CZC 2012 YOUTH AND CITIZENS' FORUM

Location: Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Quebec.
Date: June 9 and 10, 2012

The Youth and Citizens’ Forum, which will be held on June 9 and 10, 2012, will provide to postsecondary students, citizens and elected officials an opportunity to debate issues related to life in coastal zones. Discussion and exchange on issues related to coastal zones and communities will be fostered over two days. Exchanges, debates and activities will focus on the following question:

For you, youth and citizens, what unites residents of the St. Lawrence Gulf, Estuary and River coastal and riparian zones?

How do you see the future of the coastal zone in relation to the particular issues it faces (e.g., demography, sustainability, employability) and your desire to live there?

The Youth and Citizens' Forum will be held in collaboration with the International Secretariat for Water and will aim to:

• Create a space for discussion and allow the main stakeholders affected by coastal development and enhancement decisions (e.g., youth, civil society, economic sector and public sector) to be heard;
• Encourage participants to discuss and propose ideas for action in relation to stakeholder priorities to improve knowledge about and protection and management of coastal zones and oceans;
• Give participants an opportunity to ask questions to the scientific community about coastal zone issues;
• Address youth employment opportunities in coastal zones (e.g., the issue of the link between training and job market needs).

Program

The two-day program will include workshops, discussions, first-hand accounts and questions on the regional labour force, with a specific forum on employment.

The conclusions of the discussions will be shared in a plenary session at the Coastal Zone Canada 2012 main conference.

Registration

Registration is from February 2 to June 10, 2012.

For all other questions related to the Youth and Citizens’ Forum, please contact us.