June 25, 2004
Dear Friends
100 days are left until we meet again at the YES Mexico 2004! I want to
congratulate our amazing and extraordinary Co-chair Esteban Gonazalez (27
years), who has pulled together a most remarkable team in Mexico and who has
raised the funds and other resources necessary for a successful event. We
have come a long way in our preparations and we invite you to work closely
with your Network Coordinators to build delegations, raise funds, and
inspire innovative programs. Young people are truly at the helm of this
Campaign.
Hundreds of people around the world are preparing to be part of this
Milestone event that will continue to build this global dream team -
committed to fulfilling the vision of the YES Campaign. It will be a time
to listen and learn from each other, evaluate where we are, and build the
partnerships necessary to help us move forward.
I am pleased to announce that today:
1)We are unveiling the new agenda (http://www.yesweb.org/mexico/agenda.html)
based on the input of our coordinators and partners. All sessions will have
presentations made by the YES Network Coordinators so that the delegates
realize truly how far the Campaign has come.
(a)The first two days of the Agenda will look at 'what has
worked, and challenges faced,'
(b)The third day will be a 'time to assess how far we have come
and the investments made, what other major agencies are doing, and how the
delegates can contribute to the YES Campaign strategy,'
(c)The final day will be about 'stepping into the future, and
thinking about where we need to focus our best attention and intention.
2)Over 1100 delegates have registered and registrations are pouring in
everyday;
3)Over 60 key leaders from development agencies, private sector, ministers,
and mayors have confirmed their participation, all with the firm intention
of moving forward the YES Campaign;
4)In all YES Network countries hectic preparations are on to assemble
delegations that can be most effective upon their return. Given below are
just a few examples:
(a)YES Tanzania enrolled Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein, Vice President
of Tanzania to inaugurate a torch race for 129 days (nonstop) that will pass
through all the districts and share about YES Mexico and the
6Es. The message carried by the torchbearers will stress the importance of
self-employment and the fight against HIV/AIDS. This race is
partly sponsored by UNICEF, UNDP and Ministry of Youth.
(b)YES Paraguay is hosting a "Paraguay-Mexico Gala Dinner" with foreign
diplomats and government officials, to raise awareness among policymakers
regarding youth employment and to seize the opportunities that will emanate
from a well represented Paraguayan delegation at the Mexico Summit.
(c)YES Ghana is busy organizing an 'Action for Youth Employment,' a
consultation to prepare for YES Mexico 2004. This June 30 consultation
sponsored by the British Council will bring together different stakeholders
to form a Coordination Committee, to pull together a well-represented
delegation, and undertake fundraising efforts.
In Solidarity
Poonam Ahluwalia
Executive Director
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