WYA Newsletters | March 2005
31 March 2005
Dear Friends,
In March, the United Nations and the world saw the culmination of four years of dedicated work on the part of delegations, numerous individuals and organizations was realized when the GA adopted the “UN Declaration on Human Cloning”. The World Youth Alliance’s involvement in this process dates from the beginning; working behind the scenes with delegations and experts and supporting our work at the UN with active voices in national capitals. Our involvement was welcomed by the delegates, many of whom told us that the World Youth Alliance’s support was critical in sustaining momentum throughout. Our constant presence, particularly at the beginning, was crucial to their determination to persevere.
This is an example of the way that the voice of young people around the world, dedicated to promoting the dignity of the human person is being heard at the international level.
Please read on for more information about the declaration, a report on the Beijing +10 Conference, and some exciting upcoming events. Please take special note of deadlines for registering for World Youth Day.
For a culture of life,
The World Youth Alliance
Commission on the Status of Women: Beijing +10
The World Youth Alliance participated throughout the two-week Beijing +10 Conference on Women with all of our staff and over 70 of our members from around the world. We provided two trainings for our members, organized a roundtable discussion where our Essay Contest winners presented on the theme “Women and Development,” organized a side event at the UN which included photographs depicting the beauty of woman, and moderated a youth panel discussing how we are to change cultural practices that harm women. Throughout the two weeks we met with delegates and other NGOs, and distributed our Declaration on Women, as well as “Esperanza!” flyers, written by our members about their experiences of their dignity. It was an extraordinary experience for us all!
For a report of the outcome of the conference please visit our website: www.wya.net
UN Declaration on Human Cloning
As you may be aware, on 8 March 2005, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the United Nations Declaration on Human Cloning, by which “Member States were called on to adopt all measures necessary to prohibit all forms of human cloning inasmuch as they are incompatible with human dignity and the protection of human life,” by a vote of 84 in favour to 34 against, with 37 abstentions. The World Youth Alliance was present for the historic moment, with our global staff and many members
We congratulate the countries that took such a strong stand in affirming that paramount importance of the dignity of the person. UN delegates have told with us that this Declaration is already helping individual nations to drive forward national legislation banning human cloning.
The World Youth Alliance will honor the Sixth Committee with an evening reception on 5 April and now looks forward to supporting the delegates in the process of implementing the Declaration at the national level.
The World Youth Alliance’s Sixth Birthday
The World Youth Alliance celebrated our Sixth Birthday Party on 9 March at the Metropolitan Club in New York. Friends, benefactors and UN Delegates were present for a lovely evening of piano music, cocktails and conversation. Ambassador Guterres of the Permanent Mission of Timor L’Este to the United Nations spoke a few words, highlighting the importance the UN Declaration on Human Cloning and the work of the World Youth Alliance. The World Youth Alliance first met the Ambassador last year at our Fifth Birthday party.
World Youth Day
Young people from all over the world will gather this summer in Germany to share and celebrate faith and culture. Pope John Paul II and about 400,000 registered participants are expected at this momentous event. World Youth Alliance will travel to Cologne, Germany for the XX World Youth Day August 15 - 21, 2005.
We are now accepting applications for volunteers to accompany us to World Youth Day. Please see www.wya.net for more information. The deadline for applying is Friday, 6 May. No applications will be accepted after that date.
International Roundtable
WYA will hold an International Roundtable, entitled Human Dignity and Solidarity, at the beginning of World Youth Day, on Monday, 15 August. This roundtable will explore the effect the dignity of the human person has on human relationships, both personal and societal.
The roundtable is limited to 60 participants and is by application only. If you are interested in attending, please see www.wya.net for the application. The deadline for applying is Friday, 6 May.
What is man? Human Dignity in the Economic Sphere
The World Youth Alliance-Europe invites you to a seminar in the British Parliament in the evening of 5 May 2005 – Britain’s Election Day! The topic will include models and allocation of funding for development aid, the dignity of work and the worker, and the role of leisure and culture.
Dr Samuel Gregg, Director of Research at the Acton Institute, author of several books including On Ordered Liberty & Fellow of the Royal Historical Society will give a lecture, followed by lively discussion moderated by New York City banker and active WYA member, Geoff Gentile. This event will be of particular interest to politicians, policy makers, young professionals and students pursuing subjects related to law, economics, political sciences or philosophy.
Space is strictly limited: please contact europe@wya.net if you wish to participate.
Human Dignity and the Future of Central Europe
WYA-Europe invites you to apply for the Human Dignity and the Future of Central Europe conference, which will take place 6-8 May 2005 in the beautiful city of Budapest, Hungary. The aim of the conference is to unite young people, academics and political leaders from around Central Europe to explore the concept of human dignity with reference to the role of law, policy and culture in Europe.
Speakers include a range of distinguished academics, authors, young professionals, diplomats and policy makers from around the world.
Academics, students, and professionals are invited to apply to take part in the conference. Space is limited: to apply, register interest, or sponsor a young person to attend, please email europe@wya.net or contact the office of World Youth Alliance–Europe: 23a rue Belliard (Box 6); B-1040 Brussels, Tel: 0032 2 732 7605, Fax: 0032 2 732 7889.
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