43rd Annual Meeting

June 3-5, 2007

Theme

"Our Stake in the Future: Youth and Rural Community Vitality"

The demographic shift that is appearing on the horizon shows a marked change given the percentage of youth in all corners of the globe. As we strive to maintain quality livelihoods for future generations, it is vital that policy makers, development agents and the supporting actors on the ground understand the breadth of this shift. It is imperative to understand as well the issues faced and the need for life-long planning that begins with the youth for the security of our communities such that youth become productive leaders, managers and families. The structure of the meeting is designed to have three session defining the breadth of the demographic shift that is occurring in youth defined as 12 to 25 years of age; the issues that some countries face given the current events impacting youth; and finally a session presenting programs designed for youth in different regions of the world that strive for a goal of quality livelihoods in rural areas which maintain the integrity and vitality of communities over the long run for people.