"A Good Idea Will Always Win"
Plenary Two, Day Three
Sharm El Sheikh: September 3, 2007:
In the highly anticipated plenary session taking place on the third day of the International Youth Forum, an impressive panel of speakers discussed ways to address the changing needs and challenges facing today's youth.
The objective of the plenary was to move beyond ensuring just the basic needs of young people are met to extend to opportunities for prosperity, autonomy and effective participation in the social, economic and political spheres
Speakers in this enlightening session were Adolf Ogi, Former President of Switzerland and Special Advisior to the UN Secretary General on Sports for Development and Peace; Gamal Mubarak, Chairman of Future Generation Foundation and Secretary General of the Policy Committee at the National Democratic Party; and Daniela Gressani, Vice President for Middle East and North Africa region, World Bank; and Derrick Bolton, Director of MBA Admissions and Assistant Dean at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
The plenary began with an invigorating speech by Adolf Ogi, who explained that "sports unites people no matter their religion or nationality." He discussed how sensible sport activities are an ideal training ground to promote education, health, development and peace, particularly for underprivileged societies where sports is a cost effective means to promote community involvement. "Sport is the best school of life, teaching integrity, solidarity and fair play," said Mr. Ogi. "Nations must integrate sport in their programs and activities, partnerships between UN and the world of sport must be created, and media must promote sport as a means to achieving peace and integrity."
Serving as moderator, Vivien Creegor, Sky World News, Anchor Newsreader asked pointed questions to each of the panelists including ways in which we can learn from past mistakes in order to ensure a more secure future, the difference between human security and personal, financial or national security, and what is the threshold for human security.
Of particular interest to participants was the question answered by Gamal Mubarak relating to the economic empowerment of youth. He pointed out that the main issue youth face in most developing countries is lack of employment; the chance to find a job, to earn a living and look forward to a bright future especially in the midst of the global village we live in today and the information technology revolution.
"Youth all around the world are connected like they have never been before," said Gamal Mubarak. "There are aspirations and challenges to be shared, most important of which are economic development and growth and job opportunities."
He explained that with 50 percent of Egypt's population between the ages of 18-29, national policies predominately relate to youth. He then went on to discuss a number of initiatives that have been put in place to help promote skills development, women's economic empowerment and educational reform in an effort to ensure youth are adequately prepared to take control of their economic well being.
"The better the skills, the sharper the ideas because a good idea will always win in the market," said Mr. Mubarak.
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