August 11, 2006

“On this International Youth Day, I would like to extend my warmest greetings to you, Canada’s youth—so energetic, so passionate, so devoted to truth and justice. For all of you who have committed to “tackling poverty together,” the theme for this year’s youth day, this is an occasion to begin or continue the dialogue and to make an invaluable contribution to building a world where respect, solidarity and sharing will prevail.

Today is your chance to make your voices heard by the decision makers and to exchange points of view with others as you work together to develop strategies to reduce poverty. In this country of such wealth and prosperity, we all have the opportunity and responsibility to ensure that dignity and equality are valued above all else.

Poverty—relentless, omnipresent, indecent—is crying out for us to open our eyes, to do whatever we can to help those caught in its merciless grip around the world. I firmly believe that if you put your talents, your ideas and your heart into helping those most in need, together we will meet this daunting and universal challenge and make a difference.”

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Media information
Lucie Brosseau
Rideau Hall Press Office
613 998-0287
www.gg.ca