UNESCO, in collaboration with the National Commission of People’s Republic of China for UNESCO, is pleased to invite young women and men aged 18-30 years, from countries along the maritime and terrestrial Silk Roads to participate in the Third International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads (a.k.a. IYF3), to be held in Changsha and Nanjing, 31 March to 6 April, 2019.

The IYF3 is focusing on the theme “Youth Creativity and Innovation in the Age of Media Arts” with objectives to:

1. Provide young people an opportunity to voice their interests and concerns on advancing creativity through the promotion of tangible and intangible cultural heritage towards a sustainable future, utilizing the Media Arts as tools and vectors for this purpose.
2. Seek to mobilize youth inclusion in the cultural and creative industries that promote common heritage through the vast array of Media Arts.

People live in a fast paced and ever changing world, and youth are facing a variety of issues including concerns over employment and securing livelihood opportunities; safety and security; keeping up-to-date with rapid technological advances; as well as the impact and influences of globalization and global travel. Often times, the voice of young professionals are not heard in the debates and may not be taken into account with decisions are being made. Yet, today’s young persons will be the ones who in a few years will benefit from or feel the burden of decisions taken today and in which they had no say.

Hence the IYF3 is being organized to support approximately 120 youth participants experienced in creativity, media arts, literature as well as heritage promotion and preservation. In line with UNESCO’s Global Priority for Africa, the number of participants from African countries will be doubled to 20 at the IYF3. Furthermore, 10 participants, who are qualified with work experience and/or formal training in Media Arts and Design will be selected to take part in the “Experience Changsha Media Arts Residency Programme”, from 7 April to 3 May in Changsha, to delve deeper into media arts and improve relevant techniques and knowledge.

Eligibility

• Interested applicants for the IYF3 (and also the “Experience Changsha Media Arts Residency Programme”), who are between the ages of 18 to 30 and coming from a country along the terrestrial and maritime Silk Roads in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe and North America, the Arab States, and the Asia and  Pacific region, are strongly encouraged to submit applications as requested.

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