THE WORLD WE WANT WHAT IS THE J8? The Junior 8 Summit, or 'J8', is an annual forum where young people from around the world meet to share their concerns and recommendations on how to solve global issues with G8 leaders and the world community. At the J8 Summit, a team of young people represents each of the G8 countries(Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States). An additional delegation of young people represents other countries of the world (Barbados, Cote d’Ivoire, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, and South Africa), with one participant from each world region. Participants in the Summit share their own ideas, but also serve as representatives of all young people worldwide. Participants at the J8 Summit discuss and propose solutions for the same topics that leaders discuss at the G8. They have the opportunity to present their ideas, opinions and recomendations to the G8 leaders on the topics that are part of their agenda. This year, it was held in Chitose City in Hokkaido, Japan from 2-9 July. The topics delegates discussed at this year’s J8 events were: 1. Climate change and global warming. 2. Global health: Child survival, and infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS. 3. Poverty and development with a focus on Africa. In addition to the Chitose Declaration, this year's participants created an Action Plan for young people, outlining how they intend to take action to support their own goals and recommendations. Read on to find out about the solutions they came up with. INDIA “The thing which is most important is determination...If you are determined to do something then no matter what the obstacles they can always be overcomed.” Male, 14 What are the Solutions? Have a look at The Chitose Declaration, their final document: We, the thirty-nine J8 delegates from Barbados, Canada, Cote d’Ivoire, France, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States of America believe that it is imperative for G8 leaders to listen to the voices of young people. We urge you to act upon previous J8 declarations as well as our own, so that young people are not ignored. We also need to follow up with the G8 governments so that young people can get involved and make sure that our ideas transfer into action NOW and in the future. ISSUES IN CONTEXT AUGUST 2008 Click on a link to read what young people are saying about the world they want The main priorities Progress made Ways forward Conclusion CAMEROON SOUTH AFRICA « Ma plus grande préoccupation est le changement climatique et réchauffement planétaire, la faim, la survie de l'enfant, protection de l'environnement etc... Vu le rapport de la situation des enfants dans le monde 2008, je pense que les nations devraient trouver des mesures nécessaires et urgentes pour remédier ces problèmes pour pouvoir atteindre les Objectifs de Développement pour le Millénaire d'ici à 2015. J'appelle les chefs d'États et gouvernements, ONG, les pouvoirs publics, associations des droits de l'enfant à mettre en pratique les textes cités dans le document de publication de l'UNICEF intitulé "Un Monde Digne des Enfants". De mon coté, entant que représentant des jeunes je continuerai à sensibiliser et à attirer l'attention de mon gouvernement sur la question des enfants dans monde pays. » [Translation: My greatest concern is climate change and global warming, hunger, child survival, environmental protection etc. ... Considering the State of the World's Children Report 2008, I believe that nations should find necessary and urgent measures to remedy these problems in order to achieve the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. I call on the heads of states and governments, NGOs, associations on children's rights to put into practice the texts cited in the document published by UNICEF entitled "A World Fit for Children". From my side, as a youth representative I will continue to educate and attract the attention of my Government on the issue of children in World countries.] Male, 18 Tackling Climate Change Global Treaty: As a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, we urge that the G8 put forth a treaty that includes all nations and has strict but reasonable guidelines for meeting greenhouse gas emission targets. This treaty should possess attractive incentives for all countries involved. The treaty should have progressive short and long term goals and a revised framework which ensures that promises are kept. “It would definitely be the restoration of the importance of purity because in my country there is a high rate of teenage pregnancy and this is really destroying our youth. Young people engage in sexual activities before time leading to early parenthood of which has a negative impact. Academically Education is the key to success so if our youth is illiterate there is no future for South Africa. Rising a baby is not a child’s play I think it all went wrong when our government introduced child support grant I’m not saying it was wrong but there should have been limitations, I mean” Female, 14 Technology Development: An international organisation must be established to evaluate products based on “Green Indexes” such as energy efficiency, waste management, packaging, and product composition. Approved “green” products are labelled to promote consumer awareness and receive government subsidies to become more competitive price-wise. This will harness the free-market nature of G8 nations to facilitate positive progress. MEXICO “I would establish a small government office whose job is to compile information about opportunities for young people in terms of work, volunteering, social insurance, education, etcetera, and make agreements with the private sector to sustain the database in a website that is open to the public, and an office where young people who have no access to internet can consult it.” Female, 18 Alternative Energy: G8 countries should be required to obtain a percentage of their energy from alternative energy sources.  