IYPS 2001

The International Young Professionals Summit (IYPS) 2001 brought together 120 young professionals from around the world in order to highlight, discuss, inspire and facilitate action in relation to key issues (the themes of the Summit) which are currently facing humanity and its future, namely:

• Poverty
• Social Capital
• Environment
• Sustainability

In bringing together international young professionals, including those already involved in efforts to address these social problems, the Summit sought to match specific problems with possible solutions. A key strategy for achieving this was through linking people with a working knowledge of problems with those in positions to develop and implement solutions.

IYPS 2001 was about bringing together young professionals from around the world for three days of dialogue, information, knowledge and skill sharing, and networking with the aim of facilitating concrete actions to address some of the world's most pressing problems. IYPS 2001 was to be a catalyst for collaboration, cooperation and innovation by young professionals in effecting positive global change.

As such, the agenda for the Summit was oriented to creating dialogue and discussion between young professionals internationally and, on the basis of this dialogue, facilitating informed local, regional and global action. The specific focus was the generation of two to three detailed project proposals for implementation in each of the Summit regions by delegates to the Summit, IYPS partners, and other young professionals and organisations in these regions.

The agenda for IYPS 2001 was based on the four themes of poverty, environment, sustainability and social capital. Additionally, based on the 2000 Commonwealth Young Professionals conference held in London, nine action areas were identified where young professionals in particular can and do play a role including:

• Housing and infrastructure
• Food and agriculture
• Fresh water
• Population and health
• Information and communication technologies
• Transport
• Aid and trade
• Education
• Appropriate technology

Finally, delegates met in Regional groups where they synthesised the input and outcomes from plenary sessions, thematic groups and action areas to develop solutions to particular problems in their region. The regional structure recognised that while many issues within the Summit themes and action areas were of global relevance, different regions of the world have unique or specific issues and require tailored solutions. At the same time, the interconnected nature of our world means that local solutions must also be global solutions, i.e. taking in to account global impacts, issues and trends. In their regional groups, delegates proposed a number of projects to address some of the identified regional problems.

International Young Professionals Foundation
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Page Last Updated: Friday 18 February 2005
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