ASIA PACIFIC YOUTH DIALOGUE CHINA (CHENGDU), SEPTEMBER 2016

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Thomasina Fields
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1 ASIA PAIFI YTH DIALGE HIA (HEGD), SEPTEMBE 2016 Background In proclaiming as the International Decade for the approchement of ultures (ID), the nited ations General Assembly called upon Member States to reinforce their activities in areas such as intercultural dialogue and the promotion of tolerance and mutual understanding. ES was designated as lead agency for the Decade in the nited ations system, and an Action Plan for the Decade was adopted 1 and endorsed 2, calling for inter alia, the promotion of mutual understanding, building a framework of commonly shared values which foster social cohesion, and fostering dialogue for sustainable development and its ethical, social and cultural dimensions. ne activity proposed by hinese President Xi Jinping 3 in response to this call is for the organization of an Asian ivilizations Dialogue Forum (ADF) in early 2017, aimed at boosting regional cooperation and development, and to serve as a platform for enhancing interactions among youth, civil societies, local communities and the media, on the richness of cultural life among Asian and Pacific peoples. The ADF is being structured around the importance and contribution of the Silk oads, cities, and youth to Asia Pacific civilizations, cultures and as a foundation for promoting dialogue, mutual understanding and social cohesion in the region. In preparation for the ADF, an Asia Pacific Youth Dialogue is being planned to promote exchanges and develop recommendations on Asia Pacific civilizations and cultures in promoting mutual understanding and social cohesion, as well as on issues important for enhancing youth engagement and equal participation in cities and at all levels of society. Engaging youth as active citizens is integral to promoting and preserving peaceful and prosperous societies, and to successfully implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and notably SDG 16. This is especially true in the Asia Pacific region, which is home to about 718 million youth (2015) 4, whose ambitions and abilities can make a substantial contribution to the realisation of the prosperous, peaceful and sustainable future we want for all people in our region. The importance of engaging youth is also noted in the ES perational Strategy on Youth ( ) which states that young women and men are driving change and claiming respect for fundamental freedoms and rights; improved conditions for them and their communities; opportunities to learn, work and participate in decisions that affect them. 5 As such, the third axis of the ES Strategy on Youth 1 ES Executive Board, Spring session 2014 (194 EX/10) 2 General Assembly, December 2014 (esolution 69/140) 3 Boao Forum, Hainan, hina, March 2015, and reiterated by hinese Premier Li Keqiang at the March 2016 Boao Forum 4 Population Facts, DESA 5 ES General onference, ovember 2013, (37 /IF.19), p1 1

2 aims to promote the engagement of young women and men as active citizens towards democratic consolidation, sustainable communities, and peace. Asian and Pacific youth are not only engaging within the region, but as a result of globalization and the technological revolution, they are also participating in and interacting with other civilizations and cultures on an increasing basis. It is reported for example that in 2015 more than 500,000 hinese students studied overseas and more than 4 million have done so since In engaging with persons, including youth from other cultures and civilizations, Asian and Pacific youth rely on their cultural backgrounds and value systems while at the same time are being influenced by their host societies. As the trend towards globalization, connectivity and interdependence grows, it is important to explore how this opening to a diversity of cultures can occur in a way that preserves the cultural values that Asian and Pacific youth cherish while enhancing opportunities for better understanding and respect for diversity. bjectives and Expected utcomes: The objectives of the Asia Pacific Youth Dialogue are to raise awareness about the importance of Asian and Pacific civilizations and cultures to promoting mutual understanding, respect for diversity, and social cohesion, as well as to identify actions which may be undertaken at the national and regional levels to promote youth full engagement in promoting peaceful coexistence and sustainable development. Specifically it will: a. Provide a platform for young women and men from Asian and Pacific countries to discuss the (actual and potential) contributions of different civilizations and cultures in Asian and Pacific to promoting mutual understanding, respect for diversity, and social cohesion of the region, b. Discuss challenges that inhibit youth full and equal participation in developing cohesive societies in Asia and the Pacific, c. Explore new ideas for promoting values-based exchanges from Asian and Pacific with youth from other regions, to foster mutual understanding, respect for diversity, a sense of a shared future, and peace, d. Develop recommendations for promoting mutual understanding, respect for diversity and enhance young women and men engagement in building social cohesion at the national and regional levels. The expected outcomes of the Asia Pacific Youth Dialogue would include a series of recommendations that would seek to enhance the engagement of youth in promoting mutual understanding, respect for diversity, and cohesive, peaceful and prosperous societies in Asia and the Pacific region. These recommendations will be targeted at national governments, international and regional bodies, and civil society and will be presented at the Asian ivilizations Dialogue Forum (ADF) and the 10 th ES Youth Forum (Paris 2017). Additionally the Asia Pacific Youth Dialogue is also expected to launch youth discussions on their participation and engagement; online publication of notable video clips on 6 aixin nline, About Three-Quarters of Students Going Abroad eturn to hina: eport by Xu Heqian, 2

