YOUNG DIPLOMATS TOUR 2018

Transcription

1 YOUNG DIPLOMATS TOUR 2018

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3 From the Convenor Hey there! In January 2018, UN Youth Australia is offering sixteen amazing young leaders from across the country the experience of a lifetime a four week tour of Europe to explore nine different countries and their history. We ll be looking at these countries through the lens of diplomacy and international relations in the modern era, but also the actions taken that have brought the world to this point in time. My name s Kate, and I m the Convenor of the Young Diplomats Tour next January. I m joined by three of my brilliant colleagues and friends, Christina, Sam and Jess, and we re all incredibly excited to tell you more about the tour. Over the month of January, you ll join us in meeting and engaging with some of the best minds in the international community, from foreign diplomats to European politicians to UN bodies and think-tanks. By meeting and interacting with some of the most influential organisations and their people, we hope to inspire you to make change in your own way. We ll try and answer some of the big questions: What are the biggest challenges facing our world - particularly in Europe, but also at home? How do key players work together in the international community to make tangible change? What can we take from the history of states to ensure the same mistakes aren t made again? We know it might take longer than the month abroad to answer these questions, so along the way, we ll take a few breaks from consultations. You ll have the opportunity to see the Palace of Versailles, Auschwitz-Birkenau, as well as more museums than you can count. This pack will provide you with some more information on the trip that will be useful prior to applying for the tour. You ll find some details on the itinerary, costs and outcomes, as well as some information on our welfare procedures to ensure we keep everyone safe while we re away. If you have any questions at all, please don t hesitate to get in touch at kate.turner@unyouth.org. au. In Solidarity, Kate Turner Convenor

4 About Us About UN Youth Australia UN Youth Australia is a national youthled charity, coordinated entirely by young volunteers aged We are dedicated to educating young people about international relations, providing an avenue for the expression of youth opinion and empowering young people to engage with society. 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 around global affairs. We equip students with the skills and the confidence needed to voice their opinions, and to make positive changes on local, national and global levels. We believe in the value of peer-to-peer education and have been insipring young students for decades to become engaged with the world around them. About the Tour Sixteen high-school students from across Australia will be selected to attend the Young Diplomats Tour Travelling throughout nine European countries, students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the historical, social and diplomatic facets of Europe. From December 31 - January 27, students will travel through Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Austria and the United Kingdom, to learn about the region s history and some of the most significant political and social issues facing the international community. For more information on UN Youth, please visit our website at org.au.

5 The Evolution of Diplomacy The theme of the 2018 Young Diplomats Tour is The Evolution of Diplomacy. Our tour will explore the history that has played such an important role in shaping contemporary European and international policies. Across the nine countries we visit, we ll chart the political movements that have empowered or repressed populations in Europe and around the globe, and visit the sites of revolution and war. We ll also take an in-depth look at some of the most important ideas and forces in today s international community including the role of the UN, the rise of radical politics throughout Europe, trends of Nationalism that have gone on to influence the globe, and Russia s reignited confrontation with the Western world. We ll meet with politicians, diplomats, think-tanks, NGOs and activists who are all currently interacting in a global system that is becoming increasingly fragile and complex. As well as attending consultations with global players, the tour will include a series of interactive, educational workshops designed by UN Youth Australia that will aid in your understanding of the landmarks, sites and consultations being experienced. These workshops will encourage you to be challenged by others opinions, and develop your own through discussion with the other students. By discussing these complex international issues as a group, you ll be treated to an educational experience that surpasses simply reading about, or listening to talks on the topic. The tour will be an incredibly exciting, rewarding and fun experience! UN Youth prides itself on understanding the social and emotional needs of young people, and we always strive to create an experiences where students can learn and grow in a safe and supportive environment. Expect to have an incredible experience, and you won t be disappointed!

