Volume 1, Issue 5

Dear YLI Supporter,
Youth Leaders International is proud to present the fifth issue of the Leaders' EZINE for your enjoyment. This edition of the EZINE contains some features that I'm certain that you will enjoy. The theme of the EZINE is Cultures: Ancient and Today. Keeping with this theme are several articles, a poem, some Chinese Traditional Art, a sample World Peer about travel, a cartoon, a new phrase of the month translated into nineteen different languages, and a new HQ Update. Since this is the last edition of the Leaders' EZINE before the Life Skills Training for the Class of 2005, from all of YLI we wish you luck and are certain that you will enjoy yourself and learn much about Leadership in Cambridge. Also, please do not forget to vote for your favorite article in this edition of the EZINE on the mainpage of your YLI website.

If you are interested in writing for the Leaders' EZINE, please feel free to email the EZINE staff at yli.ezine@leaders.org.
Many thanks to those who contributed the Leaders' EZINE. I'm certain you will enjoy this fifth issue,

Mr. Charles J. Hall
Editor - Leaders' EZINE
yli.ezine@leaders.org

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Save the Roman Empire
Maria Patrixia Aguinaldo - Manila Chapter (Class of 2006)

We took-up the Decline of the Roman Empire in our History class. Honestly, Rome was one of our topics that made an impact, which interest me in a great deal. It showed how time transcends traditions, and how it changed people's lives from Pax Romana to Civil War, then to its… downfall. I never thought I could be engrossed on these topics… ever in my life, but ironically, I became attached, but not really deliberately affixed into it.
Now it makes me wonder, how Rome just failed with one sudden snap of the finger then the whole thing just did not turn out the same. Everything was ruined and people's hopes and dreams for what was ahead of them, had came to known as, fear. A simple mistake can transform a whole lot of Rome, which made Roman Empire, a part of unravelled history.
Given the opportunity of being an Empress of ancient Rome, I could have done something to save my Empire. Here's the scene, Barbaric Tribes are trying to attack my place, they seem to be ready to invade my Empire, what would I do? If army rebels do not want me to rule, what plans do I have to implement? Friends, I guess, you might think of engaging to war, because, you know, I have the power to do so. But what a lame excuse is this? Don't we ever realize how many lives will be gone astray? How it could greatly affect the stability of its economy? Think! Who doesn't want PEACE anyway? As an Empress of Rome, all I need to do is summed up to two clear-cut words, Negotiate & Protect. In short, finding the middle ground that is less violent and less force exerted. Peaceful negotiation is a give and take approach of communication between two rivalling groups, it would take a series of processes, but we should consider the very impact it could throw in. This could be a good start and a presumption of a peaceful world to re-establish my Empire.
To Protect, I aim to look after and secure my people from further brutality and menace. I should also be receptive on how badly it would affect them. That speaks of sensitivity and genuineness of intentions. Envision an Empress who would not even dare to consider the safety of her fellow men, then what good can this do to an Empire? What benefit can a Ruler get if she sees millions of people in pain, dying and gone?
Let us consider the present, and let the past be a story and an experience of its own veracity, and the reality of life. We tend to do things that suddenly lead to something bigger. We, from time to time, are uneasy about certain concerns and do actions that we never thought others can be gravely hurt. We often don't think of what kind of upshot does these thoughts and inner interests have to take place.
We, we are being thoughtless, we deny it, but it's true. The manifestation of our own selves may not seem visible as it is, but once we take an extra effort to make ourselves perceptible, and seek to do what is just, considering the people around us, trust me, all the good things would take charge.
That sums it all up, coming-up with an unprejudiced decision might be a little hard, but remember that whatever it takes, we have the knack to do the right thing that would affect great change in a good way. We can only make ourselves visible if we strive to consider others' welfare, and sooner or later recognize how it could turn out to be… as good and as great as what we have hoped for…
"A clear vision of our future… What decisions are we going to make?"

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The Good Life
Daniel McNamara - Melbourne Chapter (Class of 2005)

Since the time of old Athens
They've penned pages and pages
On the best that should happen
In our lives, through the ages.

Some have said, 'the truth must be found',
Others, that contentment is our goal.
Disciples of morals also abound,
While many believe in God's crucial role.

This led to a jumble;
A world of confusion,
Which led some to mumble,
'There is no solution.'

But had anyone thought of our freedom to choose
The course of our actions for no reason at all?
Travelling wherever with nothing to lose,
Mind at the ready to answer life's call.

