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And welcome to another exciting year full of promise, opportunity and challenge for the IYPF as an organisation and for all of you as our global family and network. From all at the IYPF, we hope each of you have enjoyed a successful and exciting start to the year and we are excited to be working with you as we create a better world for all through our actions in 2006.

It has certainly been a busy start to the year for the IYPF directors and team. Both have been meeting to get their plans and priorities sorted for the year. You will read more about the 2006 goals and key activities in the next edition of the newsletter. There has also been a lot of recruitment and staff movement over the last 3 months, with a new Board starting, new appointments to the Communications Team,creation of a Local Events Team and a new Legal area of the organisation, development of a team and plans in Latin America,amongst others. You will read about some of our new staff and staff movements in this volume and in future editions we will introduce you to other new members of the team. We are also looking to fill some other positions that you may be interested in - further details in the newsletter!

So what else can you expect in this edition of the newsletter? If you are involved in or have ideas about projects to help create a better community and world, then read about how IYPF can support your idea and assist in making your initiative more successful. We are looking for new applications now! There is information on IYPF and partner activities in Latin America, and an insightful article about the Earth Charter Initiative and its recent +5 event and reinvigoration of its Youth activities.

Gabrielle has compiled a lengthy section on HIV & AIDS to follow up World AIDS Day in December with contributions from our HIV & AIDS network members. Salwa has interviewed Tracey Smith, a leading 'downshifter' and 'slow activist', to get a better insight in to the world of downshifting. To cap it all off are some thoughts on poverty reduction and the World Bank, futures and how we are working to make the future we want, and a collection of opportunities and resources.

All up with think it´s a great edition, with much to inform and inspire you. Next month we will have even more, along with a new editor and some more writers. We also want your feedback and input so please get it to us via iypf@iypf.org.

From all of the team here, and the Communications Team in particular, we wish you all the best for the month ahead and look forward to hearing your stories as you pursue a better world for all.

Cameron Neil
CEO, IYPF