LITHUANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER INVITES YOUTH TO ACTIVELY CONTRIBUTE TO STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY AROUND THE WORD
On June 29 at the opening of the Youth Forum of the Community of Democracies "Young Leaders in Support for Democracy: Challenges and Possibilities" in Vilnius, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis welcomed young people to develop democracy in the world with belief in democratic ideals, work and unity. "We all know that democracy should not be taken for granted," said Ažubalis.He welcomed the Young Diplomats for Democracy initiative and active engagement of the World Youth Movement for Democracy in strengthening the new Young Leaders Forum of the Community of Democracies.
"I am convinced that after this meeting, the community of young leaders will grow even further and develop many more initiatives. Looking in your eyes that radiate with this enthusiasm and energy, I am already convinced that you are the new generation of democratic leaders who hold the future in your hands," the head of the Lithuanian diplomacy said.
He also invited the participants of the forum to sign the Vilnius Declaration. In 2010, in the framework of Democracy Days in the capital of Lithuania, 48 young political activists, diplomats and young NGO leaders from all over the world signed the Vilnius Declaration thus establishing the youth pillar within the Community of Democracies.
Ažubalis acquainted the participants of the forum with implemented initiatives and achievements of Lithuania's biennial Presidency of the Community of Democracies. The Minister promised that even after the conclusion of its Presidency, Lithuania would continue to actively support the involvement of young leaders in all the initiatives of the Community of Democracies on both intergovernmental and parliamentary levels.
The Community of Democracies Youth Forum is taking place in Vilnius on June 29-30. It is attended by young leaders from more than twenty countries and the winners of the competition "Young Leaders" which was held in Lithuania. The winners of the competition will be awarded at the Ministerial Conference of the Community of Democracies on July 1 in Vilnius.
