The International Youth Conference (9th edition)

INTERNATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE (IYC)

The International Youth Conference (IYC) represents a significant collaboration between the Civil Society Unit of the Department of Global Communications (DGC), Generation Next Network, a youth-led NGO based in NYC, UN-Habitat, and the UN International Organization for Migration (UN IOM). With its non-profit 501(c) status, the IYC has firmly positioned itself as an influential platform in the global arena.

Emerging from the 68th UN Civil Society Conference (UNCSC) in 2019, which witnessed a robust youth representation (approximately one-third of the 5,000 participants), the IYC was conceived with specific aims directed towards the youth. The foundational objectives of IYC encompass:

1. Bridge the Gap: Function as a liaison between the youth and the United Nations, ensuring that young voices resonate and leave an imprint within the UN corridors.
2. Promote Inclusive Engagement: Champion genuine and inclusive youth participation at the UN, ensuring a diverse representation from varying backgrounds and regions.
3. Decision-making Inclusion: Stress the importance of youth participation in decision-making processes, emphasizing the belief that the youth of today are the torchbearers of tomorrow.
4. Outreach to Youth: Extend a global outreach to the youth, ensuring they are well-informed, actively involved, and encouraged to contribute to global challenges.

OBJECTIVES OF #IYC9

IYC9 is positioned strategically alongside the Summit of the Future 2024, serving as a crucial platform for youth around the globe to engage, deliberate, and contribute towards multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow. It extends the dialogue initiated at the SDG Summit 2023, focusing on fostering innovation, unity, and youth empowerment to address global challenges and drive sustainable development. 

Objectives:

• Empower Youth: Equip young minds with resources and skills through capacity-building workshops, enabling them to be proactive contributors to global solutions.
• Inclusive Dialogue: Encourage participation from marginalized and underrepresented youth, ensuring diverse voices, concerns, and insights shape the conversations and outcomes.
• Innovative Solutions: Facilitate the development of groundbreaking ideas and strategies to further global cooperation and sustainable development goals.
• Global Collaboration: Cultivate partnerships between young individuals, governmental bodies, NGOs, and private sectors to synergize efforts towards shared principles and goals.
• Strengthening Alliance for the Future: Strengthening the Alliance for the Future (AFF) to empower global youth in contributing to the United Nations mechanism and framework. 

Outcomes

• Youth Declaration: A synthesis of discussions, insights, and recommendations, presented to the United Nations and other stakeholders.
• Progress Report: A comprehensive document detailing advancements and challenges in achieving sustainable development goals.
• Innovative Strategies: A compilation of youth-developed strategies and solutions for sustainable development.