IUSY

Baku, 7-10th of April, 2011

More than 130 youth representatives from all over the world gathered in Baku, Azerbaijan for the First Convention of the Global Youth Movement for the UN Alliance of Civilizations, including representatives of youth organizations from various countries, as well as regional and global youth organizations and platforms.

This initiative represents a strong highlight and recognition of young people's role in advancing peace, human rights and understanding, as well as makes a strong framework for all youth initiatives, messages, activities, and generally mainstreaming the voice of youth world wide.
The First Convention of the GYMAoC included active participation of youth representatives in developing the Charter and Action Plan, as well as working groups and discussions on establishing a stronger network, developing strategies, the membership process, different roles in the structure itself, communication and identifying joint responsibilities.

Youth representatives were also addressed by the video message of the President Sampaio, High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations, who underlined the unique role of youth around the world in advocating the values of diversity, solidarity and active participation. "This is possible thanks to young people's extraordinary power to interconnect, explore common interests, spark collaborations and lock the benefits of cultural and religious diversity", said President Sampaio. In the opening ceremony the representative of the Council of Europe also presented its support to the Global Youth Movement for the Alliance of Civilizations.

In the next months, the UNAOC will work with leaders of the Global Youth Movement to implement the decisions made in Baku.
Since years IUSY has been actively working on advocating the development of measures and instruments to increase youth participation in the decision making processes, as well as making youth visible and their voice heard all over the world. We have been supporting the UN Alliance of Civilizations aims to highlight results of youth actions, support continuous networking and participation of youth in all sectors of the UN.

We believe young people can make a significant difference in facing the challenges of today's world. We believe it is possible in strong partnership with youth forums and organizations devoted to our common values and goals in the framework of the Global Youth Movement, and we are proud to be even strongly involved in the future in this global initiative of the United Nations.

Nela Celik
IUSY Vice President