3 Asian and Pacific civilizations and cultures promoting mutual understanding and social cohesion; and a survey to collect data on the attitudes and aspirations of youth from Asia and the Pacific for learning to live together peacefully. Details for Asia Pacific Youth Dialogue Dates: It is proposed that the Asia Pacific Youth Dialogue will be organized every two years, during the summer of the year following the ES Youth Forum. In this way, the Youth Dialogue would build on the accomplishments of the global ES Forum, providing a platform for discussion on topics of regional interest and a bridge to the subsequent ES Youth Forum. onsequently it is proposed that the first Asia Pacific Youth Dialogue be held September 2016, in follow-up to discussions on Young Global itizens for a Sustainable Planet (ES 9 th Youth Forum, Paris, 2015) and in preparation for the 2017 Asian ivilization Dialogue Forum. Participants: A total of about 184 young women and men aged 18-30, from 46 countries in Asia and the Pacific 7 including hina are expected to participate in the Asia Pacific Youth Dialogue. Each country will be represented by an equal number of young women and men for a maximum of 4 youth, including the country s two representatives to the 9 th ES Youth Forum. Participants may also be selected from among members of the nited ations Youth Advisory Panel located at the country level and other engaged and active representatives of youth organisations. To facilitate this, a all for Applications from among engaged youth will be issued via national and regional youth machinery, as well as ES online platforms, and and regional organizations. A final selection of engaged youth participants will be made by the rganizers based on criteria such as youth experiences promoting peace and intercultural dialogue, and to ensure gender parity. A number of visionaries and leading figures will also be invited to deliver short and dynamic presentations on the themes of the Dialogue (for example the nexus between Asia Pacific civilizations, cultures, social cohesion, respect for diversity and peacebuilding; engaging youth as agents of change and custodians of the future). Preparatory events: In lead up to the Asia Pacific Youth Dialogue, participants nominated and selected to attend will be requested to submit a list of no more than five concerns relevant to enhancing their/youth participation (in economic, social, cultural, political and civil life) 7 Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, ambodia, hina, ook Islands, DP Korea, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, auru, epal, ew Zealand, iue, Pakistan, Palau, Papua ew Guinea, Philippines, epublic of Korea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, zbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam 3

