Deadline: 26 June 2017
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is seeking applications for its “Youth Forum” to empower young people to protect and restore degraded ecosystems that will lead to green innovations contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular, reaching SDG15.3 land degradation neutrality.
The UNCCD secretariat recognizes the important roles youth play in combating land degradation and promoting sustainable land management (SLM).
The UNCCD secretariat invites all young people and youth organization representatives to apply to speak and participate in the international UNCCD Youth Forum at its 13th Conference of the Parties (COP 13). The theme this year is “land, youth and sustainability”.
Objectives
- Voicing the youth commitment in achieving Land Degradation Neutrality
- Building the capacity and opportunities for youth in the work on combating desertification, land degradation and drought
- Sharing youth / youth organizations experience in combating desertification
Benefits
Selected speakers and representatives will receive full funding of international travel, accommodation and daily allowance during the forum.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- be between 18 to 35 years of age
- be volunteers / members for a civil society organization or network, academic institution, trade or technical institution or UN youth-related education program
- be authorized officially by their organization or network to speak on behalf of the organization or institution (providing a signed letter from head of organization or a supervisor)
- have demonstrated ability to engage constructively with a variety of stakeholders
- be available to be in Ordos, China from 7-10 September 2017
- have a visa for travel to China, or be able to obtain one within 2 weeks. (Please check with the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in your country. Selected speakers will receive an invitation letter to support a visa application, but will be responsible for obtaining the visa and for any costs associated with obtaining the visa.)
- agree to produce a daily article / blog for the forum when selected
- be able to communicate in English
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted via email at the address given on the website.
For more information, please visit Youth Forum.