International Development Youth Forum 2017 in Tokyo, Japan

Program Date: 12th-19th March, 2017

Venue: Tokyo, Japan

About IDYF

        Our mission is “Design Our Future.” We aim to create a better future with people from both developed and developing countries together. People have different views on development, depending on where they were born and raised and what they have experienced before. We hope the participants to build mutual understandings toward development and recognize global issues as common challenges.

In 2016, we designed our future by proposing innovative and local-oriented solutions for developing issues in the world. The forum focused especially on “Industrial Development vs Environmental Protection” as a theme, with 42 selected participants out of more than 1,000 applicants. Also, we invited professionals from various fields in which the valuable experience provided all participants with opportunities to build sustainable networks of future leaders in the field of international development and gain profound knowledge.

Despite of the great success in 2016, IDYF2017 will go beyond that of the previous forum by welcoming many highly motivated youths, who are willing to “design our future” with us in Tokyo, Japan.

What IDYF 2017 Aspires to Achieve

“What Is Development?  Where Are We Heading?”

Based on our mission to  “Design Our Future”, IDYF2017 aspires to redetermine the meaning of  ‘development’. Selected participants from all over the world will be invited to discuss what each of us conceive an ideal society and common goals are, in order to draw feasible solutions to provided case studies.

The term ‘development’ has been treated with various definitions and ideas, such as economic growth, social progress, and community development. Different cultural backgrounds, experience, and occupations shape different individual values toward development, and lead to diversity in its ideal goal. Due to this complexity, problems in the field of development would not be solved without the collaborative efforts of individuals and groups. Hence, it is indispensable that those youth, who will play leading roles in the future development fields, share their views and discuss what development is.

IDYF provides the opportunities to gather and cultivate the ability to understand various forms of ideal ‘development’, for world youth who are inspired to make changes in the development fields, by working together toward a mutual goal.

Eligibility

• Those who are 18 to 28 years old
• Those who have not participated in previous IDYFs
• Fluency in English for discussion and presentation
• Must be able to attend all programs during the forum

Desirable Attitudes

• Active in discussion
• Open-minded with creative ideas and diversified values ž
• Eager to tackle development problems, using the experience of IDYF2017

Participation Fee

If you are selected to participate in IDYF 2017, you will be required to pay 25,000 JPY, which covers your accommodation, meals, and transportation fees during the forum (March 12^th   to 19^th   2017).
*It doesn’t include transportation fees from the airport to the venue, accommodation fee before and after the program, or insurance.
*Optional tour on 19th is not covered.
*Payment details will be announced after the results of the selection.

Self-funded and Scholarship Applicantions

IDYF 2017 has two separate application types, one for self-funded candidates, and another for scholarship candidates.   Note that you cannot apply for both.

Scholarships will be given to  only one to three applicants with financial difficulties, which will cover

1. Flight tickets
2. Participation fee

Applicants who wish to apply for the scholarship must submit the application form for scholarship applicants, not the one for the self-funded applicants.  Those who passed the document screening will be invited to Skype interview.

Official Link: http://www.idy-ttokyo-forum.com

Deadline: 27 November 2016