UNITED NATIONS GIRLS EDUCATION INITIATIVE

Global, 12 August 2009 - The Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) Asia Centre celebrated the International Youth Day in its true spirit on August 12, 2009 by organizing a blood donation programme in collaboration with the Rotary Chandigarh and State Bank of India, Sector 12 branch, Chandigarh at their official campus. The programme saw a very enthusiastic response from the various quarters.

Around 75 young citizens from various walks of life donated blood on this occasion, due to active involvement of National Service Scheme (NSS) and Nehru Yuva Kendra (NYK) volunteers. The camp was conducted by the team of Blood Bank Society, Sector 37, Chandigarh. A certificate, a memento and light refreshments were provided to all those who contributed to the noble cause.

Mr. Raj K. Mishra, Regional Director, CYP Asia Centre who led a team of volunteers and staff members of the centre gave a message to all the young citizens across the Commonwealth, “ This year's theme of the International Youth day - Sustainability: Our Challenge, Our Future jells quite well with the theme of Commonwealth@60 which is: Serving a new generation. You're this new generation and also our present and future.

On this day, please spare a thought on how you could make the society, the environment and the economy you live in more sustainable than it is now. Just imagine, every single small step or action that you take could multiply to more than 2 billion such steps, and constitute a giant leap towards a more sustainable world!”

The International Youth Day is being celebrated through out the world since 2000. The General Assembly, UN endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth that August 12 be declared International Youth Day in 1999. The Assembly had recommended that public information activities be organized to support the Day as a way to promote better awareness of the World Programme of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and beyond.