International Student Summit on Climate: Call for Applications
In July 2020, Université Laval (in Quebec, Canada) will host an International Student Summit on Climate, aimed at young university students or recent graduates from across the world. A call for applications is being launched in January 2020 and the deadline to submit an application will be on February 12, 2020, at midnight (Quebec time, Canada).
In July 2020, Université Laval (in Quebec, Canada) will host an International Student Summit on Climate. A world first, the UniC2020 Summit will bring together for four days some 300 young students and graduates from around the world, selected for their commitment towards climate action. In addition to the sharing and networking aspects at the Summit, participants will have the opportunity to collaborate through concrete initiatives via the upcoming International Student Climate Network.
Most activities will be highly interactive, including workshops, debates, games, simulations, visits and competitions. However, students who cannot join in Québec City will be able to participate to a number of panels and conferences online. A working group will be created in order to think of innovative solutions to reduce the carbon footprint of the second edition, scheduled for 2022. In the meantime, Université Laval will rely on carbon offsets to make the Summit a carbon neutral event.
Objectives
In collaboration with its partners, Université Laval plans to make the International Student Summit on Climate a recurring event, every two years. For its first edition, the objectives of the UniC2020 Summit are:
- Establish, through an international network, a community of practice bringing together young university leaders to support organizations and societies committed to climate issues.
- Share approaches, discuss innovative and concrete actions and promote their transferability.
- Identify gaps in scientific knowledge on various issues related to climate change in order to establish international research collaborations.
- Discuss best practices from university communities in terms of sustainability, as a contribution to climate action.
Application Process
An international Call for applications is being launched in January 2020 and the deadline to submit an application will be on February 12, 2020, at midnight (Quebec time, Canada). An application file can be presented either in French or in English.
The international Call for applications is meant to offer young leaders from around the world, from all walks of life, the opportunity to submit their candidacy. Eligibility criteria have been established and participants will be selected, particularly in light of their motivation and their commitment to climate action. Final choices will be known at the beginning of March 2020 and all students and graduates who have applied will then be informed promptly if they have been selected or not.
To apply, you must provide the following components in the Application Form, at the latest on Wednesday February 12, 2020, at midnight (Quebec local time, Canada). The Summit reserves the right to refuse an incomplete application or one that has been submitted beyond this date. Your application file can be submitted either in English or French.
For an application to be considered complete, you must:
- Produce and send a short personalized video presentation (60 to 90 seconds maximum)
- Submit an official certificate of your status as a student
- Send some form of demonstration of your involvement in the field of climate action
To be eligible as a candidate, you must:
- Have an active command of one of the two languages of the event: French, English.
- Be a student (all university levels) or recently graduated (less than 2 years since graduation).
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- Agree to evaluate 10 application videos submitted by candidates from outside your own country.
- Commit to participating in the whole Summit (no partial participation).
- Be able to demonstrate your involvement, research or proven interest in the field of climate action.
- Show clear interest in contributing to the International Student Climate Network which will be launched as part of the Summit.
Assets considered or privileged access:
- Passive knowledge of the second language of the event (French or English).
- Person from an Aboriginal / First Nations community.
- Membership of a network, group or association on the issue of climate action.
Some 300 students (from all university levels) and recent graduates from across the world will be selected based, among other elements, on their personal leadership in climate action within their community, in their country or internationally. The motivation to participate in the UniC2020 Summit and to contribute to the initiatives of the future International Student Climate Network (hyperlink to the UniC Network section) will also be considered in the selection process.
The choice to host some 300 participants takes into account the fact that those selected will be granted substantial financial support. Université Laval is proud to foster inclusivity for candidates who otherwise would not have been able to participate.
The UniC2020 Summit will be a unique opportunity for networking, sharing of diverse experiences and the creation of new collaborations on a global scale. It is therefore considered essential to ensure diversity among the participants.
The process for selecting participants for the UniC2020 Summit is managed by Université Laval and will take place starting February 12 (closing date for the international call for applications).
The Summit will provide financial support to all participants, namely to ensure that costs do not constitute an obstacle to quality applications. This means that a significant part of the expenses will be covered. In summary, each participant will be offered several services (accommodations, breakfasts, lunches and activities) free of charge, for a total amount equivalent to some $ 450 CND.
Other costs will be the responsibility of the participant (registration fees of $ 100 CND, transportation, insurance, visas, personal expenses).
Additional Financial Support
One of the Summit’s goal is to provide additional financial support to a maximum of participants, so that costs do not constitute an obstacle to quality applications and participation of students from different regions of the world. In this context, various organizations supporting national and international student mobility will be called upon.
Candidates selected as participants in the Summit will be informed of their success in early March 2020. If necessary, links will then be provided by Université Laval with potential support organizations. These will then choose the candidates to whom they wish to offer financial support, according to their respective requirements and criteria. Participants will also be invited to contact support organizations in their own milieu. If necessary, Université Laval can provide the documentation necessary to support this solicitation.
International Student Summit on Climate UniC2020
external page International Call for Applicants
Deadline for Submission: Wednesday, 12. February 2020
Dates: From Monday, 6. July 2020 to Thursday, 9. July 2020
Location: Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
For current information about the International Student Summit on Climate as well as the application process, please visit the external page International Student Summit on Climate (UniC2020) homepage.