UNESCO is celebrating the second International Day for Universal Access to Information & Wants You To Join

From a UNESCO Press Release (more info here):

What? 

Access to information, independent media, freedom of expression and transparency – why are these elements essential for you and for our society in general? Because they all play a crucial role in the goal of creating a sustainable future, human and non-human. 

To this end, UNESCO will be hosting the day-long event ‘IPDCtalks: Powering Sustainable Development with Access to Information’ this September. The IPDCtalks, which consist of a series of creative and dynamic talks, will be demonstrating the link between the core issues of information, media, ICT’s, and what is needed to help us achieve a sustainable society and future. 

Who? 

Christiane Amanpour, CNN’s leading investigative journalist, Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International, and Tarek Shawki, Minister of Education of Egypt are among the notable speakers for the day-long event. The IPDCtalks will gather a dozen of today’s leading journalists, global and community leaders and intellectuals from all over the world. They will be discussing the core issues around Access to Information for sustainable development and good governance, and they want to hear your opinion. (For more information on the speakers and the IPDCtalks in general, please have a look here) 

When & Where? 

Thursday, 28 September 2017, 10am to 6pm UNESCO Headquarters, 7 Place de Fontenoy, 75007 Paris, France 

Why you? 

UNESCO supports the role of free, independent and pluralistic media along with its elements and values that will play a crucial role in your future professional life. Thus, UNESCO wants to promote and encourage you, the next generation of journalists and media professionals, to take part in the conversation around Access to Information and a sustainable future in order to think about how each of us can make a difference in the world. At the IPDCtalks, you will have the exclusive opportunity to discuss and share your opinion with global leaders. 

Interested in joining the discussion? 

#IPDCtalks #SDGs 

Event 

If you want to attend the IPDCtalks 2017, please request an invitation as soon as possible as there are only limited spots available. Fill out the registration form or send an e-mail to f.drobnitzky@unesco.org / ipdc.secretariat@unesco.org. Please indicate your name and your current school. 

Talk online to your favorite speaker 

If you are not able to attend the IPDCtalks but still interested, make sure to join the debates via the live broadcast on our website on 28 September. You are also welcome to follow and participate in the discussion online via Twitter and Facebook: #IPDCtalks #AccessToInfo #SDGs. In case you want to ask questions to our #IPDCtalks speakers, you can do so via Twitter by using #AccessToInfo and #IPDCtalks. Selected questions will be answered live by the speaker you have addressed during the event. 

IPDCtalks Video Contest 

In addition, we want to know your opinion and invite you to record a video (3 min. max.) on why you think access to information is the critical currency for us to survive in the modern world. Tell us what access to information means to you and its role for a sustainable future! 

Deadline: 7 September 

The first three winners will be rewarded with various prizes: From coverage of travel expenses following UNESCO rules and procedures, to a personal meet & greet with the speakers of the IPDCtalks, to a recording of your own statement with the UNESCO video team which will be shared over UNESCO’s social media channels. For more information on the awards and contest guidelines, please have a look at the IPDCtalks Video Contest-document.

Restless Development Looking for UN General Assembly Youth Advocates

Via a notice from Restless Development:

We are recruiting for ahead of the opening of the General Debate for this year’s United Nations General Assembly. Restless Development is collaborating with the Permanent Mission of Denmark to the United Nations to help embed youth-led accountability at the heart of the 2030 Agenda. To do this, we will be jointly implementing a high-level side event that showcases how young people are already engaging formally and informally in the follow-up and review of the SDGs, specifically looking at Goal 5 and tackling gender inequality.

For this year's high level opening of the general debate of the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Restless Development and the Permanent Mission of Denmark to the UN are jointly recruiting six youth advocates to attend the General Assembly high-level week, taking place in New York from Tuesday 19th - Saturday 23rd September.

We are looking to support six young people with a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences in youth-led monitoring and accountability for sustainable development as well as fighting for gender equality. Please see the below application form for a full list of criteria, and we will be ensuring that the group of youth advocates attending the UNGA reflects our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Preference will be given to young people who have experience at the grassroots and national levels on tackling gender inequality in all its forms, as well as those young people from countries that have committed Voluntary National Reviews at the UN High Level Political Forum in 2017 or will be conducting a review in 2018. Please see here for more detail regarding those countries who have conducted a Voluntary National Review https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/hlpf

If you, or someone in your network, are interested in being a Youth Advocate for Restless Development and the Permanent Mission of Denmark, please fill out the below application form before the deadline of Thursday 3rd August at 9pm BST. We will not unfortunately be able to consider applicants who have submitted forms after this time.

