Voices and Visions from the Next Generation of Conservationists

Youth Video Contest
www.ncseonline.org/conference/biodiversity

Are you interested in the future of the environment and biodiversity?
Do you have new ideas about how to address the challenges to biodiversity ranging from climate change to habitat and species loss to globalization?

Share your ideas and solutions with us through the video contest, Voices and Visions from the Next Generation of Conservationists, hosted by the National Council for Science and the Environment.

You – the future leaders – are vital if we are to develop proactive solutions to safeguard species, ecosystems and human well-being. Engaging young people in both decision-making and implementation about biodiversity conservation is critical as the consequences of these efforts will shape the world you’ll inherit.

This video contest provides a forum for the next generation to share their actions, perspectives, and passion for biodiversity as part of the 9^th National Conference on Science, Policy, and the Environment: Biodiversity in a Rapidly Changing World December 8-10, 2008. The conference aims to develop a new conservation strategy for the 21^st century. We expect 1,000 participants from the scientific, government, business, academic, and non-profit communities to attend. Winners will have the opportunity to share their ideas and perspectives with these individuals and other youth participants.

We invite individuals and small groups (up to 5 people) between the ages of 12 and 25 to submit a short video (up to 5 minutes) focusing on the unique perspective, solutions, and passion the youth of today have in regards to the current and future challenges posed to biodiversity. The video can involve anything from neighborhood or field projects to skits to oral presentations to picture productions displaying how you and other youth are, will, or want to:

• Encourage individual and collective action to address biodiversity challenges,
• Use or develop new tools and strategies to protect biodiversity,
• Be engaged in addressing the loss of biodiversity,
• Bring knowledge and raise public awareness about the biodiversity challenge.

And so much more! Use this video forum to show how the voices and visions of the next generation of conservationists will help brighten the future of biodiversity.

The top three videos in the four age groups (12-14, 15-18, 19-22, and 23-25) will be shown at the 9^th National Conference on Science, Policy, and the Environment: Biodiversity in a Rapidly Changing World in Washington D.C. Winners will receive one complimentary registration to the conference*, their video displayed during the 2009 DC Environmental Film Festival, and a pass to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Winners and Honorable mentions will have their video posted on NCSE’s website as recognition of their achievement.

Rules: The video submission must be no longer than five minutes from start to finish, have significant relevance to the theme, and must comply with all terms and conditions. Participants must mail a CD or DVD to the National Council for Science and the Environment, 1101 17^th St. NW, Suite 250, Washington D.C. 20036, including a high quality version (if possible) as well as a web streamable version (no greater than 1GB). Submissions must be postmarked by October 31, 2008. Technical specifics and other details can be found online in the terms and conditions. Please email conference@ncseonline.org with questions.

Judging Criteria: A team of judges will review each submission and make determinations at their own discretion. Applicants will be notified of their status by November 14, 2008.

*NCSE does not provide support for travel or lodging fees. One complimentary registration provided per winning video. Videos submitted by a group will receive one complimentary registration regardless of number of individuals in group.