Youth Conference on Biodiversity in Aichi, Japan

The Ministry of the Environment of Japan (“MOE”) will hold the “International Youth Conference on Biodiversity in Aichi 2010” in Japan in August 2010 in order to promote communication among young people from around the world and to improve their mutual awareness of biodiversity. The conference is associated with the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (so-called “CBD COP10”) that will be held in Aichi in October 2010.

Deadline: 6/05/2010
Open to: people between 15 and 24
Costs: Travel costs and accommodation provided

This conference takes impetus from a previous international youth conference held just before COP9 in Germany in May 2008 and the Asia Youth Conference held in Japan in August 2009, and is intended to

1. Provide young people who will lead the next generation with opportunities to improve their understanding of and participation in conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity;
2. Enhance development of young people who will lead the next generation through participation in a forum of international discussions and activities;
3. Facilitate building of an international network for youths and mutual understanding among them.

The MOE is now inviting applications from individuals in colleges, universities and high schools all over the world to participate in the conference.

In August 2010, youths from around the world will meet in Aichi, to participate in various programs to discuss biodiversity. The conclusions will be compiled and presented at a public biodiversity forum to be held on the last day of the program.
The conclusion and outcomes from the conference will be presented at the CBD COP10 by representatives of the conference.

Program

The program will take place from August 21 – 27, 2010 as follows:

• Homestay: One night homestay on August 21, 2010.  Stay with a family in Aichi, to experience what “real life” is like in Japan.
• Conference: Four days from August 23 through 26, 2010. Aichi Health Plaza Comprehensive Health Science Center (Higashiura-cho, Aichi pref.)
• Excursion: One day on August 24 or 25, 2010
• Biodiversity Forum: A public Biodiversity Forum will be held on August 27, 2010. Toyota Auditorium of Nagoya University (Nagoya city, Aichi pref.)

Selected participants will be individuals who:

• work on everything with a goal in mind and takes a positive look from a broad perspective;
• spare no effort in satisfying his/her interests;
• have normal lifestyles and moral values with well-rounded character;
• are willing to contribute to solving the issues of the world as well as the domestic ones; and
• are interested in biodiversity, environmental issues, and international relations.

Eligibility

Applicants to the conference must satisfy each of the following requirements:

• be between the ages of 15 and 24 as of April 1, 2010;
• be able to speak and discuss in English at the conference;
• be able to stay at the facility specified by the organizers from August 21 to 27, 2010 and to participate in all the programs scheduled during that period;
• be able to obtain and provide a reference from someone other than his/her family;
• have his/her own PC e-mail address, not cell-phone’s e-mail address, for communication of the information on the conference. If the applicant does not have his/her own e-mail address, he/she may use his/her parent’s one instead.

Cost related issues

The organizers will bear the costs of an economy class round trip airfare between the international airport closest to the successful applicant’s home address and Chubu International Airport (or Narita International Airport), train tickets to the conference place and the cost of accommodations at the conference.
Please note that NO payment will be offered to participants for any accident or casualty caused while participating in the conference. Participants are required to obtain their own property and casualty insurance covering their period of stay in Japan to prepare for emergencies.

How to apply

These forms must be filled out by the applicant in English.

• An application form (Form 1)
• Three essays on the following themes. Using a PC or typewriter is recommended.
  Essay #1    : “My activities related to Biodiversity”
  Essay #2    : “Significance of Biodiversity”
  Essay #3    : “What I expect from participation in the conference”
  Number of words    : 320-400 words (400 words at maximum), respectively
  Form    : Use the Forms 2-A, 2-B, and 2-C, with the page size set to A4 (210 × 297 mm).

• A reference letter to guarantee the applicant, written by a responsible relative. (Use Form 3-A.)
• A reference document stating the identification and competency of an applicant, written by a referee other than his/her relatives. (Use Form 3-B.)

*Normally, a suitable referee would be one of the following: The head of your present or last school; principal of your college; course tutor of your present or last course of studies. If you have been out of education for some time, you may wish to consider one of the following: Your current or last employer, or training officer, or careers adviser; if you belong to a relevant organization (voluntary or not), a head or officer of that organization.

Applicants must submit the documents described to the following e-mail address: NBSAP@env.go.jp from his/her own e-mail address or, if not available, from his/her parent’s e-mail address.
The application must be sent by e-mail and arrive no later than May 6, 2010.

More information can be found on the official website.