National Youth Forum on Green Solutions.

(Mountain Issues and Sustainable Actions)

5-6^th November, 2012. Islamabad.

 Background

Asia Pacific Youth Task force on Rio+20 (APYTF) created in April 2011, with main purpose to advocate mountain agenda in the context of Rio+20 and mobilize the children and youth to participate in the pre and post Rio+20 activities. So far APYTF has organized and co-organized a number of events and participated in several Rio+20 related activities around the globe. In this connection APYTF with funding and technical support from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) through its Asia Pacific Mountain Network (APMN) under the Youth for Sustainable Mountain Development (Y4SMD) initiative, and in coordination with the Peace and Development Organization (PDO), Pakistan, is organizing National Youth Forum on Green Solutions (Mountain Issues and Sustainable Actions), 5-6 November 2012 in the sideline of the South Asian youth Conference 2012 (SAYC) in Islamabad, Pakistan. 

For details and application form please visit; 

http://www.pdopak.org/trainings.htm

Workshop “Green Economy for Mountain Youth- Beyond Rio+20”, South Asia Youth Conference (SAYC), 5th November 2012 –Pakistan

Background of Workshop 

Covering about one quarter of the Earth’s land surface, providing 60–80% of the world’s freshwater resources for domestic, agricultural, and industrial consumption, mountains are a critical driver of food security and clean energy. Home to 17 of the 34 recognized global biodiversity hotspots, mountains play a pivotal role in conserving and harnessing biological diversity for a green economy. One third of all protected areas are in mountainous watersheds that secure water supplies for many of the world’s largest cities. Because mountains are among the regions most sensitive to climate change, they act as early warning systems. Mountains are crucial for a global green economy. According to the definition proposed by the United Nations Environment Programme, a green economy is one where economic growth is accompanied by reduced carbon emissions and pollution, enhanced energy and resource efficiency, and maintained ecosystem services including biodiversity. Green economy in developing countries is mainly linked to poverty, social security, and food security. With regard to global green development, mountain water is of paramount importance – for drinking and green energy generation in the form of hydropower, but for improved food security. Although mountains are rich in resources but its people are poor and vulnerable. Mountain youth who can ensure sustainable mountain development, are leaving areas in search of high education, employment, and better health facilities. There is a strong link between youth leadership and sustainable development, to promote green economy in mountain regions youth must need to take responsibility and play their vital role in the sustainable mountain development.

In connection to Rio+20, children and youth around the world are organizing different events i.e. beyond Rio+20. This workshop is one of the series of activities that Asia Pacific Youth Task Force on Rio+20 has been organizing with the support of ICIMOD and Peace & Development Organization, during South Asia Youth Conference in Islamabad.

Objectives

1. Promote Sustainable Mountain Development and Green Economy among South Asian youth.
2. Promote networking and knowledge sharing.
3. Promote and celebrate beyond Rio+20 events.

Number of participants 25 (South Asian youth)

Workshop- "Green Economy for Mountain Youth" (SAYC), and National Youth Forum on "Mountain Issues and Sustainable Actions", 5-6th November, 2012. Pakistan

Background

Asia Pacific Youth task force on Rio+20 (APYTF), comprised of ICIMOD Alumni, started working on Rio+20 by mobilizing mountain youth for sustainable mountain development at level of Asia Pacific particularly and global generally, and so far has organized/co-organized a number of events since April, 2011. In this regard APYTF as co-organizer with ICIMOD and other organizations arranged “Global youth forum on mountain issues and sustainable actions” in June, 2012, as side event during United Nations Conference on sustainable Development (Rio+20) in Brazil. APYTF with same commitment organized post Rio+20 events in Nepal and Pakistan. In Pakistan APYTF with Pakistan Environmentalist Association organized Post Rio+20- Eco Tourism walk - Promoting Green Economy in Mountain Regions, in Pirchanasi, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), with main purpose to raise awareness among university students, tourists and local mountain communities (in Pirchanasi, AJK) regarding Eco-tourism and share the “Mountain Youth Appeal” document that was developed during Global youth forum on Mountain issues and sustainable actions, in Rio+20 conference. Peace & Development Organization (PDO) mainly working with mountain communities in Pakistan with aim to promote volunteerism among youth.

In this connection, working on youth mobilization for Sustainable Mountain Development, Asia Pacific Youth task force on Rio+20 (APYTF) with the support of ICIMOD and Peace & Development Organization is organizing one workshop on the topic “Green Economy for Mountain Youth- beyond Rio+20” (for South Asian youth) during South Asia Youth Conference (SAYC), on 6^th November, 2012; and two days “National Youth Forum on Mountain Issues and Sustainable Actions” (for Pakistani youth) 5^th -6^th November 2012, Islamabad, in parallel with South Asia Youth Conference (SAYC), November 2012, Islamabad. SAYC will attract 120 South Asian youth, and is a best platform to interact with South Asian Youth leaders, making a youth knowledge network and promoting Sustainable Mountain Development, Green Economy and exchanging new ideas that can turn into projects in South Asia with a particular focus on Mountain Youth.