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

Women, Girls, and Science: Contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Tuesday, May 17, 2017, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) UN Team Volunteer Representative Kristen Grennan recently joined a panel discussion at the Science, Technology and Innovation Forum at the UN in New York (read more about the forum here). The panel, Women, Girls, and Science: Contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, was hosted by the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) and the UN Major Group on Children and Youth (of which WAGGGS is a member and the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 Focal Point) and featured an array of esteemed panelists with a range of experiences in engaging women and girls in science and technology:

• Co-moderator and panel organizer: Walter Staveloz, Director International Relations, Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC)
• Co-moderator: Kristen Grennan, World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts UN Team
• Opening remarks: Guy Labine, Chair Elect of the ASTC Board 
• Panelist: Dr. Miyoko O. Watanabe, Deputy Executive Directorr, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST); Director, Office for Diversity and Inclusion, JST, Japan; Chair, Gender Summit 10 Asia-Pacific; Director-General of the Center for Science Communication. 
• Panelist: Maria Bilal, Australian medical student; Australian Delegate to G(irls)20 (a Canadian-based globally active social enterprise that cultivates a new generation of female leaders through education, entrepreneurial training, leadership, and global experiences – with one ultimate goal, increasing female labor force participation around the world)
• Panelist: Dorothy Bennett, Director of Creative Pedagogy, New York Hall of Science 
• Panelist: Daria E. Cirnatiu, high school student and Finalist of the Canadian World Biotech Tour Stop (for her work on biotech to clean the St. Laurent River in Montreal). 
• Closing Remarks: Gillian Thomas, Interim President/CEO of ASTC

Kristen Grennan, left, with panelist Maria Bilal, right.

WAGGGS Team Member, Kristen Grennan, had the opportunity to give a few remarks. She focused on WAGGGS' use of data collection via social media to capture girls' voices around the world, and then giving the data to girls to advocate at international conferences on behalf of girls worldwide. You can read more about this program, known as U-Report, here.

Full remarks:

Thank you so much for joining us today at this panel discussion on women in science and technology. My name is Kristen Grennan and I am a volunteer member of the World Association of Girl Guide and Girl Scouts, also known as “WAGGGS,” their United Nations Team here in New York. WAGGGS is the largest organization of women and girls worldwide, representing 146 countries and more than 10 million girls globally.

While we all know that SDG 5’s ultimate goal is to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, women and girls also play a critical role in and component of achieving all SDGs as well. Science, technology and innovation can play a role in achieving gender equality and the realization of the SDGs, or they can widen the gap in inequality if they are not utilized effectively and do not acknowledge the current structural barriers that prevent women and girls from benefiting from these advancements as well as playing a role in developing new technologies.

For example, WAGGGS has partnered with UNICEF to poll women and girls about issues they face daily. One way this is done is through U-Reporter, where Twitter polls are disseminated through direct message to followers. WAGGGS is able to break down its results by age, gender, and location, and it has been working with leaders to show what girls’ priorities are.

For example, Girl Scouts from Ecuador brought poll data from 1,500 poll participants to Habitat III to show city mayors and national authorities that they need to consider girls and women when they develop their plans to implement the set of recommendations for safer cities

The data demonstrated that street harassment was a major concern for women and girls:

• 60% of girls reported that they’ve experience harassment 
• Girls were less likely to report harassment than boys with the most popular reason being ‘don’t think any action will be taken’ (40%). 
• 52% of girls said they avoided public transport or places from fear of harassment. 
• U-Reporters said governments should provide stronger punishment for those who commit harassment, educate citizens on why harassment is wrong and said governments should improve ways to report harassment. 

Not only did U-Reporter collect poll data, it also asked for personal responses:

• "In addition to physical & sexual violence, things like street harassment are also significant issues but are 'brushed off' by society." - Girl Guide U-Reporter from Australia 
• "Sexual harassment isn't taken seriously within my community. I am raising awareness of the problem and encouraging those who have experienced the problem to report it!" - Girl Guide U-Reporter from United Kingdom 

Just by using simple technology through social media, WAGGGS is able to poll thousands of people around the globe. It is able to collect the voices of girls through the disaggregated data, and empower girls to bring this data to the attention of world and community leaders.

It is important to note that the digital divide is an issue: only 33% of U-Reporters self-select as being female, demonstrating not only that it is incredibly important to disaggregate data when collecting data this way, but also that women and girls need greater access to these technologies and resources.

