Report Title:

Global Youth Center

Description:

Establishes a global youth center under the University of Hawaii.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2045
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO ESTABLISHING A GLOBAL YOUTH CENTER.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  World peace is a major collaborative goal and youth are the key to attaining world peace, environmental sustainability, and human and economic productivity for future generations.  Hawaii's location at the center of the Pacific rim region between Asia and the Americas, its diverse culture, and its many shared languages provide an excellent strategic forum for meetings and exchanges, as demonstrated by the Millennium Youth People's Congress that was held in Hawaii in October 1999.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a global youth center in Hawaii under the University of Hawaii.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part IV, subpart M, to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§304A‑   Global youth center; establishment. (a)  There is established a global youth center under the University of Hawaii.  The purpose of the global youth center shall be to generate and link an international framework in which youth from around the world may become actively engaged in the attainment of world peace, environmental sustainability, and human and economic productivity for future generations.

(b)  The global youth center shall:

(1) Provide youth from around the world an opportunity to identify major global issues that will directly affect their generation and future generations and that need to be presently addressed;

(2) Train youth to become future leaders by providing training in effective communications of their concerns and in facilitation of the debate on global issues referenced under paragraph (1);

(3) Develop educational programs on global issues referenced under paragraph (1);

(4) Conduct original research on global issues referenced under paragraph (1);

(5) Bring together various people and organizations that are diverse in order to address world problems, including but not limited to, peace, hunger, environmental protection, and public health; and

(6) Serve as an international clearinghouse for information on policies affecting youth around the world.

(c)  For purposes of subsections (a) and (b), the global youth center shall collaborate with Hawaii's leaders in education, politics, business, the East-West Center, and appropriate international organizations."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________