Deadline: August 27, 2014
Applications are now open for the First Global Forum on Youth Policies taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan from 28 – 30 October 2014. The 2014 Global Forum on Youth Policies is the first of its kind and will bring together around 700 participants including policymakers, civil society organisations, experts, academia, youth advocates, parliamentarians and UN agencies. Within this context, 200 youth policy practitioners will be selected based on this open call.
About
With 150 countries currently implementing national youth policies, the co-‐organisers of the Forum aim to provide a platform for identifying and producing a set of guiding principles and a renewed commitment to effective youth policies at national, regional and global levels. The Forum will provide an opportunity to all stakeholders involved in youth policy development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation to develop a global overview of the status of youth policies and to build an international community
of experts who can support youth policy development.
It will also offer a unique platform for countries to showcase good practices and lessons learned, as well as to share challenges and gaps. It will provide those present with a multi-‐stakeholder opportunity to assess the state of youth policy, in particular 20 years after the adoption of the World Programme of Action for Youth (1995).
Organizers and Sponsors
It will be co-‐convened by the Office of the United Nations Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth, UNDP, UNESCO and the Council of Europe. The 2014 Global Forum on Youth Policies will be hosted by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in the Republic of Azerbaijan in the framework of Azerbaijan’s Chairmanship of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers.
The Forum will be supported by youthpolicy.org, an organisation that generates and consolidates knowledge and information on youth policies across the policy cycle, ranging from analysis and policy formulation to implementation and evaluation.
Eligibility
Eligible candidates for these 200 ‘open spots’ include:
- Youth policy practitioners;
- Youth activists and members of youth movements working on youth policy;
- Representatives/experts of youth-‐led organizations, civil society organizations, and networks working on youth policy;
- Research experts from institutes, universities and think tanks with a focus on youth policy;
- Development experts from organizations, agencies and institutions in the youth sector;
- Programming experts from donors active in supporting policy change in the youth field.
Applicants should:
- Preferably be aged 18-‐35;
- Be able to communicate professionally in English;
- Be experienced in formulation, implementation and/or monitoring of youth policy at the national, regional or global level.
Applications from Azerbaijan will be considered in the same manner as applications from other countries.
Selection Criteria
The selection of participants will take into consideration the following criteria:
- Interest: The applicant is highly motivated to attend and will substantively contribute to the Forum;
- Exposure: The applicant has shown past experience of minimum 2 years related to youth policy formulation, implementation and/or research;
- Impact: The applicant and his/her organization have the capacity to disseminate the results of the Forum back to the youth community;
- Gender and geographical balance;
Young people from underrepresented and marginalised groups and youth policy practitioners working with underrepresented and marginalised groups (such as young people with disabilities, indigenous youth, youth from rural communities/young farmers, young people from conflict affected areas, marginalized ethnic and cultural groups, young people from low social and economic backgrounds, migrants and refugees, young people not in education, employment and training) are encouraged to apply.
All applicants will be notified by September 15, 2014. Successful applicants will be asked to confirm their participation by September 20.
Cost and Benefits (Fully-funded)
All costs (travel, accommodation and meals) will be covered by the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan. Travel includes the most economical roundtrip air or ground transport: city of departure/Baku/city of return.
Group accommodations at a reduced rate will be arranged – participants are requested not to book individually with hotels in Baku. All meals during the dates of the Forum (28- 30 October) will also be provided for. Meals outside of these dates are the responsibility of participants. Each participant will receive a free visa upon arrival in Baku.
How to Apply
Applicants should complete the Application Form in its entirety.
For more information, visit Global Forum on Youth Policies.
