The historical launch of IUCN Youth Advisory Committee in April 2024 was preceded by multiple Union-wide efforts aimed at youth empowerment, meaningful engagement and leadership. Recognizing the importance of better integrating youth into the IUCN, the Youth Strategy for 2022-2030 lays out strategies for increasing meaningful engagement of youth in IUCN’s policies, processes and programmes. The newly-established Youth Advisory Committee was assembled to support the implementation of the IUCN Youth Strategy across the Union, by:
- Promoting the IUCN Youth Strategy across all parts of the Union to support and synergise existing efforts, and catalyse new ones to achieve the intended outcomes of the Strategy;
- Measuring and communicating outcomes from the Youth Strategy, according to the 2030 Action Framework;
- Enhancing resourcing and capacity across the Union to ensure delivery of the Youth strategy outcomes through effective advocacy.
The YAC is comprised of diverse representatives (aged 18-35) from across the Union and beyond:
- 4 youth members from IUCN’s global membership, identified following a youth-led selection process across the IUCN membership
- 2 youth member proposed by IUCN’s IPO members
- 7 youth members of the IUCN Commissions, proposed on joint recommendation of the IUCN Commission chairs
- 2 youth members of IUCN staff (from two different regions) nominated by young professionals within the IUCN Secretariat
- 2 additional members (TBD) to facilitate intergenerational dialogue and promotion of the Youth Strategy can be invited based on a majority from the YAC.
This diverse team of young professionals welcomes inquiries from and cooperation with various interested parties. Feel free to reach out to YAC here via the comments.