UN YOUTH FLASH

Vol. 6, No. 6, June 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

The World Programme of Action for Youth (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 second 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: Substance Abuse, Juvenile Justice, and Access to Leisure

The World Programme of Action for Youth goes beyond addressing basic universal development needs to highlight key issues of particular concern to the youth cohort. Substance Abuse, Juvenile Justice and Access to Leisure are deemed of particular concern to the development and empowerment of the world’s young people.

Every year on 26 June, the world commemorates the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. From the period 2007 to 2009, the advocacy campaign has focused primarily on youth. According to the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC), adolescent youth and young adults are particularly vulnerable to using illicit drugs. In fact, the UNODC states that the use of illicit drugs among young people is twice as high as among the adult population. Use of illicit drugs among youth can have adverse health effects and can also lead to behavioural problems and conflict with the law.

The United Nations has developed goals and targets aimed at reducing substance abuse among young people. These goals and targets focus on reducing both the supply of and demand for drugs among the world’s youth.

The first goal aims to eliminate substance abuse among young people and carries 4 key targets:

1.       with immediate effect, intensify the implementation of efforts to stem the supply of drugs to young people;
2.       between 2005 and 2015, reduce by two thirds, the proportion of youth using alcohol, tobacco or other harmful substances;
3.       by 2015, develop and implement legislation to eliminate alcohol and tobacco marketing to those under the age of 21 years; and
4.       by 2015, establish, in collaboration with young people, youth-friendly, evidence-based early intervention and substance abuse prevention programmes.

A second related goal guides interventions for those young people who, despite efforts to prevent drug use, may still fall into the trap of substance abuse. This goal carries 3 main targets:

1.       between 2005 and 2015, increase by 50 per cent the number of young substance abusers who have access to affordable, youth friendly treatment;
2.       between 2005 and 2015, increase by 50 per cent the number of young substance abusers who have access to harm-reduction programmes, including the provision of condoms, needles, counseling and substitution therapy; and
3.       by 2015, ensure that all drug rehabilitation programmes for youth include alternative income-earning strategies and skills training to facilitate reintegration into society.

Substance abuse among youth can often lead to increased conflict with the law because of the illegality of illicit drug use in itself, and also because of behavioural changes that may occur. How the juvenile system deals with young offenders is important in shaping their future in society.

Youth crime is not only substance related or induced; however, as noted in a 2007 report of the Secretary General to the General Assembly, accurate data on juvenile delinquency are difficult to obtain. Crimes committed by young people are often not reported, and the procedures for dealing with juvenile offenders vary widely, even within countries.

Through the goals and targets set to aid the implementation of the WPAY, the United Nations aims to reduce the involvement of youth in crime. The first goal in this area carries 2 targets:

1. between 2005 and 2015, reduce by 50 per cent the number of youth who are not in employment or education; and
2. between 2005 and 2015, increase by 50 per cent the proportion of juvenile delinquents who receive further education and training in vocational skills as part of their rehabilitation.

These two targets recognize youth crime as symptomatic of social exclusion and marginalization.

A second goal in the area aims to ensure that those youth who may turn to crime are treated fairly and are afforded adequate opportunity for rehabilitation. Two targets focus this goal:

1. by 2015, develop and begin to implement measures to ensure the complete physical and legal separation of juvenile from adult judicial and penal systems and reduce the number of juveniles committed to locked institutions by 50 per cent between 2005 and 2015; and
2. by 2015, ensure that all law enforcement personnel and social workers who work with juvenile delinquents receive specific training in non-violent crisis intervention.

Although not addressed in the above mentioned goals, access to adequate leisure-time activities can help to curb young people’s involvement in crime and the use of illicit drugs. Just as importantly, what young people do with leisure time can determine how well they acquire social skills and learn about civic responsibility. A lack of choice and structure of leisure-time activities can place youth and their communities at risk. In recognizing the importance of leisure-time activities to youth development, the United Nations has advocated the protection of the rights of all youth to leisure-time activities. The first goal in this area has two targets:

1. sby 2015, halt all forms of exploitation of young people through work and the denial of their rights to leisure in a manner that is consistent with article 31 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child; and
2. by 2010, initiate an evaluation — using community teams that include young women and men — of opportunities for safe recreation and leisure-time activities for youth, and by 2015 begin to develop appropriate spaces and resources for youth leisure based on these findings.

A second goal focused on leisure-time activities aims to promote national recognition of the value of young people’s access to recreation, art, culture, and sports. This goal also has two targets:

1. by 2015, ensure that all schools integrate art, culture and sport activities into their curricula and provide a minimum of three hours each week for these activities; and
2. by 2015, demonstrate national recognition of the value of young people’s access to art, culture, sport activities and other recreational opportunities by creating a National Youth Recreation Day on which the value of safe and constructive recreation is recognized and communicated through media, private and public sector outlets.

