The United Nations Environment Programme invites applications from young people for the upcoming UNEP Tunza International Youth Conference, to be held in Leverkusen, Germany, from 26 - 30 August, 2007.
The Tunza International Youth Conference is a biennial event that aims to foster a generation of environmentally conscious citizens who will better influence decision-making processes and act responsibly to create a sustainable world. Organized for young people (15 - 24 years old), the Conferences provide opportunities for participants to learn from one another, share experiences and ideas on community-based environmental actions and develop joint strategies on promoting environmental protection.
The Conference will also provide a forum for youth representatives to examine how UNEP and other UN agencies are working with young people for sustainable development both regionally and globally, and to learn new skills and to forge new global partnerships for sustainable development.
Participants of the Tunza International Youth Conference also elect and set the agenda for the next two-year term of the UNEP Tunza Youth Advisory Council.
Applicants must be:
- Born between 26 August 1984 and 26 August 1992.
- Nominated by an environmental / sustainable development organisation with which they work, and of which they are an active member. Organisations must nominate both a male and a female candidate, of which one will be selected.
- Able to work and communicate effectively in English.
Limited financial support will be available for some participants from developing countries only.
For more information and to apply online, see http://www.unep.org/tunza/youthconference/.
Applications close 28 February, 2007.
Note: Having served as Special Envoy for Young People to UNEP, I can say that the experience was terrific, and especially enlightening if you’re hoping to get some insight into how the UN system works. Strangely, Australia doesn’t usually have very strong representation at UNEP events - I don’t think many people know of the opportunity - but where Australians are present, our friendliness and eagerness to lead mean that we usually do very well in the elections. (Though I’m not sure if this is because we’re genuinely liked or because others find our eagerness a little intimidating: Australia is formally a part of the Asia & the Pacific region, which puts us with people from Kiribati to Kazakhstan, so culturally the rest of the region is quite different, and generally not as comfortable with putting themselves forward for nomination.)