6 Planned Itinerary 31 December: Sydney 1-5 January: Berlin 6-9 January: Paris January: Vienna January: Krakow January: Budapest January: Prague January: The Hague January: Brussels January: London 1 February: Return to Australia Berlin Presently a melting pot of differing cultures and the heart of democracy, Berlin provides an insight into every step along the evolution of diplomacy, making it the perfect city with which to start our tour. From empires ruling in centuries gone by, to two destructive world wars, and the experiments of Nazism and Communism, Berlin is a historically rich city that will immerse us in the past and future of diplomacy. Paris Known for its picturesque landmarks, rich artistic history and copious amounts of cheese, Paris is also the centre of some of modern history s most influential and defining moments: the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars are known to have planted the seeds of democracy and human rights throughout the continent. Brussels and The Hague These two eye-opening, beautiful cities will provide opportunities for us to consult with the key institutions that continue to shape contemporary Europe. Here, we will visit the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU), the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and NATO. Budapest The capital of Hungary provides a window into the heart of Eastern Europe a part of the world only recently liberated from fifty years of brutal suppression under communist rule. Here, we ll dive into history of the Cold War, evidence of modern conflicts and some of the most alarming phenomena of contemporary politics, including the return of extremist far-right nationalism, and how the past may well be coming back to haunt us.

7 Your Convenor How Do I Apply? Kate has been involved in UN Youth since she was a delegate in 2013, with her second event ever being the Aotearoa Leadership Tour to New Zealand. After the mind-blowing experience that was, she s been to almost every UN Youth event possible since, and isn t giving up that streak! She is currently the ACT President, and has also been on the Organising Committee for National Voice Finals, and attended Evatt National Finals and National Conference as a Facilitator. Kate is incredibly excited to also be the Convenor for Young Diplomats Tour in If you re as excited as we are to go on the Young Diplomats Tour, head over to and follow the links to apply. Aspiring delegates will first submit an online written applications, which (if successful) will be followed by a long-form application and an interview process. Outside of UN Youth, Kate is tackling her third year of her Development Studies degree at the Australian National University. She also works as a receptionist, which gains her at least four papercuts a day. In between, Kate binge watches TV shows with her cat and tries to control her addiction to baked goods and craft. If you have any questions at all, please Kate at kate.turner@unyouth.org. au.

8 Welfare Policies At UN Youth, we are committed to ensuring that all participants at our events are safe and supported. We have a comprehensive welfare policy that applies to all our events, including international activities; it can be found at unyouth.org.au/legal All volunteers on our international activities have Senior First Aid training, and one facilitator on the trip will also have Mental Health First Aid training. UN Youth Australia also prepares risk management plans for all of our international activites. It is important that all welfare information is disclosed to us so that we can arrange things and ensure that the facilitator team is able to assist everyone in having a positive experience on the tour. In order to ensure that we can maximise your safety, enjoyment and participation in the event, you will be required to submit a Welfare Management Plan, if you identify as having a serious health condition (including all chronic illnesses, mental health conditions for which you are taking medication, and any injury or disability that limits your full participation in Conference events). Your Welfare Management Plan must be written by a medical professional typically your GP. We will contact any delegates whom we believe this applies to about creating a Welfare Management Plan as part of the confirmation process.

9 Cost and Payment Schedules The tour cost is estimated to be $6400AUD. It is important to note that this cost is an estimate; it may change depending on flight costs increasing or other unforeseen circumstances. This tour cost will be paid in several installments in the lead up to departure in January 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 will present a barrier to your possible attendance on Young Diplomats Tour, please do not hesitate to contact the Convenor, Kate Turner, at kate.turner@unyouth.org.au. The prices includes: - All flights (return from your nearest capital city to Sydney, then from Sydney to Berlin) - All accommodation - All ground transport - All scheduled activities - Comprehensive travel insurance - Some meals You will also need to bring additional money to cover most meals on the tour, as well as souvenirs, personal items and snack food. For this, we would recommend approximately $1,000AUD. UN Youth Australia will also provide a detailed sponsorship guide to aid delegates in seeking individual financial support for their tour fees.

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