“We are the youth of today – looking back and moving forward”

Dear IOV Colleagues and Friends,
The International Organization of Folk Art (IOV) in operational relations with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is pleased to extend this Official Invitation to you to participate in The Second IOV Youth Congress 2010 on Cultural Heritage and Urban Sustainability.
The congress will be held 21 – 26 October, 2010 in Nanjing, China. Hosted by the City of Nanjing, the conference is being organized by the IOV China National Section, the Nanjing Youth Federation and the IOV Youth Commission, with support from the IOV Secretariat. The conference will run concurrently with the 2010 Fourth Nanjing World Historical and Cultural Cities Expo.

Nanjing, one of the Four Ancient Capitals of China and the seat of the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644), is now a modern commercial and cultural center with 7 million inhabitants. What better place to celebrate the energy of youth than in this vibrant city of ancient walls and modern skyscrapers. Truly, Nanjing embodies the motto of this year’s congress:

United Nations Mandate and Congress Theme
The United Nations has declared 2010 an International Year of Youth. In its resolution proclaiming the Year, the General Assembly called on governments, civil society, individuals and communities worldwide to support activities at local and international levels to mark the event.
IOV understands that its mission to preserve and protect folk art as part of the intangible cultural heritage requires ongoing action and is not the responsibility of a single generation of activists. Whether or not IOV succeeds in fulfilling its mission will depend, in part, on how successfully it inspires youth participation.

Recognizing the importance of the U.N. mandate, IOV calls on its youth members worldwide to come together in Nanjing China for a dialogue on traditional culture and sustainable development of cities and towns as a means of promoting the ideals of peace, respect for human rights and freedoms and solidarity.

Congress Theme
The Role of Youth in Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Cities and Towns is the theme of this year’s youth congress. Participants are invited to exchange research and other information through paper presentations, workshops and in other small group settings participants will report on projects undertaken at the conclusion of the last youth conference. New IOV youth projects will be identified, strategies will be discussed and goals for progress and completion will be set.

Paper Presentations and Publication
Congress participants are encouraged to submit papers for publication in the official congress proceedings. Guidelines, including deadlines for submission, are found later in this article. Participants preparing papers for publication are invited to present their research and findings at the
conference. (For guidelines, see the “Application”)

Participation
The congress is open to anyone age 35 and younger on a first to register basis. Applicants may be students, elected officials, community leaders and activists, as well as young professionals and others interested in urban planning, cultural tourism, anthropology, folk art and folk culture, sustainable development, art history, civil society administration and related fields. Because space is limited, conference participation will be granted to no more than three hundred youth participants.

Although participants must be age 35 or less, others who would like to participate, but are over the age of 35, may apply to participate as observers and will be considered on a space available basis.

Please note the following:

• All applications should clearly state whether the applicant is applying as a youth participant or as an observer;
• A maximum total of 10 (combined) participants and observers may be selected per country;
• All applicants must be current members of IOV or have submitted a membership application with the appropriate fees (see membership at www.iov-world.com) at the time of application;
• All applicants should have a letter of reference, preferably from the IOV Section leader of their country, or the IOV Regional Executive Secretary of their region. The names of section leaders and regional secretaries are found at www.iov-world.com.

All participants (including observers) are responsible for the following, including costs:

• Obtaining international transportation from home country to and from the Shanghai Pudong International Airport or Shanghai Hongqiao Airport at own expense;
• Obtaining a valid passport valid at least 6 months prior to departure;
• Obtaining a valid visa issued by the Chinese Embassy in the country where applicant resides for entry into the People’s Republic of China;
• Providing proof of medical insurance and funds to cover the stay in China.
• In addition, delegates are asked to attend the opening ceremony of the 2010 Fourth Nanjing World Historical and Cultural Cities Expo, and to bring their national costumes to wear during the opening and closing ceremonies of Congress, and at receptions with officials of the City of Nanjing Government.

The Nanjing Government, as host for this event, is pleased to offer youth participants the following:

• Transportation to Nanjing from, and return to, Shanghai Pudong or Hongqiao Airport;
• Hotel accommodations and some meals in Nanjing;
• The opportunity to take part in opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Fourth Nanjing World Historical and Cultural Cities Expo, some sightseeing and other activities;
• An opportunity to visit historical sites and other places of interest while in Nanjing.

IOV Thirty Year Anniversary Party
The City of Nanjing has invited all conference participants to a gala outdoor party in celebration of IOV’s Thirtieth Birthday! Enjoy live music, food and a boat ride on the river, courtesy of the host city. Date and time will be announced later.

Application
Accompanying this invitation is an APPLICATION FORM, which must be returned by no later than May 1, 2010. Delegates will receive letters of acceptance in the order applications and letters of reference are received. Please note the following deadlines for registration, paper submissions, and confirmation of travel. Dates indicate when materials must be received by IOV China:

May 1: Application and letter of reference;
June 30: Abstracts of papers;
July 1: Arrival and departure information with flight numbers;
August 15: Full paper in English must be received with any special requests for equipment needed for 8 minute paper presentation.

Additional information will be posted at the official conference web site once it is launched at:
www.2010njyc.org

Until then, please check for updates at: www.iov-world.com

We are looking forward to welcoming you to Nanjing for the 2010 Second IOV World Youth Congress on Urban Sustainability and Cultural Heritage!