7th Annual Youth Assembly Planning Committee

When I went to the initial meeting of the International Youth Council and Friendship Ambassadors Foundation three weeks ago...at the UN HQ in NYC on the 20th of May...Rio +20 Prep Com was still fresh in my mind. I felt energized, rejuvenated, exhausted  and excited. It felt as though things were finally beginning to move and  I really like Esperanza-she seems to be very ambitious, intelligent and positive.

And since then, things have begun to gather momentum....

Initially, I was very uncertain about what to expect. I was positively impressed by the wonderful people I met at the initial meeting and the subsequent one held at the World Youth Alliance HQ Since then, I have attended a skype call and a meeting at the World Youth Alliance HQ.  I realize that the group are intelligent, hard working and remind me of a University Society (like the ones I was involved in during university). I also realise that being on the planning committee is not merely showing up to the meetings. There is a lot to be done. I know that everyone realizes it. I just finding articulating things makes it easier for me to take action and do it ;)

When I left the meeting, I was still uncertain about what was next. It seemed that there was amazing ideas, great potential but my main concern was putting the ideas into action (and the financial aspect raised red flags--as major sponsorship is required still). But I was positive that if it could be achieved then this team would get it done.

Learning so far

While interaction and participation are laudable...it is essential for us all to focus on the important tasks at hand, the details we actually need to accomplish to make this event happen. I feel that the last meeting proved this (skype call with about 60 people failed due to Skype limits and resulted in a lot a long delay). However, it still made people feel involved and it was amazing that they tried. It is essential to keep people informed and involved in idea brainstorming...but nothing can be achieved if that becomes the focus.

The Plan

I look forward to working with the amazing group of Youth that I have talked to so far and more people that I hope to get to know in the coming weeks. I am looking forward to this collaboration and I hope to see where things lead.

I have become actively involved and currently am the main administrator of the International Youth Council's website. However, I don't know where any of this is going and that concerns me a little. I really think that I need to get a better idea of the structure of the organisation and what is going on. It has been three meetings. Also, I am scheduled to be in Toronto during the actual Youth Assembly at the United Nations. As a member of the planning committee...is it fair to be in another country the week before the event?

More information about the 7th Annual Youth Assembly being held at the United Nations can be found at:
http://faf.org/unyouthassembly/ya_home.htm

Or you can see the website that I am administrator of :

http://www.internationalyouthcouncil.com/