“Youth Networks and Policies: Building the present and future of the Americas” - Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (15-19 October 2008). The UNESCO’s Section for Youth, Sport and Physical Education, The United Nations Association of the Dominican Republic (ANU-RD) and the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (FUNGLODE), are inviting to the meeting, in the framework of the International Conference of the Americas (CILA 2008), to deliberate on the youth policies and on the role that youth networks play in the development of the Americas.

1. Context
During the Youth Forum of the XXXIII General Conference, held in October 2005 at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, UNESCO’s commitment to empowering young people, including them as key partners in development and in the dialogue among civilizations, was manifested. Moreover, it was agreed that a series of Regional Forums would take place throughout the world.
 
It was thus that, in 2007, the 1st Americas Youth Forum took place, gathering young people from 34 countries of the American Continent. One of its principal recommendations was the creation of the Americas Youth Network. This network was conceived as a mechanism to follow-up the recommendations of the UNESCO Youth Forums and to involve the young people of the network  in a common project together with the organizations and systems that work on the issue in the region.

In order to this, the UNESCO’s Section for Youth, Sport and Physical Education, The United Nations Association of the Dominican Republic (ANU-RD) and the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (FUNGLODE), are inviting to the “UNESCO Regional Meeting, Youth Networks and Policies, 2008”, in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, in the framework of the International Conference of the Americas (CILA 2008) in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, from the 15 to 19 of October 2008, in the framework of the International Conference of the Americas (CILA 2008).

2. Purpose
The members of the Network, their partners, decision-makers and regional experts will get together to deliberate on the impact of youth policies on young people and on the role that communications and youth networks play in the development of the Americas. Furthermore, an action plan will be established and signed under the heading of “Youth Networks and Policies”.

3. Objectives
• Increase and consolidate the participation of young people by reinforcing their knowledge and capacities in the field of public youth policies, youth networks and communications for development.
• Provide the opportunity for young people to exchange experiences amongst each other, with decision-makers and experts of the region, as well as to propose recommendations through a report and an action plan.
• Promote and increase the intercultural dialogue and cooperation among young people, decision-makers and key organizations in the region, through the consolidation of the Youth Network’s various mechanisms of communication.
• Reinforce the Americas Youth Network as a mechanism to follow-up and articulate the recommendations of the Youth Forums and the youth-related activities in the region.

4. Expected Results
• Two official reports or declarations (that constitute the final report): one on the state of youth policies in the region; another on the potential and the challenges of the networks of the region.
• The official launch of the Americas Youth Network and a Charter signed by the delegates.
• Action Plan to follow-up the agreements of the event.
• Increased visibility of the UNESCO through the Youth Network, the young delegates and the participating organizations.
• Increase and reinforce the ties amongst the members of the Network and their partners.

5. Preparatory process and selection of participants
• A working process will be established with the young people before and after the event in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
• The young representatives/delegates to the Meeting will be elected according to: the established selection criteria and a questionnaire they will have to complete as part of their application. The pre-selection process for the Meeting will involve the National Commissions to UNESCO, the National Youth Councils or Institutions and on occassion UNESCO’s Associated Schools Project Network, who will nominate the young people.
• An on-line debate will begin once the delegates to the event are selected. The moderator will be the Section for Youth, which will provide the reference information and necessary material. The participation in the on-line debate will be an indispensible requirement to obtain the final validation as a delegate.
• The debate will be complemented by on-line surveys and questionnaires.
• The young delegates will be in charge of drafting the proposals/drafts of the two official reports and of the action plan, which will be signed at the Meeting.
• A number of participants will assist as representatives of organizations working with youth and of the United Nations System, to guaranteee the articulation of efforts.

6.  Participants
70 young people representing the 35 countries of the American Continent and regional and international organizations, as well as agencies from the United Nations System that work with youth in the region.

6.1 Delegates by country:
Basic selection criteria for the delegates:
• Age: 18-30.
• Good level of English or Spanish (both are desirable).
• Participate actively in an organization or institution that works on youth issues.
• Knowledge of and aptitude and experience in the theme of the Event and in youth.
• Capacity to communicate –to transmit and present the different opinions and points of view of the young people from her/his country.
• Substantial knowledge, competence and experience in intercultural dialogue and youth issues.
• Interest in promoting the initiatives and recommendations adopted at the 1st Americas Youth Forum.

• In the selection of the candidates particular importance will be given to:
- The members of the Americas Youth Network;
- Gender Parity;
- The representation of indigenous youth.

* Each and every one of the nominees must complete and send a complete registration (registration form and questions sheet) to the National Commission or Youth Council (or equivalent body) of their country before the 7th of August.

To guarantee gender parity, as well as geographic and organizational representation, the Section for Youth will communicate the selection results 15 working days after the close of the call to participation.

6.2 Delegates by organization or institution:
In the case of the youth organizations and the United Nations agencies, the selection will take place through the UNESCO Section for Youth, Sport and Physical Education and the United Nations Association of the Dominican Republic.

Facilitators: will be experts with knowledge, competence and experience in the sub-themes and in youth work: youth policies, networks, organizations, youth leadership, etc.

Observers: representatives from youth NGOs and networks, national authorities, UNESCO National Commissions and Field Offices will attend covering their own expenses.

7. Organizations and partners
The Meeting is organized by the UNESCO’s Section for Youth, Sport and Physical Education and the United Nations Association of the Dominican Republic (ANU-RD); in collaboration with the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (FUNGLODE), the Permanent Delegation of the Dominican Republic to UNESCO, the Dominican Republic National Commission for UNESCO and UNESCO’s Montevideo Field Office.

8. Participating countries (35)

• South America (12)
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela.
• Central America (7)
Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.
• North America (3)
Canada, Mexico, United States.
• Caribbean (13)
Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Granada, Haiti, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago.

9. Format
The Meeting will be take place in the context of the International Conference of the Americas (CILA 2008), to be held in the Barceló Bávaro Convention Center, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, from the 15 to 19 of October 2008.

The delegates will have access to magisterial lectures by experts in global affairs relating to the Agenda of the United Nations and of the UNESCO. There will be work-shops and plenary sessions where the participants will have the opportunity of exchanging knowledge and experiences with colleagues and experts. There will also be working group sessions to analyze the proposals/drafts of the two reports (that will constitute the final report) and their progress; and plenary sessions to share results and establish a consensus. Each afternoon a session of cultural exchange or informal debate will take place, which will allow the young participants to interact and get to know each other in a friendly and recreational atmosphere whilst reinforcing some of the themes of the Meeting.

10. Working languages
Spanish and English

11. Travel and board
The International Airport of Punta Cana (PUJ) – Hotel (Barceló Bávaro Complex) transfer, on the 15 and 19 October, respectively; the hotel (the nights of the 15, 16, 17 and 18 of October) and the food (all-inclusive service) will be provided to the delegates and facilitators by the organizers.

The travel expenses (airfare and others) must be covered by the participants (delegates or observers).

12. Contact and additional information
Berenice ALCALDE Section for Youth, Sport and Physical Education
SHS/SRP/YSPE UNESCO
7, Place de Fontenoy 75007 Paris, France
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Telephone: (00 33)1.45.68.09.44
Fax : (00 33) 1.45.68.57.90

Pilar SANDOVAL United Nations Association of the Dominican Republic (ANU-RD) and Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (FUNGLODE)
Calle Capitán Eugenio de Marchena No. 26
Sector La Esperilla, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Telephone:  (809) 685.99.66  Ext. 2201
Fax: (809) 685.99.26