2017 UN General Assembly Youth Advocate Application Form

Along with other certain criteria which we are looking for in applicants, please note this opportunity is available only to those aged between 18-29. If you have any questions or are unable to fill out the form, please contact jack@restlessdevelopment.org.

Young Professionals SWERVE Charity Ride

The Young Professionals (YP) of the Metro NY Chapter of the US National Committee for UN Women will be riding alongside young professionals from other non-profit organizations to encourage leadership and political participation on Saturday, June 24 from 1pm to 3pm at SWERVE Fitness Midtown. Attendees will have an opportunity to listen to Jolly Amatya, Youth Chair of the Youth Assembly at the United Nations, as well as Claire Chapman, the President of Forward March, formerly Women's March NY Chapter, on the topics of leadership and political activism for Young Professionals, followed by a networking session with other charities. In addition, we will be providing delicious snacks like Bakerly and Girl Scout Cookies (yes, Girl Scouts will be in attendance too), along with refreshing beverages from Hint Water.

ABOUT THE RIDE

SWERVE is a team-inspired, indoor cycling studio that use teamwork and technology to create the best cardio workout. The class is a 45-minute rhythm ride and the bikes are arranged into three teams (Red, Green, and Blue); 56 seats total in the studio. The high intensity interval training (HIIT) workout includes sprints, hills, and upper body exercises for an incredible full-body workout that's designed for all levels. Our teams for this event are:

BLUE TEAM: Metro NY Chapter Members

RED TEAM: YP members of other non-profit organizations

GREEN TEAM: Non-member supporters

SEAT COST

$30 for Metro NY Chapter members and YP members of other non-profit organizations

$35 for non-members

$50 for front-row, premium seat

If you're interested in becoming a member of the Metro NY Chapter of the US National Committee for UN Women, click here. To donate to our organization, click here. Remember to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

We'd like to thank our sponsors Pospislaw.com, Hint Water, and Bakerly for their contribution to this event.

Tickets are available here: https://www.tickettailor.com/checkout/view-event/id/98174/chk/2b6e

Apply to be a UN Advocate for the 2017 UN High Level Political Forum in July!

Restless Development is recruiting for an exciting opportunity for ahead of this year’s UN High level Political Forum. Restless Development is collaborating with the Permanent Mission of Denmark to the United Nations to help embed youth-led accountability at the heart of the the 2030 Agenda. To do this, we will be jointly implementing a high-level side event and a two day capacity building training at the UN High Level Political Forum in July 2017, showcasing how young people are already engaging formally and informally in the follow-up and review of the SDGs.

For this year’s High Level Political Forum, Restless Development and the Permanent Mission of Denmark to the United Nations are recruiting six young advocates to attend the Forum, taking place in New York from 10-19th July. We are looking to support six young people with a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences in youth-led monitoring and accountability for sustainable development, and will be selecting applicants on the basis of the below criteria, as well as ensuring that the group of youth advocates attending the HLPF reflects our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Preference will be given to young people representing the 44 countries who are conducting Voluntary National Reviews this year.

If you are interested in being a Youth Advocate for Restless Development and the Permanent Mission of Denmark, please fill out the below application form before the deadline of Wednesday 7th June at 9am BST. We will not unfortunately be able to consider applicants who have submitted forms after this time.

UN Youth Advocate to the 2017 HLPF - Application Form

Along with other certain criteria which we are looking for in applicants, please note this opportunity is available only to those aged between 18-29. If you have any questions or are unable to fill out the form, please contact sarahh@restlessdevelopment.org.

Already going to the HLPF?

Great! Restless Development and the Permanent Mission of Denmark to the United Nations will be hosting a two-day capacity building workshop for young people in New York ahead of the Forum on the 8-9th July. The two-day training will be open for any young person attending the Forum in New York with the main aims of helping participants navigate the UN to maximise their advocacy efforts, as well as promoting the role of youth-led accountability in ensuring the successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The training will foster peer to peer learning between young advocates along regional and thematic lines, and provide participants with an opportunity to engage with key decision makers and stakeholders also.

