..Press Release................................ UNESCAP News Services

Date 13 September 2005
Press Release No: G/22/2005

YOUTHS APPEAL FOR GREAT ROLE IN COMMUNITIES

BANGKOK (United Nations Information Services) – Young people must do active community service, participate in social change, contribute to policy and take the initiative to make governments listen to them, said youth speakers at the "Young Voices for Change" United Nations Youth Forum.

The UN Youth Forum saw 300 local and international young people from schools, universities and NGOs in Thailand gather on 12 September at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok. “Young people in Thailand have a hard time, because children are taught they must obey and do what adults say,” said one youth presenter. “Even if it is against our rights or dignity.”

The Forum was organized by UNESCAP. Topics covered by the 2005 World Summit and Kofi Annan's “In Larger Freedom” report, development, security and human rights, were the focus of discussions.

The Forum included performances and a speech on HIV from youth worker Wannakanok Pohitaeda from Thailand’s southern province of Yala, and Thai popstar known as Lydia, Ms. Sarunrat Visutthithada.

Ms. Wannakanok spoke on issues young people in Muslim communities are facing. She described how young people wanted to practice safe sex and protect themselves from HIV, STIs and teenage pregnancy. She said the message to use condoms was starting to gain acceptance, but there were still many issues to be overcome.

Ms. Lydia urged young people to take part in decision-making. “Our voices are so important. We can get active and lobby our communities to fight poverty, hunger and disease. We can lead by example, showing the world that inequality and discrimination are not acceptable. Our voices have the capability to influence decisions and create change,” she said.

Panel speakers included Mrs. Srisak Thaiarry, the National Council for Child and Youth Development, Mr. Mark Tamthai, Member of Thailand’s National Reconciliation Commission and Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Strategic Non-Violence of the National Security Council, Mr. Ioan Voicu, Professor of International Relations, Assumption University and Olga Nakajo-Widder of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The forum was also by UNICEF and the Body Shop

In his message to young people for International Youth Day 2005, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged them to act with vision on fighting poverty. “Make sure your generation is the one to defeat poverty,” he said.

For more information: <www.unescap.org/unis/YF/index.asp>

For further information please contact:
UN Information Services Bangkok
Tel: +(66-2) 288-1861-69, Fax: +(66-2) 288-1052
E-mail: unisbkk.unescap@un.or

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