Cultural Booboo
Luisa Jimenez- Manila Chapter (Class of 2006)

It was the moment I had been dreading ever since I was chosen for our school's summer exchange program in Osaka, Japan. Heart thumping, I walked slowly to the podium to make my introductory speech - in Japanese.
"Konnichiwa! Watashi wa Jimenez Ruisa desu. (Good afternoon! I am Luisa Jimenez)"
Whew! At least that's over with. The first step is always the hardest, right? At least that's what I thought.
Seconds into my speech, the audience burst into laughter. At the time, I thought it was because I said, (in Japanese) "You are all very cute", which is, admittedly, amusing to hear from a visitor. I chose not to dwell on it and finished my speech. Later, a British teacher (who spoke a bit of Japanese) approached me.
"That was very good. However, you made a very interesting mistake," he chuckled. "I think you were trying to say 'Anata-tachi wa kawaii desu.' Unfortunately, you said 'Anata-tachi wa kowai desu.'"
Oops…I just told a whole room of Japanese students that they were all scary!
I suppose I learned a very valuable lesson about communication that day. It's not just what you are saying that matters; it's how you say it. Looking back, however, I don't really regret that mistake I made. I did get quite a few strange looks, but I got even more smiles and greetings of "Ohayo gozaimasu! (Good morning)" from the typically shy Japanese students. Sometimes, you just need to make a major booboo to help break the ice.

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Phrase of the Month

Many thanks to the dozens of you who contributed to the phrase of the month. The following is the phrase "What time is it?" translated into 19 languages thatYLI members were able to provide. Enjoy!

English - What time is it?

French - Quelle heure est-il?
Il est quelle heure?

German - Wieviel Uhr ist es?

Spanish - ¿Que hora es?

Romanian - Cat este ceasul?

Hungarian - Mennyi az idő?

Danish - Hvad er klokken?

Swedish - Vad är klockan?

Norwegian - Hva er klokken?

Italian - Ché ora è ?

Japanese - ima nan ji desuka?

Russian - Который час?
Сколько время?

Hebrew - מה השעה
Ma Hasha'a?

Filipino - Anong oras na?

Portuguese - Que horas são?

Cantonese (phonetic)- Yee gah gei deem

Mandarin - 现在几点了
Xian zai ji dian zhong?

Greek - Τι ώρα είναι
Ti ora einai?

Dutch - Welke tijd het is?
If you have trouble seeing the Greek, Russian, Hebrew, Chinese, or Japanese characters, please visit www.microsoft.com to install the language packs.

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World Peer Feature
Maria Dragan - Chisinau Chapter (Class of 2006)

Question 1. What, in your opinion, is the best part of traveling? What purpose do you think that travel serves in a person's life? How do you think that travel shapes a person's outlook on life?
Heya Tyler! well, I'm a big fan of traveling and I don't think there are parts of traveling I don't like, but a guess my favorit part of traveling is the visited country itself and it's people. I have been in a few countries till now, and I must say that the most interesting thing is looking around for the first time and hearing the native people talk, and just realizing how different it is from your own country. I believe a trip to another country may give you a whole different idea of life, by showing you how big the world is and yet how special and diverse.
Question 2. How do you think that traveling to a foreign country affects the way you think about your home country?
Goethe once said "He who doesn't know a foreign language, knows nothing about his own". I think this saying goes for ones knowledge of his country as well as language, getting to know a different country would definitely help you understand yours better... for example, speaking from my own expirience: I went to a competition in Egypt in February, very excited about it too, but my excitement over this great ancient civilazation remaind for the ancient civilazation and the ancient Egypt because I got to see this country for what it really represents, and I must say that returning back in my home land, Moldova, I was very proud of my country and very happy to have been born here.
Question 3. Think of the people that visit your country on vacation or on educational/business purposes. What are some things about them beside from their attire or looks that make them "tourists"? How are tourists and visitors viewed in your country? What, if any, are some unique and/or special ways that your culture has to make them feel more integrated and welcome?
Walking down the street, you would easily spot the tourists in Moldova, not because of their cloths, or faces, but just cuz of the way they love the country, I think that tourists usually like moldova better than moldavians, because we're too used to it. One thing tourists admire about my country is the peace and beauty everywhere. Moldavians love tourists, because we get a chance to meet diferent people from all over... We like to make them feel at home, the traditional welcome gift is a big home made delicios bagle and some salt, the tradition says that once tasting the bread and salt, the foreigners enter the true world of moldavian culture and are no longer strangers. So this gift is an honour to tourists... Our traditional food also make the foreigners feel better, we have some special recipes which up till now, everyone loved.
Question 4. What three items could you absolutely not do without when you are traveling? How do you make an unfamiliar place seem a little bit like home to you?
A picture of my Family/friends. Toothpaste. Cloths? I can make any place in the world feel like home, by just remembering the faces of the people I love and singing some of my favorit songs... but still, I do believe that home is where your heart is...
Question 5. What do you think makes the best impression on people when you are visiting their country? Is it more important to know their history and traditions or is it more important to go with an open mind and let your experiences teach you all that you need to know as you travel along?
I believe both being prepared with basic data about a country and being open minded is good. Of course, no one can show you the ways of a people, or the beauty of a country better than the natives. But if just knowing something you would also show respect and interest towards that people, or that country. You would also avoid asking about every little thing, and finding out more interesting things...
Question 6. What are some ways that a person can learn the most about themselves and others while traveling?
well, tyle, I think that the YLI guys have the correct idea about how we can learn more about ourselves and others... I think the best way, is spending as much time with people as possible, and most importantly, sharing a room. There are a lot of times when you believe you know a person perfectly, but then, by sharing a room, or being stuck together for days, you might learn more interesting stuff about your pal. I think YLI has done a really good job when talking about getting to know our peers, and I'm not flattering, Christene!
Question 7. If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go? What is it about that particular country or place that interests you? Are you the type of person that enjoys traveling for adventure or for relaxation?
I have always wanted to visit UK, Australia and Germany. I think these are countries with great culture, great historical background and great sights. I don't really travel for relaxation, I mean, don't you agree that we can relax at home, why need to go to another country to relax... I guess I travel for adventure, though this may not be the reason at first, every trip of mine has given me an unexpected adventure...
Question 8. If you were speaking to someone who will travel for the first time in their lives, what advice would you give them about packing, how to familiarize themselves in their new environment and how to have the best possible experience?
The first advice I would give someone is to NEVER BLINK!!! I try not to blink while I'm on trips and it's been working till now... You just lose too much, everywhere you turn, all around you is something new and interesting, you can't afford to blink and pass out on something... I have never had problems with packing, does anyone?? I guess the best way to pack is to pack little, but lots... it depends on the situation, for example we don't need to pack too much for our YLI conferences, its only for a week, and we get half the cloths we're supposse to wear there(tshirts I mean)... well, Tyler, it's great to have you as my world peer, can't wait for your email, Maria

