Hip-Hop At UN's 4th Annual Youth Assembly

Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council Partners with Friendship Ambassadors Foundation and United Nations Member Countries to Support 4th Annual Youth Assembly at the United Nations

The Friendship Ambassadors Foundation, the United Nations; Dr. Elaine Valdov; Secretary General of the United Nations Youth Assembly; and the Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council (hhsyc.org), in association with the following sponsoring countries: Bosnia, Herzegovina, Hungary, Lichtenstein, Republic of Argentina, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Tanzania, Turkey, Northern Ireland, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain will hold its 4th Annual Youth Assembly and Leadership Seminar, August 8-18, 2007 at the United Nations in New York City. Youth leaders from the 192 United Nation member countries have been invited to attend several events, including the August 12th recognition and celebration of "International Youth Day."

Participants will also work on initiatives to address the United Nations 8 Millennium Development Goals, which are to: 1) Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; 2) Achieve universal primary education; 3) Promote gender equality and empower women; 4) Promote youth empowerment and activism; 5) Reduce child mortality and improve maternal health; 6) Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; 7) Ensure environmental sustainability; and to 8) Develop a global partnership for development.

During the 10-day period more than 500 young adults will take part in a series of Leadership Training Events designed to prepare them for leadership roles. This year's Youth Assembly theme is "Young People Making a Difference." The goals of the Youth Assembly are to: 1) Provide access to and information about the work, successes and current challenges of the United Nations; 2) Promote increased youth participation in United Nations programs, its agencies and Non-Governmental Organization affiliates; 3) Strengthen commitment to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals; 4) Connect committed youth with opportunities, mentors, colleagues, and new associates; 5) Recognize the artistic and diplomatic efforts of young people already in humanitarian initiatives; and to 6) Promote renewal of a commitment to serve and respect this most important international institution.

In addition, the youth will learn how to use the positive influence of the Hip-Hop Culture to improve social, political and economic conditions in their schools, homes and communities. Social entrepreneurship entails connecting the best and brightest leaders with opportunities for service, jobs, and careers in fulfillment of the United Nations 8 Millennium Development Goals. The Youth Assembly will also increase awareness about United Nations resolution 53/25, which proclaims 2001-2010 as the "International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World."

This annual event is a unique opportunity for delegates and employees to network and develop Non-Governmental Organization and International Inter-Governmental Organization based career opportunities. It will enable member states, Non-Governmental Organizations, International Inter-Governmental Organizations, Speakers and other Workshop Leaders to endorse the activities of global youth in support of the 8 Millennium Development Goals, the centerpiece of the United Nations initiatives. It will also recognize the good deeds and contributions of individuals, corporations, sponsors and other stakeholders. And it will encourage social entrepreneurship that helps build a better world for all; and developing opportunities for youth leaders to become immersed in important contemporary issues championed by the United Nations and its many affiliates, so that they may find campaigns to join.

"We are excited to partner with the Friendship Ambassadors Foundation, the United Nations, and Dr. Elaine Valdove to launch the Hip-Hop Millennium Development Goals campaign in recognition of International Youth Day. The campaign's mission is to use the power of the Hip-Hop industry to bring awareness to the world about the Millennium Development Goals and the "International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World". By working with the Youth Assembly, the United Nations and DJ Pharriss's "Heal the Hood" campaign, we will establish Youth Council Chapters in 192 countries to help the UN meet its Millennium Development Goals" says Charles Fisher, Founder and Chairman of the Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council (HHSYC).

HHSYC executive director, Randy Fisher adds "We believe that poverty and the lack of a quality education are the root causes for most of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. Through our Hip-Hop 4 Peace project and Hip-Hop Economic Empowerment Program (H.E.E.P.) we will be able to use Hip Hop as a vehicle to provide young people with the skills, experience and resources to be productive leaders for global change. With the future of this planet in the hands of a wiser generation, I know the world will be a safer and better place to live."

"Helping our youth today to become the leaders of tomorrow is what this Assembly is all about. Using the positive influence of Hip-Hop will allow us to better prepare these students to address the Millennium Development Goals, recognize International Youth Day and expand our program to empower youth. Working with the Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council will give us the additional resources to help build a world of peace and justice for all," states Patrick Sciarratta, Executive Director, Friendship Ambassadors Foundation.

"I have dedicated my life to working with young people showing them that one person can make a difference. The United Nations is a perfect platform for students of all nations to unite, create new ideas to better understand each other, develop an appreciation for diversity and address the Millennium Development Goals. Partnering with the Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council and their celebrity associates will enhance the value of the Youth Assembly and provide more opportunities for our future world leaders" ended Dr. Elaine Valdov, Secretary General, United Nations Youth Assembly.

Your support is important. In order to improve the conditions on this planet, we must start with our children. This event gives all of us a huge opportunity to implement solid ideas that will truly make a difference.

See attached: 4th Annual Youth Assembly at the United Nations [PDF]

ENDS

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