UNICEF: J8 Summit opens in Rome

ROME, Italy, 7 July 2009 Bright young minds from around the world have gathered for the Junior 8 Summit, a week-long conference for young people to exchange and debate ideas about how to best improve global conditions for children.

On 9 July, a select group of delegates from the Junior 8, or 'J8', will personally present their recommendations to the world leaders at the Group of 8 Summit, which is also taking place in Italy.

"By stating our rights, we all as the J8 community with different nationalities we have to realize that we all have the same rights and we are equal," said Richmond Mahlubandile Sajini, 15, from South Africa.

The J8 participants are spending most of their time ahead of the meeting with world leaders working on policy recommendations about climate change, development in Africa, the global economic crisis and quality education.

With millions of children under the age of five dying each year from largely preventable causes, the stakes are high. And as they move forward, the youth delegates are thinking big.

"If humanity was able to put a man on the moon, it should be able to solve the humanitarian problems it faces," said Daniel Morales, 15, of the United States.

To read the full story, visit http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/italy_50182.html

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• UNICEF
• J8
• Junior
• Rome
• L'Aquila
• G8
• children
• child
• rights

[vanjangovich]

mate this is all publicity, this isnt much for change just fame its a face to sell somethin.

[l00t3rsp00n]

Never i read such ignorant commnets, yes i am one of the kids that participated in this, 99% of UNICEF money goes to aid, while the other 1% goes towardsthis, i agree money could have been used differently, but evidentely it wasn't, how about you read the communique we produced which was read to the world leaders, and lastly stop complaining about everything that other people are trying to do, while you do nothing

[cfree005]

terrible using children to hide their evil empire! waiste of time.

[wastedbandwidth]

money well spent - NOT

[xluvunatx]

I don't think you people understand just how important meetings and events like this are.

The people taking part in these events, like the J8, will one day be running our countries, and rectifying the problems that we are creating for them. So please have a wider understanding, and be greatful that the younger generation are willing to try and make a change in thier world, and that there are organisastions like UNICEF to give hem the opportunity.

I think this is admirable! Well Done!

[drolmorg]

What a joke. We pay for this, and unemployment is in double digits. Cute.

[orrsinallen]

Great diplomat training.

Do a bunch of pointless crap (notes in a paper mache ear?? Are you kidding me??) and get a taxpayer paid for 9 course dinner from a top Italian chef.

Here is why I don't put my change in the UNICEF bags on the airplane.

Since the US pays most of bills, and I am a US taxpayer, I will looking for my Thank You card in the mail.

[Froggy184]

Just so you know, "Humanity" did not put a man on the moon. The United States put several men on the moon. This is one of the most masturbatory exercises in futility that I have seen in a while. Those kids have exactly jack shit to tell the worlds' leaders and I hope that their "ideas", such as they are, are completely ignored.

[BatoNY65]

Young leftwing America haters in training.

[totorofan1]

Wow, what a monumental waste of time, just like the real UN.