STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2204

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2233

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 2233 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ESTABLISHING A GLOBAL YOUTH CENTER,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to establish a global youth center under the University of Hawaii

     Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the University of Hawaii System, the East-West Center, Reford-McCandles International, The United Nations Association-Hawaii Division, the Children's Rights Council Commission on Fatherhood, and eleven individuals.  Comments on the measure were also submitted by one individual.

     Your Committee finds that the world in which we live is increasingly developing into a global community.  Issues facing our society today span countries and cultures and require global thinking that addresses the needs and concerns of numerous diverse political, religious, economic, and socioeconomic views.  Your Committee further finds that to achieve world peace, encourage productivity, and attain sustainability for future generations, collaborative efforts must be made now to educate and prepare the youth of the world.  Accordingly, pursuant to House Concurrent Resolution No. 151, H.D. 1 (2005), the Legislature recognized the need for a Global Youth Center to provide a forum for youth to be educated about and address major global issues and further recognized the role that Hawaii should play in establishing such a center.  This measure establishes the Global Youth Center in Hawaii to provide the framework for youth from around the world to become actively engaged in discussing issues related to and influencing the international community today.  Your Committee determines that the Global Youth Center will provide Hawaii students, particularly public school students, opportunities to become more involved in international dialogue and interaction and greatly benefit the community at large.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2233 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

____________________________

NORMAN SAKAMOTO, Chair