What can YOUth contribute to the solution of global challenges?
The current news coverage in the Media conveys an image of a world characterized by destruction, violence and despair. While this flood of discouraging news might raise our awareness of the need for action, it also creates a feeling of powerlessness and resignation. Even at the highest levels of the UN, for instance, attempts to solve global problems often do not yield the expected results. This makes it even more unlikely that young people like you and me will think of themselves as being able to contribute to the solution of today’s most pressing global challenges.
To counterbalance the discouragement among our generation, Europeans United for Informed Action (EUforIA) organizes the:
EUforIA Youth Summit 2008 (EYS ’08)
From October 17th to 19th 2008 about 120 students from all across Europe and Switzerland are going to meet in Geneva for a three-day conference to deal with the question: "What can YOUth contribute to the solution of global challenges?"
The event will feature several inspiring speeches from respected personalities and young change makers as well as practical work shops. Aimed at introducing the participants to already existing ways of making a difference for YOUth, these workshops will be carried out by organizations active in the field of global change1. By Exchanging ideas with people who have experience with various organizations and projects, we aspire to show you ways in which to put your own ideas into practice and to contribute your part to the solution of global challenges.
The speeches and workshops will provide you with a plethora of concrete inputs and ideas for own projects, ways of getting engaged with a particular NGO, or potential professional careers in the field of global change. In order to allow you some time to process all this information and obtain critical feedback from likeminded people of your age, you will have the opportunity to exchange opinions about possible ways of becoming active and to discuss your experiences and impressions within smaller working groups.
To avoid that your brain overheats and to assure that euphoria gets you, an appealing social program will frame the EYS’08. We are convinced that delicious organic lunch breaks, a movie night, engaging competitions with attractive prices and last but not least a huge party, will offer you the opportunity to meet a lot of very interesting young personalities in a more relaxed environment.
If you want to get to know impressive (young) change makers, pass an incredibly motivating weekend and learn how YOU can make a difference, then sign up today for the EYS’08: www.euforiaction.org/eys08/YOU. Inscriptions are open until Sunday, October 2nd, so HURRY UP & SPREAD THE WORD!
In order to pay for your lodging, alimentation and social program during the EYS’08 we ask all participants to contribute a symbolic participation fee of 100 Sfr. However, if you lack financial means, let this in no case be an obstacle to your participation in the EYS’08! If you cannot pay the symbolic participation fee, then please apply for a scholarship when filling out the application form, so we can wave your fee and welcome you in Geneva!
All we expect from you is an open spirit, curiosity and the firm intention to become active right after the event. Last but not least, thanks to the generous support of our sponsors we are also able to assign a limited number of scholarships to cover entirely or parts of the travelling costs of a couple of European participan