| World Bank Invests in Youth
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| Giacomo Filibeck (European Youth Forum), James Wolfenshon (World Bank) and Lidija Pozaic Frketic (World Scouting) |
Sarajevo, September 7 2004 - More than 170 youth representatives from 83 countries met with World Bank Group President James D. Wolfensohn and 40 senior officials in Sarajevo for the second Youth, Development and Peace (YDP) conference. The meeting summarized progress achieved over the past year since the first YDP conference in Paris and agreed on steps toward expanded engagement.
President Wolfensohn and youth organizations agreed to establish a loose and informal network of dialogue and regular interaction to:
- Disseminate information and knowledge-sharing.
- Facilitate joint work on the following issues: conflict prevention and resolution, education, HIV/AIDS and risky behaviours and Youth Employment.
- Empower and strengthen youth organizations.
- Ensure inclusiveness.
They also agreed on a process to establish the proper institutional arrangements for such a network.
- To find ways to engage other institutional partners.
- Be sensitive to local and global tensions.
- To set up a system to monitor progress on the Sarajevo commitments.
- Investing in Education: take into consideration the holistic approach of education.
- Find solutions to operate at national and local level.
Youth representatives at the conference requested the World Bank to prioritise and invest more in youth by acting directly with youth organizations and not only through national governments.“The World Bank is starting to build a better understanding of the power of youth,” said Wolfensohn, “we cannot ignore the fact that half of today’s world population is under 24. It is essential that the World Bank and youth organizations work together.”
“Investing in youth and in youth organizations is an obligation if we want to create a better society and a sustainable future,” added Giacomo Filibeck, President of the European Youth Forum, “the World Bank cannot allow itself any longer to choose other alternatives.” “These young people are the future, and if work on development issues is to be effective and sustained, it is essential to have financial investment and human commitment for the education of young people. Youth Organisations are great stakeholders for reaching this goal”, said Lidija Pozaic Frketic, Chairman of the European Region of World Scouting.
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