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Between The Dear Women’s Institute members: By the time you read this. our family will have grown by two grand children, and our lives enriched by their presence. As our Families grow 1 cannot help but think how much our concerns in the W.li will affect their future. We urge our members to support the international project of Water and Sanitation. Your donae tions will be presented by F.W.l.O. at the national convention in Lon don, Ontario next June. Our interest in safe water is local as well as inter: national. It is something we cannot do without and is perhaps the most precious resource we have. Other concerns that will affect our children and which we are addressing are acid rain, pornography and the exploitation of young people. and the nuclear world we are living in, Each of these concerns us all, and if some of us are free from the pressures of raising our own families, then we can use our energies to work for a world community in which these threats to future generations can be lessened. I would like to remind you that the United Nations has designated I985 as the International Youth Year, and has established three themes â€" par- ticipation, development and peace. 4 Because I know you would search for a way in which you could be in- volved, I will share with YOU some m‘ formation from the report or the Secretary-General of the United Na- tions. “Emphasis needs to be placed on increasing the quality 0f OPPOF‘ [unites for young 19601316 for mean' ingful participation in the develop- ment of society, Participation without total involvement is meanâ€" ingless â€" they need to be part of the formulation and implementation of projects and their evaluation. Inter- national co-operation and interna- tional peace are major concerns of young people." The report urges youth and other groups in society to combine their energies and work toward improving the quality of life in the community. Participation means that a person is potentially able to judge and decide on matters that concern his/her life and has the opportunity to do so. Development incorporates two major aspects. The growth ofthe total per- sonality of the individual and the total development at local and na- tional levels. Peace is the essential pre-requisite for development. The potential of young people in securing peace should be recognized and encouraged. A role we of the Federated Women‘s Institutes could play in the program would be to focus on the concerns and the role of young women in development, and indeed it is a role we have been playing since our inception. We should encourage youth and youth-related organiza~ tions to develop and strengthen ties with other organizations with a view to comparing and evaluating their ideas and information and to ex» change useful information. The document “Focus on Youth" prepared by the Honourable Celine Hervieux-Payette, Minister of State for Youth in the former Trudeau government, states, “Youth are look- ing for an identity as valuable. conâ€" tributing members of society; they want adults to give them responsibili- l)’ but make them accountable for their decisions." From this document I have assembled some ideas and in formation to share with you. Youth in Canada face two of life‘s most Important transitions, From School to work and from dependence to independence. Many young peg. pie are living with their parents longer in a family situation and continue in a family Situation by'starting families of their own. Many times these young families face economic hardships by being in low income classes. These parents are looking for child care ar. rangemenls, flexible working hours for both parents, family income Sup. port, and early childhood education Canadian youth identified two needs. Better opportunites to con. tribute to society and their own bet. terment through meaningful and fulfilling work, and an ident, is as valuable members of society i be. ing given responsibility and 3an held responsible for their dec: rm; We can help by providing ac- met» to overcome youth alien: gn_ However we must let them be r i or the planning, decision-makir. ind evaluation process. So let’s enc. age their participation in communji .m. grams. Socializing is an import; ac. tivity of youth. Leisure acti res, voluntary service, part-time le. ting all contribute to the developrn or a personality. Youth are enei tit, generally physically fit and he hi As they mature there is a Hat: ion from being learners of an ‘ult culture to being participants. One area we can become ll'l\ .ed in is self-help programs. Ht ing needs. budgeting, financial pla: mg. encouraging environmental t ; 7 tion and ecological issues are so we have experience in. Encouragt ir- ticipation in the social institutii of our society and in comm Ii) planning. As we look to 1985 let us be. tft‘ of the Youth Opportunity Fufll‘ an we be innovative and create slâ€" oriented employment opporri tax for youth interested in the agrit ire sector? Can we expand we; '\- Changes domestically ‘id internationally? And, finally, secure a co; at “Focus on Youth” from the M: at of State for Youth, and study it o- mote a poster contest for ‘ 1h Year, or a photograph comes 3 dance or art festival. Rememl “:1 to encourage your youth to 'r- ticipate in the planning and de m making process of the project. tut expertise and their enthusiasm \ l- ing together should bring CXCilL rm and challenge to 1985. Good «ii and my best wishes. Sincerely Charlotte Johnson