Application Deadline: May 21, 2021.
The United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea are looking for motivated and energetic youth aged 18-29 from diverse backgrounds to share their perspectives and visions in the promotion of the UN disarmament and non-proliferation agenda.
In line with the UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ Disarmament Agenda, Securing our Common Future, and the UN General Assembly resolution on “Youth, Disarmament, and Non-proliferation (A/res/74/64)”, the Republic of Korea and UNODA will be co-hosting the Youth Forum on Disarmament and Non-proliferation on 29-30 June 2021 via a virtual platform. Among the applicants, around 20-25 participants will be selected across the world to be divided into three working groups by organizers based on their interests and work on the topics. During the two days, each group will make a presentation on the designated subthemes, followed by interactive discussions on how they can contribute to advancing the disarmament agenda for a safe, secure and sustainable future for all. A “Seoul Youth Declaration for Disarmament” will be adopted as a result of the forum.
Program Overview
– Virtual Orientation (End of May): Selected participants will meet each other via online platform and be informed of the purpose and process of the event and be offered opportunities to share and exchange their opinions and expectations on the themes and elements for inclusion in the “Seoul Youth Declaration.”.
– Virtual Youth Forum (June 29-30): The participants will attend the forum and participate in group presentations and interactive discussions for two days, followed by the adoption of a “Seoul Youth Declaration for Disarmament” as the outcome for the forum. All participant will receive a United Nations-Republic of Korea certificate and be given due consideration to take part as observers in the 20th Republic of Korea-United Nations Joint Conference on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Issues (tentatively November 2021), conditions permitting. The declaration, including the names of all the participants, can be shared at the First Committee of the UN General Assembly upon the proposal of a second resolution on Youth, Disarmament, and Non-proliferation by the Republic of Korea later this year.
PARTICIPANTS
Selection criteria for applicants to the Youth Forum:
- Aged 18-29
- Proficient in English
- Demonstrate engagement and interest in youth, peacebuilding, and/or disarmament & non-proliferation issues
- Be interested in international affairs including issues on development, new technologies, and gender
- Candidates with backgrounds in other fields such as history, science, social sciences, economics, languages, film, media, visual arts, creative writing, etc. are encouraged to apply.
The Youth Forum will strive for gender parity and geographic diversity.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should send a curriculum vitae (maximum of two pages) along with a short motivation letter (1-2 paragraph, maximum of one page) to disarmament.youth@gmail.com. Applications will be carefully screened by the members of UNODA and the Government of the Republic of Korea on the basis of the criteria specified above. For further inquiries, please write to: disarmament.youth@gmail.com and eljin15@mofa.go.kr.
The deadline for applications is May 21, 2021.
Official Website: Youth Forum on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation
