UN YOUTH FLASH

Vol. 6, No. 5, May 2009

WELCOME to the UN Youth Flash, a service of the United Nations Programme on Youth to keep you informed about the work of the UN on youth issues. You are encouraged to use and forward the information below to other networks. This update is prepared with input from UN offices, agencies, funds and programmes.

In this issue:

FEATURE: Focusing the Youth Agenda: the World Programme of Action for Youth

Young people are important to international development. Not only are they a vital human resource, they are also key agents for social change, economic growth and technological innovation. As testament to this reality, in 1995 the General Assembly adopted the World Programme of Action to the Year 2000 and Beyond, a policy framework and set of practical guidelines for national and international efforts to improve the lives of young people.

In its original form, the Programme contained proposals for action related to the areas of education, employment, hunger and poverty, health, environment, substance abuse, juvenile justice, leisure-time activities, special needs of girls and young women, and the participation of youth in decision-making. In 2005, the ten-year anniversary of the Programme, 5 additional areas were recognised as important for furthering the development and empowerment of youth, these were: the mixed impact of globalization on young women and men; the use of and access to information and communication technologies; the dramatic increase in the incidence of HIV infection among young people; the active involvement of young people in armed conflict, both as victims and perpetrators; and the increased importance of addressing intergenerational issues in an ageing society. In 2007, a supplement was adopted, which elaborated on these added areas, and provided relevant proposals for action. The recommendations of 1995 and 2007 are together known as the World Programme of Action for Youth (WPAY).

The WPAY is a useful tool for local and national Governments, IGOs, and NGOs championing youth issues around the globe. To assist with its implementation, the United Nations has worked with its partners and Member States to develop a set of goals and targets that can help to shape youth-targeted interventions.

This month’s feature is the first in a 10-part series that will familiarise our readers with the WPAY and its related goals and targets.

To read more about the WPAY and to access the full text, please visit http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/global.htm.

Focusing the Youth Agenda: Employment and Education

Education and Employment are presented in the World Programme of Action for Youth (WPAY) as core elements of personal and societal development. Deliberations in the United Nations General Assembly and functional commissions of ECOSOC often point to education and youth-access to decent work as the deal-makers or breakers in the global quest for sustainable development. The two are also often linked, with access to relevant, quality education seen as prerequisite to accessing decent employment opportunities.

Great strides have been made in recent years to improve the access of youth to primary and lower secondary education. The drive to achieve the Millennium Development Goals has helped to spur progress, as Goal 2 seeks to achieve universal primary education by 2015. The WPAY goes beyond this, giving specific attention to quality and relevance, addressing the need for cultural education, education on peace-making and conflict resolution, human rights education, enhanced vocational and technical training, and entrepreneurial training. The main goal of the United Nations in addressing education under the WPAY is to promote access to quality education and ensure that formal and non-formal education of youth supports lifelong learning and skills development. 6 targets have been set in an effort to achieve this goal:

achieve universal access to quality basic education and ensure gender equality in education by 2015
between 2005 and 2015, increase by 50 per cent the proportion of students completing secondary education
by 2015, develop and implement policies to promote the transition to quality post-secondary education, including vocational education and non-formal programmes, and other skill-building opportunities
ensure that opportunities for technical and vocational education and skills training are available to all youth by 2015
by 2015, develop and implement national systems of quality assurance in education based on internationally agreed upon standards and tools
by 2015, increase by two thirds the proportion of young women and men with the ability to use computers and the Internet as a tool for learning and knowledge acquisition

Access to quality education provides youth with the information, capacities, resources and opportunities necessary to participate and take action in the global community. By achieving the targets related to education, Governments, NGOs and the international community can help to ensure that youth get what they need in the area of education.

