YOUNG DIPLOMATS TOUR 2016
From the Convenor Hey there! In 2016, UN Youth Australia is offering an exciting new opportunity to explore one of the most historically significant regions of the world. Next January, we ll be taking 16 young leaders from around Australia on a four-week tour of Europe to explore the complex realities of diplomacy in the 21st Century. Over four weeks and nine countries, you ll meet and engage with the key players in international diplomacy from UN representatives, European politicians, diplomats, embassies, leading thinkers, NGOs and grassroots organisations. You ll visit breathtaking historical sites, and immerse yourself in everything Europe has to offer. The theme of the tour is The Evolution of Diplomacy. We ll be exploring the places, people and forces that have shaped the world as we know it. Starting from scratch, we ll chart the birth of modern democracy, the rise of the nation-state and the evolution of diplomacy to the current day. From the French Revolution to the fall of the Berlin Wall, we ll explore the big moments, ideas and challenges that our world leaders have grappled with over the past 400 years. How does the international community work together to promote peace, and what happens when peace breaks down? What are the biggest challenges facing contemporary Europe and why are they important to us here at home? What does it take to be a diplomat in the 21st century? These are just some of the big questions we ll tackle during the tour. The Young Diplomats Tour will culminate in London, where students will be part of a three-day intensive placement run in partnership with world-leading Non-Government Organisations. We ll be examining their strategies for influencing the international agenda, and participate in high-level skills training in advocacy and change-making. This pack will give you an overview of the trip, and provide a range of information you may need before you apply for the Young Diplomats Tour. You will find some information on the tour s itinerary, costs, outcomes 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 questions, don t hesitate to get in contact with me at jonty.katz@unyouth.org.au Jonty Katz Convenor
About 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. About the Young Diplomats Tour Sixteen high-school students from around Australia will be selected to attend the 2016 Young Diplomats Tour. 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. 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. For more information about UN Youth Australia, visit www.unyouth.org.au.
The Evolution of Diplomacy The theme of the 2016 Young Diplomats Project is The Evolution of Diplomacy. Our tour will explore the history that has played such an important role in shaping contemporary European and international politics. Across nine countries, we ll chart the political movements that have empowered or repressed populations 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, and Russia s reignited confrontation with the Western world. We will meet with politicians, diplomats, thinktanks, NGOs and activists who all interact in an increasingly complex international system. 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, consultations and themes of each city we visit 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! The trip will culminate in London with a threeday intensive program run in partnership with world-leading NGOs. The focus of this partnership will be on sharing the dynamic skills that they use to influence the international agenda.
Planned Itinerary 30 31 December: Sydney 1 4 January: Berlin 5 8 January: Paris 9 10 January: Brussels 11 12 January: The Hague 13 15 January: Prague 16 17 January: Krakow 18 20 January: Budapest 21 23 January: Vienna 24 28 January: London HIGHLIGHTS Berlin Berlin provides an insight into every step along the evolution of diplomacy, making it the perfect city to start our tour. From empires of centuries gone by, to two destructive world wars, to the radical experiments of Nazism and Communism Berlin will immerse us in it all. Now a modern-day economic powerhouse, melting pot of culture and heart of democracy, Berlin will allow us to chart both the past and future of diplomacy. Paris The city of love is home to more than croissants, the Mona Lisa and the Eiffel Tower. Paris is the centre of some of modern history s defining moments including The French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, which planted the seeds of democracy and human rights throughout the continent. Brussels and The Hague These two cities provide eye-opening opportunities for us to consult with the key institutions that shape contemporary Europe. Here, we ll visit the United Nations, European Union, the International Court of Justice 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 the Cold War, modern conflicts and the some of the most alarming phenomena of contemporary politics, such as the return of extremist far-right nationalism and how the past may well be coming back to haunt us.
Cost and Payment Schedules The tour cost is estimated to be $5600AUD. It is important to note that this cost is an estimate; it may change depending on flight costs increasing or other unforeseen circumstances. This will be paid in several installment in the lead up to departure in January 2016. This price 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 - we would recommend around $1,000. 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 Young Diplomats Tour, please do not hesitate to contact the Convenor, Jonty Katz, at jonty.katz@unyouth.org.au!
About your Convenor Jonty is currently the President of UN Youth NSW, and has been involved in UN Youth for the past five years. He was the Deputy Convenor of UN Youth s Pacific Project in 2014, and went to Europe with UN Youth in 2012 as a delegate when he was still in high school. He s currently in his third year of Arts/Law at the University of Sydney, and is planning on completing Honours in International Relations next year (although a topic has yet to be decided). Jonty is a major history nerd, and is currently focusing on European history in preparation for the tour. How do I apply? If you re as excited as we are to go on the Young Diplomats Tour, head over to www.unyouth.org.au/international and follow the links to apply. Aspiring delegates will first submit an online written application, which (if successful) will be followed by a long-form application and interview process. For any questions, please email the Convenor, Jonty Katz, at jonty.katz@unyouth.org.au.
young australians leading global change