In preparation for the training, we’d love to hear from you regarding the topics you think the training should cover and the skills you believe participants should receive training on.

Please take 1 minute to fill out this short form letting us know of the dates you will be in New York for and what topics you would like the training to cover.

UNA-USA Hosting an Advocacy Training Webinar

UNA-USA Advocacy Training Webinar:

How to Make the Case for the UN!

TODAY: Tuesday, May 30 at 8 p.m. ET

AND: Tues. June 6 at 4pm ET

with

Micah Spangler

Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs for the Better World Campaign 

and

Mel Boynton

UNA-USA National Advocacy Chair, Pomona Valley, CA 

*Register here*

*****

Please join UNA-USA for a one-hour advocacy training webinar with Micah Spangler, Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs for UNA’s sister organization, the Better World Campaign; Mel Boynton, UNA-USA National Advocacy Chair; and special guests. Whether you plan on participating in UNA’s Lobby Day next month in DC or you’re simply interested in organizing your own in-district meeting, this webinar will detail how to plan and execute an effective dialogue with your Members of Congress and their staff. Over the course of the hour, our presenters will share tactics to help you influence your elected officials, provide helpful resources, and answer any and all questions you have! If you’re unable to attend this webinar, please join us for a repeat webinar on this same topic on Tues. June 6 at 4pm ET. Email membership@unausa.org with any questions. We hope you can join us!

Take action for the SDGs for a chance to win tickets to the Global Citizen Festival in Hamburg, Germany on July 6th!

Take action for the SDGs for a chance to win tickets to the Global Citizen Festival in Hamburg, Germany on July 6th!

Tell the SDG Action Campaign how you or someone you know are taking action to advance the Sustainable Development Goals in your community, region or city for a chance to be recognized for those efforts and win 2 tickets to the Global Citizen Festival Hamburg. On 6th July you will be invited to see Herbert Grönemeyer, Coldplay, The Chainsmokers, Ellie Golding and many more live on stage.

Participate on this Facebook post:

1) Share a photo or video as a comment & tell the SDG Action Campaign how you or someone you know is taking action on the Sustainable Development Goals in the below comments section of this Facebook post.

2) The Facebook community will choose their favorite best 17 stories of SDG Action by liking their favorite posts. Tell all your friends to like your entry!

3) On Friday, May 26th, the 17 entries with the most ‘likes’ will win a pair of tickets for the Global Citizen Festival in Hamburg, Germany on 6 July 2017.

4) Winners are responsible for any and all expenses, including, but not limited to: travel, accommodation, insurance, visa. All participants must abide by the full terms & conditions listed at http://bit.ly/2pSeJ63

Spread the word! and let all your friends participate for a chance to spread their word on what they are doing, inspire others to follow their example and to win the tickets.

Chatham House Sponsors Video Competition on Gender

#SheCanWeCan Video Competition
Are you aged between 18 and 25? Have you ever thought about what you can do to make the world a better place for women? Enter our video competition and you could join decision-makers from around the world in London to discuss gender equality at the 2017 Chatham House International Policy Forum on 10-11 July 2017.

What you need to do

Create your own video of no longer than one minute explaining what you would do and the impact you think it would have

Upload your video to YouTube by 26 May 2017 - only video submissions via YouTube will be eligible for consideration. However, given restricted access to YouTube in certain areas, format such as YouKu and QQvideo will also be accepted

Ensure your video is set to Public for viewing

Fill out this official entry form and send it to IPFvideocompetition@chathamhouse.org

Please note, only the contents of the video will be used in the selection process. No additional information will be considered by the judging panel.

What we are looking for

Your video should explore ideas or actions which would make the world a better place for women around the world. It should explain why it is important for all of us - regardless of gender - that the world becomes a better place for women and what you would do to make sure that it becomes that way.

Remember you have only one minute to grab attention, so try to focus on something meaningful such as a unique idea, experience, or recommendation.

Make sure we can hear and see you clearly, but don't spend time rephrasing the question or introducing yourself.

Please read the competition rules carefully and follow each one.

You can also look back to last year's competition winner.

Good luck and please share with friends, using the hashtag #SheCanWeCan

Full website here: https://www.chathamhouse.org/shecanwecan-video-competition