UNESCO, in collaboration with the National Commission of People’s Republic of China for UNESCO, is pleased to invite young women and men from countries along the maritime and terrestrial Silk Roads to participate in the International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads 2, to be held in Changsha and Nanjing, 21-27 May 2018.
The objectives of this International Youth Forum (a.k.a. IYF2) are to:
1. Provide a forum for young people working in creativity, literature, and heritage to voice their interests and concerns on advancing work in their field
2. Mobilize their increased engagement in literature, cultural and creative industries and in the protection and promotion of our common heritage.
We live in a fast paced and ever changing world, and youth are facing a variety of issues including concerns over employment and securing livelihood opportunities; safety and security; keeping up-to-date with rapid technological advances; as well as the impact and influences of globalization and global travel. Often times, the voice of young professionals are not heard in the debates and may not be taken into account with decisions are being made. Yet, today’s young persons will be the ones who in a few years will benefit from or feel the burden of decisions taken today and in which they had no say.
Hence IYF2 is being organized to support youth experienced in literature, cultural and creative industries and in protecting and promoting heritage, as well as those in the advanced stages of their studies in these areas. This will include 10 participants selected to take part to the “Experience Changsha Media Arts Program”, which will provide an opportunity to delve over a period of three weeks in the creative industry panorama of the vibrant city of Changsha.
If you would like to join us, are aged 18-30 years, and come from a country in Africa, Arab States, Asia and the Pacific, or Europe, please see below…
Please complete and return this Application Form with supporting documents by midnight Beijing time on Sunday 8 April 2018 latest to apyd(at)unesco.org