Local Leaders Attend Important Summit at UN
St. Louis, Missouri, USA (August 11, 2003) Trieste resident Anna Agosti participated in the third JCI-UN Leadership Summit on August 7-8, 2003 at UN Headquarters in New York, New York, U.S.A. Agosti is a member of Junior Chamber International-Italy.
Under the theme "Overcoming Global Challenges" Agosti explored avenues through which JCI can join the efforts of the UN and impact the community through projects and activities to be implemented throughout the world. She discussed with other Summit delegates ways to contribute to programs put into practice by the Office of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.
"I believe contributions to the advancement of the global community encourage young people to strive for excellence", said Annan.
JCI World President Bruce Rector and JCI-UN Leadership Summit Chairman Shusaku Matsumoto of Japan welcomed the Chief Delegates and JCI Board of Directors to the Summit during the Presidential Dinner held at the Millennium UN Plaza Hotel. Over 100 people, including special guests David Covey, President of Franklin Covey International; Richard Street, Youth Business International (YBI); and Walter Strutz, Head of the Foreign Trade, Tourism, Consumer Protection and Marketing Department of the German State, attended the dinner.
"We have begun an important endeavor this year, telling the world that we want to work with other organizations and play a more prominent role in bringing positive change to the world", said Rector. "We are catching the attention of the United Nations and the world by gathering in New York for this important meeting".
With objectives of strengthening the relationship between JCI and the UN, building a partnership by involving JCI's National Organizations (NOMs) in implementing projects and activities in their communities, Agosti participated in sessions with several key members of the UN's branches on Thursday, August 7.
The speakers, who covered topics being developed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, included Gillian Martin Sorenson, Assistant Secretary General for External Relations, who gave an overview of the United Nations; Carol Bellamy, Executive Director of UNICEF (The United Nations Children?s Fund), who spoke about children?s rights; Mrs. Nane Annan, with a video presentation entitled ?Water, the Drop of Life;? Dr. Desmond Johns, Director of UNAIDS New York Office, who gave a presentation on the prevention of HIV and AIDS; Josephus Theunissen, Chief of Focal Point on Youth, DESA (Department of Economic and Social Affairs), who spoke about youth and unemployment; Marta Mauras, Director of EOSG (Executive Office of the Secretary General), who presented the Millennium Development Goals; Gavin Power, Director of Communications; and Nitin Desai, Under-Secretary General, DESA, who spoke about non-governmental organizations and consultative status with ECOSOC (The Economic and Social Counsel).
Based on the guest presentations, delegates drew a resolution to be adopted by JCI's NOMs that will serve as a reference for all NOMs in implementing projects and activities. The development and advancements of this resolution will be presented to the UN in the following year.
Future collaboration between the two organizations will continue the advancement of the global community by providing the opportunity for young people to develop skills necessary to create positive change.
About JCI
JCI is a worldwide federation of young leaders and entrepreneurs with 200,000 members and millions of alumni participating in projects, meetings, learning programs and events around the globe. Through a dedicated network of leaders and trainers, JCI offers programs focused on four areas of opportunity: business, individual, community and international development. Today 110 JCI National Organizations reach more than 6,000 communities in 110 nations worldwide. JCI has been developing some of the world?s best leaders and entrepreneurs for nearly 60 years, with millions of alumni. Our members meet, learn and grow. They believe in the advancement of the global community and create positive change for their communities, countries and the world while learning how to be better leaders, participating in interactive seminars and implementing projects on local, national and international levels. For more information, visit www.jci.cc.
