INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON YOUTH AND VIOLENCE MAY BE BROUGHT FORWARD

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 8 (Bernama) -- The International Conference on Youth and
Violence, scheduled for Feb 25 to 28 in Kuala Lumpur, may be brought forward due
to the latest dev elopment, Israel's offensive on Gaza.

Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said the assault on Gaza clearly
signalled the international community to take effective, continuous action
against the Zionist regime's injustice and atrocities, and to ensure that the
right of the world's young generation to live in peace would not be violated in
future.

"Hence, I feel this is the right time for the youths of the world to unite
and state their right to peace and their stand on issues related to violence,"
he said in a statement here Wednesday.

Hishammuddin said the holding of the conference had been discussed by the
Malaysian National Commission for United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (Unesco), the organiser, since last year to provide a
suitable channel or platform for youths to voice out their views and role in the
issue of violence.

The conference is also aimed at creating universal understanding and sharing
of knowledge and experiences among the world's youths on violence and peace, as
well as an awakening in them to rise to ensure that universal peace is
safeguarded.

Youth leaders, among them politicians, student and community leaders, and
representatives of non-govenmental organisations and the 26 member countries of
the Information For All Programme, will be attending the conference.
-- BERNAMA