August 11, 2008

Since the beginning of my mandate, I have had the great pleasure of meeting with youth across Canada and in the other countries I have visited, young people from every background, every walk of life, every segment of society. And whatever their situation, they all shared a desire to build a better world for us all and to do whatever it takes to make their dreams a reality.

On this International Youth Day, let us congratulate the young people in our lives; let us applaud their daring and enthusiasm and encourage them to have faith in the future and believe that even their wildest dreams will come true. Because they represent a promise for the future and are a living strength for the present; in their hands rests tremendous power, both here at home and beyond our borders. This is why I gladly support their efforts to promote development programs around the world, to eradicate poverty, to improve the lives of those around them, to protect the environment, and, above all, to put an end to indifference and inspire others to contribute to our collective well-being.

May this International Youth Day rekindle hope and solidarity and serve as the starting point for great things for humanity!

Michaëlle Jean

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