Ensuring access to education and skills development can prove counterproductive if the challenges of youth unemployment are not addressed. Almost 1 in every two unemployed persons in the world is between the ages of 15 and 24. In 2007, youth comprised only 25 per cent of the working-age population, but accounted for more than 40 per cent of the world’s unemployed. A lack of decent work opportunities has meant that one out of every three youth in the world is either seeking but unable to find work, has given up the job search entirely or is working but still living on less than two dollars a day. Youth across the globe are also three times more likely to be unemployed than adults.

A 2007 Report of the Secretary-General to the General Assembly noted that the exposure of youth to unemployment and underemployment may permanently compromise their future employment prospects, and has broader consequences for the future prosperity and development of countries. It also presented the challenge of youth unemployment as compromising social cohesion. According to the report, young people who are unable to make the most of their productive potential are prone to marginalization and impoverishment, to idleness and potential attraction to illicit activities and to directing their frustration at the society that created it. The United Nations has thus recommended the goal of increasing decent and productive employment opportunities for young women and men. This goal has 3 key targets:

to halve, between 2005 and 2015, the proportion of youth who are neither in education nor in employment;
to halve, between 2005 and 2015, the proportion of employed youth in vulnerable employment; and
by 2015, to reduce the gap between youth and adult unemployment rates.

To curtail the youth-unemployment problem Governments must commit themselves to combatting the challenge. Governments have an important responsibility for improving the employment situation of youth but they cannot achieve it by themselves. Sustainable employment creation cannot happen without getting the private sector involved. Similarly, as pointed out in a 2007 report of the Secretary-General to the UN General Assembly, “Governments need to involve youth, represented through youth-led organizations, in identifying groups in need of special attention, developing innovative approaches and assisting with the implementation of strategies to promote decent and productive work for youth.” The United Nation has thus recommended as a guiding goal, collaboration among these social partners to develop and implement national strategies for decent and productive work for young women and men. 3 targets have been set:

by 2015, develop and implement national employment policies and legislation that include components addressing the needs of specific vulnerable groups of young people
by 2015, develop and implement national policies to promote the transition between education and decent and productive employment
by 2015, develop and implement national policies to ensure that information, knowledge and financial services are available to potential youth entrepreneurs

To read more about the goals and targets related to education and employment please read the Report of the Secretary-General A/62/61/Add.1 & E/2007/7/Add.1 available at http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/library.htm#reports.

For more information, contact the United Nations Programme on Youth at youth@un.org, or visit http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/global.htm.

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NEWS FROM UN OFFICES

(Find out more about the work of United Nations system organizations on youth issues at: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/agenda.htm).

ESCWA- Expert Group Meeting on “Reinforcing Social Equity: Integrating Youth into the Development Process”, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 29-31 March 2009

The UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the Family Development Foundation (FDF) in the United Arab Emirates organized an Expert Group Meeting on “Reinforcing Social Equity: Integrating Youth into the Development Process” in Abu Dhabi, 29-31 March 2009. The overall aim of this meeting was to discuss and promote the various aspects of the World Programme of Action for Youth (WPAY), as well as to motivate policy makers to efficiently translate the WPAY into national youth policies.

This meeting included three core sessions. The First Session analyzed the demographic, economic, social and cultural characteristics of youth in Arab counties. The Second Session included the presentation and discussion of national reports on WPAY implementation. Finally, the Third Session discussed a project proposal prepared by ESCWA, entitled “Strengthening National Capacities to Formulate Youth Policies: Responding to the World Programme of Action for Youth (WPAY)”.

For more information, please email Shakoori@un.org

UNICEF Youth Video Contest

UNICEF wants to see what you think about children’s rights! It’s the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), a document that celebrates all the important rights young people have. Make a video showing what child rights mean to you, whether in the world at large, your country, your community or you personally. Videos must be one minute in length and will be judged by professionals and youth from around the world. Winning videos will be featured in the CRC 20th Anniversary campaign and the 2010 International Children's Day of Broadcasting . The deadline for submissions is 1 August 2009.

