World Conf. of Ministers Responsible for Youth – Press release (excerpts)

World Conference of Ministers

Responsible for Youth

5th Plenary (PM)

FAMILY, MARRIAGE, PEACE, POLITICAL STABILITY AMONG ISSUES

RAISED AT LISBON WORLD CONFERENCE

(Received from a United Nations Information Officer.)

LISBON, 10 August —

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Conference Work Programme

The  first World  Conference of Ministers Responsible for  Youth continued its general exchange of views  this afternoon on implementing the World Programme of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond, which was adopted by  the United Nations General  Assembly  in  1995  on  the  tenth anniversary of the International Youth Year.

The Conference, which is being held from 8 to 12 August in Lisbon, brings together governmental representatives to find  ways  of  responding  more effectively to the needs of young people.   Participants will review efforts to  fulfil  the World  Programme of Action and consider what additional actions are required on the national level.    They will also appraise progress since the  1985 International Youth Year,  as well as the relevance of its themes — participation, development and peace.  Also, in discussion on social development, certain  priority issues will be  highlighted,  including education, health, employment and drug abuse.

The  Conference is expected  to adopt  a declaration  by which governments will commit  to  strengthening policies  to  benefit  youth.   (For  further background on the Conference, see Press Release SOC/4457, of 5 August.)

Statements

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MORTEZA MIRBAGHERI,  Adviser to the President  of Iran,  said youth issues demanded concerted, long-term international actions.  

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It was  important to touch upon  the serious  situation facing Palestinian youth,  he said.   Arbitrary  detention,  torture,  excessive use  of force, killing,  economic seizure  and deprivation  were the  order of  the day for young  Palestinians.   Until and  unless  the international  community  took serious action to put an end  to the occupation, there would  be no hope for the Palestinians.   Participants in the Lisbon  Conference could not turn  a blind eye on the Israeli atrocities.  Nor should they be indifferent to  the legitimate aspirations  of Palestinian  youth to  self-determination and  to having a homeland.

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