The Young Americas Business Trust (YABT), a non-profit corporation affiliated with the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS), is pleased to cooperate with the Business, Competitiveness and Development Team of the World Bank Institute (WBI) and the Summit of the Americas Secretariat of the OAS in identifying recommendations from young people on how to improve governance and fight corruption in the Americas and the Caribbean.

The World Bank Institute (WBI) is developing a 24-Hour Global Consultation that targets young people from around the world, which will complement the Improving Governance and Fighting Corruption: New Frontiers in Public-Private Partnerships Conference that will take place in Brussels, Belgium, from March 14-15, 2007, culminating in a report comprised of the young people’s opinions to be presented to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund Spring Meeting.

YABT will continue consulting young people of the Americas and the Caribbean on how to improve governance and fight corruption and will subsequently produce a report based on these responses to be delivered at the Civil Society meeting in Panama in June, 2007 prior to the XXXVII OAS General Assembly. The support and cooperation of the Summit of the Americas Secretariat and the Civil Society division of the Organization of the Americas States have been fundamental in the development of this initiative.

The Young Americas Business Trust invites young people of the Americas and the Caribbean to be part of this process. By completing the questionnaire, young people will have the opportunity to let their voices be heard at the highest of levels, and be active initiators of change in their communities.

If you need more information, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Luis Viguria, YABT Program Director, via lviguria@oas.org, or 202-458-6452.

Regards,

Roy L. Thomasson
Chief Executive Officer
Young Americas Business Trust
General Secretariat of the Organization of American States