Call for applications: Youth Reference Group At World Wide Fund For Nature

Background
WWF, an independent conservation organization active in nearly 100 countries, works to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and wildlife. Working with others, our mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature by i) conserving the world’s biological diversity, ii) ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and iii) promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

This toolkit forms part of a pilot project to introduce and increase environmental education among youth aged 18 to 24 years old that live close to rivers in the Greater Mekong region. The toolkit will focus on these three areas: sustainable freshwater ecosystem management, renewable energy and climate change.

The toolkit will be developed in English initially and, following an assessment by young people, educators and other stakeholders, it may then be translated into the languages of the Greater Mekong region and expanded to encompass more issues and younger age groups.

The youth representatives in this reference group will perform an instrumental role in shaping the development of the toolkit.

1. Overarching Project Goal and Outcomes:

The overall goal is to invest in current and future generations of youth, lead change and to protect the environment of the Greater Mekong region.
By learning about the environmental issues connected to the Mekong, young people will possess the information needed to help maintain the river basin’s capacity to sustain ecosystems and the essential services they provide, and the identity, culture, and livelihoods of the communities who depend on it.
Equipped with this knowledge, young people are supported and empowered to become leaders in driving change. This involves both expanding the number of individuals they engage with but also the range of their influence.
The expected outcomes are:

• Young people in the Greater Mekong region are better equipped with the knowledge needed to lead and drive change on issues of sustainable development, sustainable freshwater ecosystem management, renewable energy and climate change adaptation in their local communities.
• Clear contributions are made towards the realization of national and regional policies focused on optimizing environmental benefits and sustainable freshwater ecosystem management for future generations in the Greater Mekong region.

1. Implementation Location

The project will ultimately be implemented in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Thailand.

1. Deliverables and Timeline

• Content Contribution: Collaboration with the WWF project team and consultants to provide input on the content, format, and structure of the environmental education toolkit to ensure it resonates with the target audience of 18-24 year olds, living close to rivers in the Greater Mekong region.

Commitment:

• Individually: reading through preparatory materials ahead of workshops/focus groups and documenting feedback that guides toolkit’s development. 4-6 hours per month between November 2023 and March 2024
• Workshops and Focus Groups: Active participation in workshops, focus groups and/or online discussions with other youth, the WWF project team and consultants to capture ideas, experiences, and recommendations related to development of the environmental education toolkit.

Commitment:

• Online: 1-2 sessions per month (1-2 hours each) between November 2023 and March 2024
• In-person: One-day workshop (8 hours), provisionally scheduled to take place during in the last two weeks of January 2024

1. Selection Criteria

• A strong passion for environmental conservation and education.
• Youth aged 18-24 years old living close to rivers in the Greater Mekong area (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand)
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in engaging with youth communities and organizations.
• Proficiency in English (additional local languages a plus).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of environmental issues related to Sustainable Freshwater Ecosystem Management, Renewable Energy and Climate Change in the Greater Mekong region is a plus.