August 5, 2008
OTTAWA-Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, is hosting a multimedia Youth Dialogue on youth, democracy and civic engagement, during the 4th World Youth Congress. Th he Governor General is the honorary patron of the Congress, which is taking place from August 10 to 21, 2008, in the City of Québec.
Her Excellency will be joining forces with Canadian artists such as Jully Black, K'naan, Samian and Aria ne Moffat to host a dynamic discussion, which will focus on the new and exciting ways youth are using democracy to act as effective agents of change locally, nationally and internationally. The Youth Dialogue, hosted by Sol Guy and in collaboration with Apathy is Boring and Democracy250, will gather nearly 500 youth attending from the Congress and from local youth organizations. It will also link to people from around t he world via Webcast, and remote participants will be invited to contribute to the discussion by sending text messages and Webcam videos. The Youth Dialogue will take place on August 13, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. E.S.T. Anyone interested in joining in should log on to www.citizenvoices.gg.ca to find out how to get involved.
On August 11, 2008, Her Excellency will officially launch the World Youth Congress where 600 youth from around the world will assemble for the opening ceremony, and will receive the Champion of Youth award from Peace Child International. She will also be delivering a keynote address during the following morning's plenary session.
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A deta iled itinerary of the Governor General's visit to the City of Québec from August 10 to August 13, 2008, will be made available in the coming days. A fact sheet on the Governor General's Youth Programme is available at http://www.gg.ca/gg/youth/index_e.asp.
Media information
Isabelle Serrurier
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-998-7280
613-291-7582 (cell)
www.gg.ca
www.citizenvoices.gg.ca