To learn more about the goals and targets related to substance abuse, juvenile justice and access to leisure please read the Report of the Secretary-General A/64/61 & E/2009/3 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.

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).

Alliance of Civilizations: Youth-produced video festival on migration and diversity
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and the International Organization for Migration invite youth from around the world to participate in the PLURAL + Video Festival on the themes of migration, diversity, and identity. Between now and 30 September 2009, youth between the ages of 9 and 25 are invited to submit short videos on their thoughts, experiences, opinions, and questions on migration-related themes and on the challenges of ensuring respect and understanding among various communities.

An international jury which includes youth representatives and critically acclaimed filmmakers will announce the winners in New York on 18 December 2009, coinciding with International Migrants Day. The winning videos will receive international exposure and will be widely disseminated through broadcast, satellite, internet, film festivals and DVD.

All details about the PLURAL + Video Festival, including the application form and rules and regulations, can be found at www.unaoc.org. If you have video equipment or expertise and are interested in supporting local youth to take part in PLURAL +, please contact plural@unaoc.org.

FAO: Inspire and Educate campaign
FAO, together with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and other partners, has launched the "Inspire and Educate" competition which is being held as part of the educational initiative ‘Our World, Our Climate, Our Food’. This worldwide project aims to raise awareness on such issues as climate change, environment and food security. It also aims to encourage children and young people to take part in activities, reduce our impact on the environment and take action against hunger in the world. The competition is divided into photo, video and local adaptation categories.

For additional details see: www.fao.org/climatechange/youth/en/.

IOM: Campaign to overcome prejudices and stereotypes

IOM has launched a campaign in Ukraine aimed at encouraging youth to overcome prejudices and stereotypes and to be more open in accepting people of other cultures.
With the message “We have more in common than we think; the colour of our skin doesn’t matter”, the campaign has kicked off with three TV spots on MTV-Ukraine and the release of a song called “We are all neighbours” by popular Ukrainian artist, Pavlo Gudimov. It will be broadcast on national TV and radio, and is complemented by “Living Library” events, where representatives of minorities and foreigners in Ukraine, act as “live books” and talk to “readers”—students of secondary schools— about their lives and experiences as a way of breaking down perceptual barriers.

IOM, UNHCR and Amnesty International originally established the initiative in 2007 in response to an unprecedented increase in the number of suspected racially motivated attacks.

For details, please visit http://iom.org.ua/index.php?page=video.

UNICEF: Consultation on Indigenous Peoples’ and Minorities’ Issues
From 15-17 April, 2009, UNICEF held a consultation in New York as a first step towards the development of a structured framework for addressing indigenous and minority issues in UNICEF’s operational activities and programmes in line with international human rights standards and norms. One of the main purposes of this consultation was to reach a consensus and common understanding on UNICEF’s engagement on indigenous and minority issues, the nature of its commitment, and the specific processes that guide its work.

UNICEF’s Adolescent Development and Participation Unit was asked to moderate a working group on strengthening human rights of indigenous children and young people through their active and meaningful participation. Recommendations were made by the working group on UNICEF policy and programming, international/domestic monitoring mechanisms, and knowledge management in indigenous and minority issues.

For more information, please visit: http://intranet.unicef.org/dpp/policyadvocacy.nsf/ or contact rkarkara@unicef.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/
or contact cgallegos@unicef.org

UNIDO AND Hewlett Packard bring technology training to youth in Africa and Middle East
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the technology company HP will open 20 additional training centres in Africa and the Middle East to expand their current activities in youth entrepreneurship and information technology education. The new centres in Algeria, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates bring the number of centres in ten countries in Africa and the Middle East to 33.

The HP Graduate Entrepreneurship Training through IT (GET-IT) programme provides training to unemployed youth and graduates between the ages of 16 and 25, and helps potential entrepreneurs acquire IT skills with the aim of becoming better placed to create and run their own businesses. GET-IT courses teach practical IT solutions for daily business challenges in finance, management, marketing and technology management.

Through its field office network in Africa and the Middle East, UNIDO identifies non-profit organizations to become GET-IT partners and monitors the activities of these partners to ensure the sustainability of the programme.

For more information, please visit http://www.unido.org/index.php or contact Ms. Barbara Kreissler (b.kreissler@unido.org).

