YOUTH PARTNERSHIPS MAKING A DIFFERENCE: LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL YOUTH
LEADERS DISCUSS WAYS TO PUT YOUTH AT THE CENTER OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
INITIATIVES

MONTREAL, Oct. 28 /CNW Telbec/ - This week 100 development partners and youth from Canada and around the world are meeting as part of the Canada World Youth International Learning Forum and the United Nations' International Year of Youth to explore ways to improve youth participation in the development of sustainable societies.

A panel of these youth leaders from Montreal to Nunavut to South Africa will explore the importance of creating space for youth, where they can discuss and inform the decisions that affect their lives.

They will talk about initiatives involving Canadian and international youth exchange partnerships in communities such as Netishyn in Ukraine, where Canadian and Ukraine youth are working to promote a safe and drug-free environment for kids; in Nicaragua, where Canadian and Nicaraguan youth are using art as a means to promote gender equality and prevent violence (including domestic and sexual violence as well as school violence); in Palcu, Peru, where youth are helping address the high rate of malnutrition, respiratory infections and diarrhea, by transferring skills to improve kitchen and household safety, hygiene, waste management, and nutrition; and in Kenya and Tanzania, where youth groups are organizing tree planting and community cleanups as well as training in recycling, reusing, and composting.

What:	Panel of Local and Global Youth Leaders
Date:	Thursday, October 28, 2010
Location:	Hotel Gouverneur Place Dupuis, 1415 rue St-Hubert, La Capitale (4^th Floor)
Time:	3:30 - 5:00 p.m. - Followed by a reception at 5 p.m. - testimonials by special guest - music by KEBEKO

Founded in 1971 by the Honourable Jacques Hébert (1923-2007), CWY is a world leader in developing international education programs for young people aged 15 to 29. A non-profit organisation, CWY is dedicated to enriching the lives of young people who have a desire to become informed and active global citizens.  Programs are designed to help youth experience the world for themselves, learn about cultures and diverse Canadian communities while developing leadership and communication skills. Mainly focused on health and environment, the educational experience instils a long-lasting sense of global social responsibility. Over the past 39 years, more than 33,000 youth have completed a CWY Program, with one of 150 local and international partners in 67 countries.

For further information:

Benoit Charlebois, 514-931-1614, #308 | [email protected] | www.canadaworldyouth.org