CRO EDUCATION MINISTER ATTENDS LISBON CONFERENCE ON YOUTH

( Editorial: --> 3321 ) LISBON, 13 Aug (Hina) - The youth conference which ended in Lisbon on Wednesday resulted in the adoption of a declaration on youth protection. The declaration also includes a significant contribution by the Croatian Education Minister Bozidar Pugelnik in the form of a proposal on youth education in war-affected areas and the fight against land mines. Expressing satisfaction with the presentation of the Croatian government and non-government organisations, Pugelnik stressed that all main issues dealt with at the conference were part of a Croatian government programme. A large part of the document refers to the protection of economic and social position of the youth, their education and employment and especially their health care. The United States has insisted that tobacco abuse be added to drug and alcohol abuse because, according to the World Health Organisation, 1.5 million young people die annually as a consequence of smoking. (hina) rml 131307 MET aug 98