Film star to host kids' G8 summit

Movie star Ewan McGregor is to host the first children's version of the G8 summit, it was confirmed today.

The 34-year-old Unicef ambassador will be joined by violin prodigy Nicola Benedetti at the launch of C8 in Dunblane, Stirlingshire.

Youngsters from eight of the world's poorest countries will be flown in by the charity to join children from some of the richest nations at the forum on July 3.

The 16 youngsters will produce a manifesto to be presented to world leaders when they arrive for the G8 summit at nearby Gleneagles in Perthshire.

Young people aged from 11 to 18 have been chosen on the basis of their anti-poverty work in schools and communities.

Children from the developing nations of Bhutan, Moldova, Yemen, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Cambodia, Lesotho and Bolivia will attend.

They will discuss issues such as poverty, HIV/Aids and education with youngsters from the UK, France, Germany and Italy for three days at the Hilton Hydro.

McGregor, from Crieff in Perthshire, said: "Whenever I meet children as Unicef ambassador, I am amazed at their eloquent, articulate and passionate views.

"They really have a unique perspective on the world. Many living in other countries have had direct experience of issues such as poverty, education, HIV and Aids and deserve to have their voices heard."

Unicef said Star Wars actor McGregor and Benedetti, 17, from West Kilbride in Ayrshire, were perfect to represent the voice of youth.

A spokeswoman for the international children's charity added: "The decisions made by the G8 leaders will directly affect children's lives all over the world.

"The C8 offers an opportunity for young people to have their opinions and voices heard by G8 leaders and the rest of the world."

After meeting, the children will attend the anti-poverty concert at Edinburgh's Murrayfield on July 6, as the G8 summit gets under way.

:: The five C8 youngsters from the UK are Jamie Brown, 17, from Dennistoun, Glasgow; Rachel Parker, 15, from Annan, Dumfries-shire; Laura Calvert, 17, from Bangor, Co Down; Saranda Hajdari, 15, from Liverpool; and Jon Hudson, 18, from Birmingham.