Youth Commission charts course under new president

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Youth Commission members meet in Bergamo, Italy (Photo: Israfil Ashurly)

The UIAA Youth Commission gathered in Bergamo, Italy for a one day meeting on 10 November 2012 to discuss a number of initiatives that will chart the direction of the commission under the leadership of its new president Israfil Ashurly of Azerbaijan.

The meeting which was attended by former Youth Commission president Anne Arran also saw the appointment of Jenny Paterson of South Africa as the new coordinator of the always popular Global Youth Summit events. Zdenka Mihelic, the former coordinator and Arran are staying on with the commission as experts.

As part of its ongoing efforts to ensure that Global Youth Summit events take place all over the world, commission delegates approved the publication of a handbook that outlines, to new organizers, how to hold a UIAA approved event. The intent is to circulate these handbooks widely. There was also agreement to produce a series of advice sheets and to seek sponsorship for both the handbook and the advice sheets, to assist federations develop their youth and youth leader education programmes.

As part of its mandate to promote GYS event and reach out to youth around the world, commission members strategized on a plan that includes an event in Mongolia in 2013 which will be included in the plan submitted to The Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF).

The commission also worked on developing the 2013 calendar of events. Some events are already available such as two international youth ice climbing meets from FFCAM in Guillestre, France and a climbing event in Ariège in the summer.

Other projects in development include developing a relationship with the National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme (NICAS), a UK wide scheme designed to promote climbing development and accredit individual achievement on artificial climbing structures. NICAS awards can be used as a starting point for people wishing to take up climbing and mountaineering. It is open to all candidates aged 7 and upwards. The Youth Commission is interested in the opportunity for young climbers to develop their skills

Andy Reid of NICAS was invited to the meeting as a guest and spoke about his group to the commission. Following the meeting, NICAS agreed to become a sponsor the UIAA Youth Commission handbook and advice sheet for federations, facilities and youth coaches on young people using climbing walls and their development.

The commission agreed to work with sponsors to develop advice sheets which will help those those designing youth programmes in their federations, for parents and young climbers or mountaineers. Experts will also be invited to present to youth commission meetings from time to time.

Look out for information from the UIAA Youth Commission leader seminar in Slovenia coming soon and checkout the UIAA GYS Facebook page.

The Youth Commission thanks the Italian Alpine Club (CAI) for hosting the meeting. A special thanks was made to Dolores De Felice and Silvio Calvi for organizing the event.