Read more about the CRC and the contest at http://www.unicef.org/voy/takeaction/takeaction_4439.html

UNIDO:MRU Youth Platform launched at first MRU Youth Forum

On 10 and 11 March 2009, the Mano River Union (MRU) Youth Forum took place in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The two-day event, the first of its kind, brought together over 120 youth representatives, the Ministries of Youth, the international community, and civil society from the four member countries Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Discussions focused on youth employment and youths’ active participation in sub-regional development.

The Forum allowed for the launch of the MRU Youth Platform. The platform is a web-based tool to enhance networking, participation, information/knowledge sharing, and to generate ideas and recommendations on key issues.

The Youth Forum was organized in the context of the “Multi-stakeholder Programme for Productive and Decent Work for Youth in the MRU”, which is hosted by the MRU Secretariat and carried out by UNIDO, ILO, UNDP and YEN.

For more information contact D.Hribernigg@unido.org, or visit www.mruyouthplatform.org

UNPY: IYD Exhibit to feature Photos from the Shoot Nations Photo Competition

In commemoration of International Youth Day 2009, selected photos from the annual Shoot Nations Photo Competition will be exhibited in the UN Secretariat building in New York City, from 3-14 August. Photos will also be presented to the United Nations Headquarters as a light-box installation in New York. The theme of IYD2009 is Sustainability: Our Challenge, Our Future. Shoot Nations 2009 is addressing the theme of ‘Growing up in the 21st century’. The competition aims to build a global picture of the challenges facing young people in terms of the limitations and opportunities that come with being born male or female. Pictures chosen for the UN exhibition will reflect how these limitations affect teh relationships of young women and men to the economy, the environment and their communities. The competition closes on Friday 31st July at 6pm (GMT). Winners will be announced on Wednesday 12th August, International Youth Day. Get your photos in early to stand a chance of being exhibited.

The Shoot Nations competition is an initiative of Plan UK and Shoot Experience Photography. For more information or to enter the competition, please visit http://www.shootnations.org/competition/info.

United Nations University: Junior Professional Fellows Programme

The United Nations University Office at the United Nations, New York (UNU-ONY) recruits Junior Professional Fellows (JPFs) for two sessions each year running from August to January, and February to July. The internship title, "Junior Professional Fellows" reflects the high level of responsibility and opportunity given to those accepted into this programme.

Applications Deadlines:
August 1st to January 31st Session: May 31st
February 1st to July 31st Session: November 30th

Candidates selected for the current recruitment session will be informed by the beginning of July 2009.

For more information, please visit www.ony.unu.edu/internships

WHO - Child and Adolescent Health Progress Report - HIGHLIGHTS 2008

A report on the highlights of the work during 2008 of WHO's Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development (CAH) has just been published. It provides an overview of the key achievements in the areas of newborn, child and adolescent health and development at headquarters, regional and country levels. It also includes a statistical annex covering key indicators for child health in a selection of countries with high under-five mortality rates, as well as adolescent health profiles for five countries.

The document can be downloaded here: http://www.who.int/child_adolescent_health/documents/9789241597968/en/index.html

YEN launches the West Africa Databank

This April YEN launched its databank for Youth Employment Initiatives in West Africa. The databank provides detailed information on over 300 organizations and the 450 projects they are implementing to tackle youth employment across West Africa.

The user-friendly databank is aimed at giving organizations in the sub-region an online presence that enhances their networking opportunities and facilitates information sharing. It also provides a useful starting point for stakeholders looking to design or support youth employment projects as it provides information on activities already implemented in West Africa and the challenges faced by each organization. This databank therefore assists YEN’s efforts to bring together complementary stakeholders and create synergies.

Visit the West Africa databank at the YEN website, www.ilo.org/yen

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YOUTH IN ACTION

AFSAI Promoting Social and Responsible Tourism Among Youth

The Association for Intercultural Training, Exchanges and Activities (AFSAI) is opening to the Social and Responsible Tourism for young people. Responsible tourism is about tourists making environmentally friendly, sustainable, ethical and respectful choices when travelling and minimising the negative impact of tourism.

