World Leaders met here in New York for three consecutive days to discuss progress made in achieving the Millennium Decleration and the Millennium Development Goals. The success or failure of the world to ensure the achievements of these goals will be the world that we, young people, will live in.

Regardless of this valid argument, young people were not allowed to voice their views on this matter to world leaders during the 2005 World Summit held in New York only last week.

GYAN and TIG, collaborated on yet a new endevour to "bring the summit to young people." This endevour marked an inspiring event, a reception which was oragnized by GYAN with the sponsorship of: The Permanent Mission of Norway to the United Nations, People Speak/UN Foundation, and the NGO Committee on Youth.

The reception which was held at the Roger Smith Hotel on Friday September 16, 2005 had a good turn-out (which totalled to about 100 people) including Dr. Thoraya Ahmed Obaid the Under Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UNFPA, who was also our event's keynote speaker and Dr. Peter Piot, the Under Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UN AIDS. We also had a wonderful chance to follow-up with our dear friend and ally, Dr. Jane Goodall, who as always, came to show her support before she went off to a previous engagement. In addition to our regular friends and colleagues, we were also joined by Representatives from Finland, Kuwait, Norway, The Netherlands, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Sweden.

Helen Tombo from Kenya and Jessica Rimmington from the US two youth activits, gave inspirational speeches which presented the excellent projects they have going to ensure youth participation in MDG related activities. In addition to all the presentations, (which didn't take as long as we had expected) our friends from Next/Next Entertainment put on a beautiful presentation on Youth involvement in the MDG's from all over the world, which was a great inspiration to almost conclude our evening!

As our grande finale, Jennifer (our dear and great friend) came all the way from Tornto to launch TIG's beautiful exhibition "Creative Change" which brought a selection of excellent pieces of art, by our friends (TIG members) on each goal of the MDG's (Franziska you did a great job!)

After that, we all had a good time to chat, talk and network...This was an excellent event that showed without a doubt, the wonderful work that young people are doing to achieve the MDG's and to promote social change worldwide!

NB-The picture above is of Dr. Obaid (UNFPA) and Dr. Piot (UNAIDS) during the reception