Asia Society announces names for Asia 21 Young Leaders Forum

Mumbai, Mar 6 (UNI) Asia Society has announced the names of the 2007 class of Fellows for Asia 21 Young Leaders Forum, a leading initiative for young leaders in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Asia 21 initiative brings together Fellows from across the Asia-Pacific region representing a broad range of disciplines such as business, politics, civil society, media, arts, culture, and academics.

Established by the Asia Society with support from Merrill Lynch, the Founding International Sponsor, the Asia 21 Young Leaders programme brings together emerging leaders under the age of forty from across the US and Asia-Pacific region to develop shared, innovative approaches to addressing the challenges and responsibilities of global citizenship, a release here today said.

''In the face of a rapidly changing world whose focus is unquestionably tilting towards Asia, the Asia 21 Young Leaders programme is one more way in which Asia Society plays a role in creating unique forums where collaboration, exchange and better understanding can help address a range of challenges,'' said Asia Society President Vishakha N Desai.

Fellows will come together twice per year in different cities in Asia to address topics relating to environmental degradation, economic development, poverty eradication, universal education, conflict resolution, HIV/AIDS, public health crises and human rights.

''This group of amazing young people will educate each other on what it means to be true leaders and hold each other to those ideals not only today but 10, 20 and 30 years from now,'' said Asia Society Executive Vice President Jamie F Metzl who spearheaded this initiative. ''We are delighted to have men and women of their calibre join as Fellows this year,'' he added.

UNI