The Department of Foreign Affairs Canada has asked the Canadian Environmental Network (RCEN) to select two delegates to attend the fourteenth session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-14).  This meeting is scheduled to take place from May 1-12 2006 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. As a review session, CSD-14 is tasked with identifying barriers and constraints, lessons learned and best practices in implementation in the thematic cluster of energy for sustainable development, industrial development, air pollution/atmosphere and climate change.

NOTE: The RCEN will be selecting one youth delegate (between 16 and 29) and one ENGO delegate to attend this meeting.  All candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Knowledge and expertise of the issues to be discussed;
• Connection with youth or ENGO organizations;
• Experience with United Nations or international meetings or processes (not required for the youth position);
• Willingness to work with the RCEN and/or Youth Environmental Network members before, during and after the meeting in order for the movement to be well represented;
• Meet the expectations and requirements as mentioned in the call for delegate
• Participate in a conference call with the Canadian delegation prior to the meeting
• Write a report within 30 days of the meeting’s completion that will be sent to the Department of Foreign Affairs and the RCEN. The report will also be posted on the RCEN website.

All travel expenses for the delegates will be covered by the Department of Foreign Affairs Canada.  The hotel will be paid directly by Foreign Affairs; transportation costs (flights/taxis etc.) will be paid by the delegate and Foreign Affairs will reimburse upon presentation of receipts and Boarding Passes. A per diem will cover meals and incidentals.

The deadline to apply is Friday February 10.  For more information on this meeting please visit the CSD website. The official Canadian position paper on CSD-14 will be sent out for comments around mid-February and there will be a public consultation held on the position paper.

For more information please contact Sarah Heiberg, National Caucus Coordinator, tel.: (613) 728-9810 ext. 24.