About the Global Youth Conference 2009

                About The Global Youth Conference 
                2009 Conference Themes
                Registration
                Venue and Agenda               
                The Conference Team
                Directions, Parking and Transportation
                Contact Us

What is the Y2Y Global Youth Conference 2009?

The conference is part of the United Nations Week celebrations. Every year, UNA-NCA (United Nations Association of the National Capital Area) commemorates the day the Charter of the United Nations went into effect (October 24th, 1945) by organizing a week of conferences and events with several partners in the capitol area. Y2Y is proud to collaborate with UNA-NCA and host the Global Youth Conference as part of these events.

The Global Youth Conference is presented by the Youth-to-Youth Community (Y2Y) of the World Bank.  Y2Y is a community of young staff within the World Bank. Y2Y's mission is to mainstream youth issues within the World Bank and the broader development community and to engage with young people around the world through a participatory and demand driven approach. The conference is one of Y2Y’s main products and is organized by a dedicated and enthusiastic network of Y2Y volunteers. In previous years, the conference has attracted audiences of more than 300 individuals from around the world.

 What is the theme of this year’s conference?

A holistic approach to youth development is necessary to address the growing educational and employment needs of youth. This year’s conference aims to educate, engage and inspire. The panel discussions, case study, film screening and Youth Expo allow for interactive discussions on the current state of affairs, youth involvement and leadership opportunitites in a time of crises in the areas of Education, Employment and Civid Engagement.

Young people are tomorrow’s workers, leaders and entrepreneurs. Yet, all over the world, they struggle with a multitude of problems – drugs, crime, violence, unemployment, abuse, illiteracy and natural disasters to name a few. These young people are an entire generation - the future. And the time to build that future is now.

Conference registration is free, but mandatory, if you plan to attend. Please register before October 22, 2009 to ensure your participation.

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Where and when is the Youth Conference held?

The Youth Conference will take place on Thursday, October 22rd, 2009, from 8:30am to 6pm at the Preston Auditorium in World Bank Headquarters, Washington, DC (1818 H St, Washington D.C. 20433). The event is free, registration is mandatory; you can register through this site. Please bring valid photo identification with you.

Agenda

This year’s conference: Youth Leadership in a time of crises will be presented under the following main themes:

Theme 1: Education

Participants will learn about the main concerns regarding current systems of education, specifically in the context of the financial crises, such as:

• Inability of many parents in developing countries to send their children to schools because of local economic and social conditions.
• Paucity of educational opportunities for girls and young women, migrants, refugees, displaced persons,street children, indigenous youth minorities, young people in rural areas and young people with disabilities.
• Quality of education, its relevance to employment and its usefulness in assisting young people in thetransition to full adulthood, active citizenship and productive and gainful employment.

  Session 1 & Film Screening:

• A diverse panel ranging from experts in the field of education, youth policy advocates to youth-led initiatives will address challenges they are facing in the time of a financial crises, potential long term impact on development of youth, other challenges, successes and the road ahead.
• Showcase a film linked to youth leadership in the field of education with the goal of inspiring allparticipants to get involved in their communities and realize their potential to make a meaningfuldifference. Film actor/director to be called to have a discussion about the filming experience and takeaways.

 
Theme 2: Employment

“The crisis of youth unemployment deprives young people of the opportunity to secure independent housing or the accommodationsnecessary for the establishment of families and participation in the life of society. Unemployment creates a wide range of social ills and young people are particularly susceptible to its damaging effects: the lack of skills, low self-esteem, marginalization, impoverishment and the wasting of an enormous human resource.³”

Is it harder for a younger individual to find a job in this financial crisis? Is youth unemployment rising? What is the impact of youth entrepreneurship in society? Answer to all these questions and an exciting panel of young entrepreneurs that can address the challenges and risks involved in their line of work.

Session 2 & Case Study Competition:

• The panel aims to showcase successful efforts to address concerns of unemployment/ underemployment especially in developing countries via training programs, supporting entrepreneurship, capacity building and investing in youth led initiatives.
• We aim to develop a case study linked to youth entrepreneurship with a bank unit and/or an educational institution. The goal is to engage participants prior to the event, get them thinking about certain issues and give them an additional incentive to come. The short listed finalists will get the opportunity to present their case studies in a breakout session and receive feedback prior to announcing the winner.

     
Theme 3: Civic Engagement

“The capacity for progress of our societies is based, among other elements, on their capacity to incorporate the contribution and responsibility of youth in the building and designing of the future. In addition to their intellectual contribution and their ability to mobilize support, they bring unique perspectives that need to be taken into account. Any efforts and proposed actions…are, in a certain way, conditioned by enabling the economic, social and political participation of youth, as a matter of critical importance.¹”

Session 3 & Youth Expo:

• Recognizing the importance of civic engagement, this panel of youth leaders from around the world will share their inspiration behind becoming active members of civic society via work in the public sector.
• The conference will provide an Expo opportunity for attendees. Y2Y will invite youth-focused and young professional groups in the DC Area to raise visibility and promote their best practices. Our aim is to encourage attendees to get involved outside of the conference. This event is being organized in collaboration with the Network of DC Youth Organizations (NDCYO)2. Y2Y will work with NDCYO to coordinate and promote an informative Expo experience.
  
  Please check back for the detailed agenda and list of speakers.

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The Y2Y Global Youth Conference Team

The conference is brought to you by an enthusiastic and hardworking team of young World Bank staff. Team members have volunteered their time and coordinated and managed this event in its entirety.

Conference Planning Committee 

Mehreen Sheikh, Co-Chair (msheikh1@worldbank.org)

Nikita Malik, Co-Chair (nmalik@ifc.org)

Aisha Jukaku

Moutushi Islam

Sameer Vasta

Shezaad Dastoor

Dimitrios Lagias

Alina Tourkova

Kannagi Ragunathan

Sara Bin Mahfooz

Ceyda Dagdelen

Claudia Oriolo

Garima Sahai

Lorena Gil

Esraa Bani

Olug Benga

Maggie Tunning

Sina Grasmann

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How do I get to the conference?

Directions, Parking, and Transportation

From National Airport:
If you are traveling by plane and flying directly into Reagan National Airport, you can reach the venue by taxi, which will cost approximately $25. You can also reach campus by taking the Metro Blue line (towards Addison Road). Exit at the stop marked "Farragut West" and make your way to 1818 H Street.

From Dulles Airport:
If you are flying into Dulles International Airport, you can take a Super Shuttle van to downtown Washington. Tickets can be purchased at the airport. The van will drop you off at any location you specify. You can also take a taxi.

By Train:
If you are traveling by train, you will arrive at Union Station where you have two options to continue. You can take a taxi for the approximate cost of $15 or you can take the Metro Red line (towards Shady Grove). When you reach the Metro Center stop, transfer to the Blue line (towards Franconia-Springfield) or the Orange line (towards Vienna). Exit at the stop marked "Farragut West" and make your way to 1818 H Street.

By Metro:
If you are traveling by Metro, exit at the stop marked "Farragut West" (orange or blue line) and make your way to 1818 H Street.

If you are traveling by car:
This is the address of the venue:
1818 H Street, Washington DC, 20433

Parking will not be provided.

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