The National Youth Commission shall be sending four (4) participating youths, two (2) male and two (2) female to the 1st ASEAN+3 Youth Caucus to be held on April 17-25, 2009 in Thailand.

This event is parallel with the 6th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Youth (AMMY VI) organized by the Bureau of Youth and Protection, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Government of Thailand.

The 8-day program will include: sharing of discussion topics by outstanding guest speakers from academic and public sectors; group discussion to allow ASEAN+3 participating youths to achieve the visualization of “Building ASEAN Identity” in ASEAN SOCIO-CULTURAL COMMUNITY Blueprint, focusing on Youth Caring and Sharing Society; volunteer work with underprivileged children; cultural exchange and recreational activities; preparation and adoption of a Joint Statement to be presented to the ASEAN+3 PrepSOM Delegates for recommendation and further forwarded to the Ministers during the AMMY VI; and dialogue with the ASEAN+3 Ministers and Senior Officials.

The participating youths will be divided into four discussion groups. The topics of discussion are based on the blueprint for the ASEAN Socio-cultural community (2009-2015) emphasizing on building a caring and sharing society which is inclusive and harmonious where the well-being, livelihood, and welfare of the peoples are enhanced.

Discussion Topics:

1. Promotion of ASEAN awareness and a sense of community – what youth can do to create a sense of belonging, consolidating unity in diversity, and enhance a deeper mutual understanding among ASEAN about their culture, history, religion, and civilization.
2. Preservation and promotion of ASEAN+3 cultural heritage – what youth can do to promote the conservation and preservation of ASEAN+3 cultural heritage to ensure its continuity to enhance awareness and understanding of the people about the unique history of the region and the cultural similarities and differences between and among ASEAN+3 as well as to protect and distinctiveness of ASEAN+3 cultural heritage as a whole.
3. Promotion of Cultural Creativity and Industry – what youth can do to enhance the ASEAN identity and togetherness through cultural creativity and the promotion and cooperation on cultural industry
4. Engagement with the community – what youth can do to inculcate an ASEAN identity and build a people-oriented ASEAN+3 where people are at the center of community building, through the participation of all sectors of society.

Each participants shall indicate the topic of their interest and prepare:
a. Country paper giving detailed information on the selected topic. Each country paper should be typed written using the “Times New Roman” font with font size of 13 points and not more than three (3) pages long. The paper should include:
i. Background information
ii. Illustration of examples
iii. Current situation and tendency
iv. Resolution and conclusion

b.7-minute presentation

The Philippines shall send four (4) participating youths, two (2) male and two (2) female, who are:Filipino citizen

1. Between 18 to 30 years old
2. Have been serving the youth sector as an active officer or member of a youth or youth-serving organization for at least two (2) years immediately preceding the date of application
3. Of good moral character
4. Physically and mentally fit to travel
5. Preferably a first time traveler. Former recipients of NYC funded international programs from March 23, 2008 to March 23, 2009 are disqualified to apply.
6. Must have a valid passport until at least six (6) months after the date of the departure for the program.

Applicants without any passport details shall not be considered.

All ASEAN+3 Youth Caucus participants shall be accommodated by the organizers at the Rose Garden Riverside Hotel in Nakhon Pathom, which is located in the west of Bangkok with about one hour drive to the city. Food and local transportation for the program shall also be provided by the organizers.

Participants shall shoulder their own round-trip international flight to and from Thailand to attend the event. Each delegation must arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport (SuwannaPhum Airport) on April 17, 2009, preferably not later than 3:00 p.m. and to depart from the airport on April 25, 2009, preferably not before 10:00 a.m.

Organizers will not permit extended stay in Thailand.

All applicants must completely fill up the NYC International Program Application Forms attached. Please indicate what discussion topic you prefer. All registration forms must be received by email or personal delivery by March 23, 2009.

Address:
International Committee Secretariat
Social Marketing Division
National Youth Commission
4F Bookman Building
373 Quezon Ave., Quezon City

Email: lutchieachua@ yahoo.com or  priscilla_abante@yahoo.com

Deadline for abstracts: November 30, 2008

Notification of acceptance: January 31, 2009

Deadline for papers: May 31, 2009

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The International Human Rights Training Program (IHRTP) is at the heart of the Equitas

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