Representatives of over 100 diplomatic missions in New Delhi met on 11th March 2014 at a briefing on the World Conference on Youth which will be held in Sri Lanka this year in May. The conference will come to Asia for the first time and the focus will be on young people’s role in the creation and implementation of the post-2015 development agenda.
The Government of Sri Lanka will convene the conference to bring together over 1500 people including 2 young people from each country in the world, 350 international youth leaders, Ministers responsible for youth and the UN system. Young people, including representatives from youth-led organizations and networks, Ministers and International Organizations are expected to jointly agree on an outcome.
High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam, Sri Lanka’s envoy to India welcomed the representatives to the briefing and introduced the speakers from around the world.
Sri Lankan Minister of Youth Affairs and Skills Development Dullas Alahapperuma, in his remarks to the members of the diplomatic corps requested that information on the conference be conveyed to their respective capitals and urged participation from each country at the World Conference on Youth. He further requested Ministers in-charge of youth affairs in the respective countries to attend this Conference.
The European Youth Forum and Co-Chair of the International Youth Task Force of the conference, Lloyd Russell-Moyle told the audience “this conference will bring together people for the first time in history to engage in an inter-generational dialogue about the role of young people in creating and implementation of the future development agenda”.
Global Advisor on the World Conference on Youth, Ravi Karkara emphasized the “need for effective follow up and building of existing momentum to put youth at the center of the global development agenda” in his closing remarks to the gathering.
The other members of the delegation included Director General of National Youth Services in Sri Lanka, Lalith Piyum Perera and International Youth Task Force Member and UN Liaison for the International Coordination Meeting of Youth Organizations, Christopher Dekki.
For further information, please contact,
WORLD CONFERENCE ON YOUTH SECRETARIAT
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development
“Nipunatha Piyasa”, No.354/2, Elvitigala Mawatha,
Colombo 05. Sri Lanka
Telephone:+94112136532-2
Fax+94112597780
+94112597780
e-mailwcy.secretariat@srilankayouth.lk
High Commission of Sri Lanka
New Delhi
11 March 2014
