——————————————————————————–
UN talks to focus on youth violence
By Rebecca Torr
Published: 12th June 2008
STRATEGIES to curb youth violence will be discussed at a United Nations conference opening in Bahrain next week.
More than 100 specialists and young people from across the world will attend the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) conference to look at ways of dissuading youth from engaging in violent, radical behaviour.
——————————————————————————–
UN talks to focus on youth violence
By Rebecca Torr
Published: 12th June 2008
STRATEGIES to curb youth violence will be discussed at a United Nations conference opening in Bahrain next week.
More than 100 specialists and young people from across the world will attend the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) conference to look at ways of dissuading youth from engaging in violent, radical behaviour.
The three-day Youth@the Crossroads – A Future Without Violent Radicalisation, will be held under the patronage of the Foreign Ministry at the Crowne Plaza from Sunday.
It will showcase community-based projects and best practices that constructively engage youth and foster conditions that provide young people with positive options for their own future.
It is organised by Unesco, particularly its strategic planning assist director general office, in collaboration with the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
UN Information Centre director Nejib Friji said the meeting was being held now because violent radicalisation had become an issue of concern to the member countries, both rich and poor.
“This has become a point of interest to everyone because the youth contain the future leaders, decision makers and public and official opinion,” he told the GDN.
“That’s why the UN is helping member countries to invest in future generations and come up with citizens who are forward looking with constructive personalities.
“Violence has always been present in the world but some patterns of violence has been noticed with concern and Unesco has acted promptly to tackle and reduce it.
“Unesco is assisting all member countries through education, science and culture to promote peaceful and moderate attitudes.”
The meeting will open with a Bahraini culture evening at Bahrain National Museum.
Performances will also be given by Colombian musician Cژsar L—pez, inventor of an instrument named ‘escopetarra’ (a guitar made from a rifle as a peace symbol), and Sierra Leone singer Steady Bongo.
The first plenary session will be opened by Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, together with Unesco deputy director general Marcio Barbosa. Lebanese American University, Beirut, president Joseph G Jabbra will serve as the meeting’s chairman.
Participants include former Colombian President Andrژs Pastrana, US elementary and secondary education assistant secretary Kerri L Briggs, European Union European Policy intercultural dialogue adviser Beate Winkler, Anwarul Chowdhury from Bangladesh, who is a former high representative for the United Nations Least Developed Countries, and Egyptian film producer Mohammed Gohar.
Other participants include non-governmental organisations, foundations, the private sector, local, regional and national governments, education institutions and youth.
The meeting aims to share experiences of best practices and to sensitise policy- and decision-makers at community, national, regional and international levels about the risks of youth’s exploitation for violent radical purposes.
Alternative solutions will be sought for youth to engage positively in their communities, as well as ways to develop more partnerships between private and public actors.
The presentations and discussions will come together in a Bahrain Message to the World’s Youth, which will set out a catalogue of best practices, strategies, partnerships and measures to tackle the global challenge of violent radicalisation of youth.
The conference will also feature an exhibitor and kiosk Partners’ Forum, as well as parallel debates and presentations focusing on strategies to promote youth-specific educational solutions.
Mr Friji said the meeting was designed to enable participants to come up with conclusions that would help member states develop their countries and prevent them from sliding into violent radicalisation.
Media from around the world, including UN radio and television, will be covering the meeting. They are being assisted by the UN and Information Ministry.
For more information visit www.unesco.org/en/youthcrossroads.
becky@gdn.com.bh
——————————————————————————–
© Gulf Daily News
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/story.asp?Article=219997&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=31084
