The United Nations International Youth Leader Training Camp is part of the UNITAR CIFAL Hubei (Hubei International Training Centres for Authorities and Leaders, UNITAR )’s Youth Talent Development Program in China, known as the Young Chinese Professionals Program (YCPP). Its primary goal is to cultivate and select the most outstanding young representatives from various Chinese schools, guiding them to learn about the 2030 Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their significance, while fostering global leadership among youth.

Core Content:

• Invited Visit to the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva: Participants will engage in exchanges, visits, and study sessions with UN officials.

  
  

Benefits:

• Expand international perspectives

• Enhance language skills

• Understand the work of international civil servants

• Learn about the operations of international organizations

• Make friends with outstanding peers nationwide

• Receive an official certificate of completion from the United Nations (issued by UNITAR)

• Experience and consistently practice the Sustainable Development Goals

  
  

  
  

Sustainable Travel – The Organization Method of This Training Camp

• What is Sustainable Travel?

• Sustainable travel contrasts with overtourism.In Chinese,one is referred to as "travel” and the other as "tourism“. This distinction between the two Chinese terms effectively conveys the participants' feelings. Everyone dreams of being "on the road," which is undoubtedly "travel," not "tourism."

• Overtourism results in overcrowding and impacts the local natural environment and social development (for example, excessive tourists driving up local housing prices and straining public resources such as healthcare). These behaviors have already led to resistance from local residents in many popular tourist destinations, including Italy and the Philippines.

• Sustainable travel, as described by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), involves protecting the environment, addressing climate change, minimizing plastic consumption, and expanding economic development in communities affected by tourism.

  
  

* For more on the dangers of excessive plastic consumption, refer to National Geographic’s feature 《Planet or Plastic?》

Organizer: UNITAR CIFAL Hubei International Training Centre

• Founded in 1963, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is a training institution within the UN system. It is authorized to enhance the effectiveness of the UN through diplomatic training and to increase the impact of national actions through public awareness, education, and training of public policy officials.

• UNITAR assists developing countries through training and capacity-building activities covering most areas of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, strengthening multilateralism, promoting environmental sustainability and green development, improving living conditions and humanitarian aid, fostering lasting peace, and promoting economic development and social inclusion.

  
  

• UNITAR CIFAL Hubei International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders, established in Wuhan, China on April 16, 2021, is an international training and research institution approved and authorized by UNITAR. It is a significant member of UNITAR’s CIFAL global network, focusing on the Asia-Pacific region from its base in China. The Centre specializes in education, road safety, environment, and science and technology, providing and promoting innovative and practical training content and learning solutions worldwide. It fosters global cooperation to advance and implement the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  

Core Activity Design

/Overview/

• I Exchange Visits and Study Sessions at the United Nations Headquarters

• Project 1: Lectures by UN Expert Mentors

Invite UN officials and relevant experts to participate in various forms of seminars and exchanges, sharing knowledge and experiences. This allows youth to engage directly with UN officials, providing close-up insights into global development directions, cutting-edge knowledge, and technology.

UNITAR experts will cover the following basic topics:

- Introduction to the United Nations System

- Themes and Actors in International Affairs

- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

UNITAR’s connections with numerous international organizations in Geneva enable a series of 1-2 hour expert training sessions where participants can directly learn from policy implementers.

• Project 2: Skills Training

Develop youth global leadership and teamwork skills, project planning abilities, and through group project design and speech coaching, motivate youth and improve their English proficiency.

-   Leadership Skills

-   Negotiation Skills and Techniques

-   Public Speaking and Presentation Skills

-   Confidence and Influence Techniques

-   Cross-Cultural Communication Skills

-   Multilateral Meetings and Diplomacy

• Project 3: Themed Speeches and Learning Reports

Each student must deliver an on-site presentation and complete a learning report on topics such as how youth can support global SDGs and how to lead more young people in innovative actions supporting these goals.

• Project 4: Career Development Courses

UNITAR offers 1-2 hour career development courses introducing how to start a career and transition from university to international organizations. These courses are taught by experienced UN diplomats and include:

-   How to Become a UN Intern

-   Resume and Cover Letter Writing Tips

-   Preparing for UN Job Interviews

-   UN Projects and Internships

-   Becoming a UN Diplomat

-   UN Internal Promotion Systems

• Project 5: Group Projects

UNITAR considers group projects an essential part of the UN field visit. These projects can take various formats, including:

-   Group presentations at the end of the field visit

-   Organizing final Model United Nations (MUN) conferences

-   Simulated negotiations related to multilateral or Sustainable Development Goals

• Project 6: Visits to International Organizations

Held at the historic Palais des Nations, this project aims to balance different components. UNITAR can arrange meetings with the following UN agencies in Geneva:

-   United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG)

-   Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

-   United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

-   United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

-   United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

-   United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

-   World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

-   World Health Organization (WHO)

-   World Trade Organization (WTO)

-   Swiss Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva

-   German Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva

II. On-site Visits and Study Modules for European Sustainable Development Projects

Selection of Sustainable Development Projects: 1/3 Nature, 1/3 Humanities, 1/3 Technology. Through in-depth visits to these three types of projects, participants will gain a profound understanding of how sustainable development is practiced in different fields. Representative projects include:

• Project 1: Sustainable Natural Resources Development

Evian-les-Bains

Nestled against the Alps and facing Lake Léman, Evian (meaning “water” in Latin) thrives due to its water resources. Evian water is formed from high mountain snowmelt and mountain rainfall, filtered through 15 years of glacier sand layers in the Alps. Local authorities prioritize water resource protection, collaborating with the Evian Group and residents to ensure zero pollution. Visiting the town and drinking Evian water allows participants to see how the community leverages its unique water resources to build a sustainable, diversified wellness town.

