MIDDLE EAST EXPERIENCE

Transcription

1 MIDDLE EAST EXPERIENCE 2015

2 Contents Welcome About UN Youth Australia About the Middle East Experience City Highlights Planned Itinerary About Your Facilitators Costs and Payment Schedules Delegate Welfare Policies How do I Apply?

3 Welcome Hi there! UN Youth Australia would like to invite you to take part in an opportunity like no other. The UN Youth Middle East Experience 2015 is the first trip of its kind. The tour will empower twelve young Australians to explore the realities of the contemporary peace-building project in one of the most geopolitically significant regions of our world. In January 2015 you could be off to the Middle East - to Dubai, Amman, Petra and Jerusalem - to meet with representatives of UN bodies, Non Government Organisations, Australian and foreign government projects, and community organisations. The theme of the tour is Walking the Path to Peace - and will explore the historical and contemporary challenges the region has been faced with, and the responses to these challenges from different levels. How successful has the United Nations been in avoiding or minimising conflict? What is the impact of conflict on the lived experiences of people in this region? What successful community organisations have been working towards peace in the Middle East? What more can Australia do to walk the path to peace? organisation in Jerusalem, which works to bring together members of the community from different walks of life and fosters peace on a grassroots level. The tour will be lead by a group of experienced UN Youth facilitators, in combination with Peregrine Adventures, a practiced group travel provider. This pack is going to give you a range of information that you may need before applying for the UN Youth Middle East Experience. You will find some information on the itinerary for the tour, the organisers, the costs and some of the policies that we have in place to ensure that UN Youth Australia s sector-leading safety expectations are met. If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at lily.bentley@unyouth.org.au! I look forward to you joining us for the UN Youth Australia Middle East Experience 2015! LILY BENTLEY Convenor The trip will culminate in a 3-4 day volunteering immersion with a community

4 About the Organisers UN Youth Australia UN Youth Australia is a not-for-profit organisation, which runs educational workshops, competitions, conferences and tours for high school and tertiary students. We are focused on educating young people about domestic and international issues, giving students the skills and confidence to voice their opinions, as well as the opportunity to make a difference in their communities. Through its eight divisions in each state and territory, UN Youth Australia provides an impressive array of events each year for secondary and tertiary students centred on global affairs. We believe in the value of peerto-peer education and have been inspiring students for decades. UN Youth Australia is run entirely by volunteers under the age of 25. Our members are united by a passion for educating, empowering and inspiring young people to engage with the world around them in a meaningful way. Peregrine Adventures Peregrine Adventures is a company built by travellers for travellers. Peregrine Adventures have over 30 years of experience in group travel across the world. We have been working with specialists at Peregrine since November 2013 to design a tour that will be educational, safe and eye opening for our delegates. Our guides will be English-speaking, and local to the countries we visit, with full First Aid Training and crisis management. Peregrine s full Health and Safety brochure is available on request. For more information about Peregrine, see their website at For more information about UN Youth Australia, visit

5 About the Middle East Experience Twelve students from around Australia will be selected to attend the 2015 Middle East Experience. From January 10-24, students will travel through the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Israel, learning about the history, culture and contemporary issues facing the region. Walking the Path to Peace The theme of the 2015 Middle East Experience is Walking the Path to Peace. Our tour will explore the historical and contemporary challenges the region has been faced with, and the responses to these challenges from different levels. Additionally, the tour will encompass a series of workshops designed by UN Youth Australia to challenge students with complex international issues in a way that goes far beyond a simple lecture or reading from a book. These workshops will complement the sites and organisations visited to enhance the educational component of the tour. Finally, we ll have a lot of fun! UN Youth understands the social and emotional needs of young people, and we strive to create an environment where students can learn and grow in a safe and supported manner. Expect to have the best time of your life and you won t be disappointed! We will meet with UN bodies, international NGOs, Australian and foreign government projects, and community organisations who are all working to build peace and understanding in the Middle East. The trip will culminate in a 3-4 day volunteering immersion with a community organisation in Jerusalem, which works to bring together members of the community from different walks of life and fosters peace on a grassroots level.

