• participate, organize and promote knowledge-sharing and capacity-building activities in the areas of work of the Silva Mediterranea Secretariat, its five active working groups and other forestry youth networks; 
• promote spaces for exchange and dialogue, not only among youth, but also with decision-makers in the forestry sector of the region; and 
• propose, lead and adhere to innovative actions in the forest sector of the Mediterranean, promoting youth action and participation.

Resources

Background

In March 2022, during the seventh Mediterranean Forest Week (7MFW) held in Antalya, Türkiye, Silva Mediterranea had a successful youth dialogue where young people from the Mediterranean region discussed the most prominent issues affecting youth involvement in the forest sector. 

As a result, the Mediterranean Youth Statement was developed and presented by two young representatives at the high-level segment of the 7MFW. It also fed into the regional youth consultations of the XI World Forestry Congress and its “Work with us – Youth Call for Action”. 

The Mediterranean “Youth Statement” highlighted that young people should be properly recognized as agents of change and included in all levels of decision-making processes. It revealed that youth in the region face a lack of inclusion, participation and representation in policy dialogues and decision-making processes in the forest sector. However, young generations are organized, eager and well prepared to be integrated into high-level discussions, to participate and to be consulted.

In addition, in the transitional period between academic and working careers, youth face significant difficulties that may be improved through the creation of enhanced employment opportunities, and the promotion of traineeships, internships, mentorship programs and grants. The statement recalls the importance of the availability of economic and financial resources for youth in the education and working fields of the forestry sector. Beyond highlighting the gaps encountered by young foresters in the region, the Youth Statement also provides a vision of what youth can bring to the table and contribute to.

This encouraged the creation of the Mediterranean Youth Task Force (MYTF) as a strong youth network focused on integrating youth in forestry issues in the region. The MYTF provides a safe space for dialogue to share experiences, ideas, opinions and thoughts. It works towards opportunities to establish cooperation and exchanges among young professionals, researchers and students in the forest sector, as well as to promote inter-generational dialogue.

Vision

The Mediterranean Youth Task Force is a network of active young members who can be consulted and called to participate in technical and decision-making activities.

The MYTF aims to be an open and inclusive space for capacity building and knowledge sharing, which can contribute to unlock youth’s potential and bring their voices, knowledge and expertise  to highlight the importance of forests on building a society based on nature-positive values, within an enabling environment that brings together all key stakeholders (such as governments, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, the scientific community, the academic sector, and the private sector). 

The MYTF envisions a Mediterranean forest sector where youth can participate and contribute to, through opportunities and through the support of their own initiatives. 

MYTF social media accounts

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