Join the Canadian Delegation to the 58th UN Commission on Population and Development (anticipatory)

Global Affairs Canada (GAC) is seeking a youth delegate to join the Canadian delegation to the 58th United Nations (UN) Commission on Population and Development annual session.

Application Deadline: February 2, 2025, by 23:59 (Pacific Standard Time)

Brief Description: The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) is a functional commission of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It is responsible for monitoring the implementation of key commitments made by 179 countries within the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action with respect to poverty reduction and inequality, population dynamics, nutrition and food security, and sustainable development. Through its participation in this commission, Canada works to advance key development priorities, including gender equality, the empowerment of women and girls, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and human rights.

The 58th CPD session will be held from April 7-11, 2025, at the UN headquarters in New York City. The theme of this year’s session is Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.” 

Delegation: The Canadian delegation to CPD typically consists of delegates from GAC headquarters and Canada’s Permanent Mission to the UN. Since 2019, Canada has included a youth in its official delegation, with delegates participating virtually in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Delegates in 2023 and 2024 participated in person.

Role of the Youth: The youth delegate will: 1) help inform Canada’s engagement at CPD by providing their perspectives on the outcome document, Canada’s national statement and key issues related to the theme of CPD58; 2) have the role of observers at side events, participation in plenary, and other relevant meetings; and 3) prepare a delegate report following the CPD with key takeaways, lessons learned and recommendations to GAC for future consideration.

Selection Criteria:

Youth Delegate

  • Eligibility
    • Between the ages of 18 and 25 (at the time of the event);
    • Must be based in Canada and able to travel to New York City;
    • Interest and understanding of sustainable development, population, or gender equality with a domestic or international assistance focus, in Canada or within an international development context.
  • Merit Criteria:
    • Experience related to sustainable development, population, gender equality, international development, or advocacy. Experience can be gained through volunteering, employment, academia, or other means.
  • Asset Criteria:
    • Knowledge and/or experience* working on SRHR issues;
    • Knowledge and/or experience* with the UN system;
    • Ability to provide input and advice from both a domestic and global perspective; 
    • Bilingual (English and French).

*Experience can be gained through volunteering, employment, academia, or other means.

Special Notes:

  • Applicants who have been selected in previous years as a member of the Canadian delegation to the CPD will not be considered for this process.
  • Delegates must be available on an ad hoc basis (up to 2 hours per week) from mid-March to mid-April 2025 for written consultations and delegation meetings (6+ hours/day will be required during CPD formal week – April 7-11, 2025).
  • Delegates should have the necessary paperwork needed to enter the United States legally – no support for the obtention of the visa will be provided.
  • Travel expenses (including transportation and accommodation) will be covered by GAC and per diems for meals will be provided. 
  • GAC reserves the right to cancel the selection process at any point during the process.
  • We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and abilities, including but not limited to: Indigenous peoples, women, persons with disabilities, persons from the 2SLGBTQI+ community, and members of visible minorities. 

For any questions, please contact: [email protected]



How to Apply:

Interested youth candidates must complete the application form before February 2, 2025, 23:59 (Pacific Standard Time). If you have any trouble completing the application form please reach out to [email protected].

Please note that only those selected for further processes will be contacted. Thank you for taking the time to apply.

Published:

January 13, 2025


Deadline:

February 2, 2025


Type:

Call for Delegates

Location:

Canada


Organization:

Global Affairs Canada (GAC)


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