Vienna, 12 August 2008 – The Director-General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Mr. Kandeh K. Yumkella, received today the 2008 Champion of Youth Award at the 4th World Youth Congress in Quebec City, Canada. Young people from West Africa and the network of youth represented at the International Advisory Board of the World Youth Congress Series had nominated Mr. Yumkella for pioneering the Mano River Union (MRU) Youth Employment programme. The multi-agency programme aims to create employment opportunities for youth in the MRU countries, and to contribute to social and political stability, and economic growth in the region.
In his keynote address, Mr.Yumkella made a plea that youth participation must go beyond fora and debate. He called for tailor-made programmes to address youth-specific issues and for youth-led development. Accounting for more than half of the world's population, young people must take a leading role in forging tomorrow's world. In an increasingly interconnected world, this calls for effective collective and collaborative action, particularly at the country level. The international community, through the United Nations system, has a unique capacity - and responsibility - to ensure new ways of effectively engaging youth in development.
At each Congress, young people honour a number of distinguished adults for their support of youth issues and their leadership in securing critical investment from government, the international community and the private sector, required to meet their most urgent needs. This year’s Congress is commemorating the role of youth in achieving the Millennium Development Goals, and brought together 600 of the world's most dynamic young sustainable development activists from 120 countries.
As a tribute from youth, the award has been greatly appreciated by all those who have won it, including: King Mohammed VI of Morocco; Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, UK; James Wolfensohn, former President of the World Bank; Rick Little, Founder, Quest International and International Youth Foundation; Enrique Iglesias, former President, Inter-American Development Bank.
Mr. Yumkella was also the recipient of the 2007 Madhuri and Jagdish N. Sheth International Alumni Award from the University of Illinois for Exceptional Achievement and contributions to international development.
For more information, please contact:
Mr. George Assaf
UNIDO Spokesperson
Tel. + 43 1 26026 3849
E-mail
For more information, please see:
Press Release (English and French)