Fourth International Conference on Federalism
Young Professional Concept
In the tradition of the past conferences, the Fourth
International Conference will have a young professionals’ (YP) component. As
per agreement between the Forum of Federations and the Inter-State Council
Secretariat, fifty young professionals will be invited to contribute and
participate in the conference. This will include thirty international and
twenty Indians.
Goals
The YP component provides an additional international
facet to the conference. It also allows the Forum to expand its network by
involving the next generation of experts and practitioners in its work. The YP
program provides young practitioners and experts (under 35 years of age) a
forum to interact with leading experts and practitioners from around the world
earlier on in their careers. Ultimately, the YP program aims to contribute to
the success of the conference by creating a product that is of value beyond the
conference.
Framework
The Forum of Federations has been asked to lead on
developing the YP component of the conference. In order to make YP
international in scope, the Forum of Federations has identified individuals who
have familiarity with the conference process, have had similar tasks at earlier
conferences and/or are regionally representative to form the core of the
organizing committee.
It will be the task of the organizing committee, in
consultation with the Forum, to bring together a group of YP
experts/practitioners in each region to contribute discussion papers on
cases/issues related the four conference themes. The organizing committee will
be responsible for organizing a regional roundtable in each region prior to the
main conference. The roundtables will be expected to contribute outlines of the
final product. The organizing committee will also propose ways in which YP
participants may be integrated into the main conference and a format for the
review and publication of discussion papers.
The selection of regional representatives will be on each
from existing federations and aspiring federations. The list should include
representatives from the following, regions:
North America
Latin Federations
Europe
Africa and Middle East
Asia-Pacific
Tasks
The tasks of the organizing committee will include
developing a workable YP concept that identifies the how the YP program will be
integrated with the main conference, what product it will produce and how, and
how they include participation by almost 20 Indian YP in a meaningful and cost
effective way. Finally, they will be asked to propose how to create a
conference product that is global in conception rather than regional. They
organizing committee will be expected to present a fully developed YP concept
at the Pre-Conference in India. They will also be expected to identify YP
practitioners from around the world, in consultation with the Forum.
Timetable
A timeline for the YP program is as follows.
Phase 1.1/Fall 2006
In Phase I of the organizing process the Forum of
Federations will be organizing a steering committee meeting between the 13th
and 15th of October 2006 in Switzerland.
The regional coordinators will be brought together for a
two day work session with Forum staff. During the work session, the organizing
committee will be briefed about the Indian conference and the guidelines for
the Young Professionals Component (defined in the Young Professionals Concept).
The goal of the meeting will be to produce a concrete component plan which will
be shared with the Secretary, Inter-State Council Secretariat, and the Vice
President of the Forum of Federations on the 15th of October.
Phase 1.2/February 2007
Present YP concept at the Pre-conference in India.
Phase 2/April 2007-May 2007
Organize Regional Roundtables.
Phase 3/August 2007
Circulate first draft of papers for the conference
Phase 4/November 2007
YP participation and review of papers.
Phase 5/March 2008
Finalization and publication of YP products.