By Xinhua
Kampala : Queen Elizabeth II of Britain Friday called on the 53 Commonwealth members to pay more attention to youth.
Young people who make up nearly half of Commonwealth population, should be given more attention, said Queen Elizabeth II while officially opening the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kampala, capital of Uganda.
“The conclusion drawn from youth forum earlier this week shows us their optimism and enthusiasm. This is energy, which should be adapted more fully,” added the queen, who arrived here Wednesday for a three-day state visit.
“Young people can and should take their part in many global challenges, which cannot be resolved by the old generation alone,” she said.
During the opening ceremony, Secretary General of the Commonwealth Donald Mckinnon and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni also delivered speeches.
Mckinnon said issues of young people and climate change should be addressed in the summit.
“Without them (young people) at the core of our planning, our budgeting and our doing, our Commonwealth has no future,” said Mckinnon.
The CHOGM is held every two years to give the leaders a chance to discuss behind closed doors problems of the world.
About 36 heads from 53 Commonwealth countries are attending the ongoing 2007 CHOGM here from Friday to Sunday under the theme “Transforming Commonwealth Societies to Achieve Political, Economic and Human Development”.