ICN is seeking youth delegates interested in participating in online events, conferences, or training of their choosing until March 31, 2021. The cost of participation (conference fees) and a $250 honorarium will be provided to youth participants.
What is the Inter-Council Network?
The Inter-Council Network (ICN) is a coalition of the eight Provincial and Regional Councils for International Cooperation. These independent member-based Councils are committed to global social justice and social change and represent more than 350 diverse civil society organizations (CSOs) from across Canada. The ICN provides a national forum in which the Councils collaborate for improved effectiveness and identify common priorities for collective action. Rooted in communities across Canada, we are leaders in public engagement at a local and regional level and are recognized for bringing regional knowledge and priorities to the national level.
Why an Online Conference?
2020 has marked a pivotal and challenging year for global development, given the widespread impact of COVID-19. 2020 also marks five years since the international community adopted the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Agenda, and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is a comprehensive and ambitious blueprint of action for all countries recognizing that eradicating global poverty is our greatest challenge, and there can be no sustainable development as long as it persists.
Many opportunities to engage in addressing society’s most challenging issues this past year have either been cancelled or moved online due to travel restrictions. Taking action on Sustainable Development Goals, climate change, and social justice has never been so important, yet the global pandemic has changed the ways in which we can currently engage. We have seen dramatic impacts on global food security, gender equality, and human rights throughout 2020.
In the past, the ICN has sent a delegation of youth to an international conference to engage and contribute to these issues. Given the global pandemic, the ICN has shifted its program this year to enable youth to participate from a distance. This program enables youth to embark on a national or international learning experience right from their own home. Youth may apply for funding to attend an online conference or training, of their choosing, related to global social justice and/or the Sustainable Development Goals.
A $250 honorarium will also be provided to successful applicants following the completion of a postconference public engagement activity. The conference must take place before March 31, 2021. (Conferences taking place after March 31, 2021 will be considered on a case-by-case basis.) (Note: Already participated in an online conference in 2020? No problem, with proof of participation, funding can be applied for retroactively.)
Eligibility Youth delegates will ideally:
- Have demonstrated experience and knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals, gender equality and/or the global development issues related to the conference or training of their choosing;
- Be between the ages of 18 and 35 at the time of the conference;
- Be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident or hold a valid study or work permit in Canada.
Expectations and Commitments
Selected youth delegates are expected to a) participate fully during the conference or training; b) share their learning experience of the conference or training via social media; c) plan and deliver a post conference public engagement activity in collaboration with the ICN, such as writing a blog or sharing what they learned at an event or presentation; and d) provide a receipt to show proof of conference fees paid – to receive reimbursement and honorarium.