Tourists can make a big difference by only supporting the type of tourism that is not harmful to the environment and is supportive of local communities working to gain or maintain sustainable livelihoods. This is the reason why we are supporting these initiatives and this the reason we do ask our partner to send us all initiatives you are currently running and any ideas you would like to develop.

If you are interested write to: steps@afsai.it.

Call for Project Proposals: Climate Change

With assistance from the Government of Denmark, the Frontlines Forum is funding local projects on climate change impacts and adaptation.

What are they funding?
Community-level projects focusing on local experiences with climate change impacts and adaptation. These could involve field research, interviews with community members, workshops, photo projects, film projects, etc.

Who are they funding?
Proposals can be made by interested groups or individuals, for example, local and indigenous organisations, research centres, researchers, graduate students with interdisciplinary training, community members (youth groups, women, elders) etc.

For more information, visit: http://www.climatefrontlines.org/en-GB/node/191

Christopher Varney is Australia's new Youth Representative to the United Nations

In April 2009, Minister Kate Ellis announced that Christopher Varney will be Australia's new Youth Representative to the United Nations. Before going to New York with the 2009 Australian Delegation to the United Nations, the youth representative will embark on wide consultation with young Australians. Since 1999, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Youth Association of Australia (UNYA) have partnered to select the youth representative each year and provide support for the position, which involves consulting with young Australians about issues important to them, and undertaking a range of duties at Australia's mission to the UN. Upon returning to Australia, delegates report on the outcomes of their experience.

(Source: Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, 'Australia's youth get a voice on the world stage', media release, http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Ellis/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_090406_110040.aspx, 6 April, 2009.)

For information on youth delegates to the United Nations visit http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/youthrep.htm or http://www.unyouth.com

UBUNTU – International Youth Voluntary Service Award 2009

The Ubuntu International Youth Voluntary Service Award 2009 is a new initiative designed to champion the value of volunteering by young people from African and European countries. Ubuntu, which means "humanness," is a traditional African concept and its essence is captured in the principles of interdependence, communality of purpose and mutual respect.

The UBUNTU Award is the first award of its kind giving recognition to sending and hosting organisations, involved in youth exchanges across Africa and Europe, highlighting good practice in the field of international voluntary service. For more information and to apply, please visit the website of the Associartion of Voluntary Service Organisations (http://www.avso.org/) where you can download the appropriate application form. You can also sign up to our Ubuntu info-list.

The closing date for applications is the 1st of June 2009. For more information, contact ubuntu@avso.org, phone +32-(0)2-230 68 13, or visit http://www.avso.org/.

PUBLICATIONS

New Book on the Power of Youth and Education for Sustainable Development

Almost half of the human population is under the age of 25. If we young people are given education, political support, resources, skills, and hope, they will promote sustainable development of our planet. If they are misdirected, civilization risks destabilization. The book "Young People, Education and Sustainable Development: Exploring Principles, Perspectives and Praxis" shows how to use this powerful opportunity for society. It includes 38 essays, representing a diversity of culture, gender and generation. It provides a global perspective on theory and praxis of education by and for young people. The preface is written by Wangari Maathai, the foreword by Gus Speth, and the afterword by Ruud Lubbers. The publication is a contribution to the UN Decade on Education for Sustainable Development. It is primarily targeted to policy makers, educators and researchers in education. It also appeals to students, youth serving organisations, civil society; and young people.

For further information, visit:www.wageningenacademic.com/youngpeople

CALENDAR OF YOUTH EVENTS

(Please send us information on major international youth events that do not appear below)

June 2009

5 June 2009:European Climate Teach-In Day 2009

Registration is now open for the first "European Climate Teach-In Day", organised by the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences in Germany. The event will be heald on World Environment Day, 5 June, 2009. It will consist of lectures on different aspects of climate change prepared by some of the leading experts in the field. The lectures will be tailored to accomodate both non-science and science majors, and will address not only scientific information, but also the various forms of action taking place all around Europe, in order to cope with the challenge of climate change.

