Minister of State Lenihan launches One World Week

Mr. Conor Lenihan, T.D., Minister of State for Development Cooperation and Human Rights today launched One World Week. One World Week is an awareness raising and action week across Ireland on global development issues coordinated by the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI). Today the Minister met youth leaders and young people at the launch event in Collins Barracks.

Speaking at the launch in Collins Barracks today, Minister Lenihan stated:

“I am pleased that One World Week this year focuses on the Millennium Development Goals and how they are relevant to young people. Progress towards the achievement of the Goals requires efforts not only of Governments but also of civil society organisations and the community as a whole. The enthusiasm and engagement of young people is crucial if we are to build broad support for these critical global commitments. They should and will hold us accountable.”

“Currently 104 million children world wide do not have an opportunity to go to school. Another 150 million have dropped out of primary school. I welcome your support in increasing awareness of these global challenges. It is particularly encouraging to see so many young people in Ireland engaged in global solidarity with their peers in developing countries, dispelling the myth that young people in Ireland are apathetic and not engaged in justice issues”.

Note to Editors:

The National Youth Council of Ireland is the representative body for voluntary youth organisations in Ireland.

Development Cooperation Ireland recently concluded a three year partnership with the National Youth Council on development education, involving support of €635,000, aimed at integrating development education into the core programmes of youth organisations. One World Week is part of that partnership.

The Millennium Development Goals, agreed by the UN at a series of international summit meetings, identify some of the main causes of extreme poverty in today’s world and underpin the poverty reduction policies and activities of Development Cooperation Ireland. The Millennium Development Goals require the international community to:
• eradicate extreme poverty and hunger;
• achieve universal primary education;
• promote gender equality and empower women;
• reduce child mortality;
• improve maternal health;
• combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases;
• ensure environmental sustainability;
• develop a global partnership for development.



+++ENDS
17 November ‘04
Press Office

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