Read about Youth Perspectives 2012 here!

Read about Youth Perspectives 2011 here

Context

The year 2011-2012 is rich in opportunities for GIMUN, a Swiss NGO whose mandate is to promote the values of the UN among the young people. In April 2011, during the International Youth Year at the UN and the Swiss presidence of the General Assembly by Mr Joseph Deiss, GIMUN organized  the Youth Perspectives conference for the first time, on the topic of education. Given the great success of this conference not only among participants, but also during the Annual Ministerial Review at the UN Social and Economic Council (ECOSOC), GIMUN plans to realize other similar projects.

Concept

Youth Perspectives is about giving the opportunity to young people engaged in the topic that is discussed to give their opinion. We want to reach conclusions that reflect the position of the Youth on central topics of contemporary international relations. The ai mis to bring young people to discuss their points of view, to precise their opinions and to develop , in a coherent way , drafts of solutions to current issues.

Organisation

GIMUN is planning for a 3-day conference (Friday-Saturday-Sunday) during which around 100 young participants will share their opinion in groups of approximately 20 people. Each of the five committees will be facilitated by two debate’s facilitators, following the adequate procedure rules (base : GIMUN rules). At the end of the conference, every committee has to adopt a resolution, which will then be ratified by the General Assembly comprised of all students taking part in the conference. We then want to submit those resolutions to the ECOSOC in the most adequate way.

Goal

From a general perspective, we want to allow rich and innovative discussions, revealing the point of view of young people on current events. From a more individual perspective, we want to develop the militant engagement of participants on international current questions, to encourage exchanges between young people and to promote the capacity-building  and the networking amongst youth. All those targets must be seen in the most general aim to give young people a voice to express their opinions and to defend their points of view.

Target audience

Young people : The maximal age has been fixed to 28, the minimal age will be 16 and there will be a fair repartition between people of different ages.

Requirements: As this is no simulation, GIMUN will select participants who already have proven, in whatever manner (specific qualifications, particular engagement…),that they can take part in the debates and how they have already engaged in the topic.

Being a member of an organisation engaged in the discussed field is no requirement , but can be an advantage. It is not about representing a NGO or a political party, but the personal conviction of the participants . The participation is reserved for private persons.