There should be an emphasis on international cooperation and promoting joint research to improve the efficiency of current alternative energies and develop new options. Children and Young People for Environmental Issues: Governments should support peer education programmes in schools and communities for children and young people on combating climate change and promoting low-carbon lifestyles. In addition, they must provide information on programmes for young people in child-friendly language. Poverty and Development with Focus on Africa Basic Rights of Children: G8 countries must reiterate promises on promoting the rights of children, especially girls. All G8 countries must ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and ensure that these rights are enforced in both G8 and Non-G8 countries. G8 countries must also honour their pledge of giving 0.7% of their Gross National Income to official development aid in order to ensure that countries in the developing world are able to provide basic human rights, especially ones included in the millennium development goals. IRAQ “If I could do something I will tell and encourage the youth in my country to solve their problems by reaching their voice to their governments to give them more of scientific and cultural and fun encourage and to take more care on the schools and the students in all ages… and I think that the science is an weapon against the ignorance and backwardness and even the terrorists.” Male, 13 Accountability of Aid and Funds: G8 leaders should promote non-political donations by signing a declaration prohibiting tied-aid. Tied-aid keeps countries from developing independently and hampers economic development by diverting funds away from the actual purpose.  Though donor countries would be able to intervene in order to make sure aid is being used most effectively, this declaration would make sure G8 countries donate funds not for their own political gain but rather for the common good. This provides accountability not only toward local governments but to the people in need. We also stress the need to write-off the debts of developing nations. Economic Infrastructure: Infrastructure is a necessary base for economic growth and development; therefore G8 governments should promote incentives, such as subsidies, to companies demonstrating corporate social responsibility by building infrastructure in Africa and other developing areas. Companies would be compelled to provide for the construction of infrastructure and training programmes for the local work force, a fundamental step towards sustainability in the further expansion of infrastructure and local management development. Conflict Resolution: Given that stability is the foundation of development, G8 governments should promote the adoption of non-discriminatory laws and the growth of conflict resolution in developing countries, especially in Africa, through the use of education and media. To stabilize conflict afflicted areas, the G8 countries should provide rehabilitation and protection, particularly for women and children. IRAQ “We the youth in our country (Iraq) our fears concentrate in the first degree on the absence of security and stabilities in the country and not enough experience to administrate the country and to solve the problems that we are facing and the weak administration from our government.... which has lead to a bad security and the segregation of racialist and all of this led to increasing the terrorist and the terrorists works in all its kinds and the governments disability to control in these cases..... unfortunately my country Iraq is in a mess. So our dreams and our aims have been lost in the life in these situation. but for the world I think that there are many other countries that live like us in the same problems and most of them are undeveloped and Sloven countries that they miss the democratic life or they even don't know what does democratic means because the governors of these countries govern with fire and iron which it means many of them are dictators and that is what happened to us in Iraq. But in the development countries I don't think that the youth have any fears or problems as long as they have freedom and democratic in their country.” Male, 13 Children and Young People Aiding the Fight against Poverty: G8 countries should continue to promote the global participation of young people.  