: REVITALISING THE UNITED NATIONS THROUGH THE POWER OF YOUTH
By Daisaku Ikeda
, OCTOBER 2008 (IPS) - The fundamental avenue for resolving the many challenges of today's
world is maximising the potential of the UN, the framework of
solidarity that was born out of the tragic experience of two world
wars, writes Daisaku Ikeda, a Japanese Buddhist philosopher and
peace-builder and president of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI)
grassroots Buddhist movement.
In this article, Ikeda writes that to function in the 21st century
the UN must be supported by three pillars that transcend national
borders: a shared sense of purpose, a shared sense of
responsibility, and shared action.
The author writes that it is the creative engagement and
innovativeness of young people around the world that holds the key
to breaking existing molds and affirming these principles. Steps
should be taken to enhance the status of youth within the
structures of the UN. The world's youth increasingly have a sense
of global identity. They are united by a common concern for the
fate of our planet, and are connected and networked through new
communications technologies.
//NOT FOR PUBLICATION IN AUSTRALIA, CANADA, NEW ZEALAND, CZECH
REPUBLIC, IRELAND, POLAND, THE UNITED STATES, AND THE UNITED KINGDOM// (END/2008)
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