18to35" Unveils 2003 Innovators Program: Non-Partisan, Young Adult Policy Organization Launches with a Focus on Jobs and the Economy

18to35, a national, non-partisan organization dedicated to giving young adults a credible voice in policymaking has selected a group of up-and-coming and already-there young adults to develop new solutions that address the growing problems of the U.S. economy and jobs.

For Immediate Release                                                            
Contact:
Esther Potter (202-543-0828)

WASHINGTON, D.C.(PRWEB) September 18, 2003 -- As the nation readies itself for the 2004 presidential election cycle, 18to35, a new non-partisan policy organization, announces its inaugural group of Innovators -- a select group of nine up-and-coming" and already-there" young adults who will be challenged to develop new solutions that address the growing problems of the economy and jobs. Todays news represents a growing need to tap into the innovation and creativity of todays young adults to develop cross-ideological and non-partisan solutions to todays most pressing social, economic and political problems.

The following nine individuals have been named to the 2003-2004 Innovators program:
*   Paul Andrew: Former Special Advisor to British Prime Minister Tony Blair and current senior consultant at Hattaway Communications in Boston.
*   Francisco Gomes: Business owner and environmental planner in Hartford, CT.
*   Adam Gordon: Publisher and editor-in-chief of the magazine, The Next American City.
*   Michael Hurwitz and Ian Marvy: Co-founders and co-directors of Added Value in NY.
*   Ariosto Manrique: President of Testa Marketing and President of the Youth Entrepreneurs Organization of COPARMEX in Tijuana.
*   Kari McIntyre: Sophomore at Tufts University.
*   Bruce Mehlman: Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Technology Policy.
*   Dimitri Millas: MBA student at Rice University.

For biographies of 18to35s Innovators, visit www.18to35.org/innovators.html.

For the coming year, the 18to35 Innovators will examine a wide range of issues impacting jobs and the economy, particularly from a young adult perspective, including:

- Social Security and Medicare
- unemployment
- health benefits
- higher education debt and credit card debt
- financial savings strategies

Our Innovators and young adults across the country can bring fresh insight and fresh solutions to critical social and economic problems facing the United States. At a time when our country faces unprecedented challenges, todays young adults -- regardless of race, socioeconomic status, or political persuasion -- must step up and develop new approaches to tackle the problems that affect us all," said 18to35s co-founder and President, Jonathan Zaff. The problems facing young adults are frequently an after thought in todays highly partisan public policy debates. 18to35s mission is to move the issues and concerns of young adults to the forefront of public policymaking."

18to35 -- An Organization Devoted to Innovation, Deliberation and Participation -- provides young adults with opportunities to think creatively, alter the course of national debate profoundly, all while encouraging other young adults to reflect on, respond to and re-engage in our civic life.

Through a broad dissemination effort of easily understandable policy briefs, press releases and articles geared to elected officials, the media, and the general public, 18to35s Innovators will inform local, national and international policy-making.

The Innovators' policy briefs will be released in mid-November of 2003, with on-line and face-to-face deliberations among young adults and policy-makers taking place across the country throughout 2004.

About 18to35
18to35 is a national non-partisan policy organization dedicated to infusing public policy debates with an innovative and young perspective, and to engage young adults in these deliberations. To learn more about 18to35s Innovators and other 18to35 programs, contact 18to35 by e-mail at media@18to35.org or phone (202) 543-0828.
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