Invitation: Global Youth Forum on Mountain Issues and Green Solution: From Rio de Janeiro to Doha, 1 December 2012 at UNFCCC COP18 (Venue: Climate Change Studio, Qatar National Convention Centre)

Global Youth Forum on Mountain Issues and Green Solution:

From Rio de Janeiro to Doha

Date: 1 December 2012 at UNFCCC COP18

Venue: Climate Change Studio, Qatar National Convention Centre. Doha

Further information: Ms. Sameera Zaib, sameerazaib.env@gmail.com

Background

COP18 has a special importance since it needs to finalize the old negotiation tracks, and make new commitments towards Post 2015. It is imperative to involve youth in this process, and consider their voices and issues. Rio+20 reaffirmed that we need a more sustainable development path. To achieve this we need to change how we think and act, develop and implement capacity building programs, and hence engage youth in these programs in order to secure green jobs and a green economy.

Inspired from International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD’s) youth programme - Youth for Sustainable Mountain Development (Y4SMD), the Asia Pacific Youth Task force on Rio+20 (APYTF) was formed in April 2011 to advocate mountain agenda in the context of Rio+20 and mobilize youth in preparation lf Rio+20 and implementation of its outcomes. Since then APYTF has organized several events locally and regionally and has taken part in several important events including the Rio+20 Conference – locally, regionally and globally. In this preparation APYTF co-organized ‘Global youth Forum on Mountain Issues and Sustainable Actions’ at Rio+2o Conference in Brazil in June 2012, ‘National Youth Forum on Green Solutions in Pakistan’ in Islamabad in November 2012 and ‘Workshop on Green Economy in South Asia’ at South Asian Youth Conference (SAYC) in November 2012. To take forward messages of major past events and youth in Asia Pacific region and also to engage them in UNFCCC COP process, we like to join hands with global youth by organising ’Global Youth Forum on Mountain Issues and Green Solutions’ at UNFCCC COP18 on 1 December 2012 in Doha.

Objectives:

1.   To provide an opportunity for global youth to discuss global issues and their concerns regarding COP18. 

2.   To identify the Mountain Youth issues and priorities for Green Economy.

3.   To develop and share Global Youth Appeal for COP18 delegates.

Duration: 60 min

Venue: Climate Change Studio, Qatar National Convention Centre. Doha.

Day 1 (1th December, 2012)
Time	Key Topics	Address
9:00-9:08	Opening- ·         Overview of Global Youth Forum ·         Asia Pacific Youth Task Force on Rio+20 ·         Sharing of Youth Appeal COP18 (from Pakistan)	Ms Sameera Zaib APYTF
9:08-9:15	YUNGO activities and UNFCCC	YUNGO representatives (TBC)
9:15-9:20	Youth in Post 2015 agenda.	Nitiokum Divine- Youth Digital Advocate Post 2015 agenda
9:15-9:20	Asia Pacific Graduate Youth Forum Declaration	Team Green Economy/ APGYF alumni.
9:20-9:25	COP 18.	Wilson- founder, Eco Singapore. Asia
9:30-9:35	PIDES	Danaé Espinoza. Latin America
9:35-9:40	African youth and UNFCCC	Hamba Richard. Worldview Mission. Africa (TBC)
9:40-9:45	UK YCC	Camilla Born/ Jamie Peters. Europe.
9:45-50	Presentation of COP18 Youth Appeal	Green Economy team.
9:50-10:00	Closing remarks	Sameera Zaib. APYTF

National Youth Forum on Green Solutions in Bangladesh, 11, 18-19 December 2012

National Youth Forum on Green Solutions in Bangladesh, 11, 18-19 December 2012

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) values the potential role that young people can play in promoting sustainable mountain development in the greater Himalaya region. Through the Youth Engagement in Sustainable Mountain Development (Y4SMD) initiative, ICIMOD has been informing and empowering youth from the Asia Pacific region and building their capacity to bring about positive changes in society. The Y4SMD network is made up of over 4,000 youth from the region and beyond, with a majority from ICIMOD’s eight regional member countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. To date, the Y4SMD initiative has implemented over 50 major youth events, including a Global Youth Forum at the Rio+20 Summit in Brazil in June 2012.

The National Youth Forum on Green Solutions in Bangladesh, organized by ICIMOD, our Youth Forum Alumni in Bangladesh and Green Hill, aims: 

·         To take ICIMOD’s youth initiative at national and local level and promote youth actions.

·         To promote SMD relevant education and discussions in Bangladesh among youth living in mountainous areas.

·         To share widely SMD relevant outcome of the Rio+20 Conference, UNFCCC COP18 and APGYF 2012

·         To enhance youth capacity to understand mountain issues and develop green solutions.

·         To initiative a process of developing a mountain conscious youth network in Bangladesh.

Programme highlights:

• Technical and training sessions 
• Paper presentations and discussions on the role of youth in the emerging green economy in the Hilly Regions of Bangladesh.
• Tour of sites that exhibit climate-friendly practices.
• Poster presentation highlighting ‘International Mountain Day 2012’.

Expected outcomes:

·         Improved understanding of local youth about mountainous issues like geo-environmental hazards, climate change and sustainable agriculture etc.

·         Establishment of mountain development dedicated youth’s network in Bangladesh.

·         Success replication of ICIMOD’s Youth Forum at national level.

·         Create a focal point in Bangladesh for national, regional and international collaboration and cooperation on sustainable hill management among youth.

Call for application:

Bangladeshi youth who are interested in participating in the forum and meet the eligibility criteria outlined below are encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience.  

• Applicants must be: 
• Bangladeshi nationals 
• 18–29 years of age 
• From or currently residing in any districts of the country, but youths from Hilly Regions will get preference.
• Applications must be submitted through the online system HERE no later than 02 December 2012.
• Applicants will be selected by a small committee of experts. Selected applicants will be notified by 5 December 2012.   
• The organizers will cover expenses related to participation in the National Youth Forum (roundtrip travel, food, and lodging).

For further information, please write to Marufa Ishaque at marufa_ishaque@yahoo.com.

Keep track of ICIMOD youth events and announcements:

• http://ww.facebook.com/APY.Rioplus20
• http://ww.facebook.com/apmnicimod 
• http://ww.facebook.com/icimod
• https://twitter.com/#!/apmnicimod
• http://twitter.com/icimod 

Subscribe to the Mountain Forum/Asia Pacific Mountain Network at www.mtnforum.org/en/users.

Please kindly circulate this announcement in your networks.