“Our Treasures at Risk – World Heritage Sites in Times of Climate Change”

16 - 29 October 2010 in Mt Fuji/Nagoya, Japan 

1. Concept

Young people will have to bear the consequences of today's (in-)actions and decisions – therefore their points of view should play an important role at international conferences and in political decision-making. The Youth Forum Go4BioDiv-World Heritage, which will take place in parallel to COP10, is embedded into the broader framework of the UN-Year of Biodiversity and the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures. It aims at raising awareness about the interdependencies of biological and cultural diversity and inter-generational responsibilities for the conservation of our global treasures. It offers young participants the opportunity to reflect on their experiences and exchange views on natural World Heritage Sites as the emblematic and visible ‘flagships’ of nature conservation, and the effects climate change has on these sites. This initiative carries on the achievements of the first Youth Forum Go4BioDiv held during COP9 in Bonn, Germany, in 2008.

2. The Venue and activities

Go4BioDiv activities will mainly be conducted in close contact with nature, at a camp near Mount Fuji. This exceptional cultural landscape is deeply associated with Japanese mountain worship and the country's artistic and literary tradition and thus a wonderful example of the intricate linkages between nature and culture. To present their messages and creative activities at COP10, participants will stay in Nagoya during the High-Level Segment of COP10. The young people will prepare a creative exhibition on natural World Heritage Sites and their personal experiences with photos, comics, videos, haiku poems or stories, previous to the Conference. When they come together at Mount Fuji, they will discuss and creatively engage with general issues of World Heritage sites and biodiversity conservation and present their messages at COP10 in the form of a joint declaration, creative side events, discussions with politicians and colourful stage performances.

3. Participants and Costs

The Youth Forum presents a unique opportunity to bring together young people from the most outstanding natural sites our planet has to offer. The participants, who live or work in natural World Heritage sites, will be young adults aged 18 to 28, representing more than fifteen natural sites from i.e. Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Tunisia, Cameroon, Congo, Vietnam, China, India, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, Canada, Germany or the host country Japan. The cost for logistics (travel and accommodation in Japan, plus part of tutorship and creative elements) per participant is 3500 Euro, plus international flight and visa. These costs will have to be covered by projects, partners or national organizations. Preparative costs are covered by the German Ministry BMZ.

4. Timeline and Organisation

Sites and participants should be nominated by the end of June, since preparative works will start from July onwards. The following organisations support the Go4BioDiv-Youth Forum: Convention on Biological Diversity, UNESCO, IUCN, GTZ, Tsukuba University and other partners.