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World Youth Congress to be held in Scotland
20/07/2004
Scotland is to host the third World Youth Congress.
It will be held in Stirling between July 30 and August 8 next year and Deputy Education Minister Euan Robson has invited young people aged 18-25 to get involved by applying to become a delegate at the 10-day event.
Around 600 young people from 120 counties - including 100 from Scotland - are expected to attend the binennial congress.
Today 40 young people from over 20 countries gathered in Stirling to set the 2005 programme which will be on the theme of A Caring Society in a Sustainable World.
Mr Robson said:
"The World Youth Congress is a major opportunity for Scotland's young people to make their voices heard on an international stage.
"Delegates from across Scotland will share their experiences of developing projects that support local communities by improving the environment or working with vulnerable people.
"Delegates will prepare a policy document to present to the United Nations General Assembly that will recommend how governments can better target resources to improve the world we live in.
"Many of Scotland's young people have a clear sense of environmental awareness, strong social ethics and innovative ideas on how we can improve lives around the world.
"I look forward to hearing these views and helping Scotland's delegates welcome a further 500 delegates, support workers, facilitators, officials and speakers from around the world to Stirling next year.
"But Scotland is more than just a place to visit, it is a place to live and work and we have a tradition of welcoming new people. We are a modern outward looking country with a strong commitment to its young people and natural heritage so it is fitting that we should be chosen to host this prestigious event."
Details of the World Youth Congress and how potential delegates can apply can be found on its website - www.scotland2005.org.
Anyone age between 18 and 25-years-old can apply (delegates must have reached their 18th birthday on or before 30 July 2005).
The Executive is responsible for organising the event with the support of Peace Child International, the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, the Scottish Youth Parliament and other youth organisations.
The first Congress was held in Hawaii in 1999 and the second in Morocco in 2002.