To the United Nations Rio and Home Team Application for SOI Alumni Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20)

Rio and Home Team Application for SOI Alumni

Application Deadline: Wednesday, January 11th 5:00pm EST Please send applications, questions, or concerns to: apply@soidelegation.com

Rio and Home Team Application for SOI Alumni I. About the Students on Ice Polar Delegation The Students on Ice Polar Delegation (www.soidelegation.com) is an international youth-led initiative inspired by Students on Ice Expeditions (www.studentsonice.com), an organization committed to providing students, educators, and scientists the opportunity to experience the polar regions first-hand. The Students on Ice Polar Delegation is united by the rare privilege of having visited both the Arctic and the Antarctic. Composed entirely of youth, our delegation has a unique perspective on the planet that should be communicated to decision-makers. Mission and Vision Statement 1. We are youth addressing the current and emerging environmental, economic, and social challenges facing the polar regions. 2. We want to ensure the long-term sustainability of the polar regions which increases sustainability for developed and developing states. 3. We will encourage decision-makers at Rio+20 to be accountable to the generations who will have to address the long-term consequences of their decisions. Scale and Structure of Delegation The Students on Ice Delegation is comprised of alumni who have participated in Students on Ice expeditions to either or both the Arctic or Antarctic. Alumni include expedition students, field staff, and the Students on Ice staff. The delegation should have balanced cultural and geographic representation. The delegation will include a Home Team, a Rio team, and Staff Advisors. We currently have a leadership team of seven individuals responsible for leading different initiatives. II. Background on Rio+20 The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), also known as Rio+20 or Earth Summit 2012, will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from June 20 - 22 2012. It is named Rio+20 because it marks the 20th anniversary of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, and the 10th anniversary of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg. The UNCSD envisions Rio+20 as a Conference at the highest possible level, including Heads of State and Government or other representatives. Rio+20 will bring global leaders, nations and civil society together to make progress on global sustainable development, to evaluate progress to date and to address new and emerging challenges. The guiding themes of the conference are: 1. A green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication 2. The institutional framework for sustainable development Major Groups Involvement Civil society can participate in UN activities on achieving sustainable development through membership in a major group. Major Group Organizing Partners coordinate all the organizations within their major group. The nine major groups are:

Business and industry

Rio and Home Team Application for SOI Alumni

Children and youth Farmers Indigenous peoples Local authorities Non-governmental organizations Scientific and technological community Women Workers and trade unions

The SOI Polar Delegation is a member of the children and youth major group. III. Application Information The enclosed application must be filled out by all SOI alumni wishing to be members of SOI Polar Delegation to Rio+20. All SOI alumni are eligible and encouraged to apply! This includes alumni who wish to participate in the delegation to Rio from June 16th to 24th, 2012 (applicants for the Rio Team) and alumni who wish to participate in the delegation from home (applicants for the Home Team). Members of both teams will be actively involved in the preparations in the lead-up to Rio+20. Due to restrictions, only 5 applicants will be selected to join the Rio Team. Applications for both the Rio Team and the Home Team are due Wednesday, January 11th at 5:00pm EST. Successful applicants to the delegation will be notified by January 18th. To ensure that all members can contribute to the delegation in a way that is both meaningful and worthwhile for them, members will select the tasks and projects they want to work on by joining a working group. Each working group is led by a member of the leadership team. There are four working groups: Arctic Research and Policy Working Group is responsible for researching Arctic sustainable development issues and developing solutions for these issues that can be implemented at Rio. Members participate in regular group meetings and work independently. Antarctic Research and Policy Working Group is responsible for researching Antarctic sustainable development issues and developing solutions for these issues that can be implemented at Rio. Members participate in regular group meetings and work independently. Education and Engagement Working Group is responsible for raising awareness about the SOI delegations work and issues the delegation targets with the general public and attendees at Rio+20. Members participate in regular group meetings and work independently. Media and Communications Working Group is responsible for developing and managing the external media campaign and communications strategy. The Working Group will also edit all content. Members participate in regular group meetings and work independently.

Rio and Home Team Application for SOI Alumni IV. Application Form Please complete all questions of this application on a separate word document and send it back to apply@soidelegation.com by Wednesday, January 11th 5:00pm EST. Section A: Personal Information Last name: Date of Birth: Address: Country: Telephone (cell): First name: Citizenship: City: Postal Code: Email: Gender: M / F Ethnicity: Province: Telephone (home):

What languages do you speak? ____________________ What Students on Ice Expedition(s) did you participate in? ____________________ Section B: Education & Occupation At the time of the application, you are currently enrolled in (select which applies): High school or equivalent, College/CEGEP/non-university certificate, University (undergraduate), University (graduate) Name of institution: ____________________ Area of study: ____________________ Current Occupation: ____________________ Section C: Involvement Please provide concise answers to each question. As a guideline, each answer should be no longer than 250 words. Post-Expedition 1. What did you take away from your Students on Ice Expedition? 2. Did you take action after your Students on Ice Expedition? If yes, please explain specifically what you did and why you chose to do so. SOI Polar Delegation - Getting Involved 1. Why do you want to be on the SOI Polar Delegation team? 2. What are your strengths and skills? What can you bring to the SOI delegation team? 3. What are your weaknesses? 4. How much time can you devote to the delegation per week? 5. Which working group(s) would you like to join? Please state all applicable choices and explain why you want to join this working group. Arctic Research and Policy Antarctic Research and Policy Education and Engagement Media and Communications 6. What is your view on the future of the polar regions with regards to sustainable development and the green economy? What concrete actions would you propose for sustainable development in these regions? 7. Do you want to be part of the Rio Team or the Home Team?

Rio and Home Team Application for SOI Alumni Applying for the Rio Team (In Rio June 16th - 24th, 2012) Please fill out the following section if you want to be part of the Rio Team. Please note that currently, members will have to fund their own trip to the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Funds for the Earth Summit will be required by mid to late January. Estimated costs are expected to be approximately 2000 CAD$. This will cover Flights, Travel Insurance, Accommodation, Education and Conference Materials and other costs related to the conference. 1. Why do you want to attend the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (also known as Earth Summit)? 2. Do you have any experience participating in or organizing conferences? If yes, explain how you were involved and what you got out of the conference (or conferences). 3. Have you ever been on a delegation team or taken on a leadership role? If yes, please describe your role. 4. What qualities do you think a leader should possess? 5. In your opinion, do United Nations conferences, like the Earth Summit, effectively address environmental issues? How could these conferences be improved? 6. Environmental organizations are often criticized for traveling far distances to attend environmental conferences. Do you think the SOI delegation should go to Rio? If so, why? 7. If you werent able to be on the Rio Team would you still be interested in being part of the Home Team? (Due to logistical constraints not everyone can attend the Earth Summit) Thank you for completing the application!