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

World Conference of Ministers

Responsible for Youth

4th Plenary (AM)

EFFECTS OF ARMED CONFLICT, YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,

MEDIA INFLUENCE DISCUSSED AT LISBON 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 this morning continued  its general exchange of  views 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  representatives of  some  160 nations  —  more than 100 at  the ministerial  level —  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 national policies to benefit youth.

Statements

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AHMED T.H. ALYAZJI, Secretary for Youth and Sports, head of delegation, Palestine, said the development of any society depended on the promotion of youth.   Of particular importance  was the development  and promotion of the rights of  youth subjected to wars, armed conflict and foreign occupation.  Generations of Palestinian young  people  had known nothing other than Israeli occupation and Palestinian diaspora.  They had suffered from many injustices,  and  they  paid a very high price.   Many youth had been traumatized by arrest and imprisonment in Israeli jails.  The closure imposed by the Israeli  Government  had  retarded youth development, increasing unemployment and other problems.

He  called upon the international community to increase assistance toPalestinian  youth, to promote  and protect  their right  to association and freedom,  he said.  The  improvement of the situation for Palestinian youth demanded continued international  involvement and assistance.  Although the peace process had deteriorated,  he hoped  the future  would bring positive developments that would create opportunities for youth.

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