6th World Youth Congress, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil : OPEN for Applications

We are delighted to announce that our website: www.wycrio2012.org – is now open for applicants to our 6th World Youth Congress on Youth and Sustainable Development.

And just as the UN S-G, Ban Ki Moon, called next year’s Rio+20 Earth Summit: “possibly the most important meeting in the UN’s history…” - so I believe that this 6th World Youth Congress is the most important Congress in the series so far. For, as the S-G pointed out in his UN Day message, in a few days from now, our human family will welcome its 7 Billionth member. We are now 7 Billion strong – which is great! – but, with some urgency, we have to transition to a new way to live together and satisfy our collective needs that does not put our planet in peril. And the Rio+20 Summit, and our Congress, next year are as good a place as any to start that transition.

Several of you have been involved in our Road to Rio+20 programme of meetings this year: I am intensely proud of the idealistic, yet intensely practical, aspirations you have articulated in the statements emerging from these meetings – and of the way that Nicolo has led the programme – focussing equally on VOICE and ACTION!  However, we have to admit that, to date, there has been rather more evidence of voice than action – and that is something we need to change.

One of the first ACTIONS I urge you to do this UN day is to fill out your application to come to the World Youth Congress. As well as the traditional schedule of fascinating plenaries, workshops, round tables, debates, arts events and action projects, this Congress will review the ‘Focussed Political Statement’ that the governments develop – pointing up what’s good about it, while also pointing out the gaps – and shortfalls in aspiration.  At the end of the Congress, I hope that you, the youth, can agree on a programme of top priority actions that governments must take at the Rio+20 Summit to achieve that transition to the different way of life that we, the human family, have to make if you, your children and your grand-children, are going to live in any degree of comfort beyond 2050.

Before going to the application form, take some time to reflect on, research and draft some answers to the main questions on the form:

1. Motivation? – why do you want to come?
2. Rio+20? – what are your thoughts on the Rio+20 Summit themes – the Green Economy and Institutional Infrastructure?
3. Experiences: What experience do you bring to the Congress? – what ideas and methodologies can you share?
4. Back Home? – what do you plan to do with what you learn at the congress when you get back home?
5. The virtual Congress? – how would you plan to take advantage of the Virtual Congress both before, during and after the Congress?
   

The Congress will be free to all selected applicants. BUT – we are well aware that Rio de Janeiro is one of the most expensive places on the planet to get to – and that April falls right in the middle of exam time for many students. [Sorry – but UN Summits are not scheduled with students in mind!]  To counter these problems, we are making the World Youth Virtual Congress (WYVC) a central component of our own, and every one else’s, mobilisations. In partnership with TakingITGlobal, we plan for you to be able to watch and participate in the Plenaries and Round Tables, raise questions with the Workshop facilitators, enjoy the arts events, vote in the debates and take an active part in the editorial process that leads to the Congress Outcome Statement. If you apply as a delegate to the Congress, we automatically enrol you as a virtual delegate.

After the Congress ends, on April 23rd, the WYVC will become the focus for massive online lobbying activity – urging and pestering our governments to raise their game and agree an appropriately aspirational outcome at their summit on June 4-12. Lobbying in Rio during the summit is important, of course, and there will be hundreds, probably thousands, of people doing that. But it is in your capitals that the decisions about the transition to sustainable lifestyles will be taken. Many of those decisions can also be taken by Local Governments – and perhaps the most important decisions of all are the ones that you, and your family, take personally.

We all have a role to play to ensure the survival and prosperity of our entire planetary family. I hope that all of you will step up and play your part in this turning point year of 2012 – and start by applying to be a part of the World Youth Congress. Click here to go straight to the website[http://wycrio2012.org]. Deadline for applications: December 31st 2011. [Brazilians may apply later; dates subject to change; read my blog at: rioconbrio.blogspot.com