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HQ Update : Are we there yet?
Neal Jarvis

The time is now so close that I can almost taste the pouched eggs and beans breakfast in Cambridge. The LST is fast upon us! The staff and Directors are looking forward to seeing each of you soon. I hope you all have finished your assignments and logged in your entire travel itinerary. We are making the final adjustments to the schedule and hope for fantastic weather while we are in England. The LST Director John Gibson will be expecting all students attending the LST to dress daily in what he calls Smart Casual Attire. You will be living the life of a typical Cambridge college student for the week so you will be expected to look the part. We will be on the move so wear comfortable shoes! Remember to bring photos from past YLI conferences to share. Friday night will be your graduation so plan on wearing your best attire as this will likely be that last opportunity to be seen in the official YLI photos and I feel certain you will want to look your best. Don't forget the tissues, you will likely need them!
So for those of you thinking of Norway don't think your breakfast there will look much different. You will have the opportunity to try some of that delicious brown cheese in the morning. Your day won't be the right if you don't start off with a nice Norwegian style meal. If you have not done so already take this time to review the WCE schedule for the week. The week that has been planned for you will keep you so entertained you won't even feel as tough it was an educational experience! I recommend you take the time to email those favorite YLI pals you made last year and encourage each of them to learn a Norwegian phrase or two. When you meet up on Saturday night you can teach each other what phrases you learned. Remember to spend this week together getting to know each other a little better. Don't be bashful and fear meeting someone new. There may just be someone from last year you didn't take the time to acquaint yourself with so now is your chance! The time spent with YLI passes so quickly.
On to Washington DC! As has been done before this schedule is chucked full of activities! You will need to be prepared for almost anything. We have planned for swimming, rafting, boat building and a service project that may just get you wet or most especially dirty. With all this in mind you will need to come prepared for it all. This means you will need more than a couple pairs of shoes as well. The end of the week we will have a banquet dinner so you will need formal attire too. And the list goes on! Anyway keep posted for any changes or updates for any of the three summer programs. The YLI HQ Staff and our Directors, Assistance Directors, Alumni Staff , SRI Travel and many others at our hotels and restaurants as well as all the places you will see have all worked hard to make your summer of 2005 YLI experience the one to top then all. Please remember to do your part to make sure we all enjoy ourselves together.
One last thing to mention at this time! Our dear friend to Youth Leaders International, who each of you met at a previous WLC or LST conference, Ray Pelletier passed away following what should have been a basic surgery for a hernia. Ray and I spoke just a short time ago and he was looking forward to meeting our class of 2007 students. You may want to look at his web site www.raypelletier.com and see the tribute to Ray. There is a place where you can log on and sign the book yourself and perhaps share with others what meeting Ray Pelletier has meant to you. We will miss him immensely! Be well and I look forward to meeting up with each of you!