Youth Forum 2008: Protecting and restoring our oceans and coasts: the role of Canadian Youth.

Join us in Vancouver May 23-26th for Panels, Sessions, Workshops, Field trips and fun at the Vancouver Aquarium!

The CZC Youth Forum brings together Canadians ages 14 – 29 from across the country to share ways that they are involved in making a difference in their local communities. At this year's conference, participants will learn about career opportunities, take part in panel presentations, and work together to discuss ideas for youth-generated solutions to today’s key environmental issues. A summary of the weekend and workshop outcomes will be presented to the main CZC conference on Monday May 26th by a panel of youth delegates.

The Youth Forum 2008 will focus on developing concrete information and action of use to young people with a passion for making a difference. Delegates will work together to consider some key questions. Specifically, we will examine: What specific contribution are youth—by virtue of who they are, their culture, their lifestyles and age—best suited to make toward solving some of our most pressing environmental issues? Is there a role that youth may be best suited to play?

Schedule:

May 23: Friday

• Arrival
• Optional field trips: to be confirmed
• Dinner
• Accomodations: UBC conference centre

Accommodations for the Friday and Sunday of the Youth Forum are at the Walter Gage Residence at UBC (similar to the main conference), and are included in the Full Conference Fees. Accommodation for the Saturday of the Youth Forum is at the Vancouver Aquarium (sleepover program) and is also included in the Full Conference Fees.

For any unaccompanied minors (14-18 years old), the Vancouver Aquarium will provide chaperones (1 for every 5 youth) as per Walter Gage Residence policies.

May 24: Saturday

• Breakfast at Vancouver Aquarium
• Welcome
• Aquatic Conservation Team Presentations
• Youth Action Panel (see below)
• Lunch
  • Career Panel
  • Facilitated Workshop Streams (see below)
• Dinner
• Sleepover at Vancouver Aquarium

May 25: Sunday

• Breakfast at Vancouver Aquarium
• Research Panel
• Lunch
• Facilitated workshop
• Dinner
• Delegates depart or back to UBC conference centre

May 26: Monday

Presentation by Youth Forum delegates during opening Plenary Session of main conference

Presentation Submissions:

There will be two opportunities for youth to present at this year's Youth Forum:

1. Youth Action panel (Saturday morning): Presentations on local youth action projects in your community. Maximum 10 minutes
   
2. Facilitated Workshop Streams (Saturday afternoon)
   · Protect our future
   · Restore our Past
   · Affect today

Presentation submissions should include a brief summary of the presentation, identify which stream it fits in with and be a maximum of 15 minutes
(AV equipment provided by the Aquarium).

Please email your submissions by April 25th, 2008 to CZCyouthforum@vanaqua.org.

Registration:

Registration deadline: May 15th, 2008.

• Full conference: $350.00 (includes accommodation, all meals, fieldtrips, conference workshops, Vancouver ground transportation, Aquarium Sleepover)
• 2 day registration with Sleepover: $165.00 (included all conference workshops, all meals, Aquarium Sleepover)
• 1 day registration (May 24 OR 25): $60 (includes workshops and meals)

Registration opens on March 1st - Maximum number of Youth Delegates is 100.

Accomodations

Accommodations for the Friday and Sunday of the Youth Forum are at the Walter Gage Residence at UBC (similar to the main conference), and are included in the Full Conference Fees. Accommodation for the Saturday of the Youth Forum
is at the Vancouver Aquarium (sleepover program) and is also included in the
Full Conference Fees.

For any unaccompanied minors (14-18 years old), the Vancouver Aquarium will
provide chaperones (1 for every 5 youth) as per Walter Gage Residence policies.

To book accommodations at Gage Towers please call the housing line at 604-822-1000 or via email at reservations@housing.ubc.ca.