Thematic Focus

Meaningful Participation by Young People in International Decision-making: Principles, Practice and Standards for the Future

Invitation

Join us for this two-day London Symposium. It will bring together a unique, diverse group of over 60 stakeholders engaged in youth participation and international programmes to explore the approaches and settings for youth participation in international governance and to strengthen the development of international policy and practice in this field. Arrivals will be during Monday 16 May, and departures late 18, or 19 May. The core working days are 17 and 18 May.

Rationale

Interest in, and opportunities for, youth participation in international decision-making has surged over the last decade. A wide range of actors including the UN agencies and the General Assembly, governments, NGOs, corporations and civil society groups are amongst those investing in international youth governance. Yet there has been little analysis of the extent to which these initiatives are effective instruments for youth advocacy or policy development. The event is also timed to make a strategic and lasting contribution to the UN designated International Year of Youth.

Format

The symposium will comprise multi-stakeholder dialogues; thematic working groups; focused input from decision-makers, and a real voice for young people. Stakeholders will work to develop recommendations that will make a real impact on young people’s meaningful voice and influence at the international level.

Outcomes

The symposium will distil good practice and provide the foundation for internationally recognised and supported standards for youth participation in international decision-making. An analysis will be issued on the proceedings, including background materials and identification of key challenges and trends, highlighting key policy and institutional implications for programme implementation at a national and transnational scale.

Participants

Invitees include UN system: UNFPA, UNICEF, UNDP, UN-Habitat; World Bank Institute; donors including DFID, USAID, NORAD, GTZ, IYF; international NGOs, INGYOs; regional and transnational bodies including European Union, African Union, The Commonwealth; World Economic Forum; representative young people worldwide; European Youth Forum, ASEAN Youth Forum, Commonwealth Youth Forum, YES, CIVICUS Youth Assembly, World Youth Congress.

Venue

Royal Chace Hotel, Enfield, London.

Background on the Youth Policy Symposia Series

The Open Society Foundations and the British Council are supporting a symposia series to address key issues in the sphere of youth policy. These participatory events, which will be convened regularly in a variety of international settings, will engage experts in youth sector and development policy-making and programming, along with donors, academics, and young people. Each symposium aims to highlight international perspectives on the challenges, insights, successes and next steps for agencies and young people engaged in youth policy work at national, transnational and global levels. Areas of youth focus include: youth in conflict-affected areas, youth rights, youth participation, political participation, transitional justice, public health, gender, and civil society.

More Information & RSVP

Contact Sheila Mykoo at the British Council by email at sheila.mykoo@britishcouncil.org or phone +44 207 389 4217.