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  • Commonwealth:
  • Youth must be ‘agents of change to restore planet’
Commonwealth Day celebrations at the Commonwealth Youth Programme Caribbean Regional Centre in Guyana, 2003

Created by the United Nations in 1999, International youth Day is an opportunity for governments and others to draw attention to youth issues worldwide.

Youth must be ‘agents of change to restore planet’

12 August 2008

Involvement from young people in addressing climate change is focus of International Youth Day meeting at Commonwealth’s headquarters

On the occasion of the 9th International Youth Day, the Pan Commonwealth Youth Programme is hosting a roundtable discussion on 12 August to give voice to appeals for more involvement from young people in sustainable development initiatives.

This meeting, taking place at the Commonwealth's headquarters in Marlborough House, London, addresses global warming through its theme, 'Youth and Climate Change: Time For Action. '

The discussion will focus on the Commonwealth's commitment to climate change made at the Heads of Government Meeting in Uganda in 2007 as well as young people's engagement. The outcome of the round table discussion will feed into a Youth Position Paper on climate change.

Australian Matthew Albert, the Pan-Commonwealth Youth Caucus Chair, called on decision makers to allow youth to fully participate as "agents of change" to restore the planet.

Youth Caucus

The Pan-Commonwealth Youth Caucus is a governance body of the Commonwealth Youth Programme - the agency responsible for youth development within the Commonwealth.

"As young people, we have a particular interest in a sustainable future and a sustainable Commonwealth," he said. "We are the inheritors of the actions of those who have come before and the innovators who can rectify the consequences."

He added that climate change is affecting young people through food shortages, conflict over natural resources, loss of livelihoods and places for recreation.

"For these reasons, we, as young people, seek to add our voices to the call for every effort to be made by governments and international bodies towards climate stabilization," Mr Albert said.

"With the support of governments and international bodies, young people can be a great force of positive change."

Following the December 17 1999 United Nations assembly, International Youth Day came into being following a recommendation made by the world conference of ministers responsible for youth.

Createdby the United Nations in 1999, IYDis an opportunity for governments and others to draw attention to youth issues worldwide.

Commonwealth's Director of Youth Affairs Fatiha Serour said that this year's theme was timely as "climate change has already begun to devastate communities and deepen the effects of poverty and hunger."

She observed that climate change complicates the challenges already facing youth.

"However, young people are increasingly adding their voices to the call for action on climate change," noted Dr Serour.

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