ROME, Italy, 7 July 2009 Bright young minds from around the world
have gathered for the Junior 8 Summit, a week-long conference for young
people to exchange and debate ideas about how to best improve global
conditions for children.

On 9 July, a select group of delegates
from the Junior 8, or 'J8', will personally present their
recommendations to the world leaders at the Group of 8 Summit, which is
also taking place in Italy.

"By stating our rights, we all as the
J8 community with different nationalities we have to realize that we
all have the same rights and we are equal," said Richmond Mahlubandile
Sajini, 15, from South Africa.

The J8 participants are spending
most of their time ahead of the meeting with world leaders working on
policy recommendations about climate change, development in Africa, the
global economic crisis and quality education.

With millions of
children under the age of five dying each year from largely preventable
causes, the stakes are high. And as they move forward, the youth
delegates are thinking big.

"If humanity was able to put a man on
the moon, it should be able to solve the humanitarian problems it
faces," said Daniel Morales, 15, of the United States.

To read the full story, visit www.unicef.org.