Brasília, September 24, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Today, in Salvador (BA), Brazil signs a term of adhesion to the Youth Employment Network, at the invitation of the International Labor Organization (ILO). The network is formed by seven countries involved in public policies to generate jobs and income for young people and was created two years ago by the ILO, the World Bank (IBRD), and the United Nations Organization (UN).

Brazil will play a leadership role in Latin America, in recognition of its efforts to create jobs for young people and as a result of the recently created First Job Program. The First Job Program, one of Lula's Administration's most important social projects, will be presented by Minister of Labor Jaques Wagner and will serve as a public policy model in the generation of jobs for young people.

The project is on the Federal Senate's agenda for a floor vote tomorrow. If the project is approved, the Minister foresees that the program will begin to function soon, beginning October 10, after the text is published in the Federal Government's Official Daily Newspaper. The proposal was approved unanimously by the Senate Social Affairs Commission.

The Youth Employment Network was conceived by the UN during the Conference of the Millenium, in September, 2000. At this encounter, heads of State agreed to place priority on public policies to stimulate the creation of jobs for young people. (DAS)