EU-China Youth Policy Dialogue on Climate Change, Sustainable Development, Youth Policy and Education
Date: 18-23 March 2012
Brussels, Belgium
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Photos of the event
The Dialogue:
The EU-China Youth Policy Dialogue on Climate Change, Sustainable Development, Youth Policy and Education will tackle the aforementioned topics during a 4-day workshop in Brussels. The workshops will be followed by a public seminar, presenting the results and the outcome of the discussions to the wider public, including the presentation of a set of policy recommendations for policy-makers and other relevant stakeholders in China and the EU.
During the workshops, a constructive dialogue will take place, covering the three topics. The dialogue will be stimulated by external experts on the topics from different backgrounds, including Chinese and European Institutions, Academics, Civil Society, the Corporate Sector and Diplomatic Missions. The overall programme will include visits to relevant European and International Institutions and organisations, as well as social activities among the participants. Although policies and developments in China and the EU will be highlighted and some activities will take place in the greater group, the activities will mainly take place in smaller groups, according to the topics of the discussions. Providing a constructive dialogue to take place, active participation is expected from all participants, beginning with the preparation of a paper on one of the topics. The main objective of the dialogue is to provide useful insights and recommendations, together with potential action plans from the perspective of young stakeholders in Europe and China.
Participation:
The EU-China Youth Policy Dialogue on Climate Change, Environment and Youth Policy was open to participants aged between 18 and 35, who are either Chinese or EU Citizens, with a specific interest in EU-China Relations. In order to ensure a constructive dialogue, all communication will take place in English. Hence, participants are expected to be proficient in English and were selected by a Selection Committee on the basis of a paper, written in English on one of the three themes put forward in this dialogue (Climate Change, Environmental Issues and Youth Policies in EU-China Relations).
Approximately 50 young participants were selected for participation in the dialogue. For participants who were required to travel from abroad, travel costs, accommodation, VISA costs and insurance are covered. For local participants based in Brussels or in Belgium, refreshments and meals are covered. However, transport and accommodation are not being reimbursed for these local participants.
The participants were selected in such a way to ensure a wide variety of backgrounds and diversity of participants, forming a balanced group of representatives, both on the European and the Chinese side, in order to touch as many relevant issues in relation to the topics and to take into account the views of vulnerable groups in society, affected by different policies.
Aiming specifically at identifying challenges, problems and best practices in the field of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Youth Policy in China and Europe, this EU-China Youth Policy Dialogue will focus on providing action plans for further cooperation and to highlight the priorities from the viewpoint of young people on the different topics, putting forward a series of well-documented policy recommendations.
