Rio+20 Global Youth Music Contest
Call for Music "Let the music talk!"

What is the Rio+20 Global Youth Music Contest?
The Sounding Board is helping to run the Rio+20 Global Youth Music Contest, a global song competition in conjunction with the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development’s 20th Anniversary Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 2012. Through online music video submissions, the contest will provide an opportunity for youth (30 and under) to express their hopes, concerns and thoughts on the future of our earth. For more info and to follow the competition please join us on Facebook, Twitter or on our website. Learn about the Boston Rio+20 Event by clicking HERE.

Who is eligible?
There are two divisions within the competition:

• Children 14 years and younger by the 3oth June 2012 
  
• Youth 15 to 30 years of age by the 30th June 2012
  

What are the criteria for song submissions?

• Submitted music video must be between two (2) minutes and five (5) minutes in length. 
  
• Songs must relate to at least one of the pillars of sustainable development (environment, economic or social). CLICK HERE to learn more about sustainable development.
  
• All submissions must be original and should not have been published before.
  
• For each category, a group of any size can participate. However organizers of Rio+20 Global Youth Music Contest can only provide resources for 3 representatives to attend events and activities related to awards. The group will designate one official representative who will submit the music video on its behalf and will serve as the contact person with the organizers.
  
• The submission could use any genre and any technical arrangement. Applicants are encouraged to be as creative as possible and to use all technical means to produce/make their music video. 
  
• All submissions are individual and each applicant will submit only one music video in the appropriate category (Children or Youth).
  
• Music videos can be submitted in any language. However each submission must be accompanied by a short summary of up to 100 words in English explaining the music video, its theme, its main message and how it relates to the topic of the global contest and the Rio+20 UN Conference. The summary should be added to the online submission form in the appropriate space.
  

When do I have to submit?
A video recording or music video of your song must be submitted by 11:59pm EST on March 18, 2012.

How do I submit?
All applicants must complete an entry form prior to submission. Applicants will be able to submit entries soon at the following link:  http://www.global-rockstar.net/

Children (14 years and younger by the 3oth June 2012) are required to send a signed letter of approval from a parent/guardian stating that they agree on their child’s participation in the contest and will allow their child to participate in as finalists or winners if selected. The approval form is to be sent by email to [email protected]. Template forms can be obtained by sending an email request to the above address with „‟Template of Approval Form‟‟ as subject of the message.

Why should I participate?
This is your opportunity to express your views on the future of our earth. It’s your chance to

• remind world leaders, nations and community members the important role both youth and the arts play in addressing global issues 
  
• engage and inspire your peers in sustainable development issues and the arts
  
• become a global citizen by joining other concerned youth from over 40 countries around the world in addressing these issues
  
• be a leader and role model for your community
  
• get international recognition and exposure for you/ your performing group
  

How will you determine a winner?
Winners will be determined in three (3) phases: 
Phase one: Three (3) National Finalists will be selected in each category from each participating country. A National Coordinator for the contest will facilitate this process and form a National Jury that will evaluate all submissions and select finalists.
Phase two: National Finalists in each category from all participating countries in the same continent will compete with each other. A Regional Jury will work to select the three (3) best music videos from the region (continent). The winners will become Regional Finalists and the Regional Coordinator selected by IAAI will facilitate this process and form the selecting jury. A full list of participating regions continents and countries can be found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Regional_Groups
Phase three: All Regional Finalists selected by their respective jury will then compete at the global level. Three (3) Winners in each category will be selected through an online voting process. Winning entries in each category will be those with the most votes from registered online voters. The online voting process will be launched in March 2012 in New York in the context of an intercessional meeting for the preparation of Rio+20 United Nations Conference for Sustainable Development and will close in May 2012 (exact dates will be announced soon).

All submissions will be evaluated according to their relevance with the theme of the contest. Other selection criteria includes originality, creativity, clarity of ideas and the relevance of proposed examples addressing the Rio+20 Conference topics from applicant’s personal experience. Technical quality of submissions will not be a key selection criterion, however the music video must at least ensure a clear image and a clear sound. Winners will be notified and contacted in May 2012 by IAAI through the contact details provided online. The decision taken by the jury is final and not subject to dispute or change.

What happens if I win*?
Winners will be notified and contacted in May 2012 by IAAI through the contact details provided online. Three (3) winners* from both categories will attend the Award Ceremony in Austria July 2012 in the format of a Global Challenges Song World Cup Gala Night 2012 broadcast globally LIVE on TV. Winners can expect to receive broad recognition of their music & work through various networks.

From 20th to 22nd of June 2012 the first place winner* of each category will participate in the Rio+20 United Nations Conference for Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and will perform during a Rio+20 Global Youth Music Concert. They might also meet with the Secretary-general of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, and be mentored by some United Nations Goodwill Ambassadors.

*All expenses related to travel, accommodation and visa will be covered by IAAI.
In the case of a group winning, the group must designate one official representative who will submit the music video on its behalf, serve as contact person with IAAI, & attend award-related events & activities. Though a group of any size can participate, Rio+20 GYMC can only cover expenses for 3 total representatives from each category.
 
What if I still have a question?
If you reside in the U.S., you can direct any additional questions about the contest to the U.S. National Coordinator Brian Kaufman: [email protected]. Non U.S. residents can submit inquiries to [email protected].