Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona participated in a high level panel discussion on youth, organized by the Permanent Mission of Belgium to the United Nations.
The event, “The Added Value of Youth Participation”, focused on how governments and international organizations could include youth in the policy making processes. The Secretary General’s special envoy on youth, Mr. Ahmed Alhandawi was also present.
Ambassador Kohona spoke of the government’s effort to include youth in the policy making process. He noted that the youth parliament in Sri Lanka, and the 10,000 youth organizations has been a catalyst in galvanizing the youth movement in the country.
Mr. Alhandawi underlined the role of young people as stake holders in the post 2015 agenda.
Youth delegates from member states were present at the event, including from Sri Lanka. Ambassador Kohona invited all participants to attend the World conference on Youth 2014, which Sri Lanka will host next year.
