“The truth of a thing is in the feel of it, not the think of it.” Stanley Kubrick

Y4PT

While life is developing itself more and more in vertical urban environments, the incredible Youth of the World is manifesting its talents even more horizontally.
Give some Teams a believe and an issue to solve, and everyone will work together, forgetting their religious beliefs and cultural differences and united in the effort.
Then, bring them again to the real world and the divisions will reapply…why?
Because it seems we have to live in a world who thought us to be divided: everyone on its own to perform better than the other ones, to compete and gain more power and money.
Differences were born with the first shells utilized as money ‘exchanges…and voilà, game over, or to better say, let’s start the game!
What we have tried to create at Y4PT, and continuously trying to do, is to generate new spaces and new perspectives, new friendships, were the boundaries are useless.
Bringing back to life the incredible hope that only humanity coming from the inside deep hearts is able to bring to a divided actual scenario.
We are accomplishing, with the help of true helpers, passionate and competent people, what makes us feel alive: we are feeding a static world, centred on power and money making, with stories and ideas bringing harmony and feeling of belonging.
We are enhancing the beauty of souls and wisdoms, all through a long path lasting now since 12 years. All trying to understand why we are on this planet, on this Universe, to understand human history, attitudes and activities, to possibly generate guidance and novelties; to make our human society being again in harmony with the planet that hosts us, bringing joy at the same in the communities we form.

Our special hackathon

Through 1 year full of thousands of e-mails, we were able to create a connection based on positivity, energy, will to work, and compete for Humanity with a common goal.
We started with lot of no and denials, and just our firm will to make it happened, opened the door of a random basis’ selection. Like a domino effect cascade, it involved and generated a will of being part of something  huge, that later on reflected the variety of the 22 cities and 37 nationalities involved. Operators, Universities, Authorities, that , after engaging through thousand e-mails exchanges, were feeling committed to something at the beginning they didn’t know how it revealed itself.
After 18 months of bubbling cities and groups generating ideas, we finally all met in Montreal, like if we knew each other since the Age of Time: hugging each other with the news and jumping of joy to meet again with the core old group. Every time is a miracle. We stay connected.

When we meet we are all just breathing together, naturally: just humans.

I’d love to say a few words and name each of you that shared those moments with me: I will forget some so, please forgive me if I do not name all!!

Beibut, putting aside his country idea to develop on his own the project he won with, opening himself to a bigger adventure. Massimo, the kindest, who made his abilities appear so normal. Emma, determined to push here boundaries and fight to advance her Nation. Kim so young and pushy, driven by a “bigger than her” adventure under the guidance of Mark, so deeply appreciative and collaborative. Thomas, a revelation, with a special communication ability, pure eyes and smile that will make people feeling happy and doors easily opening. Julius, such a loving kind and humble young man, while his mind, absolutely a strong one, proudly representing his country. Maria, a bubbling woman with a brilliant mind, a nanotech engineer, who said a scientist cannot be feminine? Igor, the purest mind’s reader that just through emails was connecting and caring for people. Pablo, the shy guy, not yet realizing to be on board of this big adventure.

Yes, an adventure: every Y4PT encounter is a true surprise, as we do not know how energies and minds will combine.

Gustavo and his brother, appreciating every moment of this connection with sparkling eyes, storing every fact and every memory inside his brain to bring it back to his family and life. Marco, the real prototype of the inventor, a deep loving person with a true committed life and believe in humanity. Ignacio, the grateful, learning every step ahead, who, working hard for his passion is building step by step his new reality. Juan Sebastian, faithful to his country’ image, learning to study and live in a country so different from his one. Under his “cover” of silent guy, a wonderful heart and laughing soul. Thomas from Chile, a mix of cultures showed through its entire figure , making committed efforts to work for the Team and opening to the world. Max, the real representative of his country, making smiles happening on his face everyday a bit more.

Fidel, the gentle inscrutable with a giant heart bringing back memories and learnings, always available to listen and give his presence. André, with his contagious enthusiasm and ability to push his boundaries. Eloi, the real geek with millions of ideas in a bubbling mind. Charles, the silent, absorbing and observing, without still believing what was happening through his life! Saeed, the practical one, able to spot the best things and moves with a real chess mind and eyes. Dejan, the “already formed and fitted” guy, so happy to show his abilities but at the same time discovering a place with no pushing competition. Bruno, the humble, introverted that when rightly solicited expressed a real knowledge and commitment.A straightforward Johnathan with his smile and energy…

Many others were there, many others memories of mine to form layers of humanity, all lasting in my mind.

