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INTER-COOPERATION—YOUTH AND STUDENT STYLE

Back in the late Spring, GEO reported on the rising tide of youth and student activism. In this issue, we revisit that focus, paying special attention to ways in which youth activists are connecting their energies and issues with those of others. And the results have been hopeful and empowering. Student activists have won remarkable victories by working with organized labor at the University of Connecticut, Harvard, and many other campuses. They have worked within PICA (Peace Initiatives through Interamarican Community Action), an amazing state-wide anti-sweatshop coalition that this summer convinced both the Maine legislature and governor to pass a bill banning the sale of sweatshop products in that state. You'll find reports on these collaborative successes provided below, as well as several other sorts of youth-centered initiatives:

Beth Coleman reports on her trip to Denmark where she visited a unique education program for young activists who want to better the world through teaching.

In addition she shares her thoughts on—and doubts about—the anti-globalization protests, having gone to one in Quebec City last April.

Three new voices appear in this issue: Roger Benham reports on his experiences as a medic at the Quebec City protests in May, addressing the question raised by Beth Coleman, "Do these large actions promote inter-cooperation between activists after the tear gas has cleared?"

Jesse Gates-Chinoy writes about Youth Adelantano, an empowering youth organization in Maine which is connected to youth organizations throughout the state, and in Central America. Jesse's article is the first of many he will write for GEO in a continuing column on youth activism. And Melissa Everett, Director of the newly formed Sustainable Career Institute, reports on her work to guide students towards Making a Living While Making a Difference (that's also the title of one of her books).

As GEO continues to expand our work beyond sending out this newsletter—to helping build a stronger and worldwide grassroots cooperative and democracy movement (see The New GEO, back cover)—it is our hope that these diverse youth-centered efforts will serve as food for thought. For they can show us, in concrete ways, what "inter-cooperation" involves and what very positive results it can achieve.

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©2001 GEO, P.O. Box 115, Riverdale, MD 20738-0115
http://www.geo.coop