STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE CHOGM INITIATIVE
"YOUTH FOR THE FUTURE"
BY
MR. ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE
PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA
 

          I am happy that the Commonwealth will launch the "Youth for the Future" initiative at Coolum.

          The initiative recognizes the vibrant contribution of the youth to the betterment of society and for socio-economic development. The energy. skills and enthusiasm of youth can be harnessed to catalyze social and cultural integration across the Commonwealth, and to accelerate economic development.

        India looks forward to active participation in all the components of the "Youth for the Future" initiative - Youth Enterprise Development. Youth Volunteering, Mentoring and Leadership. All these are integral components of the policies and programmes that we have adopted in India for the development of youth. We look forward to exchanges with other Commonwealth countries in articulating the aspirations of our youth and in exploiting their potential to promote positive change in our societies and economies.
 

(A.B. Vajpayee)     

New Delhi
February 25, 2002