UN Call for Applications: Expanding the Beijing+25 Youth Task Force

The year 2020 is a confluence of anniversaries including the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Conference and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA), the fiveyear review of the Sustainable Development Goals, the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Security Council Resolution 1325, the 75th anniversary of the UN and the 10th anniversary of the creation of UN Women.

This year has also been a tumultous year due to the global pandemic, which has exacerbated pre-existing and entrenched systems of discrimination against women and girls. Yet in the midst of this crisis, youth innovation and youth leadership has been more prominent than ever. Young people are among the most affected by the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 and have been at the forefront of risk communication initiatives, disseminating information and on the frontlines as health and community care providers. Many youth activists and youth-led organizations are bringing the gendered impacts of COVID-19 to the forefront, working to highlight issues such as sexual and reproductive health, gender based violence and burden of care.

As we take stock of progress made in advancing women’s rights and gender equality, all the actors involved in Generation Equality are committed to ensuring that young people are at the centre of this process.

Following a call for applications in June 2019, UN Women announced the “Beijing+25 Youth Task Force”, comprising 30 young leaders from different youth-led and youth-serving organizations, with diverse areas of expertise and across all regions of the world. They represent young people in all their diversity and across intersectional complexities.

The existing youth leaders have a track record of driving change in their communities and mobilizing young people for the empowerment of young women and girls all over the world. The Youth Task Force serves on the governance structure of the Generation Equality Forum with a seat on the Core Group.

The Core Group is the decision making body of the Generation Equality Forum. The forums centerstage young people and believes in their power and ability to accelerate the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.The Youth Task Force has been supporting and guiding the global processes in consulting and engaging young people across the globe. It is within this context that the Youth Task Force, convened by UN Women, is announcing a call for applications to expand the composition of the Youth Task Force that will work in the Generation Equality Forum (GEF) process closely with UN Women, civil society organizations and other stakeholders from September 2020 to September 2021, to ensure the meaningful involvement of young people in the global processes of the 25th review and appraisal of the BPfA.

Youth Task Force members are young people aged 14 to 30 years, recommended by their youthled, adolescent-led, youth-focused or youth-serving organizations, networks or civic movements. Each organization, network or movement can recommend up to two candidates. In case your organization/network is recommending candidates who are minors, please ensure that all appropriate measures are taken to secure necessary consent from parents/legal guardians prior to submitting the recommendation for a minor. If a minor candidate is selected, it will be subject to the provision of consent and waiver documentation.

Organizations do not need to be registered officially. However, applications must be from organizations, networks, or alliances rather than individuals.
For the expansion of the Youth Task Force, we are looking for individuals primarily from the following regions:
● Francophone countries
● Pacific Islands
● Caribbean (including but not limited to English speaking, French speaking, Spanishspeaking, Caribbean with African Descent)
● Central Asia

We are also looking for individuals representing the following constituencies:
● Adolescents
● Indigenous youth
● Afro-descendants / black youth
● Ethnic, religious and caste minorities
● Persons living with disabilities
● Climate justice activists
● Migrants or refugees, and youth directly working with refugees
Note: Please note that if you are not from the regions and/or constituencies listed, your application will not be considered

Method of Application

To apply, please familiarize yourself with the Call for Applications, Terms of Reference, Criteria for Nomination and submit the Application Form by August 21st 2020 at 12:00 p.m. midday EST. Please note that the recommendation letter should be by your nominated organization.

The Beijing +25 Youth Task Force will organize 2 webinars during 7th to 18th August 2020, with the objective to reach more young people and motivate them to apply to be a part of the Youth Task Force while clarifying any questions/doubts regarding the application process and requirements.

Click Here to Apply Now

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage

Application Deadline: August 21st 2020 at 12:00 p.m. midday EST.