Thousands of youths attend international day

MORE than 18,000 youths turned up at the International Youth Day celebration at the Sir John Guise Stadium last Sunday in what was described as a “massive turnout”.
National Development Youth Authority coordinator for youths in small to medium enterprise (SMEs) David Rupa said it was to celebrate the lives of people between the ages of 15 and 29 for the positive contribution they could bring to their communities.
“Over 18,000 showed up and this was a massive turnout. Youths play an important role in their own lives because these are the people who we are preparing to lead us in the future,” Rupa said.
Rupa is also the representative of the Special Interest Group for the Commonwealth Youth Council.
“It took us a whole year to plan for this event so it will bring more young people from the streets as well as youths working to be involved and to know that they are valued,” he said.
The event was sponsored by the National Youth Development Authority and other partners.
Booths were set up by Tribe FM, Youth Blood Drive, Marie Stopes, World Health Organisation, United Nations Development Programme, PNG Olympic Committee and Meals on Wheels cart by National Development Bank to display products and services.