October 8, 2001

National Conversation' to Find Ways to Improve Future of America's Youth

Fargo, N.D., Oct. 8 – North Dakotans across the state will participate in the 4-H youth development movement's "National Conversation on Youth Development in the 21st Century." The effort, the first of its kind, is being held in conjunction with 4-H’s centennial celebration in 2002.

Discussions are planned in nearly every county in the nation, which will lead to one national report containing recommendations for future youth programs and policies.

In North Dakota, Gov. John Hoeven and North Dakota State University President Joseph A. Chapman will serve as honorary co-chairs for the work. The state has 38,680 4-H members and 5,495 volunteers.

Youth, parents, teachers, clergy and government leaders will hold two- to four-hour conversations about the steps that can be taken to impact youth development. The county conversations will occur during October and November, while a statewide event is planned for Jan. 12.

"The results of this initiative will help create the future we want for our youth, ourselves and our community," Hoeven said. "We offer our support to this conversation process and look forward to using the results with future 4-H youth development programs in North Dakota."

Chapman said, "The local conversations are an important initial step to developing national polices to provide opportunity and a bright future for our young people. This is an effort to develop recommendations at the ground floor and working up to a national report of significance."

The discussions will focus on five themes: Power of Youth; Access, Equity and Opportunity; Extraordinary Places to Live and Learn; Exceptional People, Innovative Practices; and Effective Organizational Systems.

More than 100,000 citizens are expected to participate in the discussions across the country. Following the conversations, more than 1,600 representatives from each state, territory and the District of Columbia will convene in Washington, D.C., Feb. 28-March 3 to present recommendations from their local and state conventions. The information will be compiled in a national report and presented to President George W. Bush and Congress.

During the centennial celebration, millions of youth and adults also will pledge time towards community service, while describing what each will do to make their community, country and world better.

Organizers plan to announce the total of the county and state pledges of community service at the National Conversation during a ceremony at the Capitol.

For more information, contact Nels Peterson, North Dakota coordinator, at
(701) 247-2521 or visit the 4-H Centennial Web site at www.4hcentennial.org/conversation .

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Editor: Steve Bergeson/231-6101

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