Application Deadline: 30 June 2023 at 5 p.m. Geneva Time (UTC+2).
With the theme “For Planetary Prosperity”, young students or professionals between the ages of 18 and 30 will have the opportunity to discuss ongoing technological innovations, transformation of industries, education for the future and the growing importance of soft skills – in particular the need for collaboration to address complex issues at scale and create a more resilient global economy.
The UNCTAD Youth Forum will take place as part of the World Investment Forum.
Young leaders will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in dynamic conversations in the form of deep dive sessions, Youth o’clock, creative problem-solving workshops, projects presented by youth, and networking.
Outcomes of the Forum will feed into COP28 and other future major events.
Objectives of the Forum
• Facilitate the exchange of experiences among the youth and strengthen a network of future leaders from around the world.
• Foster an interactive dialogue between the youth and global players working towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, offering the youth a platform to express their views on issues of concern and areas where they wish to see greater action.
• Raise greater awareness on youth-led projects and how to enhance youth involvement in sustainable development programmes.
Programme of the Forum
The forum will bring together youth from around the world to exchange local and global experiences, ideas and best practices. It will provide a platform for the perspectives of the youth to be presented to the wider debate at the World Investment Forum. This will be through deep dive sessions, Youth o’Clocks, creative problem-solving workshops, projects presented by youth, and networking. Forum participants may also participate in the WIF itself.
Participation Criteria UNCTAD will pre-select forum participants, who should meet the following criteria:
• Be between the ages of 18 and 30.
• Be able to speak and understand English.
• Have experience (from studies or work) in the areas of UNCTAD’s work/focus. Evidence of projects related to trade and development (academic and professional) will be considered as experience in the field. Participants will then be invited to describe their experiences in a video.
Selection Criteria
- The UNCTAD Youth Forum is designed for youth participants from around the world.
- The selection criteria will be based on principles of equitable geographical representation, balanced gender distribution, diversity of backgrounds (e.g. age, areas of studies and additional experience), and the quality of the supporting material attached with the applications, (e.g. originality in the video).
- A Committee from UNCTAD will select the Youth Forum participants. Successful applicants will be notified by no later than 31 August 2023.
- An announcement will be made on social media once the selection process has been completed. Funding Participants are expected to identify their own sources of funding for participation.
Conditions to Participate - Full time attendance at the Forum by the selected participants is encouraged.
- Participants should be committed to invest time to prepare for and actively participate in the Youth Forum.
- Deadline for Submission of Applications No applications will be considered after 30 June 2023 at 5 p.m. Geneva Time (UTC+2).
For More Information: