The World Youth Parliament (WYP), is a forum where young people may freely discuss issues that they are concerned about, so that their voice is not isolated, but may be heard worldwide.

Fernando Rielo Pardal founded the Idente Youth program in 1975. The principle characteristic of his association is to be open, regardless of age, race, religion or nationality.Show romanization

In this context, Fernando Rielo used all means necessary to manifest his thinking at the Catholic Institution, The Technical University of Loja (UTPL) and from there, to spread to other academic and cultural institutions.

Throughout the year the Idente Youth project has united thousands of young people from various groups, associations and youth organizations to participate in WYP 2010. The event will take place August 9^th-13^th in New York. Members of the Parliament will draft a Magna Carta of values for a new civilization. Upon completion, in effort to present and share their ideas worldwide, they will officially present the completed Magna Carta to the United Nations Palace in the United States on August 13th.Show romanization

At a meeting with the United Nations in 1982, Fernando Rielo presented his interest in memorializing a sign of unity by creating a youth organization. His organization currently consists of thousands of young people from 17 countries, whose goal this year is to bring about a global message that will benefit everyone.

Preparation for the WYP in Ecuador

The WYP entered its first international phase in 2009 in Rome. Its second will take place August 9^th-16^th of this year in New York at the United Nations headquarters.  Over 1,000 young people are expected to attend, from many countries from the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa.

Between May and June of this year, The World Youth Parliament held a meeting in Quito, Ecuador to prepare for nearly 100 young Ecuadorians to travel to New York to participate in the event.

The WYP consists of four sections in Ecuador: Loja, Quito, Santo Domingo, and Ibarra. “It shapes not only participating members of the Idente Youth project, but also all young people who wish to do so, in accordance with the Project’s mission statement,” said Omar Malagón, coordinator of the Ecuador chapter of the World Youth Parliament.

Idente Youth member, Jessica Chávez from the Capital’s Quito section, participated in the last meeting, held at the Nazareth Retreat House.  For her, "the primary mission of WYP is that young people live and learn the moral values of Jesus Christ, as Jesus lived humanly. The purpose of Parliament is to rescue the highest human values," she explained.

Diego Robalino, representative of Idente Youth’s Ibarra section, similarly stated “the true significance, and what really unites us is communication through the language and the love for being spokespersons for change in our society, through examples of diffusion, and planting within others an interest for change in the values of humanity.”

Young builders of humanity

One of WYP Ecuador’s key conclusions is that youth are the present, not only the future of the planet. In this sense Marcelo Yépez, Idente Youth representative from Quito, emphasized the need to allow young people to take the reins to lead humanity, and within the WYP to continue moving forward to achieve the goals set at previous meetings.

Marcelo highlighted the work of the World Youth Parliament to produce a draft of all ideas in relation to human values practiced by Jesus Christ during WYP’s first phase in June of 2009 held in Rome. In addition to ideas formulated during the World Youth Parliament to be held in New York, representatives will then bring their ideas to the U.N. and world leaders.

These ideas aim to encourage the worldwide need for, "actions that benefit our nations, through organizations formed by young people, that maintain the humanistic and Christian values that modern day society has lost. Without them, our slowly growing civilization will be destroyed little by little, never having given everything of themselves,” Marcelo Yépez concluded.

The World Youth Parliament has proposed a big step that will be a historical marker for change in the mindset of future generations, benefitting all. Young people continue preparing to be a part of the change, and construction of a new civilization, based on values central to Jesus Christ and the example of His life.

Source: Technical University of Loja (UTPL)

Photo: World Youth Parliament (WYP)

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