Deadline: February 11, 2013
YouthCan For International Dialogue (YFID) is currently recruiting bright minds to make up the Canadian delegation to the G8/Y20 Youth Summits hosted by the UK and Russia. YFID is the Canadian Organizing Committee for the annual G8 & G20 Youth Summit. They represent Canada within the International Diplomatic Engagement Association (IDEA) Network. Every year YFID recruits young people to represent Canada at the annual G8/G20 Youth Summits, whose locations are in the country where the real G8 Summit takes place.
About the Event
The G8 & Y20 Youth Summit is a premier international youth conference that brings together youth representing the Group of Eight (G8) and Group of Twenty (G20) nations to engage in meaningful dialogue and devise innovative policy solutions, to address some the world’s most pressing issues.
The Youth Summit is a global initiative which runs parallel to the real G8 and G20 Summits. Unlike the Model United Nations and other similar events, the G8 & G20 Youth Summit is not simply a re-enactment or simulation.
Rather, in the pursuit of realistic and optimistic goals, the Youth Summit is a forum that allows young people the freedom to express original thought and ingenuity while devising solutions to current international dilemmas. These solutions, in the form of an official communiqué, are then presented to real world leaders and policymakers.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be a Canadian national and/or have attended a Canadian educational institution at the post-secondary level
- Be a current post-secondary student, 2nd year CEGEP student or a recent post-secondary graduate
- Be under the age of 30.
- If you think you qualify to be a Canadian delegate but do not meet all the criteria, please send us an email and we will consider your case.
Detail
Time Commitment
Delegates should be prepared to devote several hours per week to summit preparations in the six weeks preceding the conference. Before arriving in Paris, delegates are expected to:
(1) Participate in ministerial discussions to choose the agenda topics
(2) Attend delegation meetings via Skype
(3) Write two well-researched position papers.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be judged on an individual basis. Successful applicants will generally display the following:
- Teamwork/Leadership Experiences: Delegates will have demonstrated experience working in teams and taking on leadership responsibilities.
- Interest/Expertise in Global Issues: Delegates must have demonstrated an active interest in international dialogue and current events. Preference will be given to those with special interest and/or expertise in the portfolios for which they are applying.
- Communication Skills: Delegates must possess superior written and verbal communication skills, demonstrated through team-based activities.
- International Experience/Cultural Sensitivity: Intercultural sensitivity and cultural awareness are required for successful applicants. Although not required, preference is given to those with some international experiences.
- Variety of Background: We are looking to form a delegation of individuals from diverse backgrounds with wide-ranging academic interests, varied extra-curricular experiences, different home provinces an distinct life stories.
For more information, click here.