And add to them the great team of passionate “gurus”, mentors, guides, supporters and friends!

Mercedes, finally able to free her mind from job’s clichés, a reserved Lady with a great understanding of the Field.
Laura, a true enthusiastic being, finally living a complete experience where her artistic, spiritual, mentoring, communication abilities and beliefs were all together in one place.
Sam, able to combine his Transport knowledge with his innovative and driven passion, in a tight schedule where everything was respected, fitting and finding the right place. Able to keep on track for long lasting nights and days!
René, a curious discoverer, full of light and true enthusiasm, combined with a lot of knowledge.

Guys, what a human experience was this one!! Such a beautiful journey we had!!

Rafael , the calmer , the observer, the actor who holds things together, able to spot every microgram of a possible problem, anticipating every move to untie the knots.

Yasmina, which I connected through a receiving energy moment, that got finally back positivity and energy from the experience; and so committed that she worked hard to refill the batteries of everyone because of this superior commitment she felt, and that we all had in that special place.

Friends, my words are reductive, especially because I do not use my language to express all these feelings, but,when people like to connect, only good things and energy can circulate in a space that is at a time physical and not.

And this is exactly what happened: without knowing: every piece of the puzzle was falling in the right space. Everything became possible and doable. You, as pillars, were supporting one each other and a fluid chain of love was forming.

Ideas were taking shape, shaped by an over dimensional energy, love was circulating and hugs were becoming the simplest and easiest form of communication, accompanied by continuous bright smiles enlightening everyone faces, also on the most reluctant ones, per culture and tradition. I saw the best tentative smiles from the more no used to, countries’ representatives.

Gratitude and joy were the most frequent feelings showed by words and eyes, while a high tech world of abilities was concentrating there…

Imagine how people could generate more, if only able to work and create in a positive energy environment.

And this is our Mission, yours now too! For everyone that experienced an event like this one , to continue to bring forward, despite all evil, all greed , all jealousy, all sadness, all negativity, all difficulties, this sane spirit.

The spirit of true togetherness to create advancements in a broken society.

Thanks to all of you, who, as simply spirits, despite preformatted education, you were able to be coherent with your deep self and connect , with no boundaries, with other people.

This is the believe we should all go through, the believe in humanity.

Something more than an hackathon

Learn through love and through passion, to unite universes that were thought irreconcilable, finding out, that, all over the world young talented minds are living to put the basis of an already present tomorrow which we can spot among today reality.

Discretely, humbly. And if we can spot them and bring them all together, all these lights will join in a no barrier present future.

Pure harmony were enlightenment, happiness, energy, gratitude, love, sharing , passion, discipline, consciousness, audacity, are the words and believe me, is not rhetoric.

With this “more than a hackathon”, we broke stereotypes and conventions overcoming our limitations.

We showed the world that events like these can be different, it all depends on the ability of showing more feelings and true love.

You all made real friendship through a series of unplanned connectivity in a soul and human value’s environment: we didn’t only innovate, we enjoyed innovating.

Big brands and advertising Mantras affect the world, and Y4PT is willing to show that there is more to it.

From gambling to shopping, social media or booze, we are becoming addicts: our fast paced societies are taking us away from the truth. We have so much stuff and wealth, so many gadgets and choices, but, is any of it making us happier? Does they fulfil us at a deeper level?

I’ve learned the hard way that the only way out is to look within.

Did you already said I believe? Did you already feel that energy that is making you find more energy also when you do not have more? As you see concretely under your eyes that things are changing, also if it is happening slowly? And that you contribute to the positive change of this world? That you have an influence?

Well, this is exactly what we all were, together in Montreal, and where we will stand together, for the future, also in the worst eventuality of not meeting physically again anywhere else in the world.

Because once experienced , you become addicted to Y4PT! ‘Cause we believe in YOU’th!

A giant hug to all!

