MTV Networks International has announced that next month US secretary of state Colin Powell will participate in an international global forum through the channel. The 60-minute forum will have young people from America, India, the Middle East, Italy, UK/Ireland, Brazil and Russia grilling Powell on the war on terrorism.

The forum will be available globally to 164 territories with MTV channels reaching 374.7 million households, an official release states. Studio audiences will gather at respective MTV locations around the world, where local MTV news correspondents and VJs will facilitate a Q&A via satellite with Powell. Viewers can also send their questions online. MTV US will serve as host location for Powell in Washington DC where MTV news anchors John Norris and Gideon Yago will moderate.

Speaking on the reason for the initiative Colin Powell made the following remarks: "Young people have long been one of my top priorities, and never more so than now. The world's youth are not only our future but also our greatest hope for solving long-term problems and for building vitally needed understanding between peoples and cultures. I look forward to speaking one-on-one with young people from across the world in this unique forum to discuss world affairs."

President, MTV Group and chairman, Interactive Music, MTV: Music Television Judy McGrath said: "From our post-September 11 programming, our forum with New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani to our Choose or Lose and Rock the Vote work, giving a voice to young people and access to world leaders is something that we are very passionate about. We look forward to a lively and open exchange about the issues that young people around the world are facing at this time in history."

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