Groundbreaking World Conference on Youth 2014

by Naalir Jamaldeen

World Conference on youth 2014 is the ever biggest event which is to be held in Sri Lanka. The event without any doubt will increase the glory of this country in the international level. Till the moment several countries are making request to take part in the conference.

The conference is scheduled to be held from May 6 to 10. Three countries which are situated in the Latin American region made request to participate in the conference unfortunately depending on distance they couldn't be given permission to participate.

Eventhough Bhutan made a request to take part in the conference and they were given permission, Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said during a media briefing held at Government Information Department last Friday.

Youth Task Force Naushalya Rajapaksa, Ajanthan Siwadasan, World Youth Task Force Associate Chairman Nilinda Rajapaksa were also present, the Minister said. National Youth Service Council Chairman Lalith Piyum Perera is the official Media Spokesman of Conference and Ajanthan Siwadasan is the media spokesman for Tamil language, he said. By the night of Thursday 122 countries confirmed their participation. The opportunity to take part in the conference have been given to 129 countries. Representing International Youth Task Force members Naushalya Rajapaksa, Ajanthan Siwadasan and , International Youth Task Force Co-Chairman Milinda Rajapaksa were also present.

"We started a special program in 2012 called "AILA 2012". We implemented an enormous program across the country. Over 1,000 candidates participated in the competition and 10 youth were selected for final round. Ajanthan won the first place in the final round" the Minister said. At a time when four days are remaining to conference by last night 121 countries have confirmed their official participation of their delegates.

These youth differ in various ways. The participation of counties increased to 159" he said.

By Thursday night 28 Youth Ministers across the world who are responsible for youth affairs have confirmed their participation and 62 top rank officers from the countries where Youth Affairs Ministries are not available have also confirmed their participation.

Since last Thursday we have limited the countries which make request to participate in the conference, the Minister said.