© UNICEF/2009/A. Muchnik

Wednesday saw the most critical and difficult day of the J8 so far - the drafting of the final declaration. 

The J8 is a unique opportunity to learn about the experiences of children and young people from all over the world, but what it is really about is telling the leaders at the G8 what young people want them to do. The declaration is how the J8 gives its demands to the G8.

The process of drafting this two page document has consumed everyone at the J8, especially those who chose to be on the drafting committee. Each of the four J8 topics has been discussed thoroughly throughout the week with suggestions taken by the drafting committee and turned into proposed text.

On Wednesday morning the drafting committee presented their draft declaration for open discussion. During this session different people offered amendments, new ideas and revisions in an energetic debating environment.

Following this, the drafting committee spent the rest of the day locked in session working these last minute revisions and amendments into a final working document. This left the J8 in a strange limbo as the other participants carried on with their interest group activities knowing the document they have been working so hard on was being finalized in a separate room.

This final draft was presented back to the full J8 on Wednesday evening. The text of each paragraph was read, offered for final comments and then voted on. Votes were given by national team for the first time, with each country having one vote. This was a unique occasion with every agreed paragraph being applauded with a sense of relief by the young people.

The young people who the J8 represent will be the most affected by all the decisions taken by the G8. If the G8 leaders want to know how they feel about what they are talking about in L’Aquila, they should read the document the J8 will give them on Thursday.