How to apply for the conference

(1) Name

International Youth Conference on Biodiversity in Aichi 2010

(2) Organizers

A) Host : Ministry of the Environment
B) Co-host : Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Aichi Prefecture
C) Sponsor : Aeon Environmental Foundation
D) Cooperation : Nagoya city
E) Endorsement : United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

(3) Activities

In August 2010, youths from around the world will meet in Aichi, to participate in various programs to discuss biodiversity. The conclusions will be compiled and presented at a public biodiversity forum to be held on the last day of the program.

The conclusion and outcomes from the conference will be presented at the CBD COP10 by representatives of the conference.

(4) Program

The program will take place from August 21-27, 2010 as follows:

A) Homestay : One night homestay on August 21, 2010 Stay with a family in Aichi, to experience what “real life” is like in Japan.
B) Conference : Four days from August 23 through 26, 2010 Aichi Health Plaza Comprehensive Health Science Center (Higashiura-cho, Aichi pref.)
C) Excursion : One day on August 24 or 25, 2010
D) Biodiversity Forum : A public Biodiversity Forum will be held on August 27, 2010 Toyota Auditorium of Nagoya University (Nagoya city, Aichi pref.)

(1) Number of the international participants

to be selected 70 participants

(In addition, 30 participants will be selected from within Japan through a selection process being carried out in parallel.)

(2) Expected participants

Selected participants will be individuals who:

A) work on everything with a goal in mind and takes a positive look from a broad perspective;
B) spare no effort in satisfying his/her interests;
C) have normal lifestyles and moral values with well-rounded character;
D) are willing to contribute to solving the issues of the world as well as the domestic ones; and
E) are interested in biodiversity, environmental issues, and international relations.

(3) Required qualifications

Applicants to the conference must satisfy each of the following requirements:

A) be between the ages of 15 and 24 as of April 1, 2010;
B) be able to speak and discuss in English at the conference;
C) be able to stay at the facility specified by the organizers from August 21 to 27, 2010 and to participate in all the programs scheduled during that period;
D) be able to obtain and provide a reference from someone other than his/her family;
E) have his/her own PC e-mail address, not cell-phone’s e-mail address, for communication of the information on the conference. If the applicant does not have his/her own e-mail address, he/she may use his/her parent’s one instead.

(4) How to apply

Applicants must submit the documents described in section (5) below to the following e-mail address: NBSAP@env.go.jp from his/her own e-mail address or, if not available, from his/her parent’s e-mail address.

The application must be sent by e-mail and arrive no later than May 6, 2010.

*No personal information contained in the application documents will be used except for the purpose of selection of participants and operation of the conference. The application documents might be distributed among the organizers, the companies undertaking the works related to the conference, and the relevant governments.

*Please note that the application documents will not be returned to the applicants.

(5) Required documents for application

These forms must be filled out by the applicant in English.

A) An application form (Form 1)

B) Three essays on the following themes.

Using a PC or typewriter is recommended.

Essay #1 : "My activities related to Biodiversity"
Essay #2 : "Significance of Biodiversity"
Essay #3 : "What I expect from participation in the conference"
Number of words : 320-400 words (400 words at maximum), respectively
Form : Use the Forms 2-A, 2-B, and 2-C, with the page size set to A4 (210 × 297 mm).

C) A reference letter to guarantee the applicant, written by a responsible relative. (Use Form 3-A.)

D) A reference document stating the identification and competency of an applicant, written by a referee other than his/her relatives. (Use Form 3-B.)

*Normally, a suitable referee would be one of the following: The head of your present or last school; principal of your college; course tutor of your present or last course of studies. If you have been out of education for some time, you may wish to consider one of the following: Your current or last employer, or training officer, or careers advisor; if you belong to a relevant organization (voluntary or not), a head or officer of that organization.

(6) Selection procedures

A) Selection

Successful applicants will be selected after their application documents, including the application form and three themed essays, are examined on a competitive basis. Creation of a regional balance among participations will be a consideration. There may be second-stage selection, comprising an English proficiency test, for selected applicants if considered necessary.

B) Notification

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by e-mail, by the end of May 2010.

(7) Cost related issues

The organizers will bear the costs of an economy class round trip airfare between the international airport closest to the successful applicant's home address and Chubu International Airport (or Narita International Airport), train tickets to the conference place and the cost of accommodations at the conference.

Please note that NO payment will be offered to participants for any accident or casualty caused while participating in the conference. Participants are required to obtain their own property and casualty insurance covering their period of stay in Japan to prepare for emergencies.