Press Release 05 October 2007

YOUTH PROGRAMME: YOUNG PROFESSIONALS FIND
COMMON GROUND IN GLOBAL DEBATE

Rome, 12 November 2007 - The Youth Programme, which is currently taking place within the framework of the 20th World Energy Congress, involves 220 delegates from almost 50 countries worldwide. The Programme provides an opportunity for young industry experts to address some of the hottest topics regarding energy. They are interacting with their peers in discussions and workshops focused on the Congress theme of interdependence. Alessandro Blasi, head of the Youth Programme and member of the Congress organizing committee, stated, "The participants have the opportunity to improve their skills and submit recommendations to decision-makers and to the leaders of the global energy industry." The project was initiated by WEC London and the congress organizing committee and allows young people to participate in special dedicated discussion sessions and workshops, as well as to follow the core Congress Programme.

"With the Youth Programme we managed to bring together a huge number of delegates from nearly all parts of the world. This proves that the young generation demands a strong voice in the global energy debate and that we should listen to what they have to contribute. They represent the next generation of energy decision makers and our energy future is in their hands. WEC fully endorses the establishment of a global discussion forum for young energy experts and intends to integrate this innitiative in its forthcoming work programme." says Mathias Hocke, Manager Communications and Special Projects, the responsible WEC Manager for the organization of the Youth Programme.

The Programme is inspired by the debate that started in October on a blog - which one can log on to on the WEC website at www.worldenergy.org - that led to identifying the issues to be further discussed at the four-day Congress event.

The blog was meant to start a dialogue prior to the event and to lay the groundwork for discussion. In these past few months, the blog has been moderated by John Andrews, Senior Correspondent and energy expert of The Economist.

The blog has provided an opportunity to exchange points of view expressed from every part of the world and turned out to be a very successful project leading to the Congress. The more than 200 topics with over 700 comments have attracted more than 18,000 readers in the month of October.

WEC Media contact:
Mathias Hocke: hocke@worldenergy.org
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7734 5996
Stephan Albrechtskirchinger: albrechtskirchinger@worldenergy.org
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7734 5996