The "European Climate Teach-in Day" is being organized in partnership with the European Commission, the European Space Agency, the European Environment Agency, the UN Environment Programme and the World Meteorological Organisation. It is recognized by UNESCO as a project in the framework of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014).

For further information and registration please visit the web site of the event at: http://www.climateday.eu/en

9-14 June 2009: Global Youth Forum in Mongolia

The Global Youth Forum aims to encourage dialogue among young people to develop mutual understanding and cooperation in addressing global problems. The event is being organized by OYUNLAL-UILS, a non-governmental and non-profit organization working to promote youth development in Mongolia. Issues covered at the Forum will include environmental protection & climate change, poverty, decent work and unemployment, public health policy and HIV/AIDS, and gender equality. More information: http://www.oyunlaguils.mn/index.php?ID=7.

10-12 June 2009: The United Nations Global Alliance for Information and Communication Technologies and Development (UNDESA-GAID) Annual Meeting in Monterrey, Mexico

The Annual Meeting of UNDESA-GAID will be a truly global event which will be attended by policy makers, United Nations high-level representatives, technologists, academics, business leaders, social entrepreneurs, the civil society and young leaders. The attendants will engage in active conversations in the field of ICT for Education and participate in interactive, multi-stakeholder panel discussions. The Monterrey event consists of the Global Forum, which will focus on ICT and Innovation for Education, the GAID's Strategy Council and Steering Committee. In addition, several parallel events will be organized by various GAID network partners and an iMarketSpace will be set-up to create an interactive exhibit space where stakeholders from the ICT for development community can showcase and exhibit their initiatives, projects, and ideas.

GAID looks forward to the improved dynamism and innovative dialogue that youth participation brings to these proceedings.

For more information on the Annual Meeting of GAID, please visit their website:
http://www.un-gaid.org/tabid/1027/Default.aspx

11-14 June 2009: Baltic Model United Nations

The 2nd International Baltic Model United Nations for high school students around the world will focus on the theme Building Bridges - A foundation for sustainability and progress. You are invited to join BALMUN 2009 and to carry on the success of last year's conference. Only 150 participants will discuss the most imminent issues of today's world in six different committees. An independent press team will publish a daily newspaper during the time of the conference. For more information please visit: http://www.balmun.de/.

25-27 June 2009: Melaka International Youth Dialogue, Melaka, Malaysia

The Melaka International Youth Dialogue (MIYD) is an annual programme of the World Assembly of Youth (WAY) organisation, which brings together young people and youth leaders from around the world to discuss pertinent youth issues. Since 2001, the MIYD has been convened on a wide range of topical issues. More than 2,000 young people have attended the MIYD since its inception. The MIYD produces a declaration which serves as a guideline for youth to address the selected issues.

The theme selected for MIYD 2009 is Youth and Gender Equality. This theme has been selected in realization of the need to educate, increase awareness, and promote gender equality among youth.

The deadline for registration is 10 June 2009.

For more information contact office@way.org.my, or visit www.way.org.my

July 2009

5-10 July, 2009: 14th THIMUN Youth Assembly, The Hague, Netherlands

The Hague International Model United Nations Youth Network (THIMUN) hosts biannual Youth Assemblies in the Hague, the Netherlands. THIMUN is an international network of youth that comes together to create projects to raise awareness about different global issues.

For more information about the THIMUN Youth Network and its Assembly visit http://www.thimunyouthnetwork.org/index.php?p=t_conf_14.

6-8 July: 5th International Conference on Children and Youth in MENA cities, Aleppo, Syria

The Arab Urban Development Institute / Child Protection Initiative (MENA CPI) is organizing an international conference with the collaboration of Aleppo Municipality to present results of CPI activities within the global partnership and to share lessons learned and best practices issues related to vulnerable and marginalized children and youth in the MENA region.

