Background

World Youth Foundation (WYF) an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations� is an international non-profitable organization established in 1994 with its headquarters in Melaka. The aim of the Foundation is to organize programs that are beneficial and promote healthy development of youth in Malaysia and elsewhere in the world. Many projects have been successfully accomplished by organizing various for youth on areas such as environment, sustainable development, terrorism, racism, entrepreneurship, culture, population, HIV/AIDS, drug and substance abuse, human rights, education and globalization in achieving this aim. In February 2007, WYF received Civil Society Status from United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

In 2005, the Foundation organized the International Conference on Environment and Disaster Management and in 2006, an International Training Workshop on Environment and Disaster Management was conducted in collaboration with UNEP (United Nations Environment Program), ADPC (Asian Disaster Preparedness Center), Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia and other organizations. This event was found successful and generated great interest among the youth participants, and the Green Youth Ambassadors.

Environmental degradation and the need for environmental management is perhaps the most important issue facing the human race and life on this planet. There is also a rising frequency of disasters, often linked to environmental degradation and inadequate management of natural resources and the built environment. Awareness of these phenomena are not lacking among young people nowadays. However, how they are to be managed and what the examples of good practice are is less well-known. What could serve as sources of inspiration for youth to work towards a sustainable and disaster risk free future? How can vulnerable communities be protected from the impact of natural and human-induced hazards? Climate change - myth or reality? How can networks be forged among youth from different nationalities across the globe to bring about positive change for a common planet shared by all? How can development and the environment be reconciled? These are some of the issues that will be highlighted at the workshop. Instead of only dwelling on the problems, attempt will be made to indicate positive directions and ways for moving forward.

Objectives:
The objectives of this International Training Workshop are:
a) To create awareness and encourage greater educational presence on issues pertaining to disaster risk management
b) To empower youth to use education and communication as key tools to achieve MDGs
c) To examine existing approaches and proven success stories on environment conservation, i.e awareness and prevention programmes
d) To understand, involve and dialogue with youth about environment sustainability

Proposed Outcome
At the end of the training participants will be expected to define an agenda that can be followed up in their own contexts after conclusion of the workshop. Another possible outcome to be achieved at the workshop is to develop an electronic or other network between interested participants that can inform and define future agenda for such youth-based learning events.