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Go 4 BioDiv Programme Flyer Bonn of the International Youth Summit 2008
 
Unity in diversity or: “We are all developing countries”
50 young people from Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America countries presented their Declaration to Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul
 
 

 

UNESCO declared the youth summit “Go 4 BioDiv“ a contribution to the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. More

 

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Draft of the go4biodiv core messages

Go 4 BioDiv
“Go 4 BioDiv” stands for: motivation, ideas, enthusiasm, willingness to act and the personal decision to commit oneself to the conservation of biodiversity.

“Go 4 BioDiv” is the main message and also the title of the Youth Summit. “Go 4 BioDiv” is a call to you, the delegates, the (specialist) public, other youth groups and the media to become involved in the conservation of biodiversity and associated goals such as sustainable use and benefit-sharing.

Biodiversity concerns us all
“Go 4 BioDiv” is a call to all of us and in particular to each of us individually; it includes the need for each of us to take responsibility.

The loss of biological and cultural diversity is felt by every single person
The issue has been moved from the abstract, technical level to the personal level. Through the participants’ personal accounts of their experiences and of what has happened to them the issue takes on an additional emotional dimension.

Biodiversity is (also) an issue for the young generation
The young generation is particularly affected by the loss of biodiversity. This is evident from the fact that measures for preventing the loss of biological and cultural diversity are seen by the young as an important challenge for the future. The young generation is clear that their future and that of the next generation is at stake.

Biodiversity is more than species conservation
The conservation of the biological and cultural diversity of living environments provides the basis for the development and adaptation of the human race. Nature’s models and human curiosity, intelligence and action lay the foundation for many ideas, innovations and production processes.

Biodiversity conservation needs communication and networks
The Youth Summit gave the young adults a unique opportunity to engage in debate on the issue with others of their age group from all over the world, and to exchange views and experiences. In addition, forums provided the “preservers” of diversity from developing and industrialised countries with the opportunity to describe their perspectives and outline proposed solutions in discussion with delegates and the public.

Business needs biodiv
The rapid decline in biological and cultural diversity also presents a challenge to business. The Youth Summit gave young managers from the private sector a platform for the discussion of their points of view and their ideas for ways in which business can contribute to the equitable and sustainable use of diversity. The Youth Summit promotes stakeholder networking.