6 City Highlights Dubai A bustling, modern, urban metropolis in great contrast to much of the Middle East, this city is the perfect place to begin our tour. Here, we will meet with organisations such as the United Nations Development Program and the World Food Program, to discuss themes such as development in the context of extended conflict, humanitarian responses to emergencies in conflict areas, and the reduction of hunger and capacity building as a mechanism for peace. Amman The capital of Jordan is a city in the middle of its transition from traditional to modern, surrounded by historically meaningful sites and with organisations that will provide valuable consultations. Here, we will explore an ancient settlements such as Jerash, visit crusades stronghold Ajloun Castle, and see Mt Nebo, where Moses looked out to see the Promised Land. In Amman we will meet with the Australian Embassy to Jordan to discuss Australia s role in the Middle East Peace Process, the UN Relief Works Agency, and UN High Commission for Refugees. Petra The entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with buildings literally carved into the rock around the town. This place is arguably the most beautiful city in the Middle East, and is steeped in history. Jerusalem One of the most important cities in the world, Jerusalem provides not only an enormous amount of historical sites, but also a great number of professional consultation opportunities. Examples include the Australian Defence Force, to discuss the role of Australian military in the peace process, the UN Truce Supervision Organisation, and the role of the UN and the use of force within the region, as well as World Vision and the International Crisis Group, to discuss the role of NGOs.

7 Planned Itinerary Our itinerary is subject to minor changes to accommodate our consultations as they are booked in, however our tour is going to look a lot like this. For more information about the mentioned consultations, check the city guides above. 10 Jan Sydney-Dubai Meet and greet, Welfare briefing, Flight to Dubai 11 Jan Dubai Sightseeing, rest, basic Arabic workshop 12 Jan Dubai Consultations 13 Jan Dubai - Amman Meet our guide, UN Youth Workshop 14 Jan Amman Sightseeing, Consultations 15 Jan Amman Consultations, UN Youth Workshop 16 Jan Amman - Petra Driving/Travel, UN Youth Workshop 17 Jan Petra-Wadi Rum Sightseeing in Petra, Evening in Desert Camp 18 Jan Wadi Rum - Jerusalem Visit to the Dead Sea, UN Youth Workshop 19 Jan Jerusalem City Tour, Consultations 20 Jan - 22 Jan Jerusalem Immersion Experience 23 Jan Jerusalem - Amman Driving/Travel, UN Youth Workshop 24 Jan Amman - Dubai - Australia Travel Home

8 About Your Facilitators Lily Bentley, Convenor Lily has been involved in UN Youth since 2008 in a variety of roles. She has served on the National Executive as the Vice President (Education), and was Convenor of the 2012 National Final of the Evatt Trophy Competition, held in Brisbane. She works part-time at the RSPCA is currently completing a Bachelor of Science/Arts at UQ, majoring in Zoology and Spanish. She spent the first half of 2014 living in Spain and developing an addiction to tortilla and dubbed sitcoms. Tim Matthews, Deputy Convenor Tim is presently the National President of UN Youth Australia, and has enjoyed six years of involvement in the organisation. Tim is his fifth year of a combined Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws at the University of Sydney. Tim is a Legal Officer for the Commonwealth Attorney General, a Director of both the University of Sydney Union and the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition. Tim manages these priorities through a healthy reliance on Coke Zero and Game of Thrones. Paige Burton, Deputy Convenor Paige has been involved in UN Youth since 2010 in a variety of roles. She has served two terms on the NSW executive as the Director of Education, and is the Convenor of the 2014 Pacific Project. She works part-time at the Centre for Australian Progress and is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Sydney majoring in Government and International Relations. Paige s most interesting (and potentially useless) skill is that she can ride a unicycle. Jethro Cohen, Deputy Convenor Jethro is currently in his second year of a combined Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws at the University of Sydney. Jethro moved to Sydney from Tasmania last year for University. He has been involved in UN Youth since 2011, serving in various roles including Director of Membership in NSW. Outside of UN Youth, Jethro is the Treasurer of the Sydney Arts Students Society. Jethro currently works for Apple - which means that he has seen every way possible to crack an iphone screen.

9 Costs and Payment Schedules The tour cost is guaranteed to be no higher than $5850AUD. This will be paid according to the following schedule. Should you have problems adhering to this payment plan, please be in contact with the facilitation team and we can discuss alternative options. July Deposit $600 September 1 Installment 1 $1,900 November 1 Installment 2 $2,700 December 1 Installment 3 Remainder Please note that the initial deposit is not refundable. This price includes: All flights (return from your nearest capital city to Sydney, return flights to Dubai, and flights to Amman) All breakfasts and dinners Most lunches All accommodation All ground transport All scheduled activities Comprehensive travel insurance We recommend bringing some personal spending money to cover souvenirs and personal items, snack food, and one or two lunches. You should not need more than $200AUD. We will also provide a detailed sponsorship guide to aid delegates in seeking individual financial support for their tour fees. At UN Youth Australia we strive to keep costs low and to help make our tours as accessible as possible for students. If this cost presents a barrier to your participation in the Middle East Experience, please do not hesitate to contact the Convenor, Lily Bentley, on lily.bentley@unyouth.org.au!

