As proposed by the Youth Commission at the last General Assembly and following the strong support given to the Pledge 129 at the last International Conference, the 3rd World Red Cross and Red Crescent youth meeting will take place in Solferino, Italy, from 23 to 28 June, 2009.
About 600 youth active representatives from all over the world will come together to learn, share and discuss present and future humanitarian challenges.
This event will be an important joint investment into our global human capital for the future development and successful progress to be reported to the International Conference in 2011.
"Youth on the move. Doing more. Doing better. Reaching further" wants to stress the call to action to face new humanitarian challenges, be better prepared, increase the number of youth volunteers, improve youth programmes and be closer to the communities to improve the lives of more vulnerable people.
The themes of the trainings and workshops organized will follow our Global Agenda goals.
On June 27, 2009, the Fiaccolata - the well-known torch-lit procession which follows the same path walked by nurses who took injured soldiers from the battlefield of Solferino to the first medical outpost in Castiglione - will conclude the commemorating of Solferino.
Besides the participants to the "Youth on the move" and the Humanitarian Village, thousands of volunteers from a large number of National Societies as well will walk the 10-kilometer long path, holding torches and remarking the humanitarian spirit with every step.
Every year since 1992, thousands of people participate in this strongly suggestive and evocative event, which this year more than ever will be marked by highly suggestive moments.
YOUTH ON THE MOVE Reminder and additional information - March 2009
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Programme
The content of the programme has been drafted based on the responses about current humanitarian challenges provided through more than 75 pre-registration forms. There will be 12 parallel workshops, divided into four main categories: disaster, health, capacity building, and Principles and values.
The methodology will be as interactive as possible, through sessions with experts, knowledge sharing of successful youth programmes, group discussions, etc.
If possible, some workshop will be facilitated in other official languages (Arabic, French, and Spanish).
At the end of each workshop a final statement will contribute to the final Youth Declaration that will be presented to representatives of the international community in Geneva (governments, UN agencies, NGOs).
In the evening social events will be organized, such as a cultural night and a "youth bazaar" to exchange National Society material.
A strong focus on the Movement history, structure and functioning will be given to ongoing activities.
Participants
National Societies can send up to four youth representatives according to the following criteria:
Two young active volunteers serving on a regular base in community programmes:
aged between 18 and 25;
able to actively participate in English;
committed and able to share good practices on workshop themes;
committed to retaining and disseminating information within your National Society;
One active young volunteer at local/National level:
ages between 18 and 30;
able to actively participate in English;
serving on a regular base;
experienced in on eor more programme theme(s);
One National youth leader:
aged between 18 and 30,
able to actively participate in English,
member of the national governing board or representing youth at national level,
committed and able to serve as a disseminator within your National Society,
holding extensive experience in Red Cross and Red Crescent work at all levels,
strongly committed to retaining and improving youth programmes within your Society.
One young adult (as 4th participants - the costs for young adults must be covered by the National Society):
aged between 18 and 35,
able to actively participate in English,
responsible for youth development at the national level.
Dates
23 June: Arrivals and opening ceremony
24, 25, 26 June: Workshops
27 June: "Fiaccolata" - Torchlight procession
28 June: Departures (back home or to Geneva for 1 or 2 youth participants)
