© Flickr-Christopher Pilarski
A Young Woman from Fiji

The Government of Samoa and the United Nations are hosting a Forum for youth* aged 18-29 in Apia (Samoa) on 28 August 2014. This is a pre-Conference event organized ahead of the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), also taking place in Apia (Samoa) from 1 to 4 September 2014. The Forum is an opportunity for youth to learn about key issues affecting SIDS and develop the inputs and recommendations of young people to the main conference. It builds on work done by UNESCO, UNICEF and other organizations in preparing youth to participate in the overall SIDS+20 process, which commenced in early 2013. The Youth Forum theme is ‘SIDS Youth for Sustainable Development’.

The forum will gather youth from across the globe and the host country of Samoa, from different backgrounds and networks, but having a common passion for the sustainable development of small islands.

The main activity is the one day youth forum which will take place on 28 August, but will be complemented by a series of activities supported by youth, UN agencies, governments, NGOs and others using the dedicated “Youth Space” being provided by the Government of Samoa throughout the side event and main conference proceedings.

Young people will have an opportunity to meet with their peers from the three SIDS regions: Atlantic & Indian Ocean (AIMS), Caribbean and the Pacific. They will be able to discuss and debate key issues affecting their countries such as youth unemployment, non-communicable diseases, climate change, and the impact of disasters. These discussions will be crafted into a SIDS Youth Declaration for presentation to the Conference proper.

Additional events and activities will enable young people to meet with leaders from SIDS countries and the UN, participate in capacity building activities, and build their network to support long term youth advocacy and participation in the SIDS process through the implementation period post conference.

* “Talavou” means youth in Samoan ; and in this case T.A.L.A.V.O.U. also means: Towards a Legacy of Achievement, Versatility, Opportunity through partnership and Unity.