Update on Global Youth Forum (GYF), Bali, Indonesia, 4-6 December 2012

The Indonesian Government, in cooperation with UNFPA & other UN agencies, is hosting the Global Youth Forum (GYF) in Bali, Indonesia between 4-6 December 2012. It is the first of three identified thematic forums as part of the ICPD Beyond 2014 review process. 

Steering Committee (SC) invitations were sent out by UNFPA to a number of organisations and institutions including SRHR NGOs, Youth SRHR groups, Funders, Private Institutions, and other UN agencies. 

The first SC teleconference took place in early June, where the role of the SC was clarified. The SC is tasked with providing leadership throughout the Forum's planning, implementation, and follow-up stages; preparing the programme; identifying and selecting the rapporteurs, experts, and facilitators for the key themes (in consultation with the Secretariat, which consists mostly of UN agencies, although the SC will take the final decision; to develop criteria for selection of participants; and to develop & lead in the selection process of youth participants (amongst other  tasks). 

The first SC also saw the election of Co-Chairs of the Steering Committee: the Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW) and the Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights (YCSRR). They are currently represented by Sara Vida Coumans; Mari-Claire Price (YCSRR), Rishita Nandagiri (ARROW- Programme Advisory Committee/WGNRR), and Sivananthi Thanenthiran (ARROW).  

The SC is split into taskforces. The current taskforces are: Themes, Participation, Virtual Conversation, Outcomes and Follow up, Programme, and Experts Selection. The current timeline of tasks is attached. 

The key themes (as identified by UNFPA) are Civic Participation, Unemployment, Education, Staying Healthy, and Family & Well-being. The SC agreed that the terms as they stand need to be de- 'UN-ised'. The thematic group is currently working on this, as well as on clarifying the themes. The timeline of tasks also has the overview of taskforces. 

The Participation taskforce is working on criteria and outlines for the call for applications, which will go live shortly. The total number of participants (including speakers, UN staff, governments, global/regional youth networks, NGOs, and country-level youth) is 650. 

The SC wants to provide information on the current activities within the SC in the interests of transparency, as it works towards the GYF and looks forward to continued collaboration and cooperation.