A principal reason why the Intergenerational Forum focuses on young leaders specifically is because, more than any other group in society, their training will most likely have great and ripple impact on society. Accordingly, the Forum will place premium on nurturing and developing young people for local and global leadership and building bridges and a network of solidarity, which promote the sharing of experiences and understanding of, and provide an impetus for, the empowerment of young leaders that will enable them to play a crucial and constructive role in the development of human rights in their communities and the world at large. The conference will provide tools and a platform for open debates about policies, programs, activities and processes necessary for human rights leadership.
In appreciation of the dynamics of an interdependent world, the UNESCO Chair hosts annually intergenerational forum that brings together young leaders from all regions of the world in the field of human rights once annually. The forum is held in August of each year to coincide with the International Youth Day, which is commemorated at the United Nations Headquarters in the USA. To complement the annual forum, regional fora are envisaged to be held in various continents.
APPROACH
The leadership development programme is informed by the principle of reciprocal consultation, learning and empowerment and cross pollination of ideas and ideals. Participants at the conference will be individuals from all over the world who have been involved in some capacity in human rights work in their communities. Selected young people are expected to engage through dialogue with experienced and older human rights practitioners to gain management skills and techniques and a greater understanding of human rights issues on a global level.
OBJECTIVES
The main objectives of the Forum are to:
- involve young leaders in finding solutions to emerging human rights problems;
- nurture individuals to be effective leaders in the field of human rights;
- promote the sharing of experiences and understanding;
- provide an impetus for, and the empowerment of, youth leaders that will enable them to play a crucial and constructive role in the development of human rights in their communities;
- build a network of solidarity among future leaders in the field of human rights;
- hone the skills and expand the knowledge relevant to human rights practice; and
- provide tools and a platform for open debates about policies, programmes, activities and processes necessary for human rights leadership.
Selected young people will engage through dialogue with experienced and older human rights practitioners to gain management skills and techniques and a greater understanding of human rights issues on a global level. A principal objective is to nurture individuals to be effective leaders in the field of human rights. Conference presenters/speakers/facilitators have been asked to serve in an ongoing capacity as mentors to the young participants upon their return to their home communities and countries.
OUTCOMES
To continue dialogue and exchange of ideas among the participants and to enable mentors to share their insights, a group email distribution list (listserv) and a group page on a social networking site will be established to facilitate on-going communication.
Publication: A summary of the highlights of the forum will be published together with contribution from participants who will be asked to write essays about the practical application of the forum to their areas and communities of engagement. Ten to twenty of the best and representative essays will be selected for publication annually for wider dissemination. The publication will track progress made by participants, as well as serve as a record of activities by participants. Action plans worked out collectively by participants will be widely disseminated.
Please note: All forum participants will be provided with resource materials (i.e. website/listserv information), certificate of participation, lodging, meals and ground transportation. As post-conference follow-up, the UNESCO Chair will also establish a website and group e-mail distribution list (listserv) to allow for the support and continuation of the work started at the forum. The website and listserv will also enable participants to remain in contact with their mentors and with one other.
The Forum will be held in English. Fluency in English is required.