Global youth connectivity

Members of mercy corps' youth program visit schools in Gaza city to educate children on the dangers of unexploded ordnance. Photo: Cassandra Nelson/mercy corps During the conflict mercy crops received daily accounts through cell phones from some of the 600 Gazan youth participating in mercy corps' Global youth connectivity (GYC) program.

These young leaders, wanting their voice to be heard and feel supported by the outside world, shared their accounts on the program's website and on mercycorps.org. Young Lebanese, Iraqis and Americans sent personal words of encouragement. Using online technologies, the program facilitates dialogue about global events with those directly affected, providing them new sources of information and understanding.