Alessandra

PS No words are needed to indicate the trust, the beliefs and the long lasting endurance of my closest collaborators, co-founders Alfredo Barba and the Y4PT Chapters and ex chapters, friends from India, Nepal, Colombia and Pakistan , Italy,  Nabeel Faraz, Juju Kaji, Daniel Perez, Muhammad Junaid Mandoori, Lorenzo Casullo,  that relentless are working in their countries and at different  international level to make a real transformation and create positivity all around them. Without you and your strength, this transformation wouldn’t have been possible.

 

Madrid, through EMT Madrid and MobilityLabs, is the first city joining our Global Y4PT Hackathon  https://www.y4pt.org/projects/hackathon/, willing to give hundreds of people the opportunity to reach bigger audiences with their ideas, a platform were exchanges can be made, a place and moment were all their abilities can be finally be shown to the world of urban mobility.

The Empresa Municipal de Transportes de Madrid (also known as EMT Madrid) is the Madrid Public Transport Company that operates urban buses as part of the public transit services in Madrid, Spain. EMT Madrid also operates part of the underground parking facilities of the city as well as the tow-truck service. The organization is wholly owned by the municipality of Madrid and is a member of the Consorcio Regional de Transportes de Madrid (the Madrid regional transport authority).

EMT and MobilityLabs Madrid launches this Hackathon to present a new Opendata platform. With this vocation, the contest is open for developers and data journalists or any other citizen who, either individually or in teams, would like to work with free data or looking for new development models. Whether you are a student, professional, or business startup, you are invited to participate!

The information is available in this link: https://mobilitylabs.emtmadrid.es/portal/index.php/hackaton-2016/

On July 11^th a first workshop will be held in MedialabPrado, in Madrid, framed within the Hackathon contest MobilityLabs 2016. The essential purpose of the event is to present the platform and all its subsystems. To do this, from 10 AM to 5 PM there will be theoretical and practical sessions alternating. In addition, there will be some introductory session’s experts on various platforms related to the technologies.

The event will go on for two months, made of 2 phases:

• 1^st phase will be dedicated to data Collection from the MediaLab platform and will last one month;
• 2^nd phase will be dedicated to develop services and will also last one month;

The following websites may be of help for you:

To check if you have the required profile:

https://mobilitylabs.emtmadrid.es/portal/index.php/perfil-del-concursante/

The contest rules are posted at:

https://mobilitylabs.emtmadrid.es/portal/index.php/bases-del-concurso/

Do you dare? sign up here:

https://mobilitylabs.emtmadrid.es/portal/index.php/hackaton-2016/registrate-y-participa/

 

What is MobilityLabs?

MobilityLabs is an open and interoperable platform that enables the concentration of information based on events likely to be used in the field of urban mobility. This information is stored in Big Data and Real Time models. In short, MobilityLabs Madrid is a virtual space for the exchange of experiences and information in which developers and journalists can store data or extract information using the extensive resources available to the platform.

How is the way they work?

The workshop aims to be a platform for research, production, and learning from that and support the development of the new born Hackathon ideas.

The proposals will be developed in multidisciplinary working groups with the conceptual and technical advice from the organizers.

The organizers will provide as far as possible the needed tools for the implementation and documentation of selected projects.

Since one of the key objectives of the workshop is to promote the development, dissemination and free access to new data on the platform of open data EMT, participants will be encouraged to develop adequate documentation of the projects, both during the workshop and subsequently to completion, and to publish the results and source code under free licenses that allow access and dissemination of knowledge produced during the workshop.

MedialabPrado promotes the use of free software technology tools. Therefore encourages participants to work with shared and open coded applications and computing environments.

                                Worlwide Hackathon culminating @ the Montreal UITP Summit 2017This Regional Hackathon in Madrid, is the first one taking place within the Global Contest launched to see the regional finalists selected, participating at the final international Hackathon taking place in Montreal during the UITP Montreal Summit May 2017.

Y4PT devotes all its day-to-day activities to contribute the most to achieve universal sustainable transport coverage with public transport as cornerstone of multimodal mobility solutions. This is also expected from all contestants and their projects. Hackathon entries should contribute somehow to an ultimate goal, the one of doubling public transport’s market share worldwide (PTx2): UITP estimates that it would save around 170m tons of oil and 550m tons of CO2 equivalent; reduce urban traffic fatalities by 15%; double the number of jobs in public transport operators as well as reduce the risk of obesity and heart disease by 50% thanks to the greater role of walking, cycling and public transport.

