| Main Performers | Anthony Eden MP,
Frank Owen (Daily Mail Chairman),
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh,
Prime Minister Clement Attlee - speakers
Panel of 26 young people from across 13 countries (including Susan Maclean from New Zealand) |
| Set List | Opening Speech (Frank Owen),
Speech (HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh)
Speech (French girl),
Speech (MP Anthony Eden),
Introduction of Young People,
Discussion on the contribution that Europe can make to 'the world we want',
Discussion on production of food |
| Royal Presence | HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh |
| Performance Notes | More than 5,000 schoolchildren from London filled the Hall to listen to other children from 13 countries discuss 'The World We Want.
Associated Press Archive holds B&W Movietone footage of the event (Story No. BM51924).
In 1949, an initiative was undertaken to establish a youth organisation to promote global cooperation and understanding amongst the young people of the world. Recognising the need for a universal youth organisation, youth leaders from national youth councils of all member countries of the United Nations (UN) were invited to attend an international conference in London in August 1949 at Westminster Hall at which was established the World Assembly of Youth (WAY). This meeting of Commonwealth youth preceded that by three months but came as a response to the drafting of a charter, which had been prepared in February 1949 in Ashbridge, England, and which was to be ratified at the first official meeting of WAY in Brussels in 1950.
Frank Owen opened this meeting by saying, "First of all, it is the largest youth forum ever held in the world. In case you didn't know there are 6,000 of you sitting in this hall at this moment. LS I've no doubt at all what the result of the argument will be".
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh speech commented on the interconnectedness of the modern world and his belief in the power of the youth of today to shape the future:
''You all know that the world is facing a very grave crisis. Now the reason for this crisis is very simple. It is just that distance if no longer a matter of miles but of hours and we have proof of that here amongst us in that the members of the Forum have flown here from the other side of the earth in practically no time at all. Now history has shown that people can live peacefully close together and now, whether we like it or not, we are close neighbours, of all the world. Now the choice before us is quite simple as well. It is either the destruction of the world or a peaceful world society and it is up to us to make the choice. SCU. I would just like to say that we all know that Utopia is unobtainable but if we know the world we want, then at least we can work for it.'
Clement Attlee made the following speech, '.... all with which I'm not invariably in agreement but I would like to thank them for organising this Youth Forum. I hope our Visitors from other countries are thoroughly enjoying their stay here. I've been asked to speak this afternoon on 'Britain's contribution to the World we want' Well I must confess I was rather uncertain as to the exact nature of this subject. It might mean what Britain had contributed in the past or what she might contribute in the future. It might mean her material or her spiritual contribution but I have concluded that I should try to tell you what I consider as a result of experience in the field of human relationships The problem of Democracy is to ensure that the will of the Majority prevails without infringing the rights of the minority. Rights of minorities to express their opinions, to seek to change opinion and convert the majority to their view. The problems of liberty, how to give the greatest freedom to the individual without impairing the unity of the whole, without preventing the exercise of the common will'
Speech by Lionel Gamlin;
"Your Royal Highness, Mr. Prime Minister, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen and all our young friends here in this hall. When I had the pleasure of attending the Manchester meeting of the World Forum of Youth some weeks ago. I was especially delighted to hear one of the delegates. Hans Christiansen of Denmark, I think it was say that the thing which surprised him most since his arrival in this country was to find that the English people were not, in fact cold and reserved, but friendly and well, he didn't actually say it, though I'm sure he nearly added almost human. ..... But today, in Europe as in Britain, I don't think we need take the shaggy-minded pessimist very seriously and when you have heard the delegates to this final session of the World Forum of Youth discussing the world they all want, and indeed, we middle-aged old fogies also want, I feel confident that you will agree with me. If Britain's contribution to that better world is both important and invaluable, especially in the field, as the Prime Minister just reminded us, of human relationships, Europe's contribution is no less so. It is fitting, I think that those young men and women on whom the brunt of the task will in a very few years from now, should voice their opinions and Ideals. through their representatives from Belgium, Denmark, France, Holland, Italy, Norway and, Sweden.'
Anthony Eden made a speech thanking all those who had come from the British Commonwealth overseas for making him very welcome when he visited some of them earlier this year. He talked of his life in International Affairs and visiting many lands privately and officially. He said he thought he should qualify for a pretty high place in any lists of 'hobos'. He talked of how it should be quite easy for nations to understand each other. He urged the young people to 'keep pegging away' at international understanding.
Lieutenant-General Sir Michael Parker RN was in attendance. |