Casablanca hosts world congress of youth under theme 'be the change'

Morocco will hold the Second World Congress of Youth in Casablanca August 16-28, with the participation of some 1,000 young people who will share experience and draw up a declaration outlining a future path for youth involvement in sustainable development, to follow up the first Millennium Young People's Congress (MYPC) in Hawaii in 1999.

During the Congress, each delegate will spend five days working on a development project so that they will not only talk about the core themes but take action on them as well.

The final part of the Congress will have an exhibition of projects to review progress on Be the Change! - the Youth-led Action for Sustainable Development program launched at the first World Congress, held in Hawaii in October 1999.

The Congress will also analyze, discuss and promote ways to mobilize young people to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals set by the UN Millennium Summit in September 2000.

Speaking at a press briefing here Monday on the meeting's program, adviser to King Mohammed VI, Zoulikha Nasri, said the encounter will be an opportunity to integrate Moroccan youth in the process of economic and social development.

The event comes at a time Morocco is at an important phase of its process of consolidating democracy and rule of law and promoting openness onto other cultures, she said.

For minister of communication and spokesman for the government, Nabil Benbdellah, the congress is a message for Morocco and participating countries for the establishment of a partnership to promote values of tolerance and solidarity, and achieve sustainable development.

On his part, secretary of state charged of youth, Mohammed El Gahs, underlined the significance of the theme "Be the Change," which he said mirrors Morocco's public policy in the youth realm.