Global Youth MIDORI platform (GYM)
5-7 August 2024
Overview
The United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS) and the AEON Environmental Foundation are pleased to offer a unique training programme for youth to enhance their understanding of global biodiversity issues and provide a comprehensive learning opportunity. The program, Global Youth MIDORI platform (GYM), includes online lectures, mutual exchanges, and networking with other students. Participants who won the speech contest to be held on the last day of the training session will also have an opportunity to join international conferences including the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD-COP16) to be held in Cali, Colombia from 21 October to 1 November 2024.
Currently, GYM Secretariat is accepting one nomination for a student from each university to join the programme. We kindly request that you nominate one eligible student from your university. Once a nomination is confirmed, participants are expected to engage in various activities conducted throughout the year until March 2025. Also, Participants who successfully complete the training sessions will receive a certificate jointly issued by the organizers. Details of the activities are included on the following page.
Background of GYM
To realize the “World in Harmony with Nature,” a global vision for 2050 set by the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and to achieve the GBF targets, it is crucial to develop capacity of the next generation of youth, who poses knowledge and skills to make persuasive arguments and propose cross-disciplinary solutions to business, national and international community.
Given this background, this project is designed to enhance the capacity of youth in the Asia-Pacific region to develop solutions for biodiversity loss and other global challenges. The project also aims to create a platform for youth for mutual exchange and networking to lead the policy discussions at the local and the international level.
Schedule
28 June: Registration Deadline for Student
1 July 03.00 PM – 05.00 PM : Interview
25 July 06:30 PM – 07:45 PM: Online Orientation (Registration Link)
31 July: Essay Form Submission Deadline
5-7 August : Training Sessions (3 consecutive days), including final speech session on Day 3.
October – December: Outreach Events including events at the international conferences (CBD-COP16 in Cali, Colombia: 21 Oct – 1 Nov)
December – March: Follow up activities (Online)
Contents
Dates: 1. 5-7 Aug: Three-day training with speech presentation on Day 3
2. Follow-up Activities: March 2025 (exact date TBC)
Format: Zoom (Online)
Organizers: United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS)
AEON Environmental Foundation
Secretariat: UNU-IAS (gymsecretariat@unu.edu)
Participants: Maximum 20 undergraduate and graduate students
Training Programme (Tentative)
Day 1, 5 Aug (Mon) (11 AM – 4 PM, JST)
•Opening
•Self-Introduction
•Lecture and Discussion
Science of biodiversity – What is biodiversity, Why does it matter, Current state of biodiversity
International policy on conservation of biodiversity and biodiversity resources
Day 2, 6 Aug (Tue) (11 AM – 4 PM, JST)
•Lecture and Discussion
Synergies between actions for biodiversity, climate, and sustainable development
Presenting Effectively at International Conferences
Role of the youth for protecting the global environment
Day 3, 7 Aug (Wed) (10 AM – 5 PM, JST)
•Speech presentation by students
•Award Ceremony
Before the training programme starting on 5 August 2024, students will need to submit short answer essay questions by 31 July 2024. On the final day of the training session (7 Aug), students are requested to present their ideas through a short speech presentation. Based on their speech, awardees will be selected as follows:
Awards:
The First Prize (1)
•Awarded to the top presenter
•Invitation to participate in the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD-COP16 in Cali Colombia, approx.3 days on-site between 21 Oct – 1 Nov, exact date TBC)
The Second Prize (1)
•Awarded to the second-best presenter
•Invitation to participate in the CBD-COP16 in Cali, Colombia (approx.3 days on-site between 21 Oct – 1 Nov, exact date TBC)
The Third Prize (2)
•Awarded to two participants for the third-best presenters
•Invitation to participate in the international conference(s) hosted by UNU-IAS. Dates to be confirmed, depending on the scheduling of the event.
Eligibility for Nomination
•Enrolled at universities in the network of the Asian Students Environmental Platform (ASEP)
•Enrolled at universities in Japan in the network of the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI).
•Ages between 15 to 24 (including master’s students).
•Demonstrate proficiency in English.
•Have reliable internet access, as training and follow-up sessions will be conducted online.
•Strong interest in biodiversity through previous studies, volunteer experiences, or personal projects
•Be able to fully complete and submit all essay questions by the specified deadline.
•Willing to collaborate on organizers’ outreach events scheduled within and beyond 2024
•Agree to the GYM consent form
To be eligible to receive the awards and the certificate, participants must meet the following requirements:
1.Attendance Requirement
•Must attend all training sessions.
2.Participation Requirements
•Actively participate in all scheduled activities and assignments related to the programme.
•Actively engage by participating in discussions, asking questions, and keep visibility.
•Keep presence during the session with video camera turned-on.
3.Behavioral Requirement
•Maintain professional conduct and demonstrate collaboration and respect towards other participants throughout the program.