It’s an important message:

• When empowered with data, girls and young women can be powerful advocates and actors in the monitoring and review processes of national SDG implementation 
• And girls and young women need to be meaningfully engaged in data collection in order for digital solutions to be viable 
• And not only that, but women and girls need to be engaged in understanding how they can be reached so as to improve access to digital tools to bridge the gendered digital divide 

Today we have an esteemed panel who will be talking about how we can further break down the digital divide and not only empower women and girls through science, technology, and innovation, but also to break down the systems and barriers that are preventing women and girls from being in those space.

How can we meet women and girls where they are? How can we bring the data and technology to them? How can we create an enabling environment that allows women and girls to invent and adapt technologies to address their needs, and not just those of the male creators who made them? And how can we use these advancements to ensure that the SDGs are in fact leaving no one behind.

United Nations Global Youth Video Competition

The Competition

If you are between the ages of 18 and 30 we want to hear about the inspiring actions you are taking to combat climate change in a compelling and concise maximum three minute video. We would like you to showcase for us a project or campaign you are involved in which relates to one of this year's categories.

Category 1: Climate friendly and resilient cities

3.5 billion people live in cities today and their populations will continue to increase in the coming decades, especially in developing countries. Cities account for 60-80% of energy consumption and 75% of carbon emissions.

Developing sustainable cities and communities is one of the key components in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the inevitable impacts of climate change. We are asking young people to submit videos that showcase activities which contribute to climate friendly and resilient cities.

We are looking for videos which showcase:

the implementation of climate friendly solutions/ideas about how to promote sustainability in urban areas/communities; including clean energy, clean transportation, community gardening, stepping up recycling and waste reduction, and other projects to reduce emissions;
building resilience to climate impacts such as heatwaves and floods, for example through tree planting, increasing green spaces and creating flood defenses;
actions to increase public awareness, and to advocate change at the policy level regarding the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to build resilience.

Category 2: Oceans and climate change

Oceans contain 97% of the planet’s water, employ over 200 million people and are the primary source of protein for 3 billion people. The degradation of oceans therefore present serious threats to many countries.

Oceans absorb much of the temperature rise and 30% of the carbon dioxide produced by humans, this is leading to higher levels of acidity. Sea levels are also on the rise and threaten many coastal communities. We are asking for videos on actions youth are taking to address challenges related to oceans and waterways.

We are looking for videos which showcase:

• the restoration of wetlands and mangroves which protect against storm surges and saltwater intrusion;
• the construction of dykes and other defenses against sea level rise;
• the increase of scientific knowledge to improve ocean health;
• activities which increase public awareness about the need to build resilience with regard to oceans and ways to reduce CO2 emissions so that oceans are better protected.

How to enter

Make an engaging maximum of three minute video, using whatever type of camera you have available, about your activities and submit in online to tvebiomovies.

The Prizes

A round trip to COP23 in Bonn, Germany this November 2017
Position as a youth reporter at COP23, where you will assist the UNFCCC Newsroom team with videos, articles and social media posts.


Start date: 10 May 2017
End date: 18 August 2017


The competition is co-organized by the UNFCCC and the UNDP-GEF Small Grants Programme, and implemented by Television for the Environment-tve.


View the full information here: http://unfccc.int/cooperation_and_support/education_and_outreach/youth/items/10291.php

UN Women Releases New Map on Women’s Representation in Politics

According to a press release from UN Women:

The number of women in executive government and in parliament worldwide has stagnated, with only marginal improvements since 2015, according to the data presented in the Women in Politics 2017 Map launched today by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and UN Women. The Map, which depicts global rankings for women in the executive and parliamentary branches of government as of 1 January 2017, shows slow progress towards gender equality in these areas at regional and national levels. The presentation took place at a joint IPU-UN Women press conference in New York, in the context of the ongoing session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW61).

Women’s political empowerment and equal access to leadership positions at all levels are fundamental to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a more equal world. With limited growth in women’s representation, advancement of gender equality and the success of the SDGs are jeopardized.

Read the full press release and download the map here.

Youth Solutions Online Portal Now Launched

Youth Solutions Online Portal Now Launched

Youth solutions are transformative projects ranging from entrepreneurial ventures to educational initiatives that showcase the innovative approaches of youth in solving sustainable development challenges.

All solutions and ideas from this year's Youth Solutions Report are available online! You can now browse over 50 SDG projects by location, type, and goal number. We will be building out this "library" of youth solutions, and invite you to contact us if you know of a solution that has yet to be included.

