Meeting with G8 Leaders, Part 2
By John Varoli After a brief welcome and introduction by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Junior 8 delegates took the floor in the Konstantin Palace to present their views to G 8 leaders on the four main issues of the summit --- HIV, education, intolerance and violence, and energy security. The youth’s eloquence, fortitude, and conviction were impressive, and at times rivaled that of some of the G 8 leaders. Kristina Abretti, the Canadian delegate, spoke first. She focused on helping education in the developing world, with suggestions that included teaching life skills, morals and values, free education for all, more international exchanges, peace education for strife-torn areas, training teachers, and sending teachers from developed countries to the developing world. One of the most ambitious ideas was the Global Industrial Olympics, a global fund where businesses give a percentage of proceeds to support development programs. ``If consumers knew that a percent of what they’re buying goes to developing countries, they’d be passionate buyers,’’ said Ms. Abretti. ``And the business community knows that passionate customers are good customers.’’ After complimentary remarks from President Putin, Diana Perez, the U.S. delegate, took the floor to discuss infectious diseases. She called for more international research, education, more HIV prevention programs, hospitals and clinics for areas lacking them, free vaccines, and medicines for those suffering from these diseases. Xavier Attwell, the French delegate, continued the topic, calling for an end to stigmatizing those who are HIV-infected, and pointed out that we have the means to eliminate other deadly infectious diseases, such as malaria and tuberculosis. All that remains to finish the job is determination and financing. ``We are impressed by the freshness of your ideas and your commitment,’’ remarked Italian leader, Romano Prodi. Elena delle Site, the Italian delegate, spoke about the need for energy security, especially the need for environmentally sound and renewable energy sources. Elena mentioned the difficulties faced by poor countries that lack energy resources and which are being hard hit by the current rapid rise in oil prices, such as South Africa. Janusch Krasberg, the German delegate, presented youth views on violence and intolerance. He called for greater protection of children’s rights, and asked that the G 8 to set up a body which would monitor and enforce conventions on children’s rights. ``You not only identified problems, but you came up with solutions,’’ said the German leader, Angela Merkel, who later told Janusch that when Germany hosts the G 8 next year, the Junior 8 will have up to two hours to meet with the leaders. Tatyana Ushakova, the Russian delegate, ended the session by calling for education to inculcate values to foster tolerance and respect. She called on host nations to respect the cultures of immigrants, but made a similar call for immigrants to respect the traditions and values of their host nations. ``We feel the intellectual and moral energy of your work,’’ concluded, Putin, wrapping up the meeting. ``It’s precisely with the input of youth that we’ll solve the problems facing us.’’
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Related Links
'Junior 8' - Address to the Leaders
Press releases
16 July 2006: G8 Leaders meet Junior 8 Children Q&A Stories, by John Varoli 7 July 2006: ‘Junior 8’ delegates arrive in Russia Voices of Youth – Junior 8 2006: Russia Interact with Junior 8 2006 participants |