10 Delegate Welfare Policies UN Youth Australia and your Middle East Experience Leadership Team take welfare very seriously. All four members of the Leadership Team will have current Senior First Aid qualifications and two will possess Mental Health First Aid at the time of the tour. UN Youth Australia has comprehensive welfare policies, and we will be following them strictly. We are committed to making the Middle East Experience a fun, inclusive and safe environment. It is a requirement that all delegates agree to and complete the delegate code of conduct and first aid consent form as part of their online application. Also included in the application are the Welfare Arbitration Procedures that we use in the event of a breach of the Welfare Policy. The welfare policies are there to ensure that both facilitators and delegates have the best possible time on the Middle East Experience, that we all stay healthy and able to enjoy ourselves to the greatest possible extent. It is crucially important that you understand your rights and responsibilities as per the Welfare Policy if you or your parents have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us. The full UN Youth Australia Welfare policies are available in the application form (and it is a requirement that you read them), but we have summarised the important content here. Discrimination and Harassment UN Youth has a non-discrimination and antiharassment policy. Delegates are expected to treat each other with respect and dignity, in the knowledge that any form of discrimination or harassment (sexual or otherwise) will not be tolerated. Directions of the Leadership Team It is expected that all reasonable directions of the leadership team (and any sanctions imposed under the welfare arbitration procedures) will be followed by delegates. Participation Delegates must be on time for all activities and participate as a member of the delegation. Alcohol, tobacco and other substances Delegates (and facilitators) are not permitted to drink and/or smoke throughout the tour, regardless of whether it is permissible under local law. (E.g. 18-year-old delegates must not consume alcohol in Sydney.) Drugs and other substances not legal in Australia are not to be consumed by delegates, regardless of local laws.

11 Medication If delegates are on any regular or prescription medicine, this needs to be brought to the attention of the Leadership Team. Delegates are advised to discuss taking medications out of the country with their doctor prior to departure if they plan to do so. Be aware that it may be difficult to obtain prescription medications after leaving Australia. Consent for medical treatment As part of the registration process, you will need to consent to the Leadership Team performing first aid or seeking further medical treatment as required. Travel insurance in included in the cost of the trip, so this should not result in out-of pocket expenses. Breaking the Rules Delegates who breach the welfare policy and/or delegate agreement will be subject to arbitration under the Welfare Policy. In short, this process has three stages: 1. The leadership team takes action to ensure/ restore the health and safety of delegates. 2. An inquiry into the nature of the welfare policy breach is conducted by the leadership team. 3. Sanctions are considered. There exists a three-tier classification of sanctions. The following list is not exhaustive but indicates the progression of severity: ONE: warning, asked to apologise, conflicted away from other delegate/s TWO: removed from group or activities, parents informed THREE: delegate sent home (at own expense) The system is designed such that the higher tiers are subject to review by UN Youth prior to being enacted. It is unlikely for an issue serious enough to warrant tier two or three sanctions would occur. The Welfare Policy requires records of any issues be kept for ten years. These are confidential. Vaccination UN Youth Australia takes medical concerns very seriously. For that reason, it is part of our policy that you are unable to attend the Middle East Experience unless you have receive the following vaccinations prior to the tour: Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Typhoid In addition to routine vaccinations for: Tetanus and Diphtheria Whooping Cough Polio Measles Mumps and Rubella Chicken Pox Influenza If you are unable to get any of the following vaccinations we can accommodate your needs with proper medical certification only.

12 How do I Apply? If you re as excited as we are to go on the Middle East Experience, head over to and follow the links to apply. Aspiring delegates will first submit an online written application, which (if successful) will be followed by no more than two interview stages (by telephone or in-person, at the panel s discretion). Students must be Australian passport holders to travel. For any questions, please the Convenor, Lily Bentley, at lily.bentley@unyouth.org.au. You can also contact Deputy Convenor, Jethro Cohen on or jethro.cohen@unyouth.org.au.

13 OPENING YOUNG EYES TO THE WORLD