Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
1/17/02
For Immediate Release
Contacts:
Brenda Allen, ISU Extension 4-H Youth Development, (515) 294-1567
Carol Ouverson, ISU Extension Continuing Education and Communication Services,
(515) 294-9640
Iowa 4-H Conversations Seek Youth Ideas
AMES, Iowa -- What experiences do youth need to gain the drive and confidence to make positive contributions to their communities? How can youth become catalysts for social change?
These and other issues will be addressed Monday, Jan. 21, at the Iowa Conversation on Youth Development in the 21st Century, sponsored by Iowa State University Extension 4-H Youth Development on the ISU campus in Ames. More than 300 delegates will voice ideas on state actions and policy options. The youth, volunteers and others will represent 99 counties.
"Youth are the nation's untapped resources," said Joe Kurth, state director, 4-H Youth Development. "4-H is committed to making sure that all youth -- from family farms to urban centers -- have a voice in their own destiny."
"We're not building a granite monument for our 2002
4-H centennial," said Donald T. Floyd, Jr., president and CEO of
National 4-H Council. "We're creating an action plan for families,
youth leaders and communities across the nation to guide us in the coming
century."
In October and November 2001, local county 4-H groups sponsored conversations
that brought together thousands of Iowa youth and adults to identify local
priorities for youth development. Up to four delegates from each county
conversation will be attending the state event.
"Our purpose is to have youth and adults work together to bring about positive change," Kurth said. "We will present state findings to elected officials in March at 4-H Day at the Iowa Legislature."
Selected delegates from the Iowa conversation will attend the national conversation Feb. 28 in Washington, D.C. "This may be the largest single undertaking in the first 100 years of 4-H," Kurth said. "We're creating a blueprint for youth programs in every community in America."
In addition to presenting their findings to the legislative community, young people will make a civic commitment to serve their local communities through a Power of Youth Pledge Campaign. Also, National 4-H will incorporate the best ideas for youth development in its national curriculum, which is offered to local clubs.
#
ml: imajor
Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.