Ecobreves – GLOBAL: Getting Ready for Youth Summit

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

MEXICO CITY, May 22 2004 (IPS) - Some 600 girls and boys from 100 countries will take part in an international environmental conference in July in the United States, where they will discuss global problems, present proposals and demand answers from the adult world. “It will be the largest meeting of its kind ever,” says Catalina Saravia, spokeswoman for the non-governmental Organization for Education and Environmental Protection of Colombia, which alongside the Mexico-based regional office of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), is promoting Latin American participation in the event.

The kids will have five days, Jul. 19-23, in the northeastern city of New London, to debate issues related to oceans, rivers and wetlands, endangered flora and fauna, indigenous communities, environmental practices and energy policy.