Call for Applications: 2006 Youth Advocacy Team for a Culture of Peace

The United Network of Young Peacebuilders and Fundación Cultura de Paz welcome applications to join this year’s New York Youth Advocacy Team for a Culture of Peace.

The Youth Advocacy Team consists of three teams, advocating for a Culture of Peace. These includes

o The Hague Team that will advocate for the Culture of Peace at embassies in The Hague from Mid-August on an ongoing basis
o The Brussels Team that will advocate for the Culture of Peace to the European Union in Brussels between on an ongoing basis
o The New York Team that will advocate for the Culture of Peace to the United Nations in New York between October 8 and 20

Although this call is for the New York Team, for those who live in Brussels and The Hague, there are still places for those interested in joining these Teams.

Aims of the 2006 Youth Advocacy Team:

There are two goals that this year’s advocacy team will be working towards:

o Continuing and building upon the work of last year, in which countries will be requested to support and commit to the International Decade for Peace and Nonviolence; as well as introducing a monitoring system of the implementation efforts of the countries who have committed themselves to the Culture of Peace, with a special emphasis on National Youth Policies.

o Possibly introducing and getting the support of countries for a United Nations Youth Fund for a Culture of Peace that will assist Civil Society groups in their activities related to the Culture of Peace.

Who we are looking for:

A team of ten youths aged between 18 and 25, who have been actively engaged in Promoting a Culture of Peace.

The criteria for selection of the team are:

- Actively involved in promoting the Culture of Peace (the addition of have organized activities for the September 21st International Day of Peace will be regarded favorably)
- Strong motivation and willingness to engage in follow up activities.
- Ability to communicate well in English (additional languages will be an asset)

Gender balance and geographical diversity will also be taken into consideration when selecting the team.

How to Apply:

Please ask for the application form from (and complete it by August 15th and send to) the following email addresses: advocacy@unoy.org , decadaculturadepaz@yahoo.com.ar and mail@decade-culture-of-peace.org, with “YAT Application” in the subject line.

The application procedure will follow the below timeline:

15th August – Application due
– Selections are finalized. Those selected will be notified, as well as those who are on the waiting list
– Participation is confirmed by applicant, and commitment is made to the team
- The participation status of those on the waiting list will be confirmed
– Participation of those on the waiting list confirmed, and commitment is made to the team

NB Confirmation of participation means that you confirm the availability of funds to support your participation (including airfare and costs of living in New York for two weeks), and the possession of a visa valid until the end of October.

We realize that the requirement for a valid visa and the availability of funds is far from an ideal situation, however we under financial and time constraints, and therefore cannot cover the costs of participating. There is however, a chance that we may raise the funds, therefore we still encourage those who cannot cover their entire costs to apply, and depending on our financial situation at the time of selections, we shall either consider the application or put you on the waiting list. For those put on the waiting list, you will be informed as soon as the availability of funding can be confirmed, which can be anything up to last minute. It is therefore very advisable that you maintain alternative plans for October in case our fundraising is not successful, and that you try fundraise for yourself to cover your costs. We would be happy to provide advice on how to fundraise and sources of funding.