Is digitalisation a means of salvation from the climate crisis or is it something that contributes to the crisis itself? What would have been different if youth participation is strengthened in Internet Governance processes? How are the climate crisis, developing ICTs and Human Rights connected?

 In previous years, YEE participated in a project called “STEP”, where we developed and tested an online platform for young people to take part in decision making processes on environmental issues. YEE also held a session on e-participation and shaping a greener digital environment during the European Dialogue on Internet Governance (EURODIG) 2018. 

 Youth and Environment Europe with the Council of Europe’s Youth Department at the European Youth Centre Budapest is announcing an open call for participants for the Study Session “Fighting for a Sustainable Digital Future: Strengthening Youth Participation in Internet Governance” which will take place in the European Youth Centre in Budapest, Hungary on 11-16 November 2019.

 The aim of the Study Session is:

To explore the impact of the Internet Governance processes on the environment and understand its connection to Human Rights through the youth dimension. 

 The objectives of the Study Session are:

• To raise awareness amongst young people about the impact of ICTs and their current, rapid growth on the environment using non-formal educational methods;
• Explore the connection between ICTs and environment with respect to human rights and youth participation in Internet governance;
• Provide the participants with a range of digital skills crucial for their future careers, online safety and participation, for implementing their follow-up plans; and
• Train young people in advocacy, workshop implementation and digital campaigning, so that they can use those skills while putting their plans into action. 

 Participant Profile:

We welcome applications from those who are interested in the topic, are motivated to learn and share knowledge with an international group of young people in the study session and get involved in projects or follow up plans on the topic following the session. The criteria for applying are as follows:

• Be active in a YEE member organisation or work/volunteer directly with young people as a youth leader, youth worker, peer educator.
• Have experience or interest in the topics of Climate Crisis and/or Internet Governance and/or Human Rights and have willingness to explore the connections among those topics.
• Have at least an intermediate level of English
• Be able to actively attend the whole Study Session and complete the preparatory tasks before the Session.
• Have the motivation to take back the learning experience to their home organisations and/or communities.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The study session is open to 30 participants at the ages 18-30 and residing in one of the member states of the Council of Europe and Kosovo and/or Belarus. In exceptional cases, 1-2 participants can be accepted despite the age and geographical restrictions.

The program will be based on the principles of non-formal education and intercultural learning and human rights. We strive for an active, inclusive program that includes direct communication and  sharing of knowledge. The sessions will be balanced between theoretical inputs, workshops, discussions, training and other interactive methods of non-formal learning.

YEE and the Council of Europe welcomes applications from all candidates who fulfil the specific profile of the activity, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief or sexual orientation.

Practicalities:

The full cost of travel, visa, working materials and lodging (accommodation in multi-bed rooms, vegetarian and vegan food and refreshments) during the Study Session will be covered by the organisers. In exchange, we ask for a participation fee of 50 EUR per participant that will be deducted from the travel reimbursements.

All with the condition to follow YEE travel policy to combine the most economic and environmentally friendly way (lowest price + travel time + CO2 emissions). All tickets should be bought after consulting YEE and having confirmation from them.

The activity will take place at the Council of Europe’s  European Youth Centre Budapest: https://www.coe.int/en/web/youth/eyc-budapest 

Apply here

Deadline: 06.10.2019 Midnight, CET

You will be informed about the results of the selection within 10 days after the application deadline.

If you have any questions regarding the application, please don’t hesitate to contact incoming YEE Secretary General at bilinc@yeenet.eu