The program and schedule is now out for the World Youth Parliament for Water’s General Assembly, coming up next week in Brasilia.
From March 16 to 23, the World Youth Parliament for Water (WYPW) will unite more than 50 young water leaders from around the world in Brasilia for its fourth General Assembly.
During a week of activities, participants will challenge their knowledge and creative skills, and test their ability to achieve meaningful consensus. They will also attend the 8th World Water Forum. Five young participants are journalists or bloggers who will help spread the word about water challenges and solutions. The WYPW is a global youth network with members in over 80 countries, supported by the International Secretariat for Water.
The International Secretariat for Water would like to thank the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and our core partners for their generous support.
Schedule
Friday March 16 – Arrivals and transportation to the Hotel Nacional
Saturday, March 17 – DAY 1
9:00 Cup exchange ceremony
Join us as we welcome you all to Brasilia and kick off the Parliament. Bring the cup or mug you brought from your country and we’ll all get to know each other.
10:30 Intro to the GA and Forum
The organizers will present a short introduction to the week’s activities, and provide you with some background on the WYPW network, the preparatory meetings, and the World Water Forum. We will also answer any questions you might have.
14:00 Arts & crafts workshop: Today’s water problems & what you can do about them
With your fellow participants, map the water problems affecting your region and the actions youth are taking to respond to them. Don’t forget to bring your printed presentation tools.
16:30 Negotiating political solutions: interactive discussion
Join Pio Wennubst, ambassador and key negotiator with the government of Switzerland, and explore the many intricacies involved in finding political solutions to water problems, and making change that sticks.
20:00 Group work
This is your first committee session, where you will plan your group’s tasks.
Sunday, March 18 – DAY 2
8:30 Communication workshop: The Power Of Storytelling
When sharing your project, how can you stand out in an overcrowded field? Be storytelling driven. Learn about the power of narrative, knowing your audience, and combining creative and strategic thinking. Then you’ll work in teams to create something you can take with you. With Tom Llewellin (ISW) & Alexandre Edelmann (Presence Switzerland)
14:00 Youth Forum
Share solutions and experiences with youth from around the world. Dialogue with other networks and share best practices. Location to be confirmed
17:00 Blue Peace Kickoff Talk
Blue Peace is a movement that promotes water cooperation in an age of increasing instability, working to prevent conflict and find solutions that benefit all. Swiss Pavilion (Expo) Stand E15
20:30 Feedback Session
A debriefing on your experiences so far, and a space for your questions/comments/concerns.
21:00 Cultural Night
Relax and unwind with other delegates while sharing your country’s culture. Come with the items you brought from home!
Monday, March 19 – DAY 3
9:00 Official Opening Ceremony of the 8th World Water Forum
We will arrive and register at the Forum. We’ll then attend the official opening ceremony in the Planalto Auditorium. After that, you have some time to explore the Forum on your own.
14:30 Blue Peace: From Recommendations to Action
The High Level Panel on Water and Peace will present the recommendations the 15 member countries developed last year. Keynote by Danilo Türk, former president of Slovenia. Room ST8 (M Cons1)
17:00 Youth Parliaments for Water
Youth Parliaments for Water have proven to be a powerful tool for stimulating dialogue with decision makers and increasing youth engagement. Some of your colleagues will present at this event. Espace France (Expo) Stand E27
Tuesday, March 20 – DAY 4
9:00 Visit to Noroeste
We will spend the morning in the community of Santuário dos Pajés to learn about how indigenous Brazilians have experienced and responded to water issues. Bring shoes suitable for light outdoor walking and raingear.
14:00 Finalizing WYPW messages
The Messages committee will present their ideas to the Assembly. You will vote on the key messages that will define your strategy as a youth network going forward.
19:00 Dinner and evening at the Swiss embassy
For the evening, the Embassy of Switzerland (Embaixada Suiça em Brasília) is hosting our group for dinner, along with other guests.
Tuesday, March 21 – DAY 5
9:00 Strengthening citizen participation: policy, representation and challenges
A special session from the International Network of Basin Organizations (INBO). Room SC2, Ulisses Guimarães Convention Centre
or
Gathering water youth networks, challenges and solutions from South American subregions
Hear from South American youth who managed to create and maintain viable, well-functioning youth networks in the face of often-formidable logistical challenges. Location TBA
or
Transboundary water co-operation in Central Asia
Transboundary water co-operation for food, energy and environmental security in Central Asia, presented by CAREC. Location TBA
14:15 – 14:45
Blue Peace Talk: Entrepreneurship for Sustaining Peace
How can innovative business solutions mitigate and prevent conflict? Room SC2, Ulisses Guimarães Convention Centre
14:30 – 16:00 Innovation of Young Water Entrepreneurs
This panel on the innovation of young water entrepreneurs will explore the ways in which up and coming leaders are finding ways to improve access to water and streamline delivery. Room SC2, Ulisses Guimarães Convention Centre
20:30 Election Night
This is the night where you choose your representatives for the next three years. Vote for the presidency and your regional representatives.
Tuesday, March 22 – DAY 6
9:00 Free Forum
10:45 Blue Peace Talk: Youth As Actors of Change
How youth can contribute to peace as change makers?
The ISW and partners will also launch Youth for Water and Climate, an online platform connecting young water leaders with experts. Swiss Pavilion (Expo) Stand E15
13:30 Free Forum
21:00 Goodbye party
For our last evening together, say goodbye to your colleagues in a final send off before you return to your home countries.
