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December 13-15, 2005
Please note that this event has already passed. The following is for reference only.
SEST SENAT - Santo André
São Paulo, Brazil -
Conference Schedule
Workshops
Frequently Asked Questions
Youth groups in every part of the world are working for fair elections, greater transparency, less corruption, and political transformation. They are transforming their countries and changing society at the same time. However, at the global level their efforts are disconnected... until now.
As the Secretariat of the Youth Movement for Democracy, the Global Youth Action Network is calling for young people and allies to participate in the first Global Youth Conference on Democracy and Political Participation in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
What does "democracy" mean to young people today? What will it mean to future generations? What changes do we want to see in our communities? In the world? What kind of movement do we want to build?
Join us this December to answer these questions and many others with young people from Brazil and all parts of the world. Join us to celebrate diversity, learn from kindred youth, and embark on a journey of discovery. Meet veteran democracy activists and newcomers to the movement, emerging political leaders, lobbyists, and campaigners. Become part of a global community working together to promote greater youth participation in decision-making at all levels.
Program
The Global Conference will run for three full days. It will include panel discussions together with workshops, open-mics, and a democracy fair. It will enjoy the contributions of invited speakers and partner organizations with ample space for the free expression of all participants.
Panel Discussions
The conference will feature six panels, each followed by workshops that explore the themes more deeply. The panels will be wide in scope, bringing together diverse groups and ideas into new dialogue in order to raise questions and to facilitate the participation of conference attendants.
Presenters will include diverse leaders from around the world including the International Working Group of the Youth Movement for Democracy which is composed of six young, dedicated democracy activists from different continents with experience working on issues ranging from journalistic integrity in African countries, to free elections in Burma, to the deepening of democracy in Brazil (see complete speaker list here).
Day 1 - December 13th
Panel I - Education for Democracy
Where do we learn to be democratic? Looking at formal schooling, peer education networks, cultural norms, intergenerational relationships and other processes, we will explore how today's citizens are taught to make decisions. We will see how youth currently participate in these different spaces and what role youth have to play in creating democracies of educated, engaged citizens. The discussion will touch on subjects such as citizenship, promoting a culture of peace and non-violence, human rights awareness, and widening access to quality education.
Panel II - Confronting Corruption as an Obstacle to Democracy
The current political crisis of our host country, Brazil, has recently received international attention. However, corruption is an ongoing concern for all governments. From fines paid directly to police officers, to government contracts awarded without competitive bidding, to swelling offshore bank accounts of high level government officials - every political system suffers from the problem at some level. How can youth - often raised in cultures where corruption is just accepted as an inevitable feature of government - be a force for greater transparency and accountability in their governments? We will look at examples of successful youth anti-corruption campaigns and consider how to move beyond simply exposing corruption to creating new culture and institutions of non-corruption.
Day 2 - December 14th
Panel III - Direct and Representative Democracy - Models of decision-making
Representatives from different political parties, religious groups, social movements, and other groups will discuss how their communities make decisions. From these examples, we will explore different possibilities for organizing democracy in our communities, in our governments, and in our global movement. Our discussions will consider structures of representative democracy and existing examples of direct democracy such as participatory budgeting and state initiatives. It will also consider where there exist needs and opportunities for democracy reform.
Panel IV - Democracy, Media and Technology
For as long as the idea of democracy has existed, it has been widely recognized that its health depends largely on an active, informed populace. Knowing that control over information greatly facilitates the control of dissent, undemocratic regimes often place the freedom of speech and assembly among their first targets. Historically, democrats have innovatively used different communication technologies - community radio, low cost pamphlets, graffiti - to build their movements. Today, the Internet offers exciting new possibilities for distributing information and building communities instantly, globally, and at a relatively low cost. Here we explore how youth are working to protect the freedom and increase the responsibility of the mainstream media; how modern technology is being used by young people to circumvent censorship and build international solidarity networks that strengthen local organizing; and how the effects of unequal technology access affect a nation's democratic movement. We will also explore the use targeted information by citizen groups, such quality of life indicators and other mechanisms that can be used demand government accountability.
Day 3 - December 15th
Panel V - Democracy, Global Decision-Making, and Youth
A common critique of the current global system centers on the hegemony of economics. Nations with the strongest economies hold the most bargaining power in international agreements and forums. Multilateral trade bodies have more power than equivalent bodies of social purpose. How do existing institutions succeed or fail at creating global dialogues and democratically addressing global issues? What is the cost of this democratic deficit? Can youth participation in existing institutions, such as the United Nations, to increase the wisdom and representative power of the current system? How might new spaces, such as e-parliaments or the social forums, promote democratic alternatives?
Panel VI - Intergenerational Dialogue and a Youth Movement Retrospective
What happens when intergenerational dialogue fails to occur? What is the value of intergenerational alliance? By examining the history of youth movements, we will gain greater perspective on where our movements stand today. We will also ask: Are youth apathetic? Why? Do increasing numbers of youth express frustration or disenchantment with democracy? Why? How can we, as youth, make democracy work for us? As the final panel, this discussion will create a space for participants to ask their lingering questions, from the most abstract to the most minute, to leaving us much to talk about as the movement grows.
All Days
Workshops for Education, Skill Sharing, and Action Planning...
Diverse pro-democracy groups from around Brazil and the world will host workshops and discussions on issues such as non-violence, participation in local government, and human rights. These events will give participants the opportunity to share our experiences, deepen our engagement with specific topics, and get the skills and information to carry our enthusiasm into action.
Workshop schedule now online here...
Open Spaces
Free Space
Inspired by the Intergalactika Laboratory of the Intercontinental Youth Camp of the World Social Forum, the conference will feature a space open for spontaneous organizing and presentations. Youth can use this space to share their stories and thoughts on democracy activism in the form of lectures, poetry, music, and art. Teach us about non-violent organizing in your city, or just sit and create art with your new friends. Groups or individuals that want to share a skill or make a presentation that doesn't fit in the workshop structure are encouraged to use this space.
Share your ideas for the space when you register.
Democracy Fair
Groups working with youth and democracy will host tables and distribute information in an ongoing fair, giving participants the opportunity to network, make connections, and learn about groups and projects that interest them.
Sarau
A Sarau is a Brazilian tradition of expression, similar to an "open-mic". On the second night of the conference, December 14th, the participants will come together for a Sarau to welcome all forms of expression - music, dance, words. You can take part! Show us what your talent! Tell us your story!
Question Wall
This will be an open space for participants to leave their questions, reflections, ideas and expressions (drawing, poems, etc.) about democracy and the themes discussed during the conference.
Cost
The conference fee will be a sliding scale according to your needs.
Conference Schedule
Still have questions? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Then, if you still have questions, contact us!
Phone: +55 (11) 3815 9926
Email: This form is the fastest way to get a reply from us.
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