Brazil President Meets Youth Representatives

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has pledged to open new channels of dialogue with Brazil's youth, the dominant demographic at mass nationwide protests that have rocked the country over the past two weeks.

Rousseff and Education Minister Aloizio Mercadante met Friday in the capital city of Brasilia with leaders from 25 youth organizations, including student and labor unions and gay rights groups.

Rousseff's office also announced the imminent launch of a long-planned government website focusing on youth issues.

The demonstrations took off earlier this month over a 10-cent hike in bus and subway fare in Sao Paulo. The demonstrations morphed into a mass, nationwide movement voicing public dissatisfaction with a range of issues such as government corruption, poor education and health care. Scattered smaller protests continued on Friday.