Forum 2012 which is to be held on 24-26 April 2012 in Cape Town, South Africa, is the beginning of an exciting new series of the well-known and respected Global Forum for Health Research meeting. This particular meeting is themed, ‘Beyond A…id…Research and Innovations as key drivers for Health, Equity and Development’. YOURS Director, Mr Floor Lieshout will be attending the event and running a workshop entitled, ‘Youth in Motion’.
Youth in Motion: Using Research and Innovation for Change
Context
The new Global Forum for Health Research series (2012-2017) are year-round processes for ‘Change Makers’ moved by the need for research to bring about concrete change in people’s health. We gather key players once a year to discuss what changes were successfully made in the previous year, and what changes will be made in the coming year. The central objective is to contribute to making research, science, technology and innovation – in all sectors affecting health – work for health, equity and development in a measurable way by showcasing examples and best practices in the field.
What?
As part of the new Global Forum for Health Research, we are creating Youth in Motion: a platform/network specifically for young people. The objectives are to include the next generation of ‘Change Makers’ in discussions taking place at Forum 2012, and to create a long-standing youth network where cross-sector partnerships and ideas will be fostered and normalised, enhancing possibilities for social change.
The Youth in Motion network will provide settings, both physical and virtual, for future leaders from all sectors to exchange ideas on how to mobilize actions and efforts to achieve global equity in a world moving “beyond aid”. It aims to encourage them to engage with leaders in their field, form valuable partnerships across sectors, and make concrete plans for the future. We want young leaders to be given a voice to ensure their impact on their future: the world’s future.
How?
Youth in Motion will:
- Provide an international platform for young voices to be heard by today’s leaders and change-makers
- Create a space for like-minded youths to come together, form partnerships and build long-standing networks for concrete change
- Capture the thoughts and ideas of the next generation on moving “beyond aid”
- Begin “improbable partnerships”by grouping young leaders from a variety of sectors with the aim of fostering and normalizing such partnerships.
- Create an online innovation hub where these young leaders can expand on their ideas and implement their projects together
- Provide young leaders with a chance to exchange, discuss with and learn from the experiences of today’s leaders and change-makers.
Who?
This initiative aims to bring together young leaders, 35 years of age and under, from all sectors who have an impact on health and development and a capacity to work towards a world beyond aid. This includes policy-makers, researchers, social entrepreneurs and innovators, business, media, government and civil society representatives.
Director of YOURS, Mr Floor Lieshout will help facilitate the youth in motion session and said, ‘This workshop will bring attention to the global road safety crisis facing young people and bring this cause to the table’.