Youth Parliamentarian Returns from Geneva

The World Health Organization convened the first taskforce meeting of the United Nations World Youth Assembly for Road Safety to spearhead the recommendations of the Assembly. The taskforce comprises strong youth leaders in the field of road safety representing all the regions of the world based on their active participation at the World Youth Assembly for Road Safety and their achievements as advocates and global ambassadors for road safety in their countries and regions.

The meeting was held from the 25th-26th March 2009 in Geneva, Switzerland to spearhead the establishment of a youth NGO on road safety which will serve as a platform to connect young people from all over the world to advocate and sensitise for the safety of young people on the world's road. Create awareness in the world about road safety issues for young people, support and facilitate national road safety activities led by youths through technical and financial assistance and prepare a next generation of leaders from around the world to be sensitive to the issue of road safety. The taskforce comprises of representatives from the United States of America, Canada, Australia, The Netherlands, Brazil, France and The Gambia.

The Gambia was represented by the National Youth Parliament Program Officer who also double as the Speaker of Banjul Youth Parliament Honorable Ousman Conteh as the single representative from the Africa.

In an interview with the youth forum shortly after his return from Geneva Hon Conteh expresses his heartfelt appreciation to the World Health Organisation, Geneva office for nominating him to be part of this high profile global youth initiative. He indicated that they were inspired, empowered and encouraged to serve as ambassadors at home and abroad by advocating road safety in our countries, regions, and the global community at large to mobilize action towards reducing the unacceptably high number of road traffic deaths and injuries amongst youth on our roads and emphasis that it's time for young people to kick in and take some responsibilities on their own shoulders to put an end to this tragic and unacceptable act on our roads.

He expressed appreciation to the National Youth Parliament for their focus and direction and the WHO Gambia Office for facilitating his travel.