GENEVA: FIRST REGIONAL FORUM OF EUROPEAN YOUTH HELD

GENEVA, Aug 28 (Hina) - The employment of young people and their integration into all segments of life through long-term programmes and plans should be a significant step towards overcoming current unfavourable trends, especially in countries in transition, it was said at the First Regional European Youth Forum, which ended in Geneva on Wednesday. #L# The forum, which focused on security, opportunities and development, was organised by the U.N. Economic Commission for Europe, the International Labour Organisation, UNICEF, UNDSEA and the OSCE. Around 300 participants in the forum, mostly from European and Central Asian countries in transition, adopted a joint action plan after two-day exchange of experience, analyses and discussions on new possibilities. It is suggested in the action plan the countries take additional measures to, with the help of the UN Economic Commission and other international specialised organisations and institutions, start solving the problems of young people, especially unemployment, in a more active and creative way. The forum supported a project to set up a world youth bank presented by Croatian representatives. (hina) rml sb