Application Deadline: December 6, 2020

Generation Connect is now accepting applications to the Generation Connect Visionaries Board. If you are an active youth leader, passionate about youth engagement, technology, and digital cooperation – this is your opportunity!

Generation Connect is the overarching initiative of the ITU Youth Strategy on the journey to World Telecommunication Development Conference 2021 (WTDC-21) and the WTDC-21 Generation Connect Global Youth Summit. The three pillars of the Youth Strategy are: Empower, Engage and Participate.

The Generation Connect Visionaries Board will be assembled as part of the efforts related to the implementation of the ITU Youth Strategy to further champion the voices of youth to advance digital development. Two ITU representatives, six nominated high-level appointees and six nominated youth experts/young people, will work together on a voluntary basis¹, over a period of a year – 2021, to achieve the board’s strategic objectives.

Objectives

The objectives of the Generation Connect Visionaries Board include the following:

• To offer strategic guidance on youth participation and empowerment.
• To identify and invite strategic partners to ensure youth engagement and youth participation in digital cooperation.
• To advocate for meaningful youth engagement in digital cooperation, through different promotional activities, such as active social media campaigning and inspirational role model talks.

Deliverables

The key deliverables expected of the Generation Connect Visionaries Board include the following:.

• Clear strategic guidance to the ITU on the implementation of the ITU Youth Strategy.
• New partnerships with high-level partners, youth organisations and boards.
• Strong awareness of WTDC-21 Generation Connect Global Youth Summit amongst board members’ own networks.
• Successful and meaningful youth engagement before and during the WTDC-21 Generation Connect Global Youth Summit.

Selection Criteria

The ITU will select board members for the Generation Connect Visionaries Board, based on the following criteria:

• Active champion for youth engagement, empowerment, and participation.
• Passionate and active involvement in digital cooperation and youth engagement.
• Ability to offer strategic guidance and collaborate with the ITU for one year and support in the review after the one year has been completed.
• Affiliated with at least one youth related organisation, network and/or initiative (local, national or international).
• In 2021, willing to participate in promotional activities such as interviews, social media, webinars, and panel sessions.
• Commitment to attend the four board meetings that will take place in 2021, before the November WTDC-21 Generation Connect Global Youth Summit.
• At least one nominee should come from WTDC-21 host country – Ethiopia.

Timeline

9th Nov 2020	Generation Connect Announcement and Application Launch
6th Dec 2020	Application Deadline
TBC Jan 2021	Press Release to Announce Board Members
TBC Jan/Feb 2021	First Inaugural Meeting
TBC Apr 2021	2nd Meeting
TBC Jul 2021	3rd Meeting
TBC Sept 2021	4th Meeting
Nov 2021	WTDC-21 Generation Connect Global Youth Summit and WTDC-21

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the United Nations ITU Generation Connect Visionaries Board