Youth Voices -> Policy Choices Gergana Majercakova Global Water Partnership Central and Eastern Europe Danube Water Conference 2018 2-3 May 2018 | Vienna, Austria

How it all started Water in Sustainable Development Summer School in Warsaw (9-16 July 2017) MSc and PhD students from 13 countries from Central and Eastern Europe Knowledge and experience sharing and creating innovative solutions Special section of the school focused on youth Youth Water Community Central and Eastern Europe was born

The content Tailor-made lectures, group assignments, practical examples, case studies, role plays and games on: Water governance: law and policy, environmental economics IWRM and sectoral planning Innovations: technical and non-technical solutions in urban and rural settings Climate change: policy responses, floods/droughts adaptation Social aspects: communication and public awareness Feedback: need for more IWRM and Climate Change in Universities’ curricula, more knowledge and discussions on the most current issues, more practical knowledge and work on real case studies, more youth advocacy.

Youth Voices -> Policy Choices Overview Step 1 Global Survey Step 2 Youth & Policy-makers dialogue Step 3 Message for COP24 Aims to empower and engage youth in the region who want to make a difference for water and climate. Developed together with the International Secretariat for Water/Solidarity Europe and Youth Water Community Central and Eastern Europe, financed by Erasmus+ The dialogue will be held as part of the Summer School “Towards 2030 Agenda: A summer school for climate change, innovation and youth advocacy in water management”, 1-6 July 2018 in Warsaw

The Global Survey The global survey aims to find out youths’ view towards: Current environmental and water policies globally and in their region Current level of youth involvement in policy making and other actions to address environmental issues Possible ways of youth involvement in policy making

Dialogue between youth and policy-makers The Dialogue: a platform for youth to meet and discuss with experienced policy-makers important water issues The Participants: young leaders, policy- and decision-makers, youth mentors Actions: Youth mentors will train the participants on advocacy Under the mentorship of the decision-makers, youth will craft actionable visions for water and climate Youth will design an efficient message on water and climate using innovative ways and will present it at UNFCCC COP 24 in Katowice in December 2018.

Expectations Youth will come to understand the policy making process and how they can better contribute to it.  Senior policy makers will come to view young leaders as a key stakeholder with a much needed perspective for shaping good policies. Main goal: Foster a relationship between youth and decision makers that will provide a foundation for cooperation and more youth involvement in policy making.

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