SB2233 SD1

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2233
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008		S.D. 1
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.

Establishing a global youth center in Hawaii is consistent with the vision statement of International Student/Young Pugwash, an international organization that will be a major contributor to the Center, which aims to address threats to global society from nuclear weapons, nuclear proliferation, international conflict and violence, and other social, economic, and environmental problems that put human security at risk. New tools and methods within an interdisciplinary framework are needed to uncover sustainable solutions.

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 be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§304A‑ Global youth center; establishment. (a) There is established a global youth center within the University of Hawaii. The appropriate departments and programs shall collaborate with the center as requested. The global youth center is established for educational purposes that support collaboration linking Hawaii youth with people around the world; promote working together to discover creative ways to develop the global future; and shape a more peaceful and healthier earth. The global youth center shall provide an international framework in which youth from around the world may engage in the activities to promote world peace, environmental sustainability, and human and economic productivity for future generations.

(b) The global youth center shall support collaboration between Hawaii youth and international youth to empower and educate them to:

(1) Identify and address pressing major global issues that will directly affect this and future generations;

(2) Train youth to communicate effectively and take the lead in facilitating the debate on identified global issues;

(3) Develop educational programs and conduct original research on identified global issues;

(4) Develop youth leadership potential worldwide;

(5) Interact directly with policy decision makers and public opinion makers;

(6) Develop and direct partnership projects that positively impact communities locally and worldwide;

(7) Bring together diverse people and organizations to address global issues, including peace, hunger, environmental protection, and public health; and

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

(c) For purposes of this section, the global youth center shall collaborate with Hawaii's leaders in education, politics, and business, and appropriate international organizations."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

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