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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Youth participation is imperative for building a better world, says Commonwealth Secretary-General.

27 May 2003

"Young people need the opportunities to participate in the creation of stronger, healthier and wealthier communities. They want to be partners, not bystanders," Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon said today, at the opening ceremony of the Fifth Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting in Gaborone, Botswana.

Calling for greater participation of young people in the political process, the Secretary-General pointed out that, with young people making up 35 to 45 per cent of the Commonwealth today, youth participation is a demographic imperative.

"Young people don't want the older generation to tell them what to do to build a better world. They want to play an active part in building that world. They want their own ideas to be heard."
On the theme of the Meeting, 'Young People: Development Partners Against Poverty and HIV/AIDS', Mr McKinnon said, "These challenges are not problems for one continent, one country or one Commonwealth Youth Programme alone. They are challenges for all of us. We owe our younger generation honest solutions and resolute action."

The Secretary-General noted that a unique feature of the triennial Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meetings was the presence of a youth representative taking an active part in the discussions. He expressed the wish that a greater number of youth representatives should be present at future Youth Ministers Meetings, in order to strengthen young people's input in policy debate.

Mr McKinnon also stressed that young people are already making a significant contribution to the social and economic development of their communities: "young people are a force for social change and innovation. It is only when you seek answers to difficult questions that real social progress can be achieved."

Note to Editors:

The Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting (CYMM 2003) is taking place at the Gaborone International Convention Centre in Botswana, from Tuesday, 27 May to Friday, 30 May 2003.
For further information on CYMM 2003, please contact Daniel Woolford, CYMM Conference Spokesperson, at the Grand Palm Hotel, Gaborone, Botswana; Tel: + 267 391-2999, Fax: +267 391-2989.


 

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