4 and which they would like to discuss during the Youth Dialogue. They would also be asked to bring with them to the Youth Dialogue a cultural object or item which they will use during the Show and Tell networking activity (evening of 20 September) to help explain who they are, and what it is they do/ want to do to promote peace and intercultural dialogue. Participants will also be invited to postulate for/ express their interest in positions of rapporteurs and presenters for the breakout sessions of the Youth Dialogue. n Day ne of the Youth Dialogue, participants will also have the opportunity to write their concerns on a Mural. rganizers will collate these concerns and select the top three for discussion under the theme of engaging youth as agents of change and custodians of the future during the Dialogue. Visionaries and leading figures will be invited to deliver short and dynamic presentations on these topics during the Dialogue. Modalities: The Asia Pacific Youth Dialogue is envisioned as a dynamic and participatory event utilizing a combination of plenary lectures, workshops organized both thematically and sub-regionally, and fun activities to provide learning and networking opportunities for youth. Themes: The themes of the Dialogue will focus on two main areas: a. nexus between Asia Pacific civilizations, cultures, social cohesion, respect for diversity and peacebuilding; b. engaging youth as agents of change and custodians of the future regionally and internationally However these focal areas will be further developed with youth participation, and the discussions and debates during the Dialogue are expected to result in recommendations for promoting mutual understanding, respect for diversity and increased opportunities for young women and men engagement in building social cohesion at the national and regional levels. Tentative Agenda: Venue: niversity of Electronics, Science & Technology (EST) hengdu, September 2016 Tuesday 20 September 2016 M A L 17:00 21:00 etworking Activity & Dinner Arrivals & egistration (All day) Who am I : ultural object Show & Tell F 4

5 E S M A L F E S 08:50-10:30 pening eremony 10:30-11:00 offee break Day ne : Wednesday 21 September Musical interlude 2. Welcome addresses: Provost of EST epresentative of Perfect World Mayor of hengdu epresentative of ES ADG/SHS hina Minister of Education 3. Winners of Show & Tell 4. Souvenir photo 11:00-13:00 Plenary The nexus between Asia Pacific civilizations, cultures, social cohesion, respect for diversity and peace-building 13:00-14:30 Lunch Speakers: Q&A 14:30-16:00 Workshops Parallel Discussions Group 1. ulture in promoting positive peace 2. Promoting positive peace in a digital era 3. Gender-based violence, respect for human rights and harmonious societies 16:00-16:30 offee break 16:30-18:00 Workshops Sub-egional Discussions 1. entral Asia 2. East Asia 3. South Asia 4. Southeast Asia 5. Western Asia 6. Pacific Islands 18:30-21:00 fficial pening Banquet & oncert hairperson: Director, ES Beijing ffice Day Two: Thursday 22 September :30-10:00 Plenary Engaging youth as agents of change and custodians of the future, regionally and internationally Panelists: Q&A 5

6 10:00-10:30 offee break 10:30-12:00 Workshop Parallel Discussions 1. To be determined from ur concerns 2. To be determined from ur concerns 3. To be determined from ur concerns 12:00-13:30 Lunch 13:30-15:00 Workshop Sub-egional Discussions 1. entral Asia 2. East Asia 3. South Asia 4. Southeast Asia 5. Western Asia 6. Pacific Islands 15:00-19:00 Activity Study tours 19:00-21:00 Dinner & etworking Day Three: Friday 23 September :00-10:30 Peace dates (workshop) Promoting peace among Asia Pacific civilizations: role of youth in contributing to positive peace among all civilizations Dates: 10:30 11:00 offee break 11:00-12:30 Plenary ecommendations to ADF Thematic eporting (6) 12:30-14:00 Lunch 14:00-15:30 Plenary ecommendations to ADF Sub-egional Presentations (6) 15:30-16:00 offee break 16:00-17:00 losing eremony Addresses: EST ES Government of hina 17:00-21:00 Farewell Dinner and Fun Event 6

7 Partners and rganizers: The Government of the People s epublic of hina will host and co-organize the Asia Pacific Youth Dialogue with ES, in collaboration with Perfect World, a hinese private sector partner and supporter of the 9 th ES Youth Forum and the niversity of Electronics, Science and Technology (EST). 7

Information Meeting of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention. Friday 22 January 2003 Paris UNESCO Room IV

Information Meeting of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention Friday 22 January 2003 Paris UNESCO Room IV Periodic Reporting on the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention in the Asia