On the Monday morning of 26 August, the Forum on Youth will begin its work.
More than 270 participants from 40 countries are coming to Geneva. There was
much excitement a few days before the opening, when the Award Committee was
considering the works of the young artists who participated in the contest.
Three winners were chosen:
Orkhan Huseynov from Azerbaijan - First Prize;
Sergei Morrell from the Russian Federation - Second Prize; and
Anatoly Ivanov from the Russian Federation - Third Prize.
Orkhan Huseynov is a young designer from Baku. Sergei Morrell is a schoolboy,
soon to be 15 years old, living in the USA. Anatoly Ivanov is 22 years old.
He is a freelance photographer and designer from Moscow.
Among the contestants was an artist from Uzgen, the Republic of Kyrgyzstan,
Kantemir Akimjanov, whose oil paintings so impressed the Award Committee
that despite the terms of the contest which stipulated the use of digital
media tools, a Special Award was created and awarded to Mr. Akimjanov.
The Forum will consider many important issues relevant to the current situation
of youth in the UNECE region, including the risks of unemployment, poverty,
violence and HIV/AIDS infection. Young people from many countries, including
Croatia, France, Italy, Moldova, Russian Federation, Switzerland, Ukraine,
United Kingdom and Yugoslavia, will have an opportunity both to learn and
share their own experiences in coping with these problems. Experts and Government
representatives will discuss policy options and measures which could be effective
in alleviating the vulnerability of and the threats to the well-being of the
young people in the UNECE region.
Among the contributors to the work of the Forum, there are such distinct
experts as Mr. David Gaillard from ICARE Sierre, who developed the GRED e-teaching
project, Mr. Bruno Gmunder, who created one of the most successful business
programmes for school children in Switzerland, Mr. Anatoli Ermolin, who is
the Director of an innovative school programme in the Russian Federation,
and many other outstanding and committed individuals.
It should be noted that the Forum would not be possible without the joint
effort and determination of our colleagues from ILO, UNICEF, UNAIDS, OHCHR
and UNECE. This cooperation is clear proof that the shortage of resources
can be overcome, and relevant expertise spread throughout the UN system, once
pooled, can improve the UN's capacity to meet the needs of member States.
For further information, please contact:
Mrs. Larissa Kapitsa, Director,
Coordinating Unit for Operational Activities
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Palais des Nations, Office 436
CH - 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Phone: +41(0)22 917 42 21
Fax: +41(0)22 917 01 78
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.unece.org/operact/meetings/youth/main.htm
Ref: ECE/OPA/02/13