Youth Engagement in Europe, North America and Central Asia

Updates and Opportunities

The Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY) European Regional Youth Caucus is coordinating a series of Youth Assembly sessions and preparatory processes in the lead up to the 2024 UNECE Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (RFSD), scheduled to take place the 13th and 14th of March in Geneva, Switzerland. A number of funded opportunities are available as detailed below. The 2024 Youth Assembly for the UNECE RFSD will provide a convening space for youth to share their experiences, recommendations and priorities to be presented as collective youth positions during roundtable sessions and bilateral meetings with member states at the RFSD. 

What are the UNECE and the RFSD?

zThe United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), set up in 1947 by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is one of five regional commissions of the United Nations. UNECE brings together 56 member states from North America, Europe, and Central Asia to promote policy dialogue, negotiation of international legal instruments, development of regulations and norms, exchange and application of best practices as well as economic and technical expertise, and technical cooperation for countries with economies in transition. Alongside member states, civil society contributes to UNECE activities through professional organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and now, the youth constituency!

Each year, RFSDs are convened in each of the 5 regional commissions as a critical bridge between global policymaking frameworks and agendas at the national level. The RFSDs serve as fora to strengthen regional level cooperation and map progress towards achieving the 2030 Agenda. These are considered as regional HLPFs of sorts. 

About RFSD 2024

The theme for this year's RFSD is "Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the Economic Commission for Europe region in times of multiple crises: The effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions". The Forum will assess progress, exchange knowledge, as well as identify areas for transformative action in order to achieve the SDGs in line with regional priorities, with a focus on the SDGs under review by this year's High-Level Political Forum (HLPF). The Forum will also support the presentation of voluntary national reviews (VNRs) at the 2024 HLPF.

Youth Assembly 2024 - Description and Schedule

In the lead-up to the RFSD, children and youth will gather virtually and in-person (at the RFSD itself) to frame their priorities and demands, as well as showcase how young people across the region are leading action on the SDGs. 

The Youth Assembly is a self-organized space - convened by youth, for youth - which provides a dynamic platform for policy discussions, training and capacity building for youth engaging at the RFSD. This year's Assembly is open to all young people (age 30 or under), whether you are participating at the RFSD in person, or following online. Reflecting the themes of the RFSD, the Youth Assembly will focus on the SDGs under review, specifically progress in the areas of No Poverty (SDG 1); Zero Hunger (SDG 2); Climate Action (SDG 13); Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16); and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17). Further discussions will take place on youth contributions / inputs from the region towards the upcoming UN Summit of the Future 2024 in September.

Important Dates:

  • Friday, 1 March 2024: Youth Assembly Day 1 - Intro to UNECE/RFSD, Sub-Regional Breakout Sessions (North America, Central Asia, Europe), Preparing for Summit of the Future [ONLINE]

  • Friday, 8 March 2024: Youth Assembly Day 2 - Focus on Goals Under Review and Finalizing Preparations for RFSD [ONLINE]

  • Tuesday, 12 March 2024: Youth Assembly Day 3 -  Intergenerational Roundtable and Drafting Statements for the RFSD [IN-PERSON, Geneva]

We have opened the applications for funded in-person participation in RFSD, the in-person registration to RFSD (self-funded), volunteers to support the youth assembly and a funded admin team position to support this process.

Apply Now!

Apply Now!

 

RFSD FUNDED PARTICIPATION APPLICATION FORM: 

There will be around 10-12 funded spots for transportation (bus/trains) for people based in Europe and 1-2 flights travel spots for young people from Central Asia/North America. Housing will be provided to all selected participants that apply for accommodation. 

  • Deadline: Monday, February 19th, 11:59 pm CET

RFSD ACCREDITATION FORM (SELF-FUNDED):

If you already have funds and want to participate at the Youth Assembly and the main RFSD in Geneva from 12th March - 14th March, you would need an accreditation. To request an accreditation,

VOLUNTEER SUPPORT FOR YOUTH ASSEMBLY SIGN-UP:

If you want to help with the design of the Youth Assembly as a volunteer (no funding provided), please sign up below. 

ADMIN TEAM FUNDED POSITION: 

We are looking for one more person to be part of the admin team of MGCY to help out with the above processes and also some associated tasks with the ECOSOC Youth Forum. 

 

The details of the selection process and other information is linked on the various forms above. For any inquiries, please contact MGCY European Regional Caucus Coordinators (RCCs) - AEGEEE-European Students Forum, represented by Cristina Arnés Sanz, and YEE-Youth Environmental Europe, on rcc.ece@unmgcy.org