The conference is intended to discuss issues facing children and youth, mainly in the fields of education, training, skill development and employment at the national, regional and the local levels in the MENA region.

For more information, please visit http://www.menacpi.org/.

22 July-2 August 2009: 44th Youth in Community Action (YiCA)

The Korean National Commission for UNESCO (KNCU) is organizing the 44th Youth in Community Action (YiCA) on the theme Vision, Value, and Action for Sustainable Community! The event will be held at 6 field sites in the Republic of Korea, from 22 July to 2 August 2009. The event will allow young people, from various backgrounds, to share vision and values through field projects that tackle global and local issues and intercultural exchanges. Applicants must be between 18 and 27 years of age, and must have a history of involvement in local community projects aimed at stimulating positive social change. The deadline for applications is 20 June 2009.

For more information, or to apply, please visit http://youth.unesco.or.kr/iyc_eng.

August 2009

5-7 August 2009: Global Model UN Conference

The UN Department of Public Information will organize the first annual Global Model UN Conference in Geneva, Switzerland from 5-7 August 2009. The event will bring together university-level students from Model UN programmes currently organized around the world. The theme of the conference will be "The Millennium Developments Goals: Lifting the bottom billion out of poverty." It will involve youth in all aspects of the planning process and encourage the organization of new Model UN programmes where they do not exist, serving as a model of best practices. Furthermore, it is expected that the Global Model UN will inspire the next generation of leaders to be involved in national and global issues. More information: http://www.un.org/gmun.

5-7 August 2009: MDG Youth Summit in the Phillippines

The International Youth Day Philippines Celebration and Millennium Development Goal Youth Summit will be held August 5 to 7, 2009 at the Philippine Normal University. With the theme Sustainability: Our Shared Responsibility, Countdown to 2015, this three-day event will gather 300 international and local youth delegates to discuss platform of actions in achieving the United Nations eight (8) Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The United Nations Association of the Philippines (UNAP) through its official youth arm, the United Nations Youth Association of the Philippines (UNYAP) served as organizers to this event with partner institutions such as UN Millennium Campaign, UNDP, UNESCO, UNICEF, The Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (ChED, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Youth Commission (NYC). The IYD celebration shall be graced by Philippine President Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and other high-level guests. For more information please visit www.unap1947unyap.blogspot.com.

5-7 August 2009: 6th Annual Youth Assembly at the United Nations

The Youth Assembly is an annual gathering of hundreds of young people (18-26) from around the world who seek practical ways to contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals through individual action, global networking and social entrepreneurship skills. The Assembly has grown to become a major gathering of young people as well as specialized, keynote speakers and workshop leaders at the United Nations. Each year, it provides avenues for students and young professionals to learn about and become involved with programs that address global and local issues, network among a large international group in attendance, and become engaged and empowered to take leadership roles in their communities. The 2009 Youth Assembly is being organized in collaboration with the United Nations Department of Public Information. The deadline for applications is 17 June, 2009.

For more information or to submit an application please visit http://www.faf.org/unyouthassembly/ya_overview.htm

7-14 August 2009: International Summer School, Burkina Faso

The Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie is organizing a summer school for youth leaders from all regions of the Francophonie, which will take place in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso from 7-14 August 2009. The summer school will focus on four main themes: ICT, Human Rights, Social Entrepreneurship and the Environment and will identify the opportunities offered in these areas for youth employment and civil society action. To apply for the summer school, download the application form at http://jeunesse.francophonie.org/plugins/subm_advanceddownload.cfm?id=470 .Candidates will be chosen based on their engagement on youth issues in their countries, their knowledge of the four themes and their participation in preparatory activities.

