The National Youth Conference constitutes the most participatory consultation event between youth and the state!
Having as a main objective to support and encourage an active youth participation in decision making on all levels, the Youth Board of Cyprus is organising the 5th National Youth Conference.
On Tuesday, November 19 at 09:30, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, will open the doors of the Presidential Office to young people in order to give them the platform to be heard in the decision-making centers, through live discussions with state officials.
This year’s Youth Conference will be the culmination of the participatory processes that has been followed throughout the drafting of the 2nd National Youth Strategy 2030. The new National Youth Strategy, which is being formulated during this period, defines the government’s vision for the young people, along with the young people. The design of the Υouth Strategy is considered the milestone in the youth policy and the National Year of Youth 2024.
The Conference will bring together young people and their representatives from all over Cyprus who will have the opportunity to get informed on what has been achieved in the youth sector within the framework of the National Year of Youth, identify gaps and make proposals to address the challenges, turning them into opportunities. They will have the opportunity to take part in co-design workshops and discuss with policy makers, to exchange ideas and opinions with their peers and come up with practical solutions to implement the goals of the National Youth Strategy that they have set themselves.
That’s why the title of this year’s Conference is “Act with a Plan”! So take action and register now !
| 09:30 – 10:00 | Arrival | |
| 10:00 – 11:00 | Opening ceremony | |
| 11:00 – 11:15 | Coffee Break | |
| 11:15 – 13:15 | Workshops | |
| Topics: Culture Green & Digital Development Education & Training Employment & Entrepreneurship Physical & Mental Health Inclusion & Social Justice Active Participation Connecting the EU with Youth |
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| 13:15 – 13:45 | Light Meal | |
| 13:45 – 15:45 | Workshops (2nd part) | |
| 15:45 – 16:00 | Coffee Break | |
| 16:00 –17:30 | Presentation of results & Discussion with policy makers |
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Several topics and key challenges facing young people in Cyprus have been highlighted during the consultations that were carried out by the Youth Board of Cyprus on the 2nd National Strategy for Youth during the last months. You will have the opportunity to collaboratively explore these issues with other stakeholders and propose certain actions to address them effectively during the implementation of the 2nd National Youth Strategy!
Which topic are you most interested in or you are expert at?
Have a look at the following topics and join one of the workshops!
CULTURE
Are you a creative person? Do you have concerns?
Do you always find a way to express yourself through cultural events?
Do you think that the state should do something else to support artistic activities?
At the Conference, you can discuss with other young people and submit proposals to the state for actions that would benefit you!
GREEN & DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT
Artificial intelligence, technological development, digitalisation, new skills, knowledge…
An opportunity to grow, improve and modernise or a cause for concern and action?
Looking ahead to 2030 and beyond, how should we address this challenge? Give us your views at the Conference!
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Pupils, students, trainees, youth workers, young people in the labour market, young people with critical thinking, opinion and active action!
Over the years we have heard the need to reform the education system…
How? In what direction? When?
What else needs to be done?
You know better! Come and tell us!
EMPLOYMENT & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Do you live in Paphos? In Nicosia? Limassol? Or in a village? Coastal or mountainous? Are you going to study but maybe not? Have you finished your studies?
Do you think you face different situations but the state does not take into account the specificities of each region or group?
Are you wondering what your first steps should be to find the job you want?
Are you worried about the ever-changing conditions on the labour market?
Would you rather be your own boss and start your own business?
Does this scare you but at the same time excite you?
Whatever your concerns, whatever you are facing, whatever ideas you have that will improve the employment and entrepreneurship sector, it is the time to bring them up to those who decide!
PHYSICAL & MENTAL HEALTH
You’ve been through a lot….
You’re still going through….
Have you found support? Was it easy to access?
What other things could be done to improve your life? Everyone’s life?
Don’t wait for others to speak for you! Don’t wait for others to find the solutions!
Take the step, take the opportunity to exchange views with your peers and plan next steps with government officials.
SOCIAL INCLUSION & SOCIAL JUSTICE
Accuracy, poverty, increasing needs….
Different and various needs…. Depending on… Depending on various factors!
What will happen?
How far will the situation go?
What can be done? Talk to the experts and make them understand that their policies their measures have to take into account your particularities as a young person who wants and needs to be independent!
ACTIVE PARTICIPATION
You know it, you feel it, that you are affected by the decisions of the state…
But do you believe that nothing can change?
Doesn’t the political scene in Cyprus express you?
You don’t trust anyone?
But you know what?
You have the power to turn things around!
Believe it!
We believe in you! Don’t let us decide for you! Take action now, take part in the Conference so that together we can design mechanisms that the state can’t ignore!
CONNECTING THE EU WITH YOUTH
More and more young people do not know what the EU offers to EU citizens…
Don’t you know how it works perhaps?
Does EU feel far away?
What would help change that?
Or instead, have you taken advantage of opportunities from European programmes? Come and share your experiences with other young people and state officials so they can learn too!
Keep in mind that, in 2026 our Cyprus will take over the Presidency of the Council of the EU and a lot will be done till then, starting from now!
The 5th National Youth Conference will be held on Tuesday 19 November 2024, from 9.30 until 17.00 at the Presidential Palace. You may view the program HERE.
Working Language
The plenary session of the Conference will be conducted in Greek, with translation into English. In the case of workshops, if the number of English-speaking participants is limited, they may be invited to participate in a specific topic, which will be conducted in English.
Sign language interpretation will also be provided.
Working method
In the framework of the Conference, parallel thematic workshops will be held based on the design-thinking methodology. It is, therefore, important that participants are present throughout the Conference.
Transportation
ONEK will arrange the transportation of participants by bus from and to central points of the cities (besides Nicosia), in case there is a sufficient number of interested participants.
Contact
For more information about the Conference, please contact 22402626 / 22402637 or [email protected]
Registrations Deadline: 31 October 2024. Please be informed that, due to limited seats at the venue, the final selection of the participants will be made on a first – come, first – served basis.
Thank you for your interest! The registration period is now closed