Be the Next US Youth Observer to the UN

UNA-USA, in partnership with the U.S. Department of State, is looking for the next U.S. Youth Observer to the UN. The U.S. Youth Observer is a critical role aimed at bringing the voice of youth to the world’s table. If you are (or know someone) age 18-25 who is driven to engage young people in international affairs, please apply today!

Applications are open now for the year-long term, which begins in July 2017, and American youth ages 18-25 are eligible to apply before May 21. This year’s Youth Observer will have exciting opportunities to engage with youth across the nation and the international community.

A few highlights include:

• Attending events in NYC during the opening week of the UN General Assembly; 
• Traveling around the United States and inspiring young people to be a part of solving global challenges; 
• Diving into digital media to be a correspondent between U.S. missions to the UN and American youth;
• Meeting with youth delegates from around the world to foster international cooperation for our generation. 

UNA-USA and the Department of State are looking for a vibrant and passionate young leader to fill this role. Sound like you or someone you know? Submit your application by May 21!

More details about the position here: http://genun.unausa.org/could_you_be_the_next_youth_observer?utm_campaign=yo_app_2017_1&utm_medium=email&utm_source=genun

SDSN Youth Looking for Contributions to Thematic Paper on Climate Change

Youth, Peace & Security

Our thematic paper will investigate the impact of climate change on the security and development prospects of young people across the globe, as well as promote the case for youth-led development. We are currently conducting interviews to feed into the conclusions we will provide to the UN General Assembly and Security Council. Please reach out if you think you could contribute!

Scholarship for Peace Boat US Program

*This is not a WAGGGS program, but thought I would pass along in case it is of interest

PEACE EDUCATION AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS IN LATIN AMERICA (SUMMER 2017) 

June 20 – July 3, 2017

This program is geared toward university students, and welcomes advanced high school students, graduate students, and life-long learners, participating individually or in groups. Peace Boat US will also offer two full scholarships to join the program. Please see below for details.

Traveling to Panama, Nicaragua, and El Salvador, participants will learn about meaningful development experiences and peacebuilding in the Latin America region. Beginning in Panama, participants will visit the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) office, exchange with with indigenous communities, and learn from youth working for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Embarking onboard the Peace Boat in the port city of Cristobal, participants will pass through the Panama Canal and participate in lectures, cultural exchanges, and presentations on peace and sustainability issues while at sea. Arriving in Nicaragua, participants will learn about climate action and visit mangrove forests along the coast. After sailing to El Salvador, participants will disembark and join various educational activities including an exchange program at the University of Don Bosco in San Salvador.

Schedule (tentative): 

June 20 – Orientation in New York City at Peace Boat US Office, UN Plaza (or by Skype)
June 21 – Fly to Panama City, hotel check-in, and welcome dinner
June 22 – Visit UN Development Program regional office, session on Sustainable Development Goals in Latin America
June 23 – Visit RET (Resilience, Education and Training) program for refugee youth in Panama
June 24 – Study Program and cultural exchange with local indigenous communities in Panama
June 25 – Embark on Peace Boat in Cristobal, Panama, onboard orientation
June 26 – Panama Canal passage, preparation for lectures and study sessions onboard
June 27 – Onboard lectures and workshops
June 28 – Arrive in Nicaragua, Climate Action study program and mangrove forest visit. Return to ship for departure.
June 29 – Arrive in El Salvador, disembark from Peace Boat, cultural exchange program
June 30 – Visit University of Don Bosco in San Salvador, forum on Peace and Sustainability
July 1-2 – Cultural exchange in El Salvador with local community groups focused on the SDGs
July 3 – Return home

Full Voyage Itinerary 

Details 

Program fee is approximately $2,700 USD per person, and includes all accommodation on land and at sea (shared occupancy), land and sea travel during the program, three meals per day, and port programs. Fee does not include flights between home and Panama City and San Salvador and home, visa expenses, travel insurance, or other personal expenses. Passport valid until at least January 2018 is required. Participants are free to travel before and after program at their own expense.

Contact us for more information about participating. Individual students, student groups, and life-long learners are all welcome!

“Youth for the SDGs” Scholarship 

Click to download PDF flyer In 2015, 193 UN member states came together to define 17 Sustainable Development Goals to shape the global agenda for sustainable development in the next fifteen years and beyond. Achieving these goals will require an unprecedented mobilization of the energy and skills of young people, who play a key role in promoting and advancing the SDGs through entrepreneurship, volunteering, research, education and other endeavors.

