5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries in Qatar

We are bringing young people from each of the world’s 46 Least Developed Countries to a historical event – the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries – that will shape the next decade of action!

This is YOUR chance to be among those changemakers, but we need to hear from YOU!

What must happen to make things better? Who inspires change in your community?

We need your ideas, stories and your vision! Share them with us by creating a video, photo, a meme, a poem… Whatever you like! You might get a chance to join LDC5!

As the world keeps changing, billions are being left behind. Emergencies like climate change, poverty, the COVID-19 pandemic and inequality are stopping billions from achieving their full potential. Young people in the most vulnerable countries have the most to lose from these emergencies. However, they also have the most to gain when action is taken!

LDC5 will be where world leaders will come together to shape a new action plan to achieve a better, more sustainable future for all. No one is excluded. This decision will have an impact on the lives of millions of young people and it is your right to have a say and forge it!

You have a chance to witness and directly contribute to LDC5.

Rules to participate:

Can I participate? Am I eligible?

• Participants must be between the ages of 18 and 29 years.

• Participants must be a national of or be a resident in one of the 46 Least Developed Countries (Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Lao People’s Dem. Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Yemen, Zambia)

What are the requirements for my story?

• Entries must tell a real-life story.

• Participants must have created the entry by themselves.

• Entries can be of multiple types (such as videos, audios, music, essays, images, memes, photos, poetry etc.), use your imagination! However, all entries must follow the following specifications:
• Videos – 1080p resolution, no longer than 1 minute
• Audio/music – no longer than 1 minute
• Essays – 1000 words maximum, Arial font and 10p
• Images (photos, graphics, infographics) – in JPG or PNG format, minimum 800 x 800 pixels.

What is the selection process?

• The best entries will be selected according to the following criteria:

• Quality of the storytelling (I.e. arguments, good writing, composition of the image), although the selection panel will take into particular consideration entrants whose native language is not English.
• Entries will not be reviewed and graded by how aligned the arguments presented are with the United Nations’ or other partners’ views.

• All entries will be assessed by the Advocacy and Outreach team of UN-OHRLLS.

What can I get in return?

• The names of the 46 winners will be published on the official page of the competition hosted on the LDC5 website by 22 December 2021.

• The winners will be called LDC5 Young Voices and act as youth delegates to the Conference.
• The Young Voices will be invited to take part in the LDC5 Conference, all expenses paid.

How do I get a chance to go to LDC5?

• Publish your story on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram using the #ForgeYourFuture hashtag and, if possible, tagging @UNOHRLLS (especially if your account is not public).

• Please save a copy of your entry on your phone or computer!!
• By entering the competition, you allow the United Nations to repost and reuse your content for the purposes of our work for the most vulnerable countries.

• All entries must be published by 11:59 pm (New York Time) on 22 November, the closing date. Only entries submitted by this deadline will be considered.
• All entries must be the original work of the entrant.

• All entries must not infringe the rights of any other party or violate the terms of use of the platforms in which the entry is published.

• All entries must not include the names or images of anyone under the age of 18 years. All people included in the entry must have given permission in writing to the entrant.

• Entries must not contain defamatory, obscene, offensive, or any other unsuitable material.
• Entries must be suitable to be published for audiences of all ages.