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Joint UNICEF and World Bank presentation of WDR 2007

Ms. Mamta Murthi present WDR 2007 report

On 27 June the World Bank, jointly with UNICEF, presented the World Development Report 2007 – Development and the Next Generation. The Report was presented by one of the co-authors Ms. Mumta Murthi, sector manager on education for ECA region, who was visiting Uzbekistan.

The organizers of the event brought together the representatives of various government agencies, Uzbek Parliament, Women’s Committee of Uzbekistan, international organizations and donor community in the Silk Road conference hall of Dedeman Hotel in Tashkent. They also invited the representatives of youth movement Kamolot, Uzbekistan Culture and Arts Forum Foundation, mass media and NGOs.

Ms Mamta Murthi greeted the audience on behalf of the World Bank. Mr.Andro Shilakadze addressed the audience on behalf of UNICEF stressing that UNICEF is mandated to protect and develop children and youth and help them to survive in changing world.
In her presentation Ms.Mamta Murthi underlined that the report focuses on crucial capabilities and transitions in a young person's life: learning for life and work, staying healthy, working, forming families, and exercising citizenship. For each, there are opportunities and risks; for all, policies and institutions matter.

She said: "Young people today have more education, experience greater political openness, and have increased contact with the outside world through television, the internet, and migration than any of their predecessors, and this can ease their transition into being the law-abiding, engaged citizens of tomorrow". She also said that channeling young people’s knowledge and natural creativity can stimulate economic growth, and produce long-lasting beneficial effects which will have repercussions far beyond their generation. Put simply, they will influence the outcomes of the global fight against poverty over the next 40-50 years.
The presentation closed with questions/answers session.

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