Youth Leaders’ Forum

MAC’s Youth Leaders’ Forums (YLF) bring together youth involved in mine action around the world to share experiences and build capacity. These symposia ensure that the next generation of mine action advocates can work effectively to ensure the full implementation and universalization of the Ottawa Convention banning landmines and the Convention on Cluster Munitions. These forums are held in conjunction with major international meetings on cluster bombs and landmines.

Workshops are facilitated by experienced campaigners and mine action professionals from the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) and the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC). Aspiring youth leaders gain skills and experience in areas such as lobbying, advocacy, fundraising, media, organizing public events, and volunteer management. The forums also connect youth to the wider mine action movement, and provided opportunities to witness international government meetings, build networks, deepen knowledge and expand skills. Participating youth brought the skills and knowledge gained at the forums back to their local organizations and are mobilizing other young mine action advocates, thereby contributing to institutional strengthening of key mine action players.

To date, MAC has coordinated five Youth Leaders' Forums:

• Nairobi Summit on a Mine-Free World, Kenya, November 2004
• Sixth Meeting of States Parties to the Ottawa Convention, Croatia, November 2005
• Youth Model Review Conference in conjunction with the Eighth Meeting of States Parties, Jordan, November 2007
• Cartagena Summit for a Mine Free World , Colombia, November 2009
• The Vientiane Youth Leaders' Forum in Laos, November 2010

Click here to watch a video about the 2010 Youth Leaders’ Forum in Vientiane, Laos.

Who can participate in a YLF?

• Young people committed to achieving a world free of landmines, cluster bombs and explosive remnants of war
• People between the ages of 18 and 30
• People who have experience in mine action or have demonstrated their commitment to the goals and activities of the ICBL and CMC
• Survivors, women, youth from mine-affected countries, youth from universalization and implementation target regions (i.e. Asia, the Middle East, and the Commonwealth of Independent States) are particularly encouraged to apply
• Young people involved with their national campaign

The most recent Youth Leaders Forum (YLF) took place alongside the First Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions that was held in Vientiane, Laos in November 8-12th, 2010. The Vientiane Youth Leaders Forum focused primarily on furthering the Cartagena Youth Action Plan and exploring issues related to cluster munitions. The theme was Take the Next Step to Ban Cluster Bombs!

The 2011 YLF will be themed Take the Next Step for Survivors! and will take place alongside the Eleventh Meeting of States Parties in Cambodia (TBC).

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