ICPD Global Youth Forum 2012

Deadline: September 15, 2012

Forty-three percent of the world’s population is currently under 25 - and the number of young people is rising fastest in those parts of the world with the lowest economic growth.  The ICPD Programme of Action made the needs of youth a priority and yet in all countries of the world, progress on youth issues is lagging.Today’s youth are more connected and tuned in to the world than any generation before. They are growing up fast, in a world that is changing even faster. Fortunately for all of us, young people see the challenges before them in fresh ways and are responding with enthusiasm and imagination. Young people have the potential to transform the social and economic fortunes of their communities, particularly in least developed countries.With the right investments, today’s young people can reach their full potential as individuals, leaders and agents of progress.  And the world clearly needs their energy, their participation and their skills. But delivering that transformation takes partnership action on health, education, employment, sexual and reproductive health and a commitment to real civic engagement.Depsite their enormous stake in the future, youth voices have not been part of the mainstrean development debate. The ICPD Beyond 2014 Global Youth Forum, in Bali from Dec 4-6 2012 aims to address this. Through a partnership of UN agencies, young people, civil society and the private sector the Forum aims to translate the participatory goals of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development into a sustainable youth advocacy movement.Led by young people for young people and contributing directly to the process of defining future development goals, the Global Youth Forum will give young people a stronger voice.  Over 900 delegates will agree on global recommendations for action on five crucial issues:

• Staying healthy

• Comprehensive education

• Transitions to decent employment for youth

• Sexuality, families and rights

• Fully inclusive civic participation

Applications to attend the Global Youth Forum in Bali are now openThe ICPD Beyond 2014 Global Youth Forum will take place at the Bali Nusa Dual Convention Center, Bali, Indonesia from 4-6th December. 

• ICPD Beyond 2014 Global Youth Forum - Apply here

• CIPD mas alla 2014: Foro Global de Juventud - Aplique aqui

• CIPD au dela de 2014: Forum Mondial de la Jeunesse- Inscris toi ici

If you are between 18-30 years of age with a track record of successful advocacy in support issues addressed in the ICPD Programme of Action we want to hear from you. Closing date for applications is 15th September. Places at the Global Youth Forum are limited. Candidates will be selected based on criteria set out in the application. Due to the high volume of applications only successful candidates will be notified and we cannot respond to e-mails requesting confirmation of receipt of application.Can't join us in Bali? You can be part of the Forum wherever you are.If you can't get to the Forum in Bali, you will still have the chance to fully participate as a Global Youth Forum virtual delegate. Applications for virtual delegates will open on 16th September. Virtual delegates can be younger - registrations are open to young people aged 14-30.You will be able to join the online conversation on Forum themes immediately and from 4-6th December you can follow and contribute to discussions online. Your online contributions will feed directly into the Forum and moderators will ensure the views of virtual delegates are represented in the plenary discussions and recommendations. As an official delegate, your name and the country you are from will be included in a Report to the Secretary General of the United Nations.Prefer talking to typing? Join an event closer to home.UNFPA country offices and a number of youth agencies will hold their own national and local events on Global Youth Forum topics. Contact your national UNFPA office to find out if an event has been planned in your country and keep looking our events page for details of national events.
Further information: http://icpdbeyond2014.org/key-events/view/13-icpd-global-youth-forum