Youth Committee of the Italian National Commission for UNESCO

The Youth Committee for the Italian National Commission for the UNESCO (hereby “Youth Committee”) is a non-profit organization that works to develop UNESCO priorities in the field of education, science, culture, information and communication.

By organizing and promoting projects, values and priorities in local communities, fostering the active participation of youth and enhancing civil society initiatives of national significance, the Youth Committee contributes to the awareness and dissemination of the ideas of UNESCO amongst youth as well as general public, locally and internationally.

Led by a group of young delegates and former trainees of the Italian National Commission, this initiative was founded by:

President: Paolo Petrocelli,

Vice Presidents: Virginia Caimmi and Liliana Mota

General Secretary: Antonio Libonati

Nowadays, the Youth committee counts with over two hundred youth members between 20 and 35 years old and a total of 20 regional representations from whole Italian territory and with a wide range of backgrounds including students, researchers, artists, professionals, managers and entrepreneurs, thus allowing an organic and capillary structure present throughout its territory. The regional representatives will define, lead, develop and implement projects and events in Italy.

MISSION

• To develop UNESCO priorities in the fields of education, science, culture and communication
• Spreading the ideas and priorities of UNESCO among youth and general public locally, regionally and internationally;
• Unite representatives of different social, age and ethnic groups for following the ideas of humanism tolerance and non-discrimination;
• Publishing and distribution of diverse literature of scientific, cultural and didactic character;
• Organization of didactic courses and camps;
• Organization of and participation in educational, cultural, social and professional international exchanges, seminars and conferences
• Creation of thematic libraries, student and youth organisations in line with the priorities outlined in this statute;
• Development of scientific, cultural and didactic values through the organisation of conferences, exhibitions, seminars and other events;
• Formation and development of the standards of culture and behavior;
• To promote accessibility of the youth population to education and active participation in society.

Major ongoing projects

• Promoting a network of local and regional initiatives at the International Day of Jazz (30^th April) and on the International Day of Human Rights (10^th December);
• Project “Schools” – awareness raising campaign aiming at expanding the knowledge and understanding of the students about the activities and priorities of UNESCO;
• Project “Culture & Innovation” – creation of a web tool to develop and enhance the material and immaterial Italian cultural heritage in a smart and integrated manner, levering on social inclusion and mainstreaming the views and needs of youth