9-12 December 2012, Vienna, Austria
Jointly organised by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Austrian Red Cross.
The conference
The IFRC Youth Commission and the Global Youth Conference Team thank all participants and especially the Austrian Red Cross Team, volunteers and staff for making the Global Youth Conference such a success.
The GYC brought together youth representatives from 78 National Societies, 9 partner organisations, totalling over 155 participants. Representation of such a significant number of National Societies allowed for the participants to generate strong input for the Global IFRC Youth Strategy to be developed by a participatory consultation process and presented at the General Assembly 2013 in Australia. The Conference also concluded with empowering and strengthening global and regional networking and liaising with partner organisations.
In addition, we would like to note that the substance developed during this Conference will contribute to the IFRC’s positioning and planning for the Post-2015 Development Agenda and strengthening of youth engagement throughout our Movement.
The IFRC Youth Strategy will serve to as a guide for National Societies in further strengthening youth engagement capitalizing on the roles of young people as stipulated in the IFRC Youth Policy. More specifically, the IFRC Youth Strategy will provide guidance on education of young people within National Societies, their empowerment and creation of enabling environments for their actions.
The GYC brought together youth representatives from 78 National Societies, 9 partner organisations, totalling over 155 participants. Representation of such a significant number of National Societies allowed for the participants to generate strong input for the Global IFRC Youth Strategy to be developed by a participatory consultation process and presented at the General Assembly 2013 in Australia. The Conference also concluded with empowering and strengthening global and regional networking and liaising with partner organisations.
In addition, we would like to note that the substance developed during this Conference will contribute to the IFRC’s positioning and planning for the Post-2015 Development Agenda and strengthening of youth engagement throughout our Movement.
The IFRC Youth Strategy will serve to as a guide for National Societies in further strengthening youth engagement capitalizing on the roles of young people as stipulated in the IFRC Youth Policy. More specifically, the IFRC Youth Strategy will provide guidance on education of young people within National Societies, their empowerment and creation of enabling environments for their actions.
Solferino 2009
Themes
- Youth promoting humanitarian values and life-skills - How we can enhance humanitarian values, attitudes and life-skills among children and young people.
- Youth as innovators - How are youth taking action to meet the humanitarian challenges of the 21st Century.
- Youth as beneficiaries - How can we reach young people and support them on a peer-to-peer level? How can we strengthen local capacity building and structures for youth organisations in order to contribute to civil society development?
- Youth as leaders - How can we engage and facilitate and support excellent young people?
Explore these themes with RedTalk. In the run up to the event we be explored the themes and ideas from the conference in partnership with the IFRC learning team through their innovative RedTalk series of missions. Each mission, unveiled on Monday mornings, involved presentations and discussions and will culminate with a Google+ Hangout on Friday afternoons (Geneva time). We've archived these below.
Google Hangouts
Promoting humanitarian values and skills
Youth and innovation
Youth as leaders
Youth as beneficiaries
Speakers
The conference included exciting and innovative speakers from the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and beyond and offering great opportunities for delegates to influence the future of Youth within the Movement.
Shawn Achmed
Shawn is the founder of the Uncultured Project - an unplanned, unexpected, and “uncultured” journey to make the world a better place – one meaningful difference at a time.
The project is an attempt to use technology to engage with people in a more effective way on the issue of global poverty.
See more here, or follow Shawn on Twitter.
The project is an attempt to use technology to engage with people in a more effective way on the issue of global poverty.
See more here, or follow Shawn on Twitter.
Beatrice Acheleke
Beatrice is the Founding Executive Director of AFRA - International Center for Black Women’s Perspectives and Initiator of the 1st Black European Women’s Congress (2007).
In 2008, Beatrice received the Official and Honorary Decoration of the Federal Republic of Austria for her commitment to Intercultural Dialogue.
Currently, Beatrice holds the position of President of the Black European Women’s Council.
In 2008, Beatrice received the Official and Honorary Decoration of the Federal Republic of Austria for her commitment to Intercultural Dialogue.
Currently, Beatrice holds the position of President of the Black European Women’s Council.
Maartin van Aalst
Maarten is Director of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Centre, the reference centre on climate risk management for the international Red Cross and Red Crescent movement, responsible for operational support on climate risk management; innovation, analysis and documentation of experience; and liaising with scientific and policy communities on climate change, disaster risk management and development planning.
Matthias Schmale
Matthias Schmale, Under Secretary General of National Society and Knowledge Development at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is responsible for overseeing the Secretariat’s work with its 187 Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies.
During his career, Mr. Schmale has worked in field positions in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Sudan and Kenya; and as the International Director at the British Red Cross.
During his career, Mr. Schmale has worked in field positions in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Sudan and Kenya; and as the International Director at the British Red Cross.
Other speakers include:
Daniel Buritico, International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE) Board Member, Columbia.
