HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THE TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2004

COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Rep. Helène H. Hale, Chair

Rep. Maile S.L. Shimabukuro, Vice Chair

Rep. Dennis A. Arakaki	Rep. Corinne W.L. Ching
Rep. Michael Puamamo Kahikina	Rep. Lynn Finnegan
Rep. Scott Y. Nishimoto	Rep. Bud Stonebraker

NOTICE OF INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING

DATE:	Monday, March 29, 2004
TIME:	10:30 a.m.
PLACE:	Conference Room 329 State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street

IN CONJUNCTION WITH HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE'S KEIKI CAUCUS

Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland, Co-Chair

Rep. Dennis A. Arakaki, Co-Chair

A G E N D A

The purpose of this Informational Briefing is to explore the possibility of creating a new Hawaii based youth organization to take the global lead coordinating role in the proposed United Nations Secretary-General’s Global Youth Challenge, see HCR 206, HD1 (2003 Legislative Session).

This Challenge is a non-partisan initiative initially spanning a 3 – 6 month period which invites youth from all over the globe to identify what they see as the major global issues that need to be addressed, suggest ways in which youth may play a bigger role in dealing with those issues (as the future leaders who will inherit challenges facing the world), and finally, asks youth to propose how the UN and other groups can appeal to and gain wider participation from youth around the globe.
The "concept" for the Challenge has been proposed by Reford-McCandless International on behalf of esteemed academics, business leaders and current/former government officials (as well as former "youth leaders" from various programs), primarily from Canada and the United States, with some representation from Africa. Stephanie McCandless Reford (Executive Director, PAAC, 1963-1970) has undertaken the development of submissions to the UN and all associated liaison with the UN as a volunteer, promoting the fact that the Challenge is an idea which was inspired by the Hawaiian youth who have participated in PAAC.
This "Challenge" was also developed with input from UN officials in UNICEF and the individual responsible for Youth initiatives within the UN, prior to its formal submission to the Office of the Secretary-General. While feedback has been encouraging, it is clear that the UN wants to see a respected youth organization step forward and commit to taking the lead in developing a "coalition" or "consortium" of organizations which would be responsible for this initiative.
This initiative offers youth a chance to share their opinions and ideas, with the pre-knowledge that it will be indeed read by leaders of today, primarily the Secretary-General himself. It is hoped that participation in this initiative will give youth positive encouragement that their voice matters, and that beyond whatever reaction emerges from the U.N., this initiative will spark wider commitment on the part of youth to prepare for their future leadership role, as well as remind today’s leaders of the value and importance of integrating youth opinion into the way today’s major problems are addressed.
The creation of an organization in Hawaii to accept the leading role in this Secretary-General’s Youth Challenge represents an opportunity to fulfill the intent of the House Concurrent Resolution 206 of 2003 following the Millennium Young People’s Congress of 1999. Hawaii would again be a focal point for youth from all across the globe.

We will also be reviewing House Concurrent Resolution 153, which is scheduled to be heard by the House Committee on International Affairs on March 29, 2004, prior to the Informational Briefing. HCR 153 is introduced as a follow up to HCR 206, HD1 (2003 Legislative Session). You are encouraged to provide written testimony on HCR 153.

We have invited the following honored guest and speakers:

Stephanie McCandless Reford, President of Reford-McCandless International (Co-Host)

Members of Keiki Caucus

Linda Smith, Governor's Office

Lisa Maruyama, Executive Director, PAAC

Manjit Reddick, Former Assistant Director, PAAC

Roland Lagareta, Board Chairman East West Center

Dr. Terance Bigalke, Director and Dean, Education Program, East West Center

Dr. Jerry Chang, East West Center

Kitty Lagareta, UH Board of Regents

Jim Scott, President Punahou School

Hope Kuo Staab, Director Wo International Center, Punahou School

Lee Gomes, Business Editor Wall Street Journal

Dr. Mae Mendelson, AARP President and Intergenerational Council

Jan Rumi, Lions Club

Dr. Marshall Conley, UN-UH Conference Participant, International Consultant

Sally Banchard, Waikiki Rotary

Dr. Saleen Ahmed, President, Moving Pen Publishers, Inc.

JoAnn Tachibana, President of UN Association of Hawaii

Teresita Bernales, Pacific and Asian Affairs Council

Joop Theunissen, Office of the Secretary General United Nations

IF YOU REQUIRE SPECIAL ASSISTANCE OR AUXILIARY AIDS AND/OR SERVICES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS OF THE STATE HOUSE (I.E., SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER, WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY, OR PARKING DESIGNATED FOR THE DISABLED), PLEASE CONTACT THE COMMITTEE CLERK AT LEAST 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE HEARING SO ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL THE COMMITTEE CLERK AT 586-6050.

		________________________________________ Rep. Heléne Hale Chair