World Youth Alliance as the Voice of Latin American Youth 

Lourdes Villanueva, Regional Director of World Youth Alliance Latin America (WYALA), was selected by the department for International Affairs of the OAS to represent Latin American youth at a private consultation with José Miguel Insulza, Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS). The consultation was an opportunity for youth organizations and organizations working with youth to voice their concerns to Insulza and selected group of OAS and civil society representatives before the convening of the 38th Regular Session of the OAS General Assembly whose theme was “Youth and Democratic Values.”  The General Assembly convened from June 1st to 3rd, 2008 in Medellin, Columbia.  In her statement, Villanueva affirmed that she had seen youth in her region accomplish amazing things and emphasized that they required three things to really flourish: stability, opportunity and a sense of meaning.

 “On many occasions I have been able to see that we are capable, regardless of our circumstances, of proposing activities and projects, and giving our hands and our work to help overcome challenges that face us,” said Villanueva.  “We youth are idealists; we want to change the world.  But to achieve this we first need you to believe in us and give us the opportunity to do so.”

She further stated that in its work, the WYA leads by example and offers young people “a way to understand and experience things that are meaningful and for which one could stake one’s whole existence.”

Also, present at the meeting were a Colombian senator and representatives from the organizations Un Techo Para Mi País, Proyecto Alcatraz and Caribbean Community Commission on Youth Development.