These countries should provide a forum in which young people from developed and developing countries regularly discuss and provide solutions for issues that affect young people. Through this forum, global leaders would gain a young person’s perspective on issues that affect them both directly and indirectly. Young people would also create international links allowing for understanding and compassion around the world. MEXICO “The government of my country has begun giving more scholarships for children so that they can continue their studies instead of going to work.” Female, 17 Global Health, Infectious Diseases Including HIV and AIDS Health Education: G8 governments must support educational schemes including programmes on disease prevention, nutrition, sanitation and worldwide sexual education. Special programmes for women and girls must be included, as well as promoting education for men and boys on gender equality. Governments must not be allowed to restrict people from access to contraceptives and health education. Education must be supported with free access to contraceptives and other necessary materials. EGYPT “I believe that the Egyptian government helps the Egyptian youth a lot to develop, maybe most of the projects are governmental projects, most of them are NGOs that helps the Egyptian youth to learn, discover, develop and make a change! I believe that the Egyptian NGOs are doing really great job to the students from High school students till graduates, through a huge number of projects, exchange programs, studying abroad, I think that Egypt's future will be definitely a very bright future as now most of the Egyptian youth are AWARE of Environment challenges, peace processes, politics, human rights, MDGs, and diversity.” Male, 15 Drug Patents: G8 governments must purchase patents from pharmaceutical companies in order to resell them to corporations willing to produce low-cost drugs. This will speed up the price drop of life-saving medicines and offset the cost of making cheaper generic drugs and vaccines for the cure and prevention of infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS, especially in developing nations.  To provide another incentive for cooperation, G8 governments should endorse these companies AUSTRALIA “A lot of people are either in denial or does not care enough about global warming and environmental issues. What needs to be done is to hammer how messed up they and their children would be if they keep going like that. Global warming already has major impacts with northern Europe and China where snow falls have done a plenty of damages. Recently New Zealand had snow falling in the middle of summer and typhoons hits Burma hard and heavy. Now this is only the beginning, the result of our industrial age revolution and development of the age of power. that is the problems created by our forefathers, in our hands we inherit the knowledge to carve the solution. Upcoming next is a divergent road, either stay on our ignorant ways and we will either perish or became deathly dependent on technology for survival; or second road where we learn to return to sustaining the earth as it sustains us and continue down that path to enlightenment that our discoveries are supposed to take us. Opening our eyes to the secrets and the beauty of the universe”. Female,16 Healthcare Grants: G8 governments must provide grants to match the healthcare funds offered by the governments of developing nations. This money would be used to build the capacity of health workers and to distribute basic health care packages, including information materials in local languages, water sanitation tablets and malaria nets to rural areas. These grants would be time-bound, in order to prevent the exploitation of aid. Children and Young People for Global Health: G8 countries must support programmes and organisations that appoint young people as ambassadors on global health issues.  Furthermore, governments should promote young people’s initiatives and events. GERMANY “I think anyone can take action! it doesn't need to be a real big campaign or a big project, you can already help by talking with others about problematic topics, by raising awareness on them or maybe by forming a group with some friends and selling baked cakes- the money that you gain from that can be spent and help where it's needed! I think it is important always to keep in mind that helping doesn't only make sense when it is a big event or a big project that you started. Already small steps can change something or are at least a beginning for something that can grow bigger!” Female, 17 BULGARIA “I want the government to encourage students financially, to give more money to education and health care and to stop corruption, to make us all proud that we are living in our country....I just want it to be more reliable.” Female, 18 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA “First and foremost, we share the desire to serve our nation and family. Secondly, we share the desire to stay true to our culture and religion. Thirdly, the need/desire to learn and "cultivate" our minds. Fourth, (at least for most) to lead What else? The list is endless.” Female, 18 We seek your support and encouragement in the implementation of our solutions, and hope that you will recognize the interconnectedness of all of these topic areas as well as the importance of immediate action. Recognizing that we all have a role to play in the positive development of this world, we have decided to supplement our recommendations with an action plan and steps for follow-up. TOGETHER, LET’S TURN YOUNG PEOPLE’S IDEAS INTO ACTIONS, AND NOT JUST WORDS. For more information contact: Maria Cristina Gallegos Voices of Youth Coordinator Adolescent Development & Participation Unit (ADAP), Division of Policy and Practice Tel: 212 326 7050 voy@unicef.org * These are original quotes from Voices of Youth members. *VOY would like to thank Lisa Marie Ullrich and Melissa Payne for their valuable contribution to this newsletter. Who participated in the Junior 8 Summit 2008 ? Check out this year’s team profiles: The World We Want VOICES OF YOUTH NEWSLETTER: AUGUST 2008 NO. 30