Titlis

Known for the world’s only 360-degree rotating mountain cable car and Europe’s highest suspension bridge, riding this fully hydro-powered cable car to the summit offers a tangible experience of Switzerland’s commitment to sustainable tourism development.

Lucerne

Located in central Switzerland by Lake Lucerne and picturesque mountains, Lucerne is a top choice for many tours and individual travelers. It boasts numerous scenic spots, exquisite souvenir and watch shops, beautiful lakeside views, and nearby Mount Rigi, Pilatus, and Stoos for exploration. Modern Lucerne has made a city commitment to sustainable travel, introducing a series of sustainable certification standards for travel facilities. Participants can observe how a city committed to sustainable travel operates and learn applicable practices for their own cities.

• Project 2: Cultural Visits

University of Geneva (Université de Genève)

Renowned internationally and a member of the Ligue des Universités Européennes de Recherche (LERU), the University of Geneva is known for its research excellence in natural and humanities sciences, arts, and high-precision research fields.

Lausanne

The second-largest city on Lake Geneva, known as the Olympic Capital, Lausanne places high importance on sports and cultural activities. Situated on the northern shore of Lake Geneva, it is a cultural and talent hub with institutions like the Swiss Federal Supreme Court, University of Lausanne (ranked 101-200 in the 2013 QS World University Rankings), hospitality schools, and international schools, fostering a rich cultural atmosphere.

Olympic Museum

The world’s largest Olympic archive, showcasing over ten thousand collectibles from the first Olympic Games to the present. The museum displays valuable memorabilia collected by the International Olympic Committee over the decades, along with many films and multimedia records of competitions, recreating the spirit of each Olympics, including athletes’ joys and sorrows, successes and failures, and the cheers of countless spectators.

Zurich

Switzerland’s largest city, Zurich features a thriving commercial district, art museums, and historic buildings. The Old Town is perfect for a city walk, with its historic alleys, medieval churches, docks, parks, gardens, and museums. Exploring the university district includes passing by ETH Zurich, the University of Zurich, and the Kunsthaus Art Museum, leading to the charming Old Town.

• Project 3: Technological Immersion Experiences

Patek Philippe Museum

Patek Philippe is one of the few remaining independent family-owned watchmaking companies in Geneva. With its 185-year history, Patek Philippe perfectly exemplifies craftsmanship and the application of precision engineering in achieving sustainable development goals.

European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)

Located on the Swiss-French border, CERN houses the world’s largest particle physics laboratory and enjoys extraterritorial status. It is the birthplace of technologies such as the World Wide Web and touchscreen phones. Home to the Large Hadron Collider, which spans Switzerland and France, CERN represents the pinnacle of human imagination and creativity, with 6,500 scientists and engineers accounting for half of the global particle physics community.

Chocolate Train Journey

Experiencing Switzerland’s most famous specialty, Swiss chocolate, is essential to a Swiss visit. The Montreux–Bernier Highlands Railway operates a special train for this exquisite delicacy, making it a must-do tour not only for sweet lovers but also for railway enthusiasts. At Nestlé Cailler’s chocolate factory, participants will learn that Cailler’s cocoa, the raw material for their chocolate, comes from sustainably certified sources. They will see how sustainable development models promote the harmonious growth of cocoa, rainforests, and farmers.

Visit the La Maison du Gruyère demonstration dairy to immerse yourself in a modern sensory experience. Discover the secrets behind producing Gruyère AOP with Cerise (Cherry) cows, and enjoy the joyful atmosphere created by cheese fondue.

/Itinerary/

/Suitable Participants/

Youth aged 16-24 (from high school to university)

/Registration Fee/

RMB 50,800 per person

Price valid until February 28, 2025

/Included Fees/

1. Accommodation: International three-star standard hotels throughout the trip, double occupancy

2. Meals: All hotel breakfasts and 10 main meals

3. All listed admission fees and guided tours

4. Travel Accident Insurance

5. Five-Star Tour Leader Services + Three Days of UN Staff Host Services

6. One specially appointed teacher from the UNITAR_CIFAL HUBEI Center to fully ensure the safety and health of the students throughout the entire program.

7. UN Official Lectures

8. Travel Handbook

9. Study Certificate Issued by UNITAR CIFAL Hubei

/Excluded Fees/

1. Round-trip Airfare to Switzerland from various locations

2. Additional Costs for Special Accommodation Needs

3. Other Personal Expenses During the Trip

4. Passport Processing Fees and Notarization/Authentication Fees for Visa Applications