26.4.2012

Rio + 20 and Earth Charter Webinars

The Rio 2012 Conference and the Earth Charter Initiative 
The goal of the Earth Charter Initiative for Rio 2012 is to emphasize the need for a comprehensive ethical framework, articulating shared values and principles to inspire and guide different actors in the transition to a sustainable future. The aim is also to demonstrate the relevance of the Earth Charter to the objectives of the Rio+20 Conference.

Earth Charter Youth Webinars
The purpose of these webinars is to provide youth from around the world with a virtual space where they can interact with each other to learn and stay informed about the Rio+20 process and how they can get involved, as well as inform and engage other youth about Rio+20. We hope to inspire and empower youth to create awareness, campaigns and proposals for Rio+20 and beyond! Additionally, youth will have the opportunity to learn about the Earth Charter and see how it can be used as a framework towards a more Sustainable and peaceful world.

The main objectives of the webinars are to:
• Gain an overall understanding about Rio+20 and the importance of it
• Learn and stay updated about Rio+20 and the UNCSD preparations
• Exchange relevant information with other youth leaders and become inspired to take action
• Develop capacity (skills, knowledge, competencies, attitudes, values) to inspire and mobilize youth with EC towards RIO+20
• Create a set of tools for creative actions and campaigns with EC towards RIO+20 and beyond

     In order to achieve these goals, three webinars will be held on the WizIQ online platform. To begin with, these webinars will be offered in English, Spanish and Portuguese. The presentations can be made available upon request by emailing [email protected]. We encourage youth volunteers to translate these webinars into their native languages, so please let us know if you are interested. 

     This series is going to be offered in two parts and will alternate between the two parts every week. The first part will focus on orienting youth on some relevant background information about the Earth Charter and how it can be used as an ethical tool for Rio+20 and Sustainable Development. The second part of the series will focus on ‘How Youth can participate and engage in the Rio+20 process’, as well as use the Earth Charter as a blueprint to engage youth to take action within their contexts.

To attend, please go to the following site https://www.facebook.com/events/404101416268435/.

Below is a list of the webinars coming up this weekend
Part 2: UNCSD: RIO+20 and The Earth Charter: Youth Actions for Youth By Youth
Friday, April 27th
Language: Portuguese
Facilitated by: Diego Baptista
Link to enter: http://earthcharter.wiziq.com/online-class/842361-rio-20-e-la-ct-ações-juventude-os-jovens-para-os-jovens

Saturday, April 28th
Language: Spanish
Facilitated by: Daniela Taboada, Earth Charter Youth member and Michelle Calderon, Earth Charter Youth Task Force member
Guest Speaker(s): Michelle Calderon
Link to enter: http://earthcharter.wiziq.com/online-class/842301-rio-20-y-la-ct-acciones-juveniles-de-gente-jóven-para-gente-jóven

Sunday, April 29th
Language: English
Facilitated by: Demi Smoloktou, EC Youth Task Force Leader
Guest Speaker(s): EC Youth Network
Link to enter: http://earthcharter.wiziq.com/online-class/842294-part-2-rio-20-and-the-earth-charter-youth-actions-for-youth-by-youth

Below is a list of the webinars that have already been presented. You can view them by clicking on the link to offer or you can wait until next weekend because we will be holding each seminar on alternate weekend until the Rio+20 event in June.

Part I: UNCSD: Foundations for paving the way to Rio+20.
Friday, April 20th
Language: Portuguese
Facilitated by: Diego Baptista
Guest Speaker(s): Mirian Vilela, Executive Director, Earth Charter International
Recording Link: http://earthcharter.wiziq.com/online-class/832287-part-i-uncsd-foundations-for-paving-the-way-to-rio-20

Saturday, April 21st
Language: Spanish
Facilitated by: Daniela Taboada and , Earth Charter Youth member
Guest Speaker(s): Mariana Araujo, Global Youth Action Network, Mexico
Recording Link: http://earthcharter.wiziq.com/online-class/832298-parte-i-uncsd-fundaciones-para-preparar-el-camino-hacía-rio-20

Sunday, April 22nd
Language: English
Facilitator: Nora Mahmoud, International Youth Coordinator, Earth Charter International Secretariat
Guest Speaker: Demi Smoloktou, EC Youth Task Force Leader
Recording link: http://earthcharter.wiziq.com/online-class/832302-part-i-uncsd-foundations-for-paving-the-way-to-rio-20