WHO: Strategic planning retreat: UN Interagency Task Force on Adolescent Girls
A meeting of the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Adolescent Girls - which includes ILO, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNIFEM, and WHO - was held in New York, 12-15 May 2009. The meeting was intended to further consolidate the Task Force's future work at the global, regional, and national levels. The specific objectives were: to achieve a consensus on the expected outcomes and priority areas of work for the IATF’s Joint Programme; to develop a strategic action plan in support of joint initiatives at the country, regional and global levels for the period 2009-2011; to agree on the process and steps to operationalize the IATF, including a plan of collaboration with other adolescent girls initiatives; and to develop a plan on monitoring and evaluation for the IATF, as part of the overall strategic action plan, including an M&E expert group meeting to further develop this, to be held in September 2009.

YOUTH IN ACTION

Unite for Climate!
Unite for Climate is a growing global online community of young people and organizations working together on youth-powered solutions to climate change. It is designed to facilitate collaboration, coordination and resource sharing. The site features youth media and voices, information on climate change and its adverse effects on the MDGs, and a clearinghouse of campaigns that users can easily browse and join.

Unite for Climate wants to showcase the initial work done by the youth community. We are keen to gather YOUR feedback ahead of the official launch at the TUNZA International Youth Conference in Daejeon, South Korea, on August 20th. The social network and website will see many additional upgrades between now and then.

Become part of a space that fosters collaboration and social networking between young people and youth groups; join Unite for Climate. The soft launch of Unite for Climate will take place on Tuesday, June 23rd for NGO, UN, academic and private sector partners.

For more information, see www.uniteforclimate.org or email info@uniteforclimate.org.

Follow climate change negotiations on Twitter
IISD's Earth Negotiations Bulletin team is twittering from the UNFCCC climate change negotiations. To follow their updates, sign up at http://twitter.com/enbclimate

2010 Endeavour Awards for Research, Postgraduate Study or Research, Vocational Education and Training, Professional Development and Student Exchanges
The Endeavour Awards is an internationally competitive, merit-based programme providing opportunities for citizens of the Asia-Pacific region to undertake study, research and professional development in Australia. Awards are also available for Australians to do the same abroad.

The aims of the Endeavour Awards are to: Deepen Australia’s global engagement in education and research; reinforce Australia’s reputation as a high quality education provider and leader in research, innovation and knowledge management; enhance language skills and cultural understanding of Australia; and provide opportunities for Australian professionals to enhance their skills and knowledge.

For more information, visit
http://cambodiajobs.blogspot.com/2008/04/endeavour-awards-for-research.html

International Parliamentary Scholarships
Are you interested in politics? Would you like to gain insight into the workings of German democracy? Every year, 120 young people from 28 countries have the opportunity to take part in the International Parliamentary Scholarship (IPS) programme in Berlin.

IPS offers recent graduates an internship in the office of a Member of the Bundestag, the German parliament. Combined with a supplementary academic programme organized by Berlin’s three universities and the fun of being together with people from other nations, a unique experience awaits you in the German capital.

What the Bundestag expects of you:
•        Interest in politics
•        Excellent knowledge of German
•        College degree (B.A., B.S.)
•        Born after March 1, 1980

Citizenship of one of the participating countries

What you can expect:
•        Monthly stipend of € 450.00
•        Free accommodations
•        Health, accident, and liability insurance
•        Reimbursement of your travel expenses to and from Berlin

Applications must be submitted by June 30, 2009.

For more information and participating countries, please visit http://www.young-germany.de/news-verwaltung/news-singleview/article/3f8bac3ff7/deadline-approaching-for-international-parliamentary-scholarships.html?no_cache=1.

How do you see development? - Launching the Global Photography Campaign on
Humanizing Development

How do you see development? How can you portray the human face of the development processes? How do you show that development initiatives and programmes improve the lives of people? The Global Photography Campaign on Humanizing Development launched on 1 June 2009 aims to promote and showcase visual examples of people winning the battle against poverty, social exclusion and marginalization by bringing light and life into the above questions.

All photographs should fit into one of the campaign’s fourteen different thematic areas related to the Millennium Development Goals, such as eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, expanding access to food, clean water, sanitation, education and health services for the poor, and promoting women's leadership and equal opportunity in education and employment.

Some of the key outcomes of the campaign will include a photography gallery; a series of photography exhibitions in several cities around the world; and a photography database that will be shared with the campaign partners and several United Nations agencies and departments.

Visit the campaign website and upload your photograph at: http://www.ipc-undp.org/photo/

Mision Mujer seeking youth networks to share best practices
Mision Mujer I.A.P. is a Mexican institution with the goal of preventing psychosocial problems among teenagers in vulnerable socioeconomic situations. Mision Mujer fulfills its objectives through its AXIOS (values in Greek) programme. AXIOS is a preventive educational programme based on human values that aims at educating teenagers on self-knowledge, self-esteem, communication within their family and their life plan in order to prevent drug addiction, nutritional problems, domestic violence, sexual abuse, teenage pregnancies and dropout rates at school. AXIOS is offered in public middle schools, currently with more than 5000 teenagers under its auspices, and more than 20,000 alumni throughout its history.