Towards this aim, Peace Boat US is offering two full scholarships for young people working to advance the SDGs to join the “Peace Education and SDGs in Latin America” program.

Applicants are encouraged to review the Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals website.

Applicants are also highly encouraged to participate in the UN Ocean Conference to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal #14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development, taking place at the UN Headquarters in New York City from June 5-9, 2017

The scholarship will cover the following: 

• Airfare: NYC-Panama, and El Salvador-NYC (or equivalent price) 
• Accommodation, meals, and travel onboard the Peace Boat and in ports of call for the duration of the program 
• Travel insurance covering June 20 – July 3, 2017 

Costs to be covered by participants: 

• Personal expenses including gifts, souvenirs, toiletries, additional food, etc 
• Travel expenses not directly related to the program 
• Costs related to extending your time in Latin America either before or after the program dates 

Eligibility: 

• Ages 18-30 years old 
• Youth who are currently involved in SDG-related initiatives 
• All nationalities, pending visa confirmation for the included countries 
• Applicants must currently have a passport valid through December 31, 2017 

Qualities we are looking for: 

• Leadership skills 
• Strong speaking and presentation ability ( in English ) 
• Experience volunteering or working in SDG-related initiatives 
• Commitment and plans for continuing SDG-related work in the future 

Application process: 

In 500 words or less, please explain:
1) Brief background of your experience with SDG related initiatives
2) Why you want to join this program
3) How you can use the experience to further your SDG-related work

Statements can be submitted via email to info@peaceboat-us.org
Applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm / 17:00 Eastern Standard Time on April 25, 2017
Selected applicants will be contacted by April 30 to conduct an interview via Skype. Interviews will be conducted no later than May 5.
Scholarship recipients must submit a copy of their passport, one photo, and program application form within one week of receiving notification from Peace Boat US

Scholarship website can be found here: http://www.peaceboat-us.org/programs/latin-america-summer-2017/

Friendship Ambassadors Summer Youth Assembly at the UN

Press Release from the Friendship Ambassadors Foundation:

Friendship Ambassadors Foundation (FAF) invites youth from around the world to apply for this year's Summer Youth Assembly, set to take place from August 9 - 12, 2017 in New York City, USA.

Delegate applications are open to youth between the ages of 16 - 28 who exemplify strong potential or have made an impact as leaders and changemakers in their communities. Interested applicants who are 29 years or older may apply as an Observer.

Delegate Packages: The Delegate Packages are designed to extend the Youth Assembly experience beyond the conference and provide various learning and networking opportunities to delegates, in addition to affordable accommodation and meals during their stay in the United States.

Participants who sign up for the packages enjoy access to additional events and activities, which aim to enrich their experience in both practical and inspiring ways.

 Outstanding Youth Delegate & Youth Assembly Scholarship Opportunity

FAF recognizes that meaningful youth participation in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires empowering young people, especially those who are furthest behind.

Therefore, in addition to recognizing two Outstanding Youth Delegates at the conference, FAF is pleased to introduce a merit-based scholarship opportunity which will be provided to one deserving youth to attend the Youth Assembly at the United Nations in New York.

All three winners will have the unique opportunity to speak on the podium and inspire other young people through their work and commitment to global development and the success of the SDGs. 

These opportunities are only the beginning of the Foundation's growing efforts to make the Youth Assembly an open and inclusive platform for youth coming from various socio-economic backgrounds.

Visit our website to learn more. Please stay in touch and look out for further announcements coming soon! Sincerely, Friendship Ambassadors Foundation, Inc.

Volunteer at the WAGGGS World Conference in INDIA

Are you aged 18 – 30? Do you want to volunteer in Delhi?

WAGGGS has 10 opportunities for young women who would like to join the World Conference Service Team!

As an active member of the Movement, you would need to be able to travel to India and be available from the 16 – 23 September 2017.

You would need to cover your own travel costs and make a contribution towards subsistence and accommodation of £400. You also need to be a confident English speaker as this will be the Service Team’s working language.

You will benefit from working in an international team, working closely with young women of the Bharat Scouts and Guides of India. In addition, you will meet the WAGGGS Global Team and experience what goes on ‘behind the scenes’ of a World Conference.

You would be warmly welcome to attend any developmental opportunities during World Conference for young women.

If this is of interest, please download the application form and return it to woco@wagggs.org by 30 April 2017.

