ISLAMABAD, Oct 28: Youth can help the UN fight HIV/Aids, illiteracy and gender discrimination. This was said by one of the speakers at a declamation contest arranged by the United Nations system in Pakistan in connection with the 59th anniversary of the world body.

The contest was held at the International Labour Organization (ILO) auditorium on Thursday.

Students between the ages of 14 and 16 from 10 different private and government schools participated in the competition to commemorate UN Day this year. The theme was 'We, the future - How can we support the United Nations?'.

Minister of State for Education Ghulam Bibi Bharwana presided over the event. Representatives from the ministries of foreign affairs and education, Unesco and UN were also present.

The importance of youth's contributions towards establishing world peace, discouraging child labour and fighting disease and hunger were also highlighted.

With over 1.2 billion youth in the world, youth power is one positive force to reckon with, a speaker said.

"What the UN is doing at the global level the children of Pakistan can do at local levels," he said.

Amaar Faaruq of Beacon House School system Margalla campus, in his speech, said: "We pledge that no more graveyards will be filled with Kashmiri martyrs. The daughters of Kashmir will not be dishonoured and youth will not be slaughtered.

"We also promise that Palestinian blood will not be considered cheaper than water. And we pledge that Iraqis will not be butchered under the pretext of liberation and democracy."

The first position was won by Maliha Shah of the OPF Girls College Islamabad. Huma Baseer Saigal of IMCG, F-7/4 and Kiran Khalid of IMCG, F-6/2 claimed second and third positions.