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World's biggest youth conference
31/07/2005
The world's most important conference for young people
will today kick off in Stirling.
The World Youth Congress, which will be opened by Deputy
First Minister Nicol Stephen will bring together 600 of the
world's most dynamic young people from over 100
countries.
Delegates, including a large group of Scots and 50 young
journalists, will discuss worldwide social and
environmental issues, as well as how best to meet achieve
the UN's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Mr Stephen said:
"Scotland is the place where the world is gathering in
2005.
"Following the G8 conference and the Edinburgh leg of
Live 8, I am delighted to see that yet another significant
worldwide event is taking place here.
"There are opportunities for those from both rich and
developing countries to gather, exchange ideas and gain a
better understanding of each other and the their skills.
They will seek to build stronger, safer and more
sustainable communities across the globe.
"Everyone involved in these meetings is helping to
making the world a better place and are polar opposite to
those who think the solution is to bring violence and
terror upon innocent people.
"A special conflict resolution group will also run in
parallel with the congress."
Speaking about Scotland's role he added:
"I am proud to see that Scotland is demonstrating its
commitment to young people and sustainable development by
hosting this Congress.
"We have a target that 40 per cent of electricity
generated in Scotland should be from renewable sources by
2020 and are planning a sustainable development strategy
for this autumn.
"We will be using the unique opportunity that the
Congress presents to seek delegates' views on what we
should include in this strategy."
Mr Stephen concluded:
"But this conference is about more than just our
environment. 2005 is a key year for the UN MDGs and the
need to end poverty and hunger, reduce disease and cut
child mortality is more important than ever.
"The young people attending the congress have a real
opportunity to make a difference when they're in Scotland.
The world's governments are listening to what they have to
say."
The Congress will be held at Stirling University and
will run until Sunday 7th August when it will be closed by
First Minister Jack McConnell.
The delegation of 600 will be made up of:
- 400 activists and participants;
- 100 UK delegates, including 54 Scots;
- 50 young journalists
- 50 cultural performers
Just over 3800 young people from 130 countries have
registered to receive the Congress newsletter.
The Congress theme is "Young People working for a
sustainable world community". Within this overarching
heading, six key themes will run through the Congress
programme, and will be reflected in the skills workshops,
community action projects and outcome documents of the
Congress. The key themes are:
- Sustainability (environmental and economic);
- Poverty (combat hunger and debt, meet housing and
hygiene needs);
- Education (ensure universal primary education,
combat illiteracy);
- Equality (gender equality, tolerance, social
inclusion);
- Community (conflict resolution, social
responsibility); and
- Health (HIV / AIDS, reduce child mortality).
The UN's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are policy
goals that all UN Member States have pledged to meet by
2015 and include the eradication of extreme poverty and
hunger, reducing child mortality and tackling diseases such
as HIV/AIDS and malaria. The full list can be found at
http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/.