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         24 November 2004
PR/E40/04
 
 
 
INT'L SYMPOSIUM ON "GLOBALIZATION AND THE FUTURE OF YOUTH IN ASIA" BEGINS AT UN HOUSE ON 2 DEC.

While globalization has created many new economic opportunities, not all countries and people have been fortunate enough to share in the benefits. In its current form, globalization is not meeting the hopes of millions of people worldwide for decent jobs and a better future for their children. The concept of "fair globalization" implies a people-centred process that will enable young people of all nations to fully develop their potential through education and training that leads to "decent and productive work, in conditions of freedom, equity, security, and human dignity".

On 2 and 3 December, United Nations University (UNU), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare of Japan (MHLW) will convene an international symposium on "Globalization and the Future of Youth in Asia - Creating Working Opportunities and Enabling Environment for Young People". The aim of the symposium, which will take place at UN House in Tokyo, is to exchange views and experiences among relevant organizations and civil society groups seeking to promote decent work for young people. Participants will include high-level government officials, leaders of employers' and workers' organizations, and experts from Japan and other Asian countries.

The symposium's keynote speaker will be Mr. Juan Somavia (Director-General, ILO), and Ms. Jane Stewart (Director, Skills and Employability Department, ILO) will provide an ILO overview on youth employment. A keynote report on youth employment and human resources in Japan will be presented by Mr. Toshiaki Ota (Director-General for Policy Planning and Evaluation, MHLW). The symposium will also feature panel discussions on "Globalization and the World of Work" and "Globalization and Youth Employment". Additional information is available online at http://www.at-now.co.jp/asia/english/index.html.

The symposium will begin at 2:00 PM on Thursday, 2 December. Simultaneous English-Japanese interpretation will be provided. The public is invited to attend, but advance registration is required. A registration form is available online at http://www.at-now.co.jp/asia/english/form.html.

Media representatives are cordially invited to attend; please complete the online media registration form at http://www.at-now.co.jp/asia/english/f_press.html. For those unable to attend, portions of the symposium will be "webcast" live (and archived) at http://c3.unu.edu/unuvideo/?48.

For media inquires, please contact Ms. Mochizuki, Office of Communications, UNU (tel. 03-3499-2811), or Ms. Omachi at ILO Office in Japan, 8F UN House, 5-53-70 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku (tel. 03-5467-2701/2709, fax. 03-5467-2700).


 

 

 

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