Scheduled for May 5-16 the CSD-16 will take place at the UN headquarters.

The purpose of the Youth Blast is to empower our generation-wide movement to address sustainability issues. The goals of the Blast are to provide information and training for leaders around the CSD and provide a space for youth to share best practice for implementing solutions and participate in decision-making at the international level.

Objectives:

1. Provide "get to know you time" and informal networking opportunities for youth
2. Provide an introduction to CSD process
3. Provide an introduction to the youth caucus
4. Answer logistical questions (including going over the confusing process of getting around the UN complex)
5. Participate in and contribute to the review of the CSD-16 themes by practical experience in implementation of commitments, case studies, best practices, obstacles and constraints experienced, and lessons learned.

Blast Information:

What: CSD Youth Caucus Blast!
Why: Meet the youth that will be your peers at CSD before the commission gets started
When: Sunday May 4 10:00am - 4:30pm

Where: Lerner Hall Room 568
Columbia University
On Broadway at 115th Street
Map of Columbia's campus in NYC: http://www.columbia.edu/about_columbia/map/
Map of campus with Lerner Hall: http://www.columbia.edu/about_columbia/map/lerner.html

Subway Directions from Penn Station, or Port Authority Bus Terminal: Take the red line, 1-2-3, subway line uptown. Make sure to catch the 1 train, not the 2 or 3, since only the 1 is local. Take the 1 train uptown to the stop: 116-Columbia University. Once above ground, walk one block down and you will reach Lerner Hall, a glass building with a sign for the Columbia University Bookstore. A one-way subway fare is $2.00.
Subway Directions from JFK airport: From your arrival terminal, take the airtrain to Jamaica Station. Once off of the airtrain, you will need to buy a joint subway ticket for at least $17.00. $5.00 for the airtrain, $10 for the LIRR and $2 for the subway. At Jamaica Station, take the Long Island RailRoad (LIRR) to Penn Station (this is a direct train, no stops). At Penn Station, please follow the directions above.
Directions from La Guardia aiport: Take the M60 Bus to 116th and Broadway Ave. This is a $2.00 bus ride.

For more information: Contact yochi.zakai [at] sustainus.org or selene_biffi [at] yahoo.com

Youth who are scheduled to participate in the upcoming CSD-16 are strongly encouraged to:

1. REGISTER FOR THE BLAST ON MAY 4, 2008

2. Join our mailing list! To subscribe, send an email to: wssd-youthcaucus-subscribe@groups.takingitglobal.org

To RSVP and register for the Blast (so that we know you're going to join us on Sunday!), CLICK HERE

Even if you can't attend the Blast, youth who are attending the CSD should come to Youth Caucus meetings and join the email list.