Half of the world’s population is under the age of 25. In a rapidly changing world, a variety of issues, including unemployment, violent extremism, new technologies and globalization, are having a disproportionate impact on youth. It is essential that young women and men are involved in the decisions we make today, decisions that will impact them tomorrow.

UNESCO, in collaboration with the National Commission of the People’s Republic of China for UNESCO, is pleased to invite young women and men from Asia and the Pacific region to participate in the Asia-Pacific Youth Dialogue,Chengdu,20-23September2016. Roundtripairlinetickets,as well as accommodation, meals and local transportation in China will be provided by the Organizers of the Youth Dialogue, to youth selected through this Call for Applications.

The objectives of this Dialogue are to:

1. Raise awareness about the importance of Asian and Pacific civilizations and cultures in promoting mutual understanding, respect for diversity, and social cohesion.
2. Identify actions to promote the engagement of youth in promoting peaceful coexistence and sustainable development.

TheAsia-Pacific Youth Dialogue will provide young people with an opportunity to debate, discuss and make recommendations on six important topics – three topics chosen by young people themselves, and three topics proposed by the Organizers. The outcome of the Dialogue will be submitted to national governments, international and regional bodies, and civil society, and will be presented at the Asian Civilizations Dialogue Forum (China, 2017) and the 10th UNESCO Youth Forum (Paris 2017).

If you’d like to take part, please fill out the information requested in the following pages (Call for Applications).