On World Wildlife Day, March 3 2016, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) will be announcing that 34 extraordinary young leaders in conservation and animal welfare from around the world have been selected from a pool of nearly 1,000 candidates as delegates to the first global Youth Forum for People and Wildlife.
The 34 delegates, aged 18-25 years old, will come together in South Africa in September to explore complex wildlife issues, share their diversity of experience and participate in professional development workshops. They will convene directly before the Seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES — the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. Portions of the event will be streamed live for the online community, who will be invited to participate virtually in the gathering.
In addition, the delegates will become ambassadors and mentors to an online community, which anyone can join by going to www.ifaw.org/youthforum.
IFAW is grateful for the support of many other organizations that helped make this conference possible, including Jane Goodall Institute, CITES, South African Government Ministry of Environment, and US Fish and Wildlife Service.
“We are delighted to see this group of young and talented conservationists get together just before CITES CoP17 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The survival of the world’s wildlife relies upon the actions of every generation. These youngsters are clearly taking their responsibility seriously, which is great to see,” said Secretary General of CITES, Mr. John E. Scanlon. “CITES warmly welcomes this wonderful initiative and we will all benefit from the enthusiasm and many views that will be generated at this first Youth Forum for People and Wildlife,” added Scanlon.
“The Department of Environmental Affairs is confident that the Youth Forum will assist in building conservation leaders who will ensure that wildlife and communities are able to continue to exist side-by-side through sustainable development and the strong partnerships and bonds that we hope will be forged during the Forum,” said the South African Minister of Environmental Affairs, Mrs. Edna Molewa.
“For these dedicated and inspiring young conservationists, we hope the Youth Forum will be an important, perhaps defining moment in their lives. The training that is provided and the personal connections that are forged may shape not only careers, but also future conservation efforts,” said U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe.
To learn more about the Youth Forum for People and Wildlife and to join the online community go to: www.ifaw.org/youthforum.