Name of the Event: 2nd South Africa – India Youth Bilateral Forum 2024
Date: 5 October 2024
Time: 2:00 PM (IST) 10:30 AM (SAST)
Mode: Online
Working language: English
Last Date of Application: 29 September 2024
Link to Apply:
The International Youth Edu-Skills Foundation (IYESF) and South African BRICS Youth Association (SABYA) would like to invite young leaders from all sectors of society to participate in the South Africa – India Youth Forum 2024.
Purpose of the SA-INDIA Youth Forum:
The 2024 SA – INDIA Youth Forum will be convened under the theme – “Empowering Youth in the Digital Age”. The forum intends to reflect on possible ways to strengthen bilateral relations between South Africa and INDIA, particularly the youth between the two countries. The forum aims to discuss issues of mutual interest to South Africa and India, deepen cooperation, and identify priorities that accelerate the steady growth of high-quality partnerships, with a particular focus on youth development between the two nations.
The forum will reflect on possible approaches to strengthening linkages, institutional cooperation and people-to-people exchanges and further promote collaboration and Intercultural conversation between South Africa and India.
The forum intends to further encourage a broader cultural understanding between the youth of the two countries and unpack the grassroots cross-regional cooperation among BRICS member states. The key outcome of the 2024 SA-INDIA Youth Forum is to develop a pragmatic platform that will connect the youth in Brazil and South Africa.
Theme:
The South Africa – India Youth Forum 2024 will convene under the theme: “Empowering Youth in the Digital Age”
Thematic Areas of Discussion:
The Forum’s agenda will focus on three thematic areas-
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Navigating the Digital Landscape: Empowering Youth from Education to Entrepreneurship
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STEM and Future Technologies
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Understanding the impact of social media on mental health
Criteria for Participation:
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Between 18 – 35 years of age. (Exceptions will be granted to excellent candidates)
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A citizen of South Africa and India.
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A demonstrated youth leader in their field e.g. business, entrepreneurs, politics, international relations academia, civil society, 4IR, climate change etc.
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Extensive Knowledge and/or experience in one or more of the dialogue’s thematic areas
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Willing and able to participate for the full duration of the dialogue, as well as in follow-up events and activities.
Objectives:
The overall objectives of the forum are as follows –
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To create a platform for young people from South Africa and India to come together, share ideas, and develop tangible solutions to address common challenges and opportunities in the digital age.
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To promote and foster mutual respect and common understanding between South Africa and India.
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To establish a platform for the youth of South Africa and India to participate in meaningful engagements on BRICS issues on a bilateral level.
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To provide a platform to discuss interests in future and further collaborations on issues that affect both nations.
Benefits to the Participants:
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The participants will have the opportunity to network with multiple stakeholders from both nations.
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The participants will receive the certification of participation.
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The forum intends to empower young people with best practices to engage with fellow counterparts and other young people within BRICS.
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The forum intends to equip the youth from both South Africa and Brazil with the necessary skills to engage on topical issues as reflected in the thematic areas.
Background:
IYESF –
The International Youth Edu-Skills Foundation (IYES Foundation) is a not-for-profit, non-commercial and non-government youth organization registered under the charitable Indian Trusts Act, 1882, Government of India to empower youth through education, skills, employment and entrepreneurship to achieve United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. IYES Foundation was founded in 2018 by enthusiastic young professionals dedicated to bringing change to society.
SABYA –
The South African BRICS Youth Association (SABYA) is a non-profit organisation registered with the Department of Social Development in South Africa (205-671 NPO). SABYA is a youth-led organization that focuses on promoting youth development, international relations and cooperation, entrepreneurship, and innovation in South Africa and other BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)). SABYA aims to create opportunities for young people to engage with each other, share best practices, and collaborate on projects that address key challenges facing their communities and respective countries. The organization also seeks to enhance cultural exchange and promote mutual understanding among youth from different BRICS nations.
BRICS+ –
BRICS formally referred to Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa group of emerging economies. This acronym was coined in 2001 (originally BRIC). The year 2010 saw the expansion of this grouping with the accession of South Africa. The overarching objectives which saw the formalisation of this grouping were trade, investment, global governance reform and enhancing people-people diplomacy. The BRICS previously accounted for 45% of the global population, with an estimated nominal gross domestic product of 24% and represents 16% of world trade. The formative BRICS countries comprised the largest trading partners of Africa and the largest new investors.
“The BRICS configuration aims to promote peace, security, development, and mutually beneficial cooperation. It also aims at significantly contributing to the reform of global governance and the establishment of a more equitable world order.”
Amidst the recent successful conclusion of the 15th BRICS Summit held in South Africa, Johannesburg; the five-member BRICS grouping formally announced an expansion of six more countries invited to join the bloc starting in 2024. These included Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The expansion is expected to develop robust economic reforms, increase each member state’s volume of production, stimulate imports and exports, create macro-economic changes, capacity building, skills and technology transfers and provide access to completely healthy economies.
The BRICS+ acronym signifies the expansion of the BRICS association to include additional members such as Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 01 January 2024. The BRICS countries intend to enhance cooperation between themselves and discuss issues of common concern such as global governance reforms, development challenges and security concerns.
