Call for Contribution and Participation
The U40-World Forum is the main part of the U40-Capacity Building Programme “Cultural Diversity 2030” (2008- 2010) initiated by the German Commission for UNESCO in 2007. As a pre-conference, the U40-World Forum will be held back-to-back with the Conference of Parties of the 2005-UNESCO Convention on the Protection and the Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expression in June 2009.
The U40-process offers young people Under 40 – postgraduates, PhD students, young professionals, and similarly qualified experts – the opportunity to participate in the international debate on Cultural Diversity and the implementation of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and the Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expression. Based on a Call for Contribution and Participation a core group of European participants for the programme strand 2008-2010 has been identified in summer 2008.
The U40-World Forum aims at including excellent professionals, future decision makers and communicators from all world regions. The German Commission for UNESCO and the International Federation of Coalitions for Cultural Diversity (IFCCD) are therefore seeking up to 40 young specialists from Africa, Asia, Latin America, Northern America and the Arabic Region with proven competence and interest in the area of relevant aspects of the Convention on the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. They are invited to apply by submitting a short paper (max. 800 words) and a CV by latest 28 February 2009 to Ms Anna Steinkamp, steinkamp(a)unesco.de.
Papers should include an overview of the ratification/implementation status of the Convention in the applicant’s country by considering the following questions
What does the Convention mean to me?
Did my country of origin (and/or current place of living) ratify the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and the Promotion for the Diversity of Cultural Expressions? If so, did the Government name a national focal point (Art. 9) and/or did they assign some special (legal) structures for its implementation? You might want to contact this focal point, your National Commission for UNESCO or other relevant information sources.
Does a Coalition for Cultural Diversity exist in my country? If so, who are the members? What are their activities? If not, which neighbouring country or other country in the target region does have a Coalition? What are their activities? Who are their members?
Who are the political, academic, and cultural professional and/or civil society leaders, journalists and other important groups in the field of the Convention in my country?
The U40-World Forum is organised by the German Commission for UNESCO and the International Federation of the Coalitions for Cultural Diversity and will be held from 12th to 14th June 2009 in Paris/France. The Forum includes a two day thematic workshop, the participation in the Conference of Parties1 as well as a briefing session at UNESCO Headquarters during the Conference of Parties.
Participants are expected to take actively part in the event and the discussion process (mailing list, webblog, i.a.), to disseminate the ideas and aims of the programme, and the Convention on the Diversity of Cultural Expressions throughout their networks. Travel and accommodation costs will be reimbursed.
Working language: English, French, optional: Spanish (pending confirmation of funding)
Submission: by latest 28th February 2009 to Ms Anna Steinkamp, steinkamp(at)unesco.de, reference “U 40”.