Mision Mujer is seeking contacts with youth networks or coalitions around the world
to share best practices. For more information, visit www.axios.org.mx or contact misionmujerac@yahoo.com.

PUBLICATIONS

(For UN documents on youth, visit: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/library.htm).

Circumstances of young adults – results from the Generations and Gender Programme (ECE)
The upcoming publication of proceedings of the conference “How Generations and Gender Shape Demographic Change”, organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe in Geneva, on 14-16 May 2008, will discuss policy contributions and research findings from the Generations and Gender Programme, a system of national surveys and contextual databases in the UNECE region. Among other topics, the publication will provide an analysis of major concerns of young people including work opportunities, education, and mobility. It will illustrate recent demographic developments and various facets of transition to adulthood such as the postponement of family formation and childbearing. Furthermore, it will present analyses on the well-being of young adults, covering poverty, economic activity status, health, and life satisfaction and the role of housing affordability and availability for the period of transition to adulthood.

For more information please visit http://www.unece.org/pau/ggp/publications/ or contact Andres Vikat at pau@unece.org.

EC Toolkit Component - Strengthening Child Participation (UNICEF)
The European Commission identified child rights as one of its strategic objectives and priorities for 2005–2009. The EC Tool kit will develop tools and a training package that will equip stakeholders in the European Union to incorporate child rights into their activities. The module on child participation in this toolkit will draw on standards and good practices from a range of sources on engaging and empowering children and young people to take part in policies and programme development, and reflecting their right to be heard and participate in the decisions that impact upon their lives as laid out in Article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. There will be both practical guidance to those in government agencies working with children on helping children develop their capacities for participation while at the same time highlighting and explaining the benefits of participation for policy makers and duty bearers.

For more information, contact Ravi Karkara at rkarkara@unicef.org.

CALENDAR OF YOUTH EVENTS

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

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/.

19 - 25 July 2009 13th Annual iEARN Youth Summit, Morocco
iEARN is holding its 13th annual Youth Summit in Ifrane, Morocco from July 19-25, 2009. The theme of this year's Youth Summit is "Innovative Technologies and Cross-cultural Dialogue for Quality Education." Young people from over 25 countries will attend this event, explore how new technologies are being used around the world to build friendships and enable collaborative project work on the MDGs and other global and local issues. The Youth Summit is held in conjunction with the iEARN Teachers Conference on the main campus of Al Akhawyn University.

For more information and to register, visit: http://www.iearn2009.ma

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.

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

5-7 August 2009: MDG Youth Summit, 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 platforms for 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 the UN Millennium Campaign, UNDP, UNESCO, UNICEF, the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (ChED, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the 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 (ages 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 programmes 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.

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/. 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 the 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/.

18-25 August 2009: 20th International Youth Forum, Seoul, Republic of Korea
The International Youth Forum, organized by the National Youth Council of Korea and hosted by the Korean Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs, will focus on Climate Change and Green Development. The Forum intends to provide youth from Korea and abroad with a place where they can meet and share opinions on these issues, allowing them to find ways to cooperate with each other. Youth between the ages of 18 and 30 are eligible to apply. Youth who study a related field or have relevant work experience with NGOs or IGOs are preferred. Financial assistance to cover part of the travel expenses may be available. The application deadline is 10 July 2009. For more information and to receive the application form, contact ncyokway@chol.com or damwoo@koreayouth.net.

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: a Global Town Hall meeting on 21 August, Regional Meetings from 22-23 August and a 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.

31 August – 4 September 2009: World Climate Conference-3
Organized by the World Meteorological Organization, the World Climate Conference-3 (WCC-3) provides the world community with a unique opportunity to address the challenges associated with current climate variability so as to build societal resilience to the imminent effects of climate change.

For more information, please visit http://www.wmo.int/pages/world_climate_conference.

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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/.

October 2009

1-3 October 2009: 6th UNESCO Youth Forum

The 6th UNESCO Youth Forum will take place from 1-3 October 2009 in Paris as an integral part of the 35th UNESCO General Conference. The Youth Forum will give its youth participants the vital opportunity to exchange views, share experiences, and identify common opportunities and challenges. The Forum’s main theme "Investing out of the crisis: towards a partnership between UNESCO and youth organizations” will be complemented by a cross-cutting theme on "Youth participation - UNESCO Youth Forum, a long term approach''. The Forum will result in a final report which will be presented at the General Conference.

Youth delegates will be nominated by UNESCO Member States as members of their official delegations. Youth organizations, international and national NGOs and UN agencies will be invited as observers.

For more information please go to http://portal.unesco.org/ or email ucj@unesco.org.

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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

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CONTACT INFORMATION

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