1st WORLD CREATIVE YOUTH FORUM (WCYF 2009)

1st WORLD CREATIVE YOUTH FORUM (WCYF 2009)
5th to10th, May 2009 PHILIPPINES

BACKGROUND

With the unfolding of the new Millennium in 2000, various international and national stakeholders were confronted with several pressing issues in its quest for development. Three such predicaments this Forum is concerned about are peace/ conflict resolution, sustainable development and the environment.

Conflict resolution aims to put to rest any form of tensions among nations, tribes and even people. Conflicts span from those in the international arena to the diminutive unit of the society, the family. The forum aims to foster understanding on conflict as well as efforts to empower young people to actively participate in the efforts for community action to achieve peace. If we are to strive for a harmonious and peaceful world then peace education in schools is the key starting with young fresh minds.

Moreover, recent atrocities brought about by natural calamities become unprecedented. Hurricane Katrina was one of the few prime examples that made the world come to its senses another was the devastating disaster of the 2006 tsunami that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Al Gore said that Katrina was “the first taste of a bitter cup”. Such phenomena and others are attributed to the self-serving interests of corporations, nations and individuals. As some people take the better share of the economic benefit of amassing the environmental resources, other parts of the world suffer.

Thus, the forum aims to draw attention of young people to take a proactive action to contribute to the achievement of sustainable future, which is in consonance with the Millennium Developmental Goals. Succinctly, it expects to break down the barriers between nations and create strong linkage among empowered youths.

THEME
WCYF 2009 is Education for Sustainable Development with the following sub themes:

1. Peace and Human Rights – in depth discussion and skills sharing on effective approaches towards peace and human rights education, as well as assessment of current situations.

2. Climate Change -promote awareness and instill action towards supporting ways to lessen the effects and causes of climate change.

3. Sustainable Lifestyle - promote how important is individual action in sustainable development and how our actions affects others and the world.

4. Entrepreneurship - creating jobs by utilizing one's own capabilities and potential

5. Education and Technology - integrating Technology in teaching as powerful tool in creating learning bridges.

6. Advocacy for Sustainable Development - building skills and knowledge on how to effectively influence and/or enforce policies to reflect genuine sustainable development.