Elections for a Youth Representative in EUROPARC Council

Youth Conference 2013 Hungary © Gabor Nagy

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EUROPARC recently developed an outline Youth+ program to provide skills and experience in leadership, advocacy and communication, to enable young people to more fully take part in the governance, management, activities and support of protected areas. Additionally EUROPARC is now seeking to provide such a leadership and training opportunity through a youth representative in EUROPARC Council.

Elections for a Youth Representative in the Council of the EUROPARC Federation

Mandate 2018-2020

ROLE of the YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE:

  • Assist and advise the Council on how to oversee the work of the EUROPARC Federation;
  • Bring extra insight to Council: a youth perspective to identify and solve problems arising from the changing agenda for biodiversity and sustainable development in protected areas;
  • Work with the Directorate, as necessary to provide regular reports to the Council on the development of the Youth + programme;
  • Represent the EUROPARC Federation, where appropriate – in dialogue and exchange with youth organisations and networks at the European level;
  • Assist EUROPARC to increase the involvement of young people its decision-making and in the  work of protected areas;
  • Share information and provide feedbacks to youth in protected areas across Europe;
  • The Youth representative should attend at least 2 council face to face meetings per year.

The Directorate and Council will provide induction information and a mentor to support the youth representative in the course of its mandate. EUROPARC will cover travel and accommodation costs for the participation to relevant meetings and events.

Get to know Laura Peters, the first elected Youth representative in EUROPARC Council, for the period of 2016-2018. Laura explains the work of the Youth representative in the Council.

Candidate requirements:

  • Be between 18-25 years at the submission of the application;
  • Have been part of a Junior Ranger programme or have undertaken relevant and regular volunteer work in Protected Areas member of EUROPARC.  Have been a participant in the Youth Conference (2013) and/or the Youth+ Camp (2015) and other activities promoted by EUROPARC is an asset, but not considered indispensable.
  • Be highly motivated, willing to learn and have a good English level; this engagement should be an added value in the curriculum of the candidate and not causing negative impacts on his/her involvement in university or others;
  • Be supported by his/her protected area of origin;
  • Be available at least 3 times a year for 2-3 days during the week (dates and location are agreed few months before the meetings); once a year the meeting can be also done via video conferencing

MANDATE:

The Youth representative is elected for 2 years, until July 2020. The youth representative can be re-elected once if the age requirements are still fulfilled.

How to apply:

Candidates to this position must submit their application before the 22 June 2018, sending the motivation letter and a short video message (3 min max) to introduce themselves, their motivations and to present how they are willing to contribute to the work of the EUROPARC Council.

Download the motivation letter (an automatic download will start)

Election procedures:    

Once the applications received, a jury, composed of representatives of the EUROPARC Council and Directorate, will evaluate the candidatures and select those suitable for the position. The selection will be made taking into account the fulfillment of the requirements and the quality of the application submitted.  Successful candidates will be informed, and their video and motivation letter will be made available on the EUROPARC website.

All participants of the Youth Conference 2013, the Youth+ Camp 2015 and the Youth Council will be invited to express their vote before the 15th July 2018.

The elected candidate will then be announced and invited to attend the EUROPARC Council Meeting in the Cairngorms National Park – UK, during EUROPARC Conference 2018.

Are you willing to apply?

– send your application with your motivations  and your video via wetransfer to s.burger at europarc.org  

This should be received by us before the 22nd June 12:00 (GMT). Applications received after this time will not be considered. For further information, please contact f.minozzi at europarc.org.

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