YABT Strengthens Ties with Major Associations Working in Youth Development

Over 100 guests attended a special meeting organized by the Young Americas Business Trust in conjunction with the Rockefeller Foundation and Agora Partnerships in order to raise awareness of the many activities that YABT is conducting in support of youth entrepreneurship in the Americas.

The meeting, held in the main building of the Organization of American States (OAS), was chaired by Deputy Secretary General of the OAS, Albert R. Ramdin, who, in his speech, noted the importance of youth issues for the OAS. In addition, he highlighted the work done by the YABT to draw attention to these themes among the 34 member states.

Roy Thomasson, CEO of YABT, made a brief presentation on the organization's objectives. Luis Viguria, YABT Deputy Executive Director, together with Paola Anzola, Director of YABT Mexico, presented two of the organization's most important activities this year: "Week 2 Grow" and the Youth Forum of the Americas.

"The week of entrepreneurial activity, "Week 2 Grow", will take place on November 17-21 this year in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. This event will afford young entrepreneurs with the environment needed for the crystallization of their projects. Additionally, training, trade linkages and investment opportunities will be placed at their disposal," said Paola Anzola, organizer of the event.

Viguria also announced that the "Youth Forum of the Americas: For Youth Participation in the Summit of the Americas Process" will take place within the framework of the V Summit of the Americas, which has as its main theme "Securing our Citizens' Future by Promoting Human Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability. "

"This forum is the formal process that will ensure the participation of youth in the process of the V Summit of the Americas. In order to have a fully representative participation of youth in the region, the Youth Forum of the Americas will be based on the views that are obtained from a survey that will be broadcast online, as well as from meetings held by the individual member states of the OAS," the Deputy Executive Director said, referring to one of YABT's most important activities, one that it has been charged with for a second consecutive year.

The meeting ended with a cocktail reception, allowing for interaction among the guests, who shared perceptions and desires regarding the development of youth in the Americas. Likewise, many of them were interested in joining the initiatives that the Young Americas Business Trust develops.

For more information contact:
Roy Thomasson
Chief Executive Officer
Ph: 202/458-3641
E-mail: rthomasson@oas.org

Wriitten by Gonzalo Rosas
Communications
Young Americas Business Trust
Organization of American States