Havana, March 23 (RHC)-- More than 400 young representatives from different sectors of Cuban society participated Friday in a forum called “Thinking about the Americas”, as part of activities in the lead up to the 8th Summit of the Americas, set for April in Lima, Peru.

The contribution of youth to the country's socioeconomic development, the updating of the island’s model, its social achievements and scientific development, were some of the themes debated at the event, held at the University of Havana.

Convened by student organizations and youth movements, the forum included three panel discussions, in which young Cubans, experts and professors addressed issues related to democracy, citizen participation and human rights, with a view to the Forum of Civil Society and Social Actors of the upcoming regional Summit.

In statements to the press, the First Secretary of the Young Communist League (UJC) Susely Morfa, stressed the importance of this type of meeting to reflect on the participation of the younger generations in the tasks of the Revolution, particularly their decisive contribution to achieving an ever-more just and equitable world.

Participants in Friday's forum praised the ideals of leader Fidel Castro.

The Forum included a tribute to the student leader and founder of the Federation of University Students, Julio Antonio Mella.

The event concluded with the approval of a final declaration, with the position that Cuban youth participating in the 8th Summit of the Americas will defend, as part of Cuban civil society, which brings together more than 2,000 organizations and associations involved in practically all branches of the political, social, economic, cultural and religious life of the country.