Serge Mwmabali, Youth Leader, International Olympic Committee
Darko Jordanov, Education Advisor, International Committee of Red Cross
Joy Jamal, Founder, President and member of Special Olympics
Serge Mwmabali, Youth Leader, International Olympic Committee
Darko Jordanov, Education Advisor, International Committee of Red Cross
Joy Jamal, Founder, President and member of Special Olympics
Claudia Leticia Corona Hernández, Head of Education Department, Mexican Red Cross Society
Lucia Mohlanyane, “Soccer against violence”, South African Red Cross Youth
Pierre Alaud, Youth Leader, World Organisation of the Scouts Movement
Muhamed Mesic, Young Communicator, Project Manager, Senior Consultant (Austria)
Lucia Mohlanyane, “Soccer against violence”, South African Red Cross Youth
Pierre Alaud, Youth Leader, World Organisation of the Scouts Movement
Muhamed Mesic, Young Communicator, Project Manager, Senior Consultant (Austria)
Image gallery
IMAGE 1
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Zumba party
Youth participants get energized by a Zumba class between roundtable discussions.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
Youth participants get energized by a Zumba class between roundtable discussions.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
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Waltz workshop
Youth volunteers enjoy a traditional Austrian waltz.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
Youth volunteers enjoy a traditional Austrian waltz.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
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Uncultured project
"Uncultured project" founder Shawn Ahmed shares how he is making a positive difference in Bangladesh.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
"Uncultured project" founder Shawn Ahmed shares how he is making a positive difference in Bangladesh.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
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Fundamental Principles in song
Danny Graven Vakapora, project coordinator at the Cook Islands Red Cross, leads the audience in a rousing song about the Red Cross Red Crescent fundamental principles.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
Danny Graven Vakapora, project coordinator at the Cook Islands Red Cross, leads the audience in a rousing song about the Red Cross Red Crescent fundamental principles.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
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Youth as beneficiaries
Claudia Leticia Corona Hernandez, head of the education department of Mexican Red Cross Youth, discusses how her National Society is providing opportunities for young volunteers to acquire skills and give back to their communities.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
Claudia Leticia Corona Hernandez, head of the education department of Mexican Red Cross Youth, discusses how her National Society is providing opportunities for young volunteers to acquire skills and give back to their communities.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
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Youth as innovators panel discussion
Panelists from the IFRC, the Red Cross Red Crescent climate centre, United Nations Volunteers share their innovative approaches to tackling today's humanitarian challenges.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
Panelists from the IFRC, the Red Cross Red Crescent climate centre, United Nations Volunteers share their innovative approaches to tackling today's humanitarian challenges.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
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Lights, camera, action
Youth ambassadors at the Global Youth Conference practice interviewing their peers.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
Youth ambassadors at the Global Youth Conference practice interviewing their peers.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
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Flash mob overview
Austrian Red Cross prepares Global Youth Conference participants for the flash mob taking place that evening in Vienna.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
Austrian Red Cross prepares Global Youth Conference participants for the flash mob taking place that evening in Vienna.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
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Youth ambassadors
Youth ambassadors lead a project on interviewing conference participants: what challenges do they see in the world, and what can each of them do now to make a positive difference?
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
Youth ambassadors lead a project on interviewing conference participants: what challenges do they see in the world, and what can each of them do now to make a positive difference?
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
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Zumba!
Participants get energized in a Zumba class between sessions.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
Participants get energized in a Zumba class between sessions.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
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Peer interview
Youth ambassador Ye Sol Lee interviews Romain Renaud about the change he'd like to make in the world.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
Youth ambassador Ye Sol Lee interviews Romain Renaud about the change he'd like to make in the world.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
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Africa gallery exhibit
Youth participants from African National Societies present their exhibit during a gallery walk.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
Youth participants from African National Societies present their exhibit during a gallery walk.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
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Americas gallery exhibit
Participants browse through informative materials during a gallery walk.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
Participants browse through informative materials during a gallery walk.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
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Asia Pacific gallery exhibit
Youth participants from National Societies in the Asia Pacific region celebrate their exhibit with a song during a gallery walk.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
Youth participants from National Societies in the Asia Pacific region celebrate their exhibit with a song during a gallery walk.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
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Youth commission chair
Youth commission chair Ashanta Osborne Moses kicks off the morning with updates and announcements.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
Youth commission chair Ashanta Osborne Moses kicks off the morning with updates and announcements.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
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Round table discussion
Conference participants gather for a round table discussion.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
Conference participants gather for a round table discussion.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
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Youth as innovators
Youth commission member Michael Joseph from the Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross chairs a panel discussion on "youth as innovators."
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
Youth commission member Michael Joseph from the Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross chairs a panel discussion on "youth as innovators."
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
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Red Cross Red Crescent flash mob
Global Youth Conference participants form a Red Cross and a Red Crescent in Vienna's museum quarter.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
Global Youth Conference participants form a Red Cross and a Red Crescent in Vienna's museum quarter.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
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Americas mock press conference
Participants from National Societies in the Americas present a skit as part of their exhibit introduction.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC
Participants from National Societies in the Americas present a skit as part of their exhibit introduction.
Photo: Amy Greber / IFRC