 

Moreover all entries should be in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially the one addressing sustainable transport (Target 11.2):

“By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons”.

We are more than happy to welcome EMT Madrid and the future winners to be part of innovation for the world in Montreal! See you soon, Canada!

 

 

The Youth is full of creative ideas and Y4PT will confidently put all these ideas in practice for leading tomorrow’s world and revolutionize paradigms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Y4PT, the  Foundation created under the patronage of UITP,

 (International Association for Public Transport), strives to facilitate healthy sustainable cities and transport through the Youth worldwide and this time is in Sligo, during the Fleadh Cheoil Festival of Music on the Irish west coast to bring the Healthy Mobility Challenge there in collaboration with Bus Eireann (the proud sponsor of Fleadh Cheoil).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Y4PT Ambassadors are witnessing the Bus Operations of Bus Eireann, during the biggest Music Festival of Ireland. They are undertaking their first action of “Check Up”  which is a way to be involved and give their suggestions, their new innovative vision to build a constructive dialogue with the Public Transport Operators.

 

Bus Eireann was formed in 1987 as a subsidiary of CIE to provide bus services throughout Ireland with the exception of Dublin City.

Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) is Ireland’s national public transport provider. Over 230 million journeys are made annually on their network of national, regional​, local and urban services across Iarnród Éireann, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann.

 

Ireland is the place of Tradition by definition and the Music Festival Fleadh Cheoil is the proof of it:  300.000 local people are gathering to the Festival from the country itself and from abroad, to join this important music competition. The Fleadh Cheoil is the world’s biggest and best traditional Irish music festival that will take place between the 10 and 17^th of August: a week-long jamboree of music, song and dance. Few places in the western world have managed to maintain their musical traditions as successfully as Ireland has.

 

If we translate Fleadh Cehoil means The Music Festival of Ireland and that is exactly what it is. . It is a celebration of the new ways for doing the old things. And what a better way to start undertaking Y4PT first “Check Up” on the mark of Y4PT Healthy Mobility  conducting a Survey among young people, Bus Eireann Customers and Festival passionate participants?

 

We feel it is really important to promote Public Transport education as the most effective approach to fostering sustainable-mobility-based lifestyles.

 

Y4PT and Bus Eireann are conducingt a Survey during the Fleadh Cheoil Music Festival in Sligo. On the mark of the Healthy Mobility Campaign,  this Survey will give responses and will promote Public Transport as a better way to live a healthy life and build a consciousness about environmental friendly cities and societies.

 

 

WHY A YOUTH PUBLIC TRANSPORT EVENT DURING A MUSIC FESTIVAL?

 

Music is a universal language that unites people: Contemporary society’s emphasis on the instant gratification, materialism and humanism: it is diametrically opposed to the tenets put forth by the ancients.

Contemporary popular culture, with its predilection for what is fashionable, trendy and external, has become increasing superficial, even intolerant of music that espouses higher ideals or focuses on achieving a higher consciousness.

Irish Culture and the Sligo Fleadh Cheoil festival reciprocate the above statement; it is the manifestation of how trends and tradition can live beautifully together.

At Y4PT, we feel that the right combination of tradition and clever trends can have a huge success in this world of ours.

Using the power of music and language we’d like to bridge cultural difference, promote understanding and address sustainability.

Y4PT will bring its international Ambassadors devoted to Public Transport, from India, Bahrain, UK, Italy and Colombia to promote a mutual understanding on a sustainable way of living across the planet, combined with innovative way of communication to reinforce the message of Bus Eireann that is positioning itself on the international scene and is embracing an innovative young united lifestyle.

This will be a high-level opportunity for them to network and explore the positioning and impact of Bus Eireann in the context of sustainability, Mobility, Education, Lifestyle and innovation.

During the Festival Y4PT Ambassadors will be among people and find the opportunity to develop the First Y4PT “ Check Up”, they will also witness and improve their experience with new cultures connecting with different people along the way.

These international days will represent the opportunity to showcase the outstanding Young Representatives of Y4PT and their contribution towards Public Transport.

Transaid is an international development charity. They identify, champion, implement and share local transport solutions to improve access to basic services and economic opportunity for people in Africa and in developing countries. Transaid was founded by Save the Children and The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and our Patron is HRH The Princess Royal. 

 

Charitable volunteers from across the transport industry cycled to Brussels at the weekend, in a bid to raise £75,000 for Transaid.

