Co-organized by the European Youth Forum and the World Organization of the Scout Movement, the Youth, Development and Peace conference met from 15-16 September 2003 in Paris, France to consider the role of youth in peace and development and to identify opportunities for cooperation between youth organizations and the World Bank.

The event provided youth with a forum to express their concerns and priorities and to make recommendations on international development issues and on the policies and actions of the World Bank. It also aimed to involved participants in creating a shared vision of how young people and the World Bank can work together. The four priority areas for cooperation addressed were HIV/AIDS and risky behaviors, education for peace, conflict prevention and resolution, and youth employment. The conference further provided an opportunity for the World Bank to receive input from youth organizations for its draft Children and Youth Strategy.
The event concluded with the agreement that the World Bank and youth would further work together in the coming months in the areas of development including education, HIV/AIDS and employment, and that the World Bank would work with its partners to broaden the participation of young people in poverty reduction strategies. Youth and the World Bank are expecting to meet again in 12 months to evaluate progress and implement further strategies. More information on the conference can be found at: http://wbln0018.worldbank.org/EURVP/web.nsf/Pages/YDP2003-Home