US TO HOST U.N. CHILDREN'S CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENT

06.07.2004 [14:56]
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Hundreds of young environmentalists from 40 nations will gather in Connecticut (US) later this month for a United Nations-sponsored conference on environmental issues, report Associated Press.

When the participants, ages 10 to 13, finish talking about water pollution, energy conservation, needs of indigenous people, and other issues, their resolutions will be passed along to the United Nations for debate.

The July 19-23 conference is the fifth held by the United Nations Environment Program since the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio De Janiero recommended involving children in environmental causes. It will be the first to be held in the United States.

"It was shown that world governments need to know the concerns of children they educate about environmental issues, that we need to start raising ambassadors for the environment," said Barbara Morgan, executive director of the conference.

About 400 of these ambassadors - half from developing countries - will attend the conference, along with about 200 parents and chaperones.

The conference in New London also will include a tall ships festival and an environmental fair. Connecticut College will host the conference, with opening and closing ceremonies open only to ticketed visitors. Jane Goodall, the wildlife researcher, will give the keynote address.

US TO HOST U.N. CHILDREN'S CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENT

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