Fieldnotes: Blogging on UNICEF's child survival work in the field

We've heard from our four young people who are representing the United States at the Junior 8 Summit shadowing the G8 summit in Japan. Here's their first blog posting, written by Rachael Swanson, their chaperon.

HOKKAIDO, Japan (July 3, 2008) — The opening ceremonies have officially kicked off the 4th annual Junior 8 Summit in Chitose City, here in Hokkaido, Japan. Our four US delegates—Avani, Manogna, Jamie and Matthias—arrived safely and have begun working in their topic areas and interest groups.

© Rachael Swanson

The U.S. delegation team to the J8 Summit arrives in Japan. Pictured from left to right are Mr. Murphy, Avani, Manogna, Jamie and Matthias.

The participants in this year's nine day J8 summit include four youth delegates from each of the G8 countries, and this year’s non-G8 representatives include young people from Barbados, Côte d’Ivoire, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal and South Africa. The delegations are tasked with creating a youth statement, the “Chitose Declaration,” and presenting it to the G8 leaders on Monday, July 7.

Tonight’s participant-led cultural celebration will certainly be exciting and informative! It follows a full day of meetings and discussion on the topic of Climate Change and Global Warming. Yesterday's packed agenda included the opening ceremonies and a tour of Shikotsu National Park.

If you could say anything to the world leaders what would it be? Upload a video or post a comment below, and the US Junior 8 Summit Team will review them prior to their meetings each day!