The 34-strong team had already raised £45,000 by the time they set off on the 340km ride on the 12 September  and are confident of reaching their fundraising target once the remaining sponsorship money is collected.

Riders set off from the Freight Transport Association’s head office in Tunbridge Wells and headed for Dover where they caught the ferry to Calais. Their adventure continued through France where even the most experienced cyclists were challenged by a very strong head wind. The group celebrated the end of this particularly difficult day in Bruges where they enjoyed a well-earned break and glass of beer, completing the final 74 miles to Brussels on September 14, finishing at the city’s iconic Grand Place.

Upon arrival the cyclists were greeted by a party from Y4PT and UITP, where we  put on a champagne and chocolate reception. We have been very happy to give them a moment of reward and fun after such a challenge and great action!

Sir Peter Hendy, a new Trustee!

Transaid  appointed  recently four new trustees with a wealth of experience in the health, transport and logistics sectors to help govern the charity as it continues to grow in size and scope.

One of them is Sir Peter Hendy CBE, Commissioner of Transport for London and  our UITP President.

Speaking on behalf of the trustees, Sir Peter, said “It’s a privilege to be involved with an organisation which implements truly life-changing solutions in developing countries.”

Sir Peter started his transport career in 1975 as a London Transport graduate trainee. In 2001 he served as Transport for London’s Managing Director of Surface Transport, before taking on his current role in 2006. Sir Peter was instrumental in preparing for the successful operation of London’s transport during the 2012 Olympics and was elected President of the International Public Transport Association in 2013. He was knighted in the 2013 New Year’s Honours list, having been awarded a CBE in 2006.

The first Transaid was established within Save the Children (UK) as a voluntary group of transport industry individuals. Peter Linney, who had just retired from a senior position in British Rail, took up the day to day management of Transaid. The British Railways Board provided office space and administrative support. Over the next 10 years, Transaid volunteers, from organisations such as TNT, P&O and the British Army, carried out a number of short-term projects. In those days, the focus was largely on emergency operations, rather than long-term development, and projects included a review of the potential to handle containerised emergency supplies through Mozambique ports and the specifications for an emergency ambulance service in Swaziland.  The transport management handbook for Save The Children was also written.

 

Thinking long-term

In the early 1990’s the founders began to think about the role of transport in development, and particularly how lack of transport impacted on the delivery of essential services such as health and education. Research with the Ministry of Health in Ghana led to the realization that a lack of management skills, rather than a lack of transport, was causing a bottleneck in the delivery of everyday health services.

A two-year Save the Children project started in the Ministry of Health in Ghana in early 1993. This was the first long-term programme of its kind by Transaid and marked a shift in focus towards sustainable development.

The future

Transaid is now beginning to focus more intensively on livelihoods work, based on the knowledge that Africa needs an efficiently run transport system in order to provide better opportunities to trade and make a living. Improving the efficiency, safety, availability and professionalism of commercial transport will create work opportunities in the industry, reduce transport costs, open up trade and make basic goods and services more available and affordable.

This is what is meant by sustainable development, looking at the root causes of problems and building the skills and knowledge of local people to tackle them. It isn’t quick and it isn’t easy, but we believe it is the only way we will make a lasting difference.

However, the amount of high profile natural disasters in recent years has brought attention back to the relationship between logistics and emergency aid and Transaid has played an advisory role in the development of two new, humanitarian initiatives – the development of the new Fritz Institute Certificate in Humanitarian Logistics and providing advice to the new CILT Humanitarian Logistics and Emergency Programme (HELP).

One thing which remains unchanged is transport’s importance to the health and wealth of all nations. Trucks, trains and ships are so highly visible on the world’s roads, railways and seas, but the essential goods and services that they carry, and the millions of people who work behind the scenes to get them where they need to go, remain largely invisible and forgotten.

Transaid has been built on the knowledge that skilled people make transport work. It’s up to us to find ways to build those skills where they’ll make the most difference and to continue to harness the skills of the best in the transport industry.

Move around your city by using public transport, cycling and/or walking for one week and share your experience with us by filling up our online survey.
Your voice will be heard at the 2014 UITP MENA Transport Congress in Dubai and it will also influence the public transport decision-making process worldwide; in fact, we will present the results of the Survey, at difference international Conferences and Congresses!