, by e-mail and hard copy.
MONGOLIAN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTRE