The 4th Annual International Solidarity Forum was hosted in New York City at United Nations and World Youth Alliance Headquarters from April 10 to 14, 2007. Forty WYA members from Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and North America attended.

Participants attended sessions of the concurrent CPD which was addressing the theme: “The changing age structures of populations and their implications for development.”

Expert lectures on demographics and development

• Dr Eberstadt, Henry Wendt Chair in Political Economy at the American Enterprise Institute and a visiting fellow at the Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies, gave three lectures: “Four Surprises in Global Demography”, “Global War on Baby Girls”, and “Development and Foreign Aid.”
• Kelly Ryan, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration, spoke on US Foreign Policy.
• Msgr Leo Cushley, Counselor at the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations, spoke about international conferences on population and development.

Declaration on Development

The declaration defines development as “a process that takes place at all levels of society creating a social, political, and economic environment that allows persons to reach their full physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional potential.”

Negotiations on the draft declaration were moderated by WYA president Mary Halpine. Participants worked late into the night to complete the document for ratification.

Cultural Activities

Evening parties allowed participants to experience different cultures.

Countries represented

• Canada
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• El Salvador
• Kenya
• Mexico
• Philippines
• Poland
• Rwanda
• United Kingdom
• USA