Bangkok--Sep 8--UNISBKK
Young people from the Asia-Pacific region make up the largest generation of adolescents worldwide in history. On Monday, 12 September, youth representatives from the region will gather at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) in Bangkok to let the region know what's important to them and how they can make a difference.
Approximately 200 international and Thai university and high school students, as well as young leaders from NGOs and civil society will share
ideas on issues affecting them covered by the 2005 World Summit, including development, security and human rights.
"Young people today are a generation faced with opportunities and threats.
They hold the key to mending problems in our region like drug abuse, commercial sexual exploitation, gender discrimination and HIV," said Mr.
Kim Hak-Su, Executive Secretary of UNESCAP.
The "Young Voices for Change" United Nations Youth Forum is organized by UNESCAP with the support of the World Youth Peace Summit NGO, UNICEF and
the Body Shop.
The "Young Voices for Change" United Nations Youth Forum is a lead up to the 2005 World Summit on 14-16 September 2005 where world leaders will
discuss issues raised in the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's In Larger Freedom report.
The programme will feature panel discussions by young people and experts on the "In Larger Freedom" report's four main sections which discuss freedom
from want, freedom from fear, freedom to live in dignity, and strengthening the United Nations. The forum will also provide an opportunity for young people to workshop action plans for UN issues like the Millennium Development Goals in their communities.
Speakers and performers include Thai youth representative and pop star Lydia of R.S. Promotion, UNICEF youth representative Miss Wannakanok
Pohitaeda on HIV in her Yala province community and a young people's choir
from American School Bangkok as well as Mrs. Srisak Thaiarry, Executive
Director, National Council for Child and Youth Development, Dr. Mark
Tamthai, Director of the Institute for the Study of Religion and Culture,
Payap University, Chiang Mai, Thailand and Member of Thailand's National
Reconciliation Commission, Dr. Ioan Voicu, Assumption University and UN
representatives.
For more information:
www.unescap.org/unis/YF/index.asp
http://www.un.org/ga/documents/overview2005summit.pdf
http://www.un.org/largerfreedom/
NOTE TO EDITORS: You or your representatives are cordially invited to attend the "Young Voices for Change" United Nations Youth Forum.
When: 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Monday, 12 September 2005
Where: Conference Room 1, level 2 of the UN Conference Centre, UNESCAP,
Rajdamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok
For further information please contact:
UN Information Services Bangkok
Tel: +(66-2) 288-1861-69, Fax: +(66-2) 288-1052
E-mail: [email protected]
http://www.unescap.org/unis/YF/index.asp End.