IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature

New Youth Award created by IUCN CEC Chair: Call for Nominations

20 April 2012 | News story

The award recognizes exemplary engagement in conservation work with a CEC-inspired approach. It offers full support to attend the 2012 World Conservation Congress.  Apply by 22 May.

Keith Wheeler, Chair of the IUCN Commission on Education and Communication, has created this award with the aim of recognizing and motivating an outstanding CEC member between 18-35 years of age who has shown exemplary engagement in conservation work.

The IUCN CEC Chair's Youth Award recognizes an individual who demonstrates commitment to the values and vision of IUCN; has taken on a leadership role at the local, regional or global level; and has taken a CEC-inspired approach to biodiversity conservation. This individual must stand out as an inspirational role model to other young professionals.

Benefits
The recipient will receive full support to participate in the Forum of the IUCN World Conservation Congress to be held in Jeju, South Korea, in September 2012. S/he will be recognized at the Congress and/or the CEC meeting immediately preceeding the Congress.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria
A Selection Committee made up of several CEC members will evaluate nominations based on the following criteria:

1. Aged 18-35 years old on 1 September 2012

2. A member of the IUCN Commission on Education and Communication at the time of nomination

3. Has demonstrated exceptional commitment to furthering the IUCN vision of "a just world that values and conserves nature"

4. Has used a CEC-inspired approach, including one or more of the following:

• Generated new energy to catalyze positive change for conservation
• Unlocked the power of networks and partnerships
• Managed knowledge and promoted learning through professional development
• Connected sustainability practitioners in communities of practice
• Harnessed information technology for conservation

5. Has led one or more innovative and successful local, national, international, and/or online projects that contribute in tangible ways to moving forward the IUCN Programme and/or contributed to IUCN strategy and governance.

The final criterion will be assessed based on the following:

• Project achievements
• Originality
• Emphasis on addressing complex challenges
• Involvement of young professionals and/or children
• Collaboration across generations to achieve results
• Sustainability of the project
• Potential for replication and/or scaling up

Each nomination must be supported by a referee/reference.

How to Nominate
You may nominate anyone, including yourself, if you/they meet the eligibility criteria above by filling in this online application form by 22 May 2012 >>

Key questions on the nomination form include:

• Please describe the Nominee’s commitment, drawing on examples where possible, to the IUCN vision of "a just world that values and conserves nature". (2,000 characters maximum)
• Describe a specific, successful project that the Nominee led. Please be sure to indicate aspects of the project that were inspired by IUCN CEC approaches and include reference to the detailed selection criteria, above. (2,000 characters maximum)
• If selected for the award, what role would the Nominee expect to play in the IUCN World Conservation Congress as a CEC member and a young professional? (2,000 characters maximum)

Final decisions will be announced in June 2012.

Thank you for nominating yourself or an outstanding IUCN CEC young professional!

Keith Wheeler
CEC Chair

In collaboration with the IUCN CEC Young Professionals Leadership Team