United Nations
Development Programme

Plot 24 Prince Charles Drive, Kololo

P.O Box 7184

Kampala, Uganda

Tel: (256) 414-233440/1/2/5

Fax: (256) 414-344801

Email: registry.ug@undp.org

Uganda this year was privileged to host the 6th common wealth heads of government meeting. The meeting made a start with the common wealth youth forum (CYF6) at the imperial botanical beach hotel Entebbe.

At the opening of the CYF6 the UN Under Secretary General Anna Tibaijuka was crystal when she put the forum’s agenda, ‘‘Breaking barriers: unleashing young people’s potential for development’’ into context. Dr. Tibaijuka who is also the Executive Director of the Human Settlement Program UN HABITAT, brought light to some of the most serious problems facing the under developed countries especially the colossal growth of slums and other absurdities. She pointed out that most third world countries have put emphasis on rural economy but are enclosed with a hidden risk of a bigger and most serious problem, urban poverty.

With simplicity and effectiveness she told the youth assembled for the opening ceremony what might have been most likely left out by their leaders in communication with them. From facts and statistics she said there were 100 million street children in the world, adding that it was preferable to see orphanages as shelters of the last resort. She put emphasis on the fact that urban poverty is very a common issue with the youth. For that reason she urged the youth to put their respective governments at a task of devoting enough resources towards the battle against urban poverty.

The CYF meeting was institutionalized in 1997 as part of the bi-annual Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM); with intent to discuss issues of contemporary importance to the youth and their communities. The Minister of Gender, Labor and Social Development, Hon Syda Bbumba urged the youth to make the meeting a remarkable event from which meaningful resolutions related to effective youth participation, democracy and good governance, economic empowerment, poverty eradication, health related issues as well as human rights will be made.

The opening ceremony had different dignitaries presiding over it, including His Excellency the President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Deputy Secretary General of the Common Wealth; Honorable Ministers, Ambassadors and High Commissioners, the Chairman of the National Youth Council, to mention but a few. With delegates from 48 countries out of possible 53, Uganda holds the record for the best attended CYF.