Within the scope of the novel global youth Project, the first Youth Advocacy Forum, young people from different cultures, religions, languages, nationality and all over the world including from 6 regions (African Region, Region of the Americas, South-East Asia Region, European Region, Eastern Mediterranean Region, and Western Pacific Region) between the age of 18 and 22 came together in order to improve advocacy skills in preventing addictions and encouraging healthy lives.
The forum took place online on 1 September 2022. In the forum where the global policies were discussed and local as well as international agendas of advocacy were improved, international experts in their field and powerful organizations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Istanbul Initiative participated.
Concept Note - YAF 2022
The Youth Advocacy Forum established as a global platform offers international experiences and great opportunities for the youth across the globe. Contributing to the development of youth from various cultures and geographies of the world, the forum aims to enable youth to gain knowledge in the field of critical thinking and advocacy and to gain competence in these areas with ongoing training, within the scope of the training of national and international speakers who are experts in their fields. This year we are holding the Third Youth Advocacy Forum!
Organizer:
International Federation of Green Crescent (IFGC)
Co-organizer(s):
Turkish Green Crescent
UNODC
WHO
Istanbul Initiative
Global Experts from Universities and Institutions
When& Where & Who
The Youth Advocacy Forum is organized online on 1 September 2022 for young people advocating from all over the world including 6 regions (African Region, Region of the Americas, South-East Asia Region, European Region, Eastern Mediterranean Region and Western Pacific Region) between the ages of 18 and 22 who have a background and interest in effective and science-driven prevention strategies around substance use and other behaviours, healthy life and youth work every year. Due to the COVID-19 and international flight limitations, the 3rd Youth Advocacy Forum will take place online on 1 September 2022. Participants will interact, participate in discussions and have opportunities to ask questions and share their comments by using the means of technology.
Objectives
Provide a platform for young people to meaningfully engage in a dialogue about substance use and other risky behaviours.
Engage and learn with the global experts from the field to create pathways for realizing a sustainable and effective prevention plan and comprehensive system for substance use and other risky behaviour prevention.
Promote the exchange of ideas and experience, mutual understanding, as well as equal rights and opportunities among young people.
Enhance the capacity of young people on critical thinking, media literacy, active participation and advocacy.
Increase the positive and meaningful participation of young people and youth organizations in society, as well as in decision-making processes at all levels including community, national and international venues.
Empower youth to enable them to realize their rights & responsibilities for a healthy life, including abstinence from substance use, through education and skill development around the relevant topics.
Foster youth action towards implementation of ideas brought forward by the young people for the benefit of the societies.
Increase awareness of younger generations on the strategies of Big Alcohol, Big Tobacco, drug cartels, pharmaceutical companies, the cannabis industry and gaming and gambling industries.
The new approach to legalization discussions: Decriminalization and Legalization in different countries, experiences from tobacco and alcohol use
Encourage further cooperation, partnerships and good practice exchange among young people, youth workers, organizations and institutions dealing with youth policy in Sustainable Healthy Generations.
Substantive Scope
The forum will provide a unique opportunity to virtually meet and connect with young people, youth workers and other stakeholders from various countries. Participants will share experiences and establish contacts and networks for future projects and initiatives. They will meet experts from the field and policymakers, with a chance to discuss young people's concerns. They will have the opportunity to influence policies and programmes dedicated to young people – the conference's conclusions will serve to improve the youth strategies and actions all over the world.
Be guided by the theme of “The Future We Want, the Governance We Need: Reaffirming our Collective Commitment to Healthy Generations” The participants will be part of interactive discussions by addressing the individual and collective actions that need to be taken in the next decade on the following themes:
Substance use among Youth: When do they start using drug, alcohol or tobacco?
New mediums of advertisement: Social media platforms – Getting your message out
The growing risks of behavioural addictions: Online Gaming and Online Gambling
What are the most effective ways of informing the young generation about healthy behaviours and making better decisions?
Regional Solutions for Behavioral and Substance: Young people on the move
Format & Application Criteria
The Forum will include a series of interactive plenary sessions and webinars with high-level representatives and experts from NGOs, International Organizations, government institutions, global youth organizations and other keynote speakers on the emerging priority areas for the decade of action, with a youth focus. These sessions will be led by the experts of the relevant sessions.
The dialogue will take place in English, so an advanced level of speaking and writing in English is a must.
Good internet connection and required equipment (laptop, iPad, microphone, etc.) are critical for a virtual connection.
