MAKATI CITY, 19 September 2019 – The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity launched the ASEAN Youth Biodiversity Programme (AYBP), aiming to empower the youth to contribute to the formulation and implementation of biodiversity policies, at the sidelines of the ASEAN Biodiversity Heroes Regional Forum on 4 September in Makati City, Philippines.

AYBP–developed in collaboration with the Global Youth Biodiversity Network, the official youth constituency to the Convention on Biological Diversity–aims to have youth be recognised and involved in biodiversity strategies and action plans at the local, national, and regional levels. The programme is funded by the European Union through the Biodiversity Conservation and Management of Protected Areas in ASEAN (BCAMP) Project.

The AYBP will provide ASEAN youth with capacity building, mentorship and resources through two signature activities: Youth Biodiversity Leaders and Youth Internships in ASEAN Heritage Parks.

The youth of ASEAN, defined as persons aged 15 to 35, represent over 33% of the ASEAN population and are a key stakeholder in contributing to the future which depend on biodiversity.

Biodiversity, the variety of all life on Earth, underpins good environmental health, food security, climate resilience, and the sustainable development and well-being of mankind. ASEAN is only 3% of the worlds land surface area, but is home to 18% of the worlds known species. It has three of the worlds 17 megadiverse countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines), and contains about 35%of the worlds mangrove forests and 30% of all coral reefs. Over 630 million people in the region depend on biodiversity for food and livelihoods. The sound management and protection of biodiversity are hence crucial to safeguard a sustainable, healthy and resilient ASEAN for future generations.

Youth Biodiversity Leaders (YBL)

YBL is a training programme that builds capacity and relationships for young ASEAN leaders in biodiversity conservation to enhance youth-led implementation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans and mainstream youth considerations to national biodiversity agendas. Each year, two Youth Biodiversity Leaders (YBLs) aged 18 to 35 will be selected from each ASEAN Member State to form a YBL Cohort. They are provided at least one year of online and in-person training and guidance, including participation in public webinars and a one-week capacity building workshop. The inaugural YBL Workshop is slated to be held in the first quarter of 2019.

Youth Internships in ASEAN Heritage Parks

ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHPs) are protected areas of high conservation importance, and together the network of AHPs preserve a complete spectrum of representative ecosystems of the ASEAN region. Participating AHPs in each ASEAN country will provide Youth Internships for students and young professionals aged 18 to 35 to gain on-the-job training and exposure to biodiversity conservation, as well as protected area management and operations. Internship details including job scope, duration, and stipend allowance are designed specifically for each participating AHP. AHP Youth Internships are not limited to students/graduates of biodiversity-related disciplines and are open to students and young professionals from all fields.

Applications for both programmes will open in the fourth quarter of 2018. Interested parties are invited to visit www.aseanbiodiversity.org/aybp for more details and updates.

For more information about biodiversity in the ASEAN region, log on to www.aseanbiodiversity.org.