Press release

WINNER OF 1999 ESCAP AWARD BELIEVES YOUNG PEOPLE ARE THE BEST RESOURCE FOR PROMOTING THEIR OWN DEVELOPMENT

Bangkok (United Nations Information Services) - Youth empowerment is based upon the belief that young people are the best resource for promoting their own development. One excellent example of how to empower young people through training and educational programmes is the All-China Youth Federation, which has won the prestigious Human Resources Development (HRD) Award given annually by the United Nation's Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

The All-China Youth Federation was selected because of the high level of youth participation in its programmes and for the enthusiasm its programmes continue to generate throughout China.

It was chosen from among 83 individuals and organizations in 24 countries throughout Asia and the Pacific for its wide range of innovative human resource development activities for young people.

The All-China Youth Federation was formed in 1949, the same year the People's Republic of China was established. Over the fifty years of its existence, ACYF has grown to encompass youth organizations throughout China, and has successfully adapted its programmes to reflect the changing nature of youth issues and Chinese society.

The "1999 ESCAP HRD Award for Youth Empowerment" is sponsored by the Government of Australia, and carries a US$ 30,000 prize. ACYF will use the prize money to expand its successful self-protection programme, incorporating life skills training, such as first aid, self defence and environmental awareness into the regular school curriculum for young people throughout China.

ACYF provides training for teachers and volunteers throughout the country to conduct these important classes, which support national efforts to protect the rights and interests of children and youth.

Project Hope is another successful project run by ACYF. Established in 1989, Project Hope helps school dropouts get back to school and get an education. It also works to improve educational facilities and build new schools in poorer regions of China. Over the past 11 years, Project Hope has helped build 7,500 new primary schools and assist a total of 2.2 million school drop-outs to get back to school.

One of the most successful programmes overseen by ACYF involves urban youth that work as young volunteers in rural communities. When the programme began in 1994, 22 volunteers were sent into the field. Since then, almost 70 million young volunteers have worked to improve the lives of their fellow citizens throughout the country, making this an extremely effective programme for youth participation and capacity-building.

The ESCAP HRD Award is presented every year to organizations that have undertaken exemplary work in the field of human resources development. The Award will be presented to the President of ACYF by Mr Adrianus Mooy, Executive Secretary of ESCAP and Mr Paul Tighe, Minister and Permanent Representative of Australia to ESCAP, during the 56^th ESCAP Commission Session on 5 June 2000.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2000 ESCAP HRD Award with the theme: "HRD for the Empowerment of People with Disabilities."