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Youth leaders from 36 nations discuss global issuesFriday, 17 July 1998: Youth leaders from 36 countries today concluded two days of serious discussion of issues ranging from the exploitation of children for military purposes to female genital mutilation at a forum sponsored by Time Warner and UNICEF. The young persons, aged from 13 to 17, ended their discussion with an hour-long session with UNICEF's Executive Director, Carol Bellamy.The meeting with Ms. Bellamy took place at UNICEF House following sessions during which the young people, who came from every continent, identified themes of common concern. Among them were education, domestic violence, drug abuse and poverty. "It's particularly good to meet now," Ms. Bellamy said, "when UNICEF is emphasizing giving a voice to the largest generation in world history. Today's adolescents are the first generation of the coming millennium. The young people at this forum, who have found common cause around issues the world needs desperately to understand, are certainly cause for confidence in that future." The forum participants expressed hope that their meeting would result in the creation of an ongoing international body of young people. "We are very excited about this opportunity", said Thaothe Bosiu, the delegate from Lesotho. "It gives us a chance to know about kids' problems all over the world." Saturday night, the 36 delegates will be featured guests at the opening ceremony of the Goodwill Games in Battery Park where they will be formally recognized. They will also witness the unveiling of the 1998 Goodwill Games/UNICEF greeting card created by Michel Delacroix, official artist of the Games. The limited edition cards will be sold from July 10 to August 3 at all Goodwill Games venues and by accessing the website www@unicefusa.com. Proceeds from their sale will benefit UNICEF-assisted programs currently operating in over 160 countries and territories around the world. For Derek Pettigrew, the U.S. delegate, the forum offered a unique opportunity to learn more about traumatic experiences children face everywhere. "I am surprised to know that there's so much violence against kids in so many countries," he said. |
| Please email media@unicef.org with comments or requests for more information, quoting CF/DOC/PR/1998/36. |
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