To commemorate 2002 as the centennial year of America's 4-H Movement, the National 4-H Council held a national conversation to identify ways of improving youth development programs. The conversation process included the following activities: 1,577 local conversations that yielded more than 10,000 specific action items; a review of those items at 63 state conversations; and a national conversation at which 1,200 youths and adults representing 600 organizations developed specific national strategies and action steps based on the findings of the local and state conversations. The following youth development strategies were identified: (1) involve youth directly in creating policy and making decisions at all levels of government and society; (2) seek multicultural acceptance and unity for all families, lifestyles, and settings; (3) provide safe, inviting environments for diverse learning strategies; (4) attract exceptional people to the field of youth development and retain them; and (5) build collaboration among youth organizations and across government programs impacting young people. The following were among the specific action steps identified: (1) establish a National Office of Youth, national youth advocate, and other youth advocates within all federal departments and agencies; (2) expand the use of mentoring, work-based and community service learning, and technology; and (3) improve coordination and eliminate duplication among agencies and organizations serving youth. (MN)