Fostering youth empowerment
—55 Graduate from Youth Leadership Training Programme
DPI, Guyana, Monday, December 09, 2019
Fifty-five young adults from across Guyana were encouraged to set goals for their education and work to achieve them. They were the latest batch to complete the second module of the Youth Leadership training programme.
Speaking at the closing ceremony was held on Sunday at the Madewini Training Centre, Acting Director of Youth Leslyn Boyce told the graduates “Guyana is depending on you … You are the future leaders but you are also needed today. So, start making good use of those opportunities that come your way, those that equip you with the necessary skills to aid your role in the development of your country.”
The training exercise was organised for two weekends for persons between the ages of 14 to 35 years old. To complete the course, participants would have to make 20 contact hours.
In his summary of the programme Senior Education and Training Officer, Ronald Austin Jr. noted that this exercise was conducted based on demands from past participants. He explained that the exercise saw the 55 young adults being exposed to training in meeting minutes and report writing, conducting effective meetings, expenditure and budgeting, social psychology and team building, critical thinking, democracy, good governance and the rule of law,” Austin said.
Former participant Anthony Samuels described the graduates as “ambassadors of their communities.” He then charged them to not only make good use of the knowledge gained but to encourage their peers to enrol in the programme so they too can be empowered.
Kestine King, Dornel McFarlane, Andraka Prescott and Curwin Alleyne all graduates of this training exercise acknowledged that the initiative was beneficial since it provided a foundation from which they can now build on.
In 2019 seven batches of youth leaders completed the programme which falls under the purview of the Department of Social Cohesion Culture Youth and Sports.