Call for Applications for Youth Conference on The 9th Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights (9th APCRSHR)

27 November 2017, Vienam

There are an estimated one billion young people aged between 10 and 24 years living in Asia and the Pacific, accounting for more than a quarter of the population in this region.1 These young people are just entering their sexual and reproductive years, however understanding of the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of the majority (831 million) who are unmarried remains limited[1]. In Asia, young people are heterogeneous, and have come from all walks of life. They recognized that majority of them across the region are marginalized and that the situation is particularly difficult for young women and girls, people living with disabilities, indigenous people, ethnic and language minorities, migrants, young people who use and inject drugs, people living in the context of war and humanitarian crises, young people who sell sex, people living with HIV, out of school youth, and displaced people, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression (SOGIE)[2]. The gross inequities in sexual and reproductive health outcomes in the region particularly affect adolescents and young people, in particular, through poor access to comprehensive sexuality education, sexual and reproductive health services including full range of contraceptives, safe abortion, STI and HIV treatment and mental health services. Including young people in the design and promotion of the rights and program of actions to SRH helps identify the barriers to access and can ensure equity for young people.

The 9th APCRSHR will be organized from 27th to 30th November 2017 in Vietnam, and will be hosted by Vietnam Public Health Association (VPHA). The first day of the conference is Youth conference. The theme of the 9th APCRHR is: “Leave NO ONE Behind! - Justice in Sexual and Reproductive Health”, Youth Conference plays an important role to gather young people regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression (SOGIE) in not only Asia Pacific but also across the world who are working and interested in field of Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights to strengthen their voice, exchange the knowledge and take actions for their justice and rights to sexual and reproductive health issues.. Furthermore, the youth conference becomes an opportunity to promote meaningful participation to address the SRHR challenges and inequity among young people by cross learning from their peers best practice and practical action in the conference and in their own countries when they come back.

This conference will cover sub-themes:

     1. Overcoming social, cultural and religious barriers in sexual and reproductive health

     2. Towards a just economic order for sexual and reproductive health

     3. Strengthening justice systems for sexual and reproductive health and rights

     4. Making good quality sexual and reproductive health education available to all

     5. Advancing justice and equity in sexual and reproductive health and health care

The Award/ Scholarship:  General guidelines

       - 50 young people will be given scholarships (25 from Vietnam and 25 from Asia and the Pacific Region) which covers conference registration fees, travel and transportation including visa fees, board and lodging, other related expenses and pre-conference orientation.

 Guidelines for the Youth Scholarship selection

     - Interested young people from Asia and the Pacific region are invited to submit a youth application form together with essays.

     - The application form and essay must be sent to the 9th APCRSHR Youth Scholarship Committee ([email protected]) with the subject "Youth Scholarship Application" on or before 30th May 2017. Late applications will not be considered.

     - Youth Scholarship Committee reviews all the youth applications and selects 50 youth scholars (25 from Vietnam and 25 from Asia and the Pacific region). Selected youth scholars will be contacted not later than 30th July 2017 via email. Final list of scholars will be announced on 1st of August 2017.

 Criteria for Selecting the Youth Scholar

     1. The youth should be between the ages of 15 to 24; and living and/or working in Asia Pacific.

     2. Has a significant contribution or involvement in youth programmes and relevant SRH activities in his/her country as reflected in the essay submitted?

     3. You have a working knowledge of English.

     4. You have experience working with issues of sexual and reproductive health in any capacity and you are passionate about the sexual and reproductive rights of young people.

     5. You have a good social network of other young people and have leadership potential

     6. You have good communication skills and know how to use the Internet and smart phones for Facebook, Twitter and blogs.

     7. You can demonstrate how you will use what you learn at the Conference in your work and how you will continue to participate in follow-up activities.

     8. First time participation in the APCRSHR is a plus.

Youth Scholar Responsibilities 

The selected Youth Scholars will commit to participate fully, learn-share, raise their voice and take action to address SRHR issues facing youth both during conference and in their home countries. During the conference, the youth scholars will be asked to participate in a team to support conference outputs. One team will focus on monitoring and evaluation (M&E), including passing out a survey and going around to collect completed forms during the afternoon session of the youth conference. Another will focus on media and communications, including an interactive photo opportunity for use on social media. Post-conference, scholars will be asked to update for their involvement in SRHR advocacy or programs in their home countries that they spread or apply the lessons learned during the event.