Event Tomorrow: Investing in Every Last Girl

WAGGGS is co-hosting an event tomorrow (March 15, 2017) at 10:30am on investing in girls. The event will highlight necessary steps to ensure fair financing and gender-responsive, equitable investment in girls.

Following a musical performance, there will be an interactive discussion with representatives from Save the Children, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), The International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), Women Deliver, and Women, Business and the Law, Development Economics, World Bank Group. Please RSVP here.

 We hope you can join us and do feel free to share the event with your colleagues and networks!

Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) Events

For two weeks, the United Nations holds a major conference on gender issues and successes. While many events are closed to the public unless you apply for a conference pass, non-profits hold hundreds of public events around NYC between March 13 and March 23. The list of events can be found here and the locations given in the document correspond with the following locations:

Girls are not only allowed to attend, they are encouraged to! It's a great opportunity for a girl to learn about organizations working on gender issues, find out about topics being addressed internationally, and for them to raise questions or comments about issues that girls face specifically. It's also a great way to learn about Gold Award topics/ideas! (Girls under 18 should bring a parent/guardian/adult with them!)

The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) is hosting a parallel event on March 14 at the Armenian Convention Center at 4:30pm, titled Girls' and Women’s Economic Empowerment: Addressing Gender Norms and Stereotypes. Please do attend! It will be led by Girl Scouts/Guides from around the globe!

Again, these events are free and open to the public! Check out the full list of parallel events here.

UN Women's CEDAW for Youth Helps Young People to Explore Women's Rights

Just before Christmas, UN Women launched its new youth-friendly version of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, also known as CEDAW for short (pronounced "see-daw"). CEDAW protects core human rights for women and girls and was signed by the UN General Assembly in 1989. This treaty is recognized by international law as a binding agreement and you can read the treaty in full here. CEDAW has been signed by 191 countries, as highlighted in blue below:

Light blue indicates countries that have signed but not ratified the treaty (only the US and Palau), dark blue indicates countries that have signed and ratified the treaty, orange indicates countries that have not signed the treaty

According to UN Women: 

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is an international legal instrument that requires countries to eliminate discrimination against women and girls in all areas and promotes women’s and girls’ equal rights.

CEDAW is often described as the international bill of rights for women, and is one of the key international agreements that guides the work of UN Women in achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls. CEDAW for Youth is a youth-friendly version of CEDAW, that was authored by a young woman and young man. 

This resource explains why CEDAW is important to youth, describes CEDAW’s impact in advancing gender equality and human rights for women and girls around the world, and summarizes the articles of CEDAW, including the specific forms of discrimination that must be ended and how CEDAW is implemented and monitored.

Using the Youth-Friendly Report

The youth-friendly CEDAW resource is available here and is a great overview of CEDAW. I recommend it for a troop meeting where young people can read it and learn about their rights under international law. After reviewing the youth summary as a group, some activities you can do:

• In small groups, different groups can have a different article that they are meant to "market." How would you explain and promote this right on TV, radio, or in print? Create a full-page ad or TV/radio sketch as a group, and present it to the rest of your troop.
• Have a reflection moment where girls can write down thoughts about international standards for rights for girls. How does it make them feel that 191 countries have signed the treaty? Why is it important to have a treaty? How did this exercise help them to realize their own rights? This exercise can also be an opportunity to use the creative arts, such as poetry: ask girls to translate their thoughts/feelings/reflections into a freeform poem. At the end, girls who volunteer to can present their poem to the troop (do not pressure girls to perform their poems, as they can be deeply personal in nature; if no one volunteers, perhaps a troop leader can volunteer to go first). 
• Pretend that your troop has been asked to draft an "alternative report" to the CEDAW committee on the status of girls rights in your community and country. What are some of the issues you would want to discuss? What are some things that your country is doing well and what are some areas of improvement? What kind of evidence would you use, or how would you strategize to find the evidence you need to prove your point?
• For US Girl Scouts: The United States has not ratified the treaty, meaning that it is not subject to review by the CEDAW treaty body. Do you think the US should? Why do you think the US has still not ratified the treaty? What do you think is the value of being subject to review? If you think ratifying the treaty is a good idea, what would you do to advocate for ratification? Create an advocacy action plan/strategy, such as talking to local representatives, create an ad campaign, write a report that you can publish online, write op-eds for your local paper, etc. As a troop pick at least one idea and do it!

UNICEF also has a youth-friendly CEDAW document which I highly recommend as well. You can check it out here to decide what works best for the age level of your troop.