For more information see http://jeunesse.francophonie.org/ or contact catherine.boucher@francophonie.org

12 August: International Youth Day 2009

The theme for International Youth Day 2009 is Sustainability: Our Challenge, Our Future.

Sustainability encapsulates three facets of life: the environment, society and the economy, and sustainable development can only occur where these three intersect in symbiotic fashion. Therefore, in order to embrace the challenge of sustainability in its fullness, we must all adopt a global sense of social responsibility.

The United Nations Programme on Youth is encouraging youth organisations around the world to host community barter fairs for International Youth Day. Remember, with bartering there is no money involved, only pure exchange of goods and services.

How will YOU celebrate International Youth Day 2009? Are you ready to take on the challenge?

For more information visit: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/iyouthday.htm.

12-14 August 2009: African Youth and Governance Conference– Accra

The African Youth and Governance Conference, 2009 will bring together youth from all over Africa to address issues of youth policy, youth participation and empowerment, and youth mobilization. Centred on the theme, Sustainability: Our challenge. Our Future, the Conference aims to to stimulate a dialogue on democratic governance issues among the youth of Africa by advocating and emphasizing the role they can play in Africa’s social, political and economic development.

African youth between the ages of 18-35 are eligible to apply as delegates. Youth from other continents can participate as observers for purposes of experience sharing.

For more information, please visit the conference website at http://www.aygconference.org/.

21-26 August 2009: TUNZA International Youth Conference

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in collaboration with the UNEP National Committee for the Republic of Korea will be organizing its Tunza International Youth Conference on the Environment in Daejeon. The Conference will bring together 200 youth, to learn about the environment through plenary sessions, workshops and field trips. The Conference will be in three segments: Global Town Hall meeting on 21 August, Regional Meetings from 22-23 August and Conference from 24-26 August. The daily themes include Climate change: Limiting the FootPrint, Youth and Green Jobs, Disasters and Conflicts and their Impact on the Environment and Sustainable Lifestyles. More information: http://www.unep.org/tunza/youth/conferences_events/TIYC2009.

September 2009

29-30 September 2009: Global Youth Enterprise Conference

Designed as a participatory learning event, this conference aims to support youth enterprise and entrepreneurship programmes and policies to achieve greater effectiveness around the world. Participants include practitioners, funding organizations, the private sector, academics and youth leaders from around the world who will share best practices, unique approaches, and groundbreaking ideas that help youth develop the necessary skills and opportunities to start their own businesses or seek quality employment. Prospective participants are being encouraged to share their 2020 Vision for the Youth Enterprise, Employment, and Livelihoods Development Field. A call for proposals has been issued. For more information visit: http://www.youthenterpriseconference.org/.

December 2009

2-6 December 2009: International Seminar on EuroMediterranean Voluntary Work - France

This seminar aims to introduce the EuroMediterranean Voluntary service and its impacts and encourage new initiatives in the Euromed Region. The seminar targets promoters, members of NGO's, representative of institutes and public bodies who are already experienced in the voluntary work and/or European Voluntary Service and wishing to share their experiences and to exchange practises on volunteering.

For more information and application please visit http://www.salto-youth.net/euromedevsfrance/

7-18 December 2009: United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15)

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change entered into force on 21 March 1994. The Convention sets an overall framework for intergovernmental efforts to tackle climate change and recognizes that the climate system is a shared resource whose stability can be affected by industrial and other emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The Convention enjoys near universal membership, with 192 countries having ratified. A number of nations had approved the Kyoto Protocol, as an addition to the treaty with more powerful (and legally binding) measures. The Protocol's first commitment period ends in 2012. A strong multilateral framework needs to be in place by 2009 to ensure that there is no gap between the end of the Kyoto Protocol's first commitment period in 2012 and the entry into force of a future regime. COP15 (Conference of Parties) in Copenhagen is a vital step in this process.

For more information, visit: http://www.cop15.dk

SUBSCRIPTION

